Name: The Donut Pub, 203 West 14th Street
Established: 1964
Status: Open!
Kid’s treat: Chocolate frosting doughnut with rainbow sprinkles, black and white cookie (which she shared with a friend later in the day)
Mom’s treat: I was feeling selfless so I got a jelly doughnut for dad, who was at home
Sometimes I find it hard to remember back to a time when America didn't run on Dunkin' and Nü Yorkers didn't wait on line for cronuts. But when my daughter and I happened to pass The Donut Pub yesterday, the decades disappeared. Though this vintage treat spot was on our list of places to visit, we didn't set out to do so on Sunday, we were just trying to grab the subway. But once I saw it and the memories of middle-of-the-night snacks came rushing back, I insisted we make a pit stop.
Clearly I'm not alone in my admiration for this 24/7 doughnut dive. The pic I posted on Facebook of my daughter posing in front of the neon sign got lots of love, and some great comments about the veteran counter ladies, numerous prostitute and Louis CK sightings (not together), and how it thankfully outlived the Dunkin' Donuts that opened and closed just down the block. For my part, I remember frequenting the place back in the early '90s when I was, shall we say, spending time with a guy who worked at a framing store a few storefronts away. The man shall remain nameless because, frankly, I don't remember his name. I do recall a lot of other things about him, but that doesn't have anything to do with Old New York, just Young Me. (Ah, the days when I lived on a diet of doughnuts and zeppoles and could still look hot wearing a bra as a top).
Even though Donut Pub is family owned and still looks to me about the way it did 25 years ago, it's not immune to the changes in the city, not to mention the doughnut market. Just look at the sign that asks, "Have you tried our Croissant Donuts?" The nice thing is, you won't have to wait on a long line with awful people to try this cronut, even though I prefer to stick with the good old-fashioned fried dough creations.
Kid's observations: "I've never been to a place that sells doughnuts that's not Dunkin' Donuts or doesn't also sell other bakery stuff."
When I asked, "How is this different than Dunkin' Donuts?" She replied, "In Dunkin' you're not meant to be in there for a long time because the tables are pushed to the back. But here I felt like you were meant to stay and enjoy it. It's welcoming. Plus it's not a chain."
"It looks very old, especially the sign. The letters look like they'll wear out soon."
When I pointed out the sign that said The Donut Pub hosts cooking parties: "Me want my birthday here!"
"The doughnut was delicioso!" No I have no idea why my nine-year-old still talks like she watches Dora.
Right now, you can divide most NYC doughnut eaters into two camps: the ones who'll take two subways and a bus to visit their favorite independent artisanal doughnutery and the ones who make due with Dunkin'. The Donut Pub is for those of us who don't run with either. Man I wish I lived closer.