For weeks, Hole in One Donuts has been my culinary white whale. Nextdoor threads painted it as a local utopia, yet every attempt to visit was met with a darkened storefront. Their hours are erratic, bordering on whimsical. This scarcity, intentional or not, built a mythology around the place. When the “Open” neon finally flickered to life during my latest drive-by, I didn’t just pull over; I felt I had been granted an audience.
In a culinary landscape where prices are becoming prohibitive, I wanted to see if this elusive spot offered merely nostalgia, or actual substance.
The Savory: Utilitarian Comfort
I began with the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Croissant. Let us be clear: this is not artisanal wizardry. It is, however, a solid, decent execution of a breakfast staple. In an economy where a morning sandwich can inexplicably cost upwards of $12, Hole in One offers a refreshing return to sanity. The croissant was warm, the bacon present, and the cheese melted. It is a “valid” choice a breakfast that respects your wallet as much as your hunger.
The Sweet: A Tale of Two Textures
Then came the donuts. This is where the narrative splits between triumph and tragedy.
The Chocolate Frosted : I approached the Chocolate Frosted with skepticism. To my genuine surprise, it punched well above its weight class. I will make a bold claim: the texture and chocolate temper here surpassed Everglazed. Where competitors often lean into cloying, waxy sweetness, this was balanced. The dough was airy, the frosting rich without being aggressive. A silent victory for the underdog.
The Masterpiece: The Glazed Croissant If there is a reason to stalk this storefront, it is the Glazed Croissant. It is a textural delight shattering, flaky layers of pastry enrobed in a glaze that provides a delicate, crystalline crunch. It is the perfect marriage of French technique and American donut shop sugar. It was, simply put, lovely.
The Disappointment: The Coconut I consider myself a coconut enthusiast. I wanted to love this. However, the Coconut Donut was a distinct failure. There is a specific sadness to a donut that has overstayed its welcome. Unlike the glazed or chocolate varieties which clearly enjoy rapid turnover, the coconut offering suffers from a lack of swift rotation. The flakes themselves had lost their tender chew, becoming brittle artifacts of a batch made too long ago. The topping tasted of the pantry shelf, suggesting it had sat undisturbed while the more popular items were replenished around it. It was a victim of its own unpopularity a stagnant item that had lost the battle against the clock. It was a stark contrast to the freshness of the others and a reminder that even hidden gems have their flaws.
The Verdict
Hole in One Donuts is a venue defined by its highs and lows. The hours are frustrating, and the fruit-forward options (specifically the coconut) are risky. However, for the price point and the sheer quality of their chocolate and glazed croissant offerings, it is a valid, necessary establishment in this neighborhood.
The Densky ’s Order: A Glazed Croissant and a black coffee. Leave the coconut for the uninitiated.
