Firecakes Donuts
Red, White & Blue Donut Ice Cream Sandwich – Honey Glazed Donut, Raspberry Jam, Blueberry / Vanilla / Raspberry Ice Cream
Key Lime Donut
Carrot Cake Donut
Pistachio Old Fashioned Donut
Rhubarb Fritter
When last visited Firecakes Donuts was nothing but a fledgling shop on West Hubbard but flashing forward almost exactly five years to the day much has changed, the company now spread across five storefronts in The Windy City and their unique collection of fried Pastries having evolved tremendously in terms of taste as well as variety.
Moving in all directions including north towards Lakeview in 2016, the corner of Clark and Arlington near North Pond providing good foot traffic in addition to quick downtown access, it was immediately upon entering a narrow space featuring big windows and limited seating that the day’s choices were perused and debated, two friendly young women happy to offer recommendations when asked but otherwise going about routine tasks as forgettable Pop tunes drifted from speakers at ceiling level.
Having taken on the task of both Cake and Raised rounds plus Fritters from day one, an approach not universal but admirable when done well, it was by way of five selections tallying just under $20 that each style was sampled and starting off with Firecakes’ famous Donut Ice Cream Sandwich it was nice to finally see someone get it right, the frozen housemade slice lodged inside a Honey Glazed Pocket proving quite resistant to melting and thus offering variance in texture and temperature while the patriotic themed flavors were all given a boost by thick Raspberry Jam.
Moving next to a pint-sized Key Lime sphere, the interior spot-on to what one might find in Florida but Whipped Cream a bit spongy and questionably fresh, it was from here that things were back on track with a faultless Old Fashioned glazed and topped with Pistachios while a seasonal Fritter packed with poached Rhubarb and richly spiced Carrot Cake beneath Cream Cheese Frosting and candied Nuts were each also worth every calorie and cent.
www.firecakesdonuts.com
