Dining Out #4: VooDoo Doughnuts

Well, I don't think going out for doughnuts really qualifies as "dining out," but I suppose that could be debatable.

The BF and I decided to try out the infamous VooDoo Doughnut while we were on one of our many trips to Portland, Oregon. I've seen the establishment featured on many forms of media. I believe it's this publicity that has skyrocketed VooDoo to extreme popularity.

I asked a few Portland-native friends: Is the doughnut worth the wait in line?

The answer was a resounding yes.

So we went on a Saturday afternoon at about 5pm. The line wrapped around the block. And yes, we walked around the block to wait at the end of the line. And just how long did we wait in that line until it was finally our turn to purchase their prized doughnut?

Over two hours (drop your jaw here).

Waiting in that line was like waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland. We were impatient and excited to get to the front to see what kind of thrill was waiting for us. While waiting, many people passed and asked, "Are these people really waiting for doughnuts?" or exclaimed "Really? It's just a doughnut!" I thought, yeah, this is insane. We're waiting for hours for a doughnut.

But we had made it that far; we weren't going to abandon the line. We waited. And waited. We watched dozens of people leave with their dozens of donuts.

And then it happened! We finally made it through the door and to the front of the line, and the scent of freshly made donuts welcomed us.

There was a lone employee working the register and dishing up the donuts into their waiting boxes. Before she even said hello to us, she said "What we have left is what you see in the revolving case. We're sold out of all others." What a disappointment! But at least they weren't completely sold out.

Fortunately there were a few tasty-looking ones left. We ordered four different doughnuts. Here they are:

The two on the left are standard glazed, one with Fruit Loops and one with Cap'n Crunch cereal. The upper right is chocolate glazed with crushed Oreo cookies and drizzled with peanut butter. And that one on the lower right? Yup, a BACON maple bar. I was excited to try this one the most. And surprisingly, it didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe if it was freshly made, the bacon still warm and crispy, it's be fantastic. Alas, the bacon was cold and a little soggy. It was still good, just not wait-in-line-for-two-hours good.

Overall, I'm glad we had the experience. Would we go back? Yes, as long as we didn't have to wait in line.

In the meantime, we'll be going to our local Top Pot Doughnuts in Seattle, which in our opinion, is the Best. Doughnut. Ever.