Parlor Doughnuts — Restaurant in Richmond

This place. Dear heavens.

I would consider myself a donut enthusiast, and I tend to be pretty critical of specialty donuts. Like, I’m sorry but throwing a bunch of cereal on what would otherwise be a dry and uninspiring glazed donut does not justify a $5 price tag. (Can you tell I’m from Los Angeles?)

So I was skeptical, but I wanted to give it a shot before I left town.

I get an A+ for that decision. The people, the vibe, but obviously and most importantly, THE DONUTS. I’m not even sure I should call them donuts. I’ve never had anything like them. It’s a tender, light, flakey pastry dough fried in hot oil, and topped (and filled) with some of the best ingredients I’ve encountered in any pastry shop, let alone a donut joint. I got the coconut cream filled one, and the whipped cream on top was REAL. To say nothing of the coconut cream inside, which stands out as some of the best I’ve ever tasted. And the thing was a monster — I had to eat it with both hands.

Something like that in any normal city would cost about nine dollars. I stole it for three. That and a mini version of their raspberry filled for — hang on, you’ll need to be sitting down for this — seventy cents. I didn’t realize you could buy anything for seventy cents.

Ok, whatever, if you are a normal human who enjoys fried dough with creatively assembled toppings, you would be doing yourself a colossal disservice if you pass this place up. Go here. Eat everything they sell.

And if you live close by, think of me way out in the overpriced hills of Southern California, pining after...

Updated review December 2024:

I went in looking to get some parlor donuts because I have not had them in a minute, but I was immediately met with a price increase. Singles are $3.45 which is just absurd for one by itself. Half dozen which would be six would cost over $22. If I ever come back here again, it would be few and far between throughout the year. I understand that these are bigger than regular donuts and there is a good variety of flavor, but I personally cannot justify paying over $20 for six of them. I'm good.

Really good donuts and awesome flavors. My only gripe is that the last 4 times I've called ahead to see if they have any of the mini donuts, and they usually don't. The mini raspberry ones are amazing and I wish they kept a consistent stock of them. Some of us watch our calories intake and the minis are perfect in that regard. PLEASE keep a consistent stock of mini's.

Also, I called about a half hour before closing and they do not offer any discounts or half off prices before closing. Makes me wonder what business doesn't want to make money and why throw away product when you can make a...

The donuts here are amazing but the customer service is ok. Last 2 days I have gone I have had to deal with either a really rude employee or have an employee get a really bad attitude. It’s really a shame that yall have just opened and have super rude employees. It’s not all of them just 2 of them I know so far. The first time I came in and had never been there and the lady just stood there and stared at me no one would talk to me and I was new had never been there so I walked up and asked them for my donuts and the girl taking my order who also boxed up my donuts was huffing and puffing and being so rude🤦‍♀️. This next time I went I was with my mom and the lady boxing up my donuts not only had a attitude with me but the person in front of me in line🤯 after arguing with me bc I only got 2 donuts when I bought 3 did she get a even bigger attitude and throw my donut in the bag UPSIDE DOWN!! I really hate to leave a bad review but that’s just absolutely ridiculous and disappointing for this to be a new establishment. Like I said we love the donuts but very disappointed in the...