Press Play Salem Tasting TeamStory updated February 5, 2021
Doughnut. Donut. It doesn’t matter how you spell it, it’s one of America’s favorite pastries and that’s no different in Salem.
In the last year, the local donut scene has experienced an explosion of new flavor so we thought it was about time to highlight the offerings and celebrate some local creations.
Flakey or cakey. Raised and glazed. Vegan. Gluten-free. No matter your donut delight, Salem’s donut scene has you covered.
Bearscat Bakehouse
Don’t let the name put you off. It’s all in jest. Donuts are, after all, supposed to be fun. Bearscat, which is an old cowboy term for donuts, arrived on the Salem donut scene in late June. An extension of a family business in North Dakota, the shop has rolled out the red carpet for specialty sweets as noted by some of the unique toppings, from cereal to candy to animal crackers. And yet, with all that variety, their signature “bearscat” won out overall for its not-too-sweet flavor that’s good with a cup o’ joe.
Drop-in at 190 High St NE; bearscatbakehouse.com
Dough Hook Bake Shop
This place is off the hook! Ok, yeah, that was cheesy, but seriously, talk about gourmet donuts. Dough Hook is making waves not just with donuts, but sweets in general. Their dough is the perfect medium for sharing a wide variety of flavor in a very classy way and they are worth every penny. The salted caramel is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The double chocolate ganache is richly delicious. I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever treat you take home, but hands-down the crème brûlée is decadent. They sell-out regularly, and with good reason, so if you want the most options, early is best.
Stop by 1970 Lancaster Dr NE; facebook.com/doughhookbakeshop
Big Wig Donuts
They got their start as a pop-up shop and amassed such a following they now have a brick and mortar and that’s good news for us. No more waiting for a special Friday. You can have Big Wig five days a week. Their gluten-free, vegan, made-to-order donut holes are moist, substantial and super sharable. Offering six standard varieties with seasonal additions (such as apple cider chai for autumn,) we were split between the lemon poppyseed and the chocolate, both packing a punch of flavor in a small bite. The shop also serves nitro espresso, coffee and tea lattes, so you can snag a companion cuppa, too. Bonus: You can book Bigwig to pop-up at your special events.
Pop in at 111 Liberty St NE; bigwigdonuts.com
King Donuts
The early bird gets the worm, or the donut in this case. It’s cliche, but if you want King Donuts, then you had better get there early. They seem to be the go-to stop for an early morning sugar rush – or they are just the perfect thing to bring to your 8 a.m. meeting because, uh, donuts! They have a killer cruller, and their buttermilk bar is top-notch, too.
Rise and shine at 1695 State St; 503-588-1565.
Infinity Room (formerly The Space Concert Club)
Infinity Room’s resident chef Summer Keightley makes magic with her vegan treats. It’s always a sweet surprise on flavors, too, which are ever-changing. We picked them up on a day they were offering vanilla, cherry and s’mores. Yes, we got all three. Yes, we ate them all, with the most oft-heard response between bites being “I can’t believe this is vegan!” Shape, texture, taste – Infinity Room makes out of this world donuts. Also, they use Manny’s Choice 100% Italian wheat flour, which is friendly for those who are gluten sensitive.
Head to 210 Liberty St SE #150; infinityroomsalem.com
Roth’s Fresh Markets
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Roth’s Fresh Markets. While not a donut shop, it’s got a reputation in these parts for them for quality and convenience. They offer a good variety of the traditional – both raised and cake. Plus, if you’re there later in the day, you can often get a discounted dozen when they clear the shelves to prepare for fresh donuts the next morning. And let’s face it, does anyone really mind day-old donuts? They will probably get eaten before they become day-old anyway.
Five Salem locations to serve you. Check roths.com
Daynight Donuts
Daynight is what you would expect from a donut shop. From traditional glazed raised to the kitschy cereal-topped treat, they have a diverse offering including more than 14 varieties of donut holes. And let’s face it, those bite-sized treats allow you to try (almost) all with a little less guilt. One of the notable regular donuts is the blueberry fritter. Bonus: Looking for donuts at 4 a.m.? Daynight has you covered.
Two locations to serve you: 1980 Commercial St SE & 2234 Fairgrounds Road NE
Honorable Mentions:
Willamette Minis is a mobile donut shop specializing in custom orders and events. They make, you guessed it, mini donuts that are not only adorable but oh so tasty, too. Keep an eye out for them at www.instagram.com/willamette.minis.
EZ Orchards, 5504 Hazelgreen Road NE, is known for its cakey delicacies that pack a punch of the autumn season, which would be apple cider and pumpkin spice.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 9 (Oct/Nov 2019). Updated February 5, 2021.
Ben Mah
