My earliest memories of doughnuts take me back to my childhood…. Todd’s Bake Shop in Brewton, Alabama had it going on in the world of doughnuts and any other baked goods you could think of. I remember the white paper bags they used to put the doughnuts in. The glazed doughnuts were perfection….the sugar pieces flaked off of the doughnuts and when you took a bite, it seemed to melt in your mouth. I also loved the lemon-filled ones! The tangy lemon filling oozed out of the doughnut and created a delicious creation with the glazed outer coating. I rarely pass this building – that is now a Mexican grocery store – when I don’t think of the baked goodness that was produced in this tiny place.
For a lot of other people, the word “doughnut” may conjure up thoughts of Krispy Kreme! School kids sold them by the dozen for fundraisers. I love Krispy Kreme – especially when the “hot light” is on! Their taste grabs your attention! They really are delicious! They just have a different texture than Todd’s. The outer glaze is glazier – if that’s even a word!
Since moving back to Brewton five and a half years ago, my go-to place for doughnuts has been Simply Donuts just across the creek in East Brewton! Their doughnuts remind me of Todd’s doughnuts from my childhood. They have glazed, lemon filled, and my new favorite – doughnut holes! I have done some not-so-scientific research and have found that people are four times more likely to eat 5 “doughnut holes” than 1 “whole doughnut”!
This past Saturday, my world of doughnuts was taken to a new “layer” as I experienced what they call a “layered doughnut”! This new concept has been life-changing. I’m trying to figure out a way to get more of these delicious concoctions. I remembered seeing a doughnut shop the last time I was in Downtown Pensacola, but didn’t go inside. I’ll never make that mistake again. The name of the place is Parlor Doughnuts.
As we walked past the shop, I noticed a line overflowing out the door and spilling down the sidewalk at 3 in the afternoon…. on a Saturday! Who eats doughnuts on Saturday at 3 in the afternoon? Apparently, anyone who knows anything about doughnuts!
At this point, this place had my attention, and I knew that I had to join the line. As I walked in, I felt my heart skip a beat… They had doughnut flavors I had never heard of before…. Maple Bacon, French Toast, Strawberry Short Cake, Churro, Chocolate Chocolate, and more! What to order? I seriously considered ordering one of each, but after consulting with the doughnut specialist behind the counter, I decided on French Toast!
As I ordered my doughnut along with a Cold Brew Coffee, I found a table on the sidewalk near the door. As my tastebuds met the French Toast Layered Doughnut, there was definitely a party going on inside of my mouth. Was this really a doughnut? I had never tasted such delight. Is this even legal? My encounter with the French Toast Layered Doughnut had me wanting more. The only problem… I was already full from filling myself up on Graffiti Pizza before going to the doughnut shop.
I have now become a self-appointed marketing rep for Parlor Doughnuts. I’ve been telling everyone I know about this place. I even googled them to see how much it would take to open a franchise. Let’s just say I’m a few hundred thousand dollars short. But I do have enough saved up to at least try all of the doughnut flavors I haven’t tried yet. I’m even planning a trip to take some of my closest friends so that they won’t think I’ve totally lost my mind over a doughnut!
Sampling the South…. the doughnuts just keep getting better…. one layer at a time!