Status Dough Donuts & Coffee - Downtown Knoxville — Restaurant in Knoxville

This was maybe more of a 3.5 star experience. I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon and picked out 4 donuts. The place had 2 customers silently sitting and maybe working on their computers but the whole place felt sterile and lifeless. I wasn't greeted and stood at the counter for a few minutes while the lone employee arranged items until I finally asked if I could order. I wanted to sample a variety- so I got an apple fritter, a snickerdoodle donut, a buttermilk old fashioned, and a blueberry Pączki. The apple fritter was the best of those 4. The snickerdoodle was just a traditional cinnamon sugar donut. The base was a bit dry yet also tasted oily. The buttermilk old fashioned had a similar greasy flavor and not the tang I'd expect from this type of donut. The Pączki was just a minimally filled jelly donut...and the dough was very greasy. Normally, the dough is more bready and has a more rich flavor. The ones I've always eaten in the past are heavily filled. This place seems like it has potential but it just lacks the quality or personality I'm looking for in a local gem. Nothing was awful but nothing was...

I know what I'm talking about when I talk about donuts, so when I say that I wish this was a 4 star location, believe me, I truly do. However, I cannot taint my integrity by giving this Status Dough location anything greater than 3 stars!

My reasoning? Every apparent facet of this location is worthy of a higher review. The setting is accessible and well maintained, the aesthetic is hip and charming but surprisingly unpretentious, and the employee I spoke with, although perhaps too quick to try and connect with me about how he also liked getting donuts alone, was polite and dutiful.

If you've read my previous reviews, you'll know my final score always comes down to the headline performance itself. Thus, it is sadly that I must say the donuts at status dough fail to exceed a middling quality. While the artisan craftsmanship behind them is clear as day, they're just not that fun to eat. I won't deny Status Dough another opportunity to shine in the...

Having worked many years in the service industry, I'm not easily moved - but the hospitality I found here today was phenomenal. My barista, Michael, was friendly, authentic, knowledgeable. I'd probably sit in a park and discuss art with him, chill fellow. Anyway, he helped me decide on my coffee, ground the beans right on the spot, frothed the milk by hand, and poured a beautiful design on top of my lavender latte ☕️

I'm halfway through a 20-hour drive to my grandfather's funeral, have already been rear-ended on this trip, on top of a tumultuous past month overall - Michael's genuine positive engagement was exactly what I needed to power me through the next leg of my...