Lee Donuts — Restaurant in Libertyville

Okay, I have been a customer of Lee's Donuts for forever. I was very skeptical when the new owners took over. So, earlier this week I went in and placed my order for paczkis. Kind of the big donut shop test in my opinion. Typically, in the past, those were the only things available on Mardi Gras at Lee's. And it was a massive operation, with boxes of paczkis everywhere, stacked a dozen high, checklists pages long, people streaming through, and it was crazy. Now, they did not have the extensive list of flavors the old owners had, and I very much miss the Moonshine Apple Pie specialty paczki, however, they did have apricot, lemon, raspberry, chocolate, and Bavarian cream. So, not a bad assortment for a first go at this. When I got there this morning, they had the full lineup of donuts, and it did not look like the intensive operation it has in the past. They were a bit late with my order of paczkis but, they were very apologetic, and they did offer me free additional donuts and coffee. And I have to say, after being quite skeptical, their paczkis were phenomenal! The paczkis were just excellent, and dare I say...perhaps slightly better than the ones the original owner made. Sometimes paczkis can have a little tendency towards being more bready and less donuty, but these had that perfect donut texture. They did not skimp at all on the filling or the powdered sugar on top. They really were just perfect. Now, if I can just get them to make them Moonshine Apple Pie one 😀, they will be THE best donut place in my book, or at least, certainly the place with...

Our family has been loyal customers of Lee Donuts for 30 years. We have seen multiple owernship changes without any difference in quality of the donuts. They have always been fresh and delicious. However, over the past 3 months the quality has dropped to almost inedible. When I first met the new owners, I begged them not to change the recipe. He assured me that they will keep the recipies and will retain the baker. Recently, our donuts were stale and hard. For the first time, I had to return them. We gave them a few other chances and were sadly dissappointed. It seems as if they purchased the business, kept the baker for a short period to "learn" the process, then got rid of the baker. They also seem to trick customers by placing day old donuts in the case. This is the end of an era in our beloved town. I can no longer support this shop as their donuts are on the par of frozen Dunkin Donuts.

Baker, if you read this. Please leave your card at the Starbucks down the road at 137/Milwaukee. I am in there every week and will ask if a card was left. If you are interested, we can provide investors to bring back the these wonderful donuts to Libertyville.

PS: most of my neighbors say the same thing. We all can't believe some of the recent postive reviews. They appear to be fake. I realize this is one review, but give it a try for yourself if you are brave enough to...

I was excited to see a small local donut shop and had to stop. Unfortunately it was later in the morning and most of the donut choices were gone. The man told us he was going to bring out a few more flavors in 15 minutes so we waited. He brought out some plain glazed donuts with just a different flavored glaze. I thought the donut were going to be actually different donuts they were not. I gave three stars because the service was friendly but the donut shop is a bit odd. The decor are some parts modern and others seem like you are in Grandma's dining room. It was an odd decor for sure. I think an overall remodel may be needed. I wish I would have had more choices in donuts and the two we had were just yeast donuts with different flavored glaze nothing out of the ordinary. I think a good cleaning, new decor and more unique donuts could make this...