Duchess Donuts — Restaurant in Shelton

I was just there, so this is a fresh review. Much like the donuts!

I grew up on the east coast and the was a donut place that if I was lucky I'd be able to visit once a month as a kid, and of course those donuts imprinted on me as THE DONUT STANDARD. They were no nonsense donuts baked and fried under the auspices of an older baker and teenaged employees. As a kid, they were amazing.

Over the years, you chase that experience, one to match what you remember after eating your first donut. And, if you think about it, you wonder what makes those donuts the gold standard. Still with me? Good.

My childhood donuts weren't over sweet, or too dry, or over friend, and the toppings weren't caked on (unless that was the point of the donut) but were made in a frugal balance that allowed you to taste each part separately and as a whole eating experience.

Listen, I am a big guy, so eating is always a culinary experience for me.

I am serious, though, a donut that is too sweet, or too heavily flavored in one direction or another is just a donut.

BUT DUCHESS DONUTS! They are an experience! The dough, be it baked or fried, is not too sweet, but not bland. It accompanies the flavors and presents as a full experience. I would happily eat plain fried dough, but with the addition of apple or banana... wow!

The baked old fashioned is truly a masterpiece of baked donuts. You either like baked donuts, or you don't. But I will say this version will challenge those that don't care for baked donuts - this was extremely tasty.

There were so many types to try, and I only had a limit of 12 today (self imposed!). I have only just eaten my chosen donuts (I was there 30 minutes ago) so I don't know how the others will go, but seriously, folks, these are great donuts. They must just be my adult GOLDEN STANDARD - I will have to go back a lot to find out.

The proprietress was extremely friendly and funny, and obviously loves donuts. Thank you for bringing my friday up a notch, Duchess Donuts. And thank you for reminding me of the Backhaus and the genially grumpy man behind the counter from my youth. And those donuts! ...

Best donuts this side of the puget sound in my opinion. There were more but they got demolished by my children before I could get a picture. The maple bacon bars were a tad saltier than I usually prefer but still good none the less. The donuts themselves are super fluffy and soft. Eating them is not only a taste adventure but a texture one as well. Almost like eating a really soft pillow but better tasting. To he honest I couldn't tell you what all the flavors are left in the box but I can attest for the blueberry filled one (if you like blueberries this is spot on, tastes real not artificial), the maple cinnamon roll (daughter said its amazing) and the chocolate bar (I know I bought one but I couldn't find it however my son did have chocolate on his face 2 minutes after getting in the car so I think he knows where it went). I now make this a go to spot when we go...

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to post due to the fact they were super yummy and I didn't get a chance to take a photo. Went in for just some donuts and came out with yummy goodness! Usually I'm not a fan of the bacon and chocolate donuts but these were yummy. It had the perfect ratio; not too much bacon and not too much chocolate. 😋 We also got the Dulce de leche donut, Boston cream donut, Maple bar, regular yeast donuts and the Apple pie donut.. They were all super yummy and even won my sister over... someone who doesn't like chocolate covered donuts with filling. She usually scraps the frosting off and only eats the filling but she actually ate the entire thing! Will go...