It used to be that if you were craving D&D’s award-winning donuts, you would have to drive a half hour to downtown Chicago. However, because of their growing popularity and success, D&D’s Place has added a new location at 39 LaGrange Rd., LaGrange. 

Upon walking in, my first impression of the donut shop was a little chaotic. Given, I had come in at 10 a.m. on a Saturday in the first week of their opening, so the small bakery was filled with hungry families eagerly awaiting their morning treats. But it did not take long for the sweet, sugary smell of donuts to enter my nose leaving me hungry with anticipation.

Inside was one long, narrow room: on one side stretched the line to order, and on the other was the kitchen. With no tables and only a few chairs for waiting, it was clear D&D’s was not a place to sit down and eat but rather a quick stop to grab donuts and go. 

What I enjoyed most about the interior was the glass screen that allowed customers to view into the kitchen and see the donuts as they were being prepared. I loved seeing how each donut started out and then seeing the final product. Additionally, the poster art and neon D&D’s sign created a classic diner aesthetic, and the friendly workers accounted for excellent service.

After waiting 20 minutes in line, I ordered. The thing that struck me most about the menu was the vast range of flavors offered. I ended up purchasing a dozen donuts ($32) to split with my coworkers. I was able to try their glazed, chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, wildberry, blueberry, citrus orange, pineapple, and vanilla donuts. 

On my first bite of the glazed donut, I was blown away by the texture. While being quite large in general, each donut maintained an extremely light and fluffy texture, practically melting in my mouth. But it was not just the donut base that blew me away. As I began to sample the fruitier kinds, I was surprised at how flavorful each frosting was. Rather than tasting like a generic, artificial strawberry, I felt as if I could taste the actual fruit in the frosting. While I did not love the pineapple and citrus donuts due to personal preference, the sweet and tart flavor combination was definitely interesting to try. However, my favorite ended up being the chocolate.

Overall, the warm, family-friendly atmosphere paired with the delicious donuts made for an excellent experience despite the long wait. Furthermore, while the donuts were a bit on the pricier side, in my opinion, they were 100% worth it. I would definitely recommend D&D’s Place if you are looking for a sweet treat for a group of friends or family, you really can never go wrong with donuts, especially if they are from D&D’s.

D&D’s Place is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5/5 paws