The Donut Shop

Back for another round at the Donut Shop. Jennifer and Sheila knew it would be the perfect lunch spot for their co-worker who appreciates a good deal (we shall refrain from calling her cheap). Venturing out on a cold, dreary Indiana day, the threesome stepped into the cozy, un-pretentious confines of the Donut Shop. The place is tucked back off the road and Jennifer depended on Sheila to help her spot the place. What is happening to Jennifer? Have the trips to Zest, which for the Duo have become hilarious circuitous trips through South Broad Ripple looking for the eatery, affected her sense of geographical judgment? Hopefully not.

Upon settling down into a booth and ordering drinks, it was decision time. Luckily for Sheila, she did not have to continue to meet the stare of a hairy man at the counter unlike the previous visit. Jennifer debated getting the tasty tuna melt, but thought she should try something new and went with a cheeseburger and a side of onion rings. Sheila, not failing us in her “Best Philly Cheese Steak in Indy Quest”* ordered the aforementioned sandwich with a side of onion rings. Our co-worker, another Jennifer, forever now to be known as Jennifer2, considered the options carefully, but finally settled on the chicken melt.

Ah, the rings. Believe us when we say these are the best onion rings in Indy. Actually, all three of us deemed them the best rings we’ve had in our lives. They are that good. The batter is perfect and you don’t have to fear the whole onion sliding out when taking a bite. Perfection, plain and simple. Of course, we knew the rings would be good, but what about the sandwiches? Jennifer’s burger was good–she chose a slice of Swiss to accompany the lettuce, tomato and mayo. The burger definitely hits the spot.

Sheila felt her Philly Cheesesteak was the best she has had so far in Indianpolis. The meat is thinly sliced and deliciously grilled, and the onions and peppers perfectly cooked. Gooey American cheese tops it all off, and the bun is soft and tasty. Far far better than the poor offering at Shelbi Street. (Swiss cheese was offered as an alternative, but Sheila wanted that mutant-orange color of good old processed American cheese. )

Jennifer2’s chicken melt consisted of melted swiss cheese and sautéed onions, green peppers, and mushrooms on rye bread. In her own words, it was

Very tasty! And hot…which is always good when you are expecting the “melted” part to be actually…well….melted!! The best part, though, and I have to agree wholeheartedly with the Dining Duo was the onion rings!!! Excellent!! Fabulous!!! Well worth it!

The Donut Shop was an interesting experience, in a good way, though! The ambiance was a little sketchy at first, right when you pull up, but usually the so called “hole in the wall” restaurants are really good eatin’!**

While at the register to pay, the lunch goers also purchased a donut. Well, Jennifer2 ordered one donut while the Duo chose two each. We do appreciate our co-worker’s restraint, but dang, there are just too many tasty options to choose from to only pick one! Jennifer ordered a chocolate donut (she wanted the cake with chocolate icing but upon later inspection saw that it was a yeast with chocolate icing, no biggie) and a yeast donut with maple icing. Sheila got a glazed yeast (honeydip) and yeast with maple. It takes amazing restraint to not tear into these lovely confections at once, but the Duo did their best and waited until they returned to work and were seated at their desks. Simply put, the donuts are fantastic. I mean, you can’t really call a restaurant “The Donut Shop” and not deliver on the tasty treats. Jennifer2 agreed:

The donut, well, a close second to the onion rings…very tasty!!! LOVE the cream!!!”

Bottom line, there is no where else in town where you can get a meal and two donuts for just over six bucks. The Donut Shop rocks! We shall close with more timeless words of Jennifer2:

Thumbs up for me and hope to go again!!

Food***
Service**
Atmosphere * (you don’t go here for atmosphere)
Overall ***

*Bit of info that may only be of interest to Sheila, but what the hell, she’ll share anyway. One of the worst Philly Cheese Steaks she ever had was in Philly. Maybe it was just the wrong place to try it – it wasn’t from one of the big two (Pat’s or Geno’s) that are always mentioned as great places to get them. If it had been her first introduction to the sandwich, she might never have had another. It might have been the Cheez Whiz that was used because she thinks Cheez Whiz is revolting and undeserving of even being considered cheese. And yes, she appreciates the ridiculousness of stating that when she just admitting to eating it with American cheese.  Honestly, she’d prefers them with provolone.

**Ahh, yes, “really good eatin’” is what we aim to find. Perhaps we should consider that our motto: The Dining Duo: searching Indy for really good eatin’