Table Hopping –June 2011
“Time to make the Donuts.”
John’s Space Age Donuts
8124 Floyd Street
Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 381-0980
John’s Space Aged Donuts is a throw back to another time. From the baker’s uniform the owner wears, complete with tiny white paper hat, to the old-fashioned donut counter with stools, but taste their donuts and you will understand why this place is still in business. John’s opened in 1967 and has been making traditional donuts the old fashioned way, by hand, ever since. The year he opened, might also explain, the crazy name. All donut shops require you to get there early for the best selection, but it was never more true, than at John’s. When he is out, he’s out for the day. ORDER: the classic raised glazed donut. Get there early so you can get them hot from the fryer. The BEST.
Oz’s Maq House of Donuts
3615 West 95th Street
Overland Park, KS 66206
(913) 381-0425
My good friend and donut expert, Johnna Perry, tells me that Oz’s Maq House of Donuts was originally a Winchell’s. The owner, Maq, was an area manager for them and purchased this location when they closed the remaining 5 locations in KC to open his own shop. When Maq started with Winchell’s in 1978 donuts were only $1.69 a dozen. Imagine. The place is small, with picnic tables outside for one to sit and enjoy your donuts. Many traditional donuts can be found here, but it is the unusual ones that really are the best. ORDER: Maq’s Pineapple Fritter, as it is a one of a kind experience. They are chewy and crisp with sticky pockets of tropical pineapple ripping throughout the fritter. You’ll taste it in every bite.
Fluffy Fresh Donuts
10123 State Line Road
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 942-9822
The owner of this particular Fluffy Fresh Donuts, there are 2 of them, has been making donuts for over 50 years, and since 1971 in this particular strip center right off of State Line Road. The shop is large enough, with plenty of regulars reading the paper or catching up with each other over a donut and cup of Joe. They do seem to have a large selection of “filled” donuts. When I was in, they featured a special “Key Lime” filled bismarck donut, which was a nice change from the original with a filling that had a bright lime flavor. The quality of their donuts is consistent and delicious. ORDER: a traditional Maple Long John for a blast from the past, or get a “filled” Long John with icing and not vanilla pudding.
Donut King
3913 North Chouteau Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64117
(816) 452-2012
Located just down from Diamond Joe’s Strip Club is a little purple shack with a nice big sign that lights up at night that says: Donut King. With over 36 different kinds of donuts made hot, fresh and delicious every day this place clearly moves some cake. Yes, the cake donut reigns supreme here. They do have other kinds, but the cake donuts are truly the best thing on the menu. They are also open until 9 pm, highly unusual for those in the donut trade, but awesome for the rest of us. ORDER: the seasonal cake donut, period. In the Summer, they are fun & fruity. In the Fall, it might be a Pumpkin Maple donut, or at the Holidays can be a Chocolate Mint donut. They are all delicious.
Poppy’s Famous Donuts
318 West US Hwy. 24
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 252-5259
No one is sure how Poppy’s Donuts became famous, but it might have something to do with the incredible donut-making factory that they have on display in the back through a large glass window. They also have the largest selection of donuts of any of the shops around. Every shape, color and kind of donut you can imagine, they make. Finally, they too, have he most darling old-fashioned coffee counter with stools in bright red. Poppy’s has been around for over 24 years, and the place is packed with families all sitting down to enjoy a treat together at the counter. ORDER: the Chocolate Cake donut here or the Chocolate éclairs, both are delicious and completely decadent for lovers of chocolate.
