Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Fried Chicken Sandwich, Savory Doughnut
Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich, Cheddar Biscuit
Cheddar Biscuit
PB&J Doughnut
Chocolate Birthday Cake Doughnut
Bourbon Pecan Doughnut
Candy Apple Doughnut
Pumpkin Pie Doughnut
Crème Brulee Doughnut
Imported from D.C. in April of 2017, and greeted by Angelinos with mixed responses as everyone in SoCal comes armed with an opinion on their favorite spot for Fried Dough, it was gathering provisions for *The Game* that a stop was made at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, a movie shoot down the street plugging up traffic but an arrival before the store’s 9am opening finding doors unlocked and the staff friendly as can be.
Located on West 6th Street downtown, parking as such a challenge or charged during most times, it is immediately on entry that guests will note a sizable kitchen behind the counter with fryers, mixers, warmers and ovens prominent behind staff folding Dough, the smell faintly of Yeast but also savory Spices attesting to the dual nature of a menu with most items offered all-day but some specific to Breakfast or Lunch and Dinner.
Officially Astro’s only West Coast outpost, one closer to the Capital experienced years prior, it was while conversing with an employee about sports that selections were made, a total bill of around $40 steep by some standards but not in Los Angeles and most certainly not in comparison to nearby competition such as Blue Star or Birdie’s.
Taking items to go, everything carefully packed for what amounted to a seven minute drive, it was with Ohio State already leading that Fried Chicken on a “Savory Doughnut” was tasted, the Bird nicely brined and cooked through despite being thick though the Breading did not appear to add much flavor in comparison to either this “Bun” or the Cheddar Biscuit slathered in Honey Butter.
Leaving a second honeyed Sandwich covered in Hot Sauce to others, the sweet and savory combination delighting the group’s 11 year old, it was here that Doughnuts took center stage, a special offering Bourbon Glaze and candied Pecans immediately making friends by way of its springy texture and textural juxtaposition while a square of Peanut Butter and Jelly took a similar approach but doubled down by stuffing the center.
Trying a naked Cheddar Biscuit next, the Cheese well integrated and Dough presumably laminated to achieve such separation, those in need of Pumpkin next got their fix by way of creamy Pie Filling and Crust crumble, though in terms of “Autumn” no one disagreed that stewed Apples and Cinnamon beneath a thin red Candy Shell was better.
Finishing with flavors presumed to be heavier, Astro’s famous Crème Brulee still the best of its kind thanks to a lightly burned linger to balance sugary Custard, it was unfortunate that Chocolate Cake proved a bit dry in a ring titled “Birthday Cake” because the Cocoa Buttercream was divine.
www.astrodoughnuts.com
