Hopefully, this will start a new recurring segment on Cheesesandwich.org where I go around and try to do fun things eating out.  I was talking with Otis the other day who knew about several great donut places around Boston.  So, I suggested to him that we go on a Donut Crawl (similar to a pub crawl, but instead of vomiting resulting by alcohol consumption, it results from sugar and fat).  Our goal was to hit three donut shops in the morning, eating a donut in each shop.  One donut shop in Medford, one in Cambridge, and one in Brookline providing a solid survey of local-made donuts in Boston.

Originally, the plan for the Donut Crawl was for Otis, Vernon, Scottie, and I (and maybe a few others) to go on this arduous journey through sugar.  However, Otis and Vernon decided to bring their wives, and Scottie decided to bring his daughter.  I apparently did not receive the memo that I was supposed to bring a date (which would have helped me by stage 3 of the crawl).  So, while the others all had someone to share their donut, I had to do the crawl solo.  But in the end, I feel I got the most out of this experience.

Our first stop on the donut crawl was Demet’s Donuts in Medford.  It was a good sign to find the parking lot filled with five police cars!  Perhaps it’s a stereotype, but I think the presence of policemen is auspicious of any good donut shop, much like a live canary in a coal mine.  My favorite donut is the chocolate glazed, which almost every donut shop has, and I thought that this would be a good bar to judge all the shops along the Donut Crawl.  If you’ve never been to Demet’s Donuts, it’s what you would imagine Dunkin’ Donuts would be like if Dunkin’ Donuts were locally owned and made fresh donuts.  I met the owner who noticed Otis and I taking photos of our donuts and he asked “You guys bloggers?”.  I don’t know what the legalities of blogging are, but I believe if you are asked if you are a blogger, you are required to inform people that you are.  So, I told him that I write this blog that reviews vegetarian food at non-vegetarian specific restaurants (that’s Cheesesandwich.org, if you’re keeping score at home).  A few minutes later, he came back and gave Otis and I an extra honey-dipped donut (to share).  Both donuts were delicious (honestly, you can never go wrong with donuts) but I enjoyed these very much.  I’ll give Demet’s three and a half cheese sandwiches for a solid donut experience.

Our next stop on the donut crawl was Verna’s Donut Shop (aka Verna’s Pastry).  This place was considerably smaller than Demet’s Donuts, with exactly three tables to sit in available.  I got the chocolate donut here, which is more reminiscent of a Krispy Kreme donut, which first glazes the donut in sugar before dipping it in in chocolate.  Furthermore, the donuts here are slightly crispier, as you can taste the deep frying necessary to make the donuts.  Fat, sugar, chocolate - I don’t think you can get a better donut.  In the age-old debate between Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme style donuts, I fall on the Krispy Kreme side (perhaps because I’m a southerner).  So, Verna’s Donuts is definitely my favorite of the day, however, I should mention that after eating this donut (currently having had 2.5 donuts so far) I was not feeling so well.  What I really needed at this point was something salty, but perseverance is necessary for any good Donut Crawl.  I give Verna’s Donuts four cheese sandwich for providing a pretty awesome chocolate donut (unfortunately not as good as Magee’s Bakery in Kentucky, but still pretty good).

I was surprised to discover that I had actually been to Linda’s Donuts previously, as it was only a few blocks away from my uncle’s house.  I figured it was close when Otis was describing it to me, but I wasn’t aware that I had already been there.  As my previous trip led to me acquiring a chocolate donut, I decided to get a honey-dipped donut to complete the Donut Crawl.  Admittedly, the first time I had a donut here, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the donut (as it was more of a Dunkin’ Donuts style).  However, after this trip I appreciated the lightness of the donut, compared to the heavier Demets and Vernas donuts.  I was pleased to get an egg and cheese on an english muffin afterwards, as I really needed something salty to counterbalance all the sweetness.  I give Linda’s Donuts three and a half cheese sandwiches also.

All in all, the Donut Crawl should be akin to running a marathon.  You should feel good after doing it, but also slightly nauseous.  I came out of this experience learning a lot about myself and questioning how much I actually like donuts.  If you ever have the opportunity to go on a donut crawl, I suggest do it - though, bring a date.

Demet’s Donuts: 199 Mystic Avenue, Medford, MA 02155-4629
Verna’s Donut Shop: 2344 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Linda’s Donuts: 247 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA 02478-3748