Missouri

The Donut Stop

Fast Facts

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Top Donut: Red Velvet & Cheese Tart
Donut Price: $1
Website: HERE

This is still one of the best signs that I have seen for a donut shop. It’s a standalone shop with a giant, oversized Stop Sign with giant letters spelling out The Donut Stop. Such a fun name and I was happy to be a law-abiding citizen to stop here and pull into the parking lot. This is clearly a drive up spot as it’s in the outskirts of the city rather than downtown. This is clearly one of those long-standing institutions that you would expect to find in a small town. It is definitely a pre-internet spot with some old-time prices as well. You can get a dozen for under $10. In fact, the sign is so old that there was tape over many of the prices where they clearly have had to raise it a dime or two just to keep up with inflation. 

There is not any seating at this location - you just walk in, order, and go on your way. I walked in to see a handful of racks filled with donuts that were just out of the fryer, just having been glazed, ready for boxing and going quickly! It even looked like there was a coating of glaze on the floor by all the wracks from the drippings of countless donuts over time. Exactly what I like to see when walking into a donut shop! I ordered after waiting a few minutes, there was a steady stream of people on the Saturday morning that I went but nothing crazy. While I had my eye on a few donuts based on what I saw on the menu - this trip was clearly all about the ‘Cinnamon Glob’ which was their signature donut. After I saw that donut making national news I didn’t need to hear much else before making my way to The Donut Stop. I mean, what a name for a donut. As it turned out, it’s literally one giant ball of cinnamon swirl dough covered in glaze. Think of a cinnamon roll and just squish it together and you basically have the cinnamon glob. What a delight! I filled up my box with a few others including a cheese tart and red velvet. 

I happily carried my box out to the parking lot and dug in - another hood of the car fine dining experience. While the cinnamon glob was good, the surprising highlight was the red velvet! I’m normally not a huge fan of red velvet (just give me chocolate) but this one was moist and covered in a fantastic cream cheese frosting. The frosting on top of the cheese tart was delicious as well. Don’t get me wrong though, I could easily see myself getting a handful of cinnamon globs and saving them throughout the day - popping them in the microwave for a few seconds to get nice and melty - and then downing each one for a fantastic snack.

Overall this was a terrific donut eating experience at this historic and timeless shop at the edge of St. Louis. I would certainly stop at the Donut Stop again!