Go Nuts with KC’s Finest Donuts
Go nuts: KC’s finest donuts, tasted & reviewed, just for you.
A food item exists that can satisfy any human. From the freshest of babes to the most curmudgeonly of elders. From blue collar to white collar. Just the sight of the leftover remnants of their centers alone quickens the breath. There is but a single pastry whose infinite varieties and pure, yet elegant simplicity can muster such Pavlovian responses— The Donut.
We recently took to the streets and tasted a handful of different options from each location. Then we worked to compile the following list of five local Kansas City establishments we feel your taste buds will deem worthy. Check them out:
M&M Bakery and Delicatessen | 1721 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 64109
All photos by Emily Bordner
An easy one to drive right by, M&M boasts the heartiest donuts we examined. Absolutely every item tucked behind their display glass looked like it could be a belly buster. We split three items between the two of us and were fit to be tied upon completion. Their glazed was no slouch, the cinnamon twist was satisfying, but the apple fritter stood out. It had a subtle apple flavor but the thick coating of icing on top is what really stands out in our memory. All of them were substantial and comforting. So, if you desire to completely satiate your appetite, swing by M&M’s.
Donutology | 1009 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
A relative newcomer by comparison to the rest of the donut-slingers on this list, Donutology has a few particular things that make it stand out. I’d never seen another donut shop that offered a walk up and take out window, for example. It has a fun atmosphere, decorated with beakers all around that give you a taste of all the topping options you can select. They pride themselves on their customizable donuts. You choose the icing, a topping and a drizzle. We had the strawberry cake, which was very subtle but refreshing, their raised donut with chocolate, always good, but our personal favorite was the Pinecone. With just a touch of cinnamon, this gargantuan, two- hander of a donut is like having your own personal monkey bread. As a child, I could only imagine how inviting those epic peaks and canyons would be to dig into.
Slivinski’s Bakery | 178 State Rte 92, Kearney, MO 64060
Indisputably the location in the furthest regions of the Kansas City area we sampled, Slivinski’s is well worth the trip. We were first introduced to this bakery many years ago by a friend that lives in Kearney who particularly loved their apple fritters. Know this: The next words should not be taken lightly. Nor are they hyperbole. In our humble opinions, no finer apple fritter is currently in existence. They are perfectly crispy, with a nice even icing, and extremely flavorful. We also tried their blueberry fritter, which was delicious. It felt like eating a deep-fried blueberry muffin. Their glazed was solid and we also tried a Yum-Yum. If a Long John and a cinnamon twist met, decided to share a life together and procreate, this is what would come out. The touch of cocoa instead of cinnamon proves for a nice change-up.
Fluffy Fresh Donuts | 5729 Johnson Dr. Mission, KS 66202
This purveyor of doughy fried goods is an absolute time warp. Stepping in just takes you back to a simpler, more sophisticated time. Originally started by owner Jim Hollinger’s parents shortly after the end of World War II, Jim has been running this location himself for the last thirty years. He is a true artisan. He hand rolls and punches the donuts that sell out each day. Be warned. Do not just plan to leisurely swing by on a weekend morning and expect to have a bevy of options. They sell out early. So, get their business card, review the menu and call in your selection the night before if you want to guarantee your taste buds their morning favorite. We tried their chocolate cake donut, which reminded us of a brownie, their maple long john, a perpetual classic, and their glazed, which were astonishingly good. (Seriously, make them a priority!)
LaMar’s Donuts | several locations
I know what you’re going to say, “How obvious.” I don’t disagree. It’s an easy one to call out, but we would be absolutely remiss if it weren’t included. There are a whopping nine locations scattered across greater Kansas City, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one. They offer over 70 rotating options. You want breakfast cereal toppings? They got it! Candy toppings? They got it! Cake donuts? They got it! Old Fashioneds? Fritters? Long Johns? Cinnamon rolls? They. Got. It. We had Ray’s Double Chocolate, which was soft and fluffy, with delicious chocolate frosting, a blueberry cake, which was light and pleasant, but above all we recommend you seek out the Buttermilk Bar. One of their specialty donuts, it isn’t much to look at, but it is so, so good. It’s just a rich, giant, dunkable donut that you can see your grandparents savoring along with a steaming cup of coffee.
So, the next morning you’re up early on the weekend and want to venture out, enjoy something comforting and not break the budget, take the time to give any of these pastry palaces a few or your hard-earned dollars. You won’t regret it.
