Factory Donuts — Restaurant in Kirkland

It was extremely difficult to understand the employee at the counter due to her thick accent, but I eventually managed to order an Iced Latte and two donuts. I was asked if I would like vanilla flavoring added to the Iced Latte, and I said sure.

I was charged significantly higher than the listed menu price, with no explanation or receipt offered. After going to the nearby Subway, I went back to the outside of Factory Donuts to look at the menu to see if I could figure out where the extra charge came from.

After a minute or so, the employee who I had ordered from and a second employee who had appeared gestured for me to go inside. Without my having said anything. they already knew that I was wondering about the charge, so this might be a common occurrence at this place. After talking to them, I understood that an extra $1.50 charge came from a tricky menu format where the flavor price ($.50) was meant to be a subsection of a line above it saying espresso ($1.50), and customers adding any flavor pay the $1.50 espresso charge in addition to the listed price for the individual flavor(s). (even for non-espresso drinks like the Iced Latte, apparently)

The second employee seemed genuinely apologetic when I stated that this was a pretty dirty trick and refunded me the difference, despite the first employee's protests. The first employee also yelled something at me (or maybe at the other employee) as I left the donut shop with a bad taste in my mouth.

You probably won't run into the issues I had with this place if you don't order coffee, or at least don't add flavor to the coffee without being aware of the extra $1.50 charge in addition to the flavor charge.

$1.50 isn't a lot of money to be tricked out of, but I won't be going back to this place out of principle. Which is kind of a shame, because the donuts are...

I have been buying Factory Donuts in Kingsgate for years. Although I moved away, I still make the short trip to my donut shop whenever I’m in Totem Lake. I made the stop there today with my friend and picked up the big glazed donut that’s 6-1/2” across and 2” tall. It’s also round on the outside AND the inside! Those confectionary artist masters are skilled! While the lady who’s been serving me for the last few years doesn’t like me much, I realize running a donut shop of that caliber in the ‘hood like Kingsgate 5 is no…. Ummm… cakewalk, so I live with the fact she’s there to sell donuts and run her business. My role is to hand her money and not start any conversations. I have to admit sometimes I skip and smile at her and talk to her as if we are two people that can amicably exist in the same neighborhood without friction, but with a sharp glance she thwarts all attempts to kill her with kindness. I’m okay with that, cause what we lack in social interactivity, she overcompensates with a 6-1/2” glazed, circular donut with a hole in it.. bliss and serendipity culminating in a lower level form of a mouthgasm I get to experience all the way to work! Thank you, Factory Donuts! I love you!(in a customer to store owner who’s not into having me on her favorite contacts...

Factory Donuts is my go-to in Kirkland! I often do trainings and I’ll always come here for the donuts!

Parking is super easy, as this shop is located at the end of a small strip mall.

The interior is unassuming and pretty small but I’m not sure how many people plan to stay and dine their after buying something?

I had a great experience with the woman a lot of people seem to complain about. Was she pretty quick between selections, by saying, “next”...? Yea sure, but I’m not sensitive and that didn’t bother me. Most recently I needed 4 dozen donuts and including fritters I ended up with 5 boxes. As I attempted to carry them all and get through the door she exclaimed “oh let me help you!” and proceeded to help me to my car!

I’m not much of a donut expert, and out of the multiple different kids of donuts I bought most recently I only tried the buttermilk bar. WOW! delicious! Super soft on the inside and a bit more firm and crunchy on the outside with the most exceptional flavor.

At all of my trainings most everyone asks where the donuts are from and exclaim, “these are SO good!”. The fritters, all 3 flavors, seem to be an...