Doughnut Vault

For those who crave instant gratification, The Doughnut Vault can be a maddening place. A line starts forming well before the door opens at 8:30am, and it is not uncommon for latecomers to wait an hour for their fix. In recent years, the Doughnut Vault has somewhat increased donut lovers’ chances by adding a second location (at 111 N. Canal Street) as well as a Vault Van, the daily location of which is announced on Twitter.

These donuts well worth waiting for: cakey, old-fashioned buttermilks with crusty fissures all around the surface, jumbo glazed donuts (chestnut, chocolate and vanilla), lemon-poppyseed, coconut cream, and an item titled gingerbread stack, which actually is three small, sugar-crusted sinkers.

It is amazing to watch the server behind the counter at the original location — there is room for one and only one staff member — as she fills boxes with dozens at lightning speed and with amazing good cheer considering the constant press of hungry customers she deals with all morning.