Voodoo Doughnut — Restaurant in Portland

Something weird happens at this location...

They used to put all of their unsold donuts into containers at the end of each day and sell them at crazy discounted prices, even giving them away for free for a time. COVID pretty much ended this practice. When I inquired about them revisiting the tradition not too long ago, I was informed that they weren't able to give unsold product away any longer for fear of being sued by people that might eat that product and become ill. This while I witnessed multiple people open up their dumpsters and remove anywhere from a single donutall the way up to several garbage bags full of donuts that they then began eating in earnest while still on the property. If it's OK to eat out of the dumpster, but not OK to charge a nominal fee to save a person's dignity, then IDK if it was ever that good to begin with. I'm not certain where the "We'd rather tell people we can't discount/give away unsold product for fear of litigation while people openly eat that same product from a decidedly less sanitary location, namely our dumpsters" disconnect lies, but I believe it's somewhere between, "It's better to let people eat out our garbage because we don't want those dirty people in our stores asking for free/cheap donuts while people pay for the exact same thing in the dumpsters before we get a chance to toss it out" and "Even if those individuals that choose to eat our daily trash could afford to come in and pay for our garbage before we toss it, they'd still eat it out of the dumpsters because it's so damn good, because obviously if it's good enough to eat straight out of the dumpster, it's good enough to not let anyone get for free or for a discounted price."

Voodoo Donuts is one of Portland's "Iconic Landmarks." I don't think that you could describe Portland better or have a more accurate landmark describing what goes on in Portland or how Portland operates not only as a city, but how it's people go through their days than by watching Voodoo Donuts employees sell donuts to people that are walking in the front door, while watching people eat those same donuts after they didn't sell and are thrown away by employees walking out the back door.

Keep Portland Weird....I...

Donut Series, Part 6 Nicknames, reputations, traditions, and slogans. If you want them to achieve legacy status, you need to feed them after birth so that they will flourish.

Well I absolutely love the slogan “Keep Portland Weird” and I want to make sure that Henry’s Take is doing its part to feed and nurture that wonderfully quirky local legend.

With that stated goal in mind, we decided to visit Voodoo Donuts. One thing is for sure, they are def doing their part to “Keep Portland Weird!” When it comes to that, they may actually be amongst the charter members of that initiative.

While there are 2 locations to choose from, we’d recommend the Davis Street locale. Nothing against the 3rd Avenue location, but after visiting both locations on the same afternoon we found the Davis Street location to have a far shorter line and also significantly improved parking opportunities.

While waiting to enter their 3rd Avenue location we stood (in the rain) and wondered why was the line moving SO slowly? We later discovered the culprit. It was the carousel of donuts awaiting our arrival.

You may think that you are a focused and disciplined individual, but we dare you to test that hypothesis by subjecting yourself to this mesmerizing influence.

We predict that you will soon succumb to the predictable narrative of, “I want that one…no, I mean THAT one, wait, forget that, I WANT THAT ONE!!!” You will find yourself powerless to repel the dominating character of the voodoo donut carousel. 😵‍💫

Is this how they arrived at their name? 🤷‍♂️

Don’t take our word for it. Accept the challenge and see for yourself. We dare you…

We found ourselves surrendering to “The Dirt”, “Oh, Captain, My Captain”, “Butterfingering”, and “Maple Cream” creations.

And that’s…Henry’s...

If you're in Portland and craving something wild, whimsical, and downright delicious, let me tell you: Voodoo Doughnut is THE spot. This place is not just a doughnut shop; it's an experience. From the funky decor to the outrageous creations, it's like stepping into a sweet-tooth wonderland.

Let's talk doughnuts. First up, the Maple Bar. Oh man, this thing is pure perfection. The dough is fluffy and soft, like biting into a sweet cloud, and the maple glaze is rich, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. It's simple but SO satisfying—a classic done to perfection.

Next, the Homer. You know it: that iconic pink doughnut with sprinkles. It's almost too pretty to eat-almost. But once you do, you get this perfect combo of a light, airy dough and that sugary pink frosting. It's like a party in your mouth. You can't help but feel a little bit like Homer Simpson while devouring this beauty.

And then there's the Voodoo Doll-a true Voodoo Doughnut original. This one is a showstopper, both in looks and taste. Shaped like a little doll with a pretzel "pin" sticking out, it's filled with raspberry jam that gives you a sweet and tangy surprise in every bite. Plus, the chocolate frosting on top? Absolute chef's kiss. It's quirky, fun, and ridiculously tasty.

Overall, Voodoo Doughnut nails it. Whether you're a fan of the classics or want to try something totally out of the box, this place has something for everyone. It's iconic, it's Portland, and it's worth every bite. Trust me, your taste buds...