A Heavenly Marriage

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There are times when you come across something so perfect, so delectable, that you have to shout it from the rooftops and overpasses. I had one of those moments, and am here to share. I’m not going ALL CAPS TO SHOUT, so just pretend, mmmkay?

I’m probably the *only* person not to blog about Voodoo Donuts so far. The Krispy Kreme nonsense got on my nerves, what with the mile-long drive-thru lines and news coverage. It’s just a damn donut, people! My first Krispy Kreme ‘event’ happened in the Excalibur casino in Las Vegas. It tasted good, but what happened in Vegas could stay in Vegas.

When Voodoo came on the scene, I cheered that Portland had something new to replace the void left by the closing of the 24-Hour Church of Elvis. (C’mon, drunk people need a place to get married at 2 AM, even in little-town PDX.) But really, how cool can a donut place be? While NyQuil and Pepto Bismol-flavored donuts sounded novel, it didn’t inspire hunger. I was impressed with their creativity, and vowed to try it.

My first bacon/maple bar was missing most of its bacon, and the Jail-Blazer Blunt was okay. Just okay. (The majority of the bacon was purloined by the girl transporting the donuts, I’m now convinced. I’d spank her for it, but her hubby would disapprove.) A bacon bit on a maple bar? Meh.

So I’d forgotten about Voodoo Donuts until last night. A series of special events led to me driving a tipsy friend home, and on the way we passed the eastside location of Voodoo. “I want a donut!” she proclaimed. Always the enabler, I circled until I found the driveway.

I’d known of the eastside location, but hadn’t realized it was in the old Herfy’s building on 15th and NE Davis. Herfy’s was a regional chain of burger joints in the late ’70s, best remembered for their all-you-can-eat salad bars. (A healthy choice in less-than-healthy times. For $2 I could eat a day’s meal.)

Ironic that a donut shop would open there. Feeling I should give Voodoo one more chance, I accompanied my friend inside.

She chose a bacon/maple bar, and was done. Sweet tooth front-and-center, I took a B/MB as well. It was like a Denny’s breakfast in a donut, all carbs and flavor. I had to try the new Portland Creme, the west coast version of a Boston Creme. (With a Portland Creme, you can see the whites of its eyes…) It was delicious, with flavors that could be considered robust for a donut.

The winner of the all-time best donut ever was up next. I bagged it and took it home for breakfast, knowing I was on to something special. I was not disappointed, and will have to be careful. My addictive personality might just have me hopping late-night buses downtown to get my fix. But enough mystery: Which donut is my all-time favorite?

The Chocolate/Peanut Butter-frosted Apple Fritter. Oh. My. God. (Diabetes be damned, I’m just gonna eat them until I lose a foot…) Even at the better part of a day old, it was moist in the right places, crunchy in others, and oh so flavorful. I’m getting the shakes thinking about it, and may have to make a trip to the Burnside area. If I do, and can keep from eating the evidence, I will snap a picture and put it up here. Don’t hold your breath; I doubt it will make it home.

I pose this question to you, dear readers: Which Voodoo Donut can you not do without?

Voodoo Donuts
22 SW Third
Portland OR 97204
503-241-4704

Voodoo Donuts Too
1501 NE Davis
Portland OR 97232
503-235-2666