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Duffin's Donuts
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Food Doughnuts Restaurants Vietnamese Chinese, Doughnuts, Vietnamese [Edit]
1391 41st Ave EVancouver, BC V5W 1R7
Neighbourhoods: Sunset, Kensington-Cedar Cottage
(604) 325-5544
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dessert, Late Night, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
47 reviews for Duffin's Donuts
Review Highlights
"they have a huge assortment of torta subs."
(in 9 reviews)
"They got Tortas, Fried chicken, Ice cream, BUBBLE TEA."
(in 9 reviews)
"Fried chicken, tasty subs, huge donut selection at any hour."
(in 20 reviews)
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47 reviews in English
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Review from Chauncey B.
Vancouver, BC
2/10/2012
The tortas and salad rolls were delicious, but having lived in this city for a while I'd been told to come here so many times that this wasn't a surprise. There was no trepidation on my part, any place with this much stuff written on their windows gets my patronage, I just had to wait until someone had a car and wasn't afraid of terrible lighting.
Anyway, we saw a bloody guy get hauled out of the washroom by an ambulance attendant!
5 stars! -
Review from Kat F.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 2/2/2012
I had the mixed Pupuas this time , they come with a sweetish tomato salsa and some sliced cabbage . Theyre yummy!
Im not crazy about the sauce on its own but with the Pupuas. and cabbage it works.
I went around lunch time on a week day and the tables were clean so I ate there. Im still not convinced that these tables are cleaned often enough so I am sticking with my 4 stars. Next on the list Machaka or Tamales.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2012
Like everyone else who has written a review for this place I have driven by a million times without… Read more »
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Review from April H.
Vancouver, BC
1/25/2012
This place is magical. Actually, magical doesn't even begin to describe Duffin's.
If you come in here expecting a typical donut shop, be warned: you will soon find yourself craving things you forgot even existed. Perhaps a steak sandwich? Regular or spicy fried chicken? What about some soft serve or a milkshake? Vietnamese subs? A burger? Sweet potato fries? Carrot cake? Hot and fresh pupusas? Beef or chicken tamales? Will a perfectly-toasted bagel and cream cheese do the trick? Do you want a whole young coconut? What about an entire Chinese buffet selection?
Okay - deep breaths.
The variety of food here is so ridiculous that if you're like me, you'll get all overwhelmed and flustered trying to place your order because everything just looks..so..good.
Unfortunately I live nearby and have already become overdependent, so I should probably just start buying my new (larger) wardrobe now. I've had the Vietnamese Chicken sub (it was under $5), the donuts, the fried chicken, the bagels, and the pupusas - everything was really good. Obviously a lot of their food isn't going to fit into the 'gourmet' category, but the sandwiches are surprisingly satisfying, the donuts are fresh, and the pupusas are some of the best I've had.
Open 24-7, free wireless, and cheap cheap prices? Duffin's isn't just a donut shop - it's a way of life. I'm actually looking forward to exam season just so I can have an excuse to hang out here like a regular. -
Review from Tarquin M.
Grandview-Woodlands, Vancouver, BC
1/17/2012
How awesome is a 24hr Chinese/Mexican/Vietnamese donut shop? Pretty awesome.
Everything is well priced and the donuts are always fresh.
I went the first time because I thought the concept was comical, but I return again and again, coz' I actually quite like it. -
Review from Kat S.
11/23/2011
Duffin's, you sneaky temptress, you!
I'm both sad and glad I didn't try this place earlier. Sad because that's years of sub-par sandwiches I have been eating instead of Duffin's delights. Glad because Duffin's is not in a convenient location, so driving all over the city to get tasty sandwiches because others just don't compare is not practical.
Currently, Duffin's is close to where I play floor hockey. So in the last 3 weeks I have eaten from Duffin's a good 5 times or so, with some non-floor hockey stops thrown in.
The food selection is nonsensical. There's Latin food, there's Vietnamese, Chinese, and good old American. And it's open 24 hours. It's just insane! I've only been here during late night hours (though not in the wee hours, yet), but it has been consistently busy. You order your food, get your number and go sit down. The pupusas take a little while, and sandwiches are made fresh, therefore the wait can be up to 15 minutes, so grab a piece of fried chicken to eat while you wait. You can't go wrong. That chicken is good!
I have had one of the torta subs (chicken and avocado!), the Vietnamese sub with chicken a few times (magical), a pupusa with cheese and beans (with salsa and coleslaw, hello!), spicy fried chicken (so tender), and buttermilk donuts (heaven). It's all great, and the prices are so affordable.
The bathrooms, however, kinda gross. I recommend holding it until you get home.Listed in: Cheap, Reliable Eats in the…
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Review from Aaron S.
11/24/2011
I've known about Duffins for years but never really tried it. I travel by it on a bus at 5:30 in the morning and stare inside from my seat drooling over the food and wishing I could get off and go in and try the food.
I am truly glad this place is not near my home or I'd probably never cook again. There would be no need to. For these prices? Screw you groceries!
As my friend Mike said "this place has every drunk food from every culture" and damn it he's right. Just looking at the menu board makes your brain melt. What are you craving right now? Ya, well they have it. If not they got something close to it.
I'm awarding the chicken vietsub my favorite thing on the planet right now. This sandwich couldn't have more pickled veggies if they tried. The fried chicken? Wow. Donuts? Fresh made in house? Tim Hortons should be ashamed of themselves.
Open 24 hours. We should all be thankful there's only one. -
Review from Megan S.
12/12/2011
How weird is this place??! I'll never forget the first time I came here a few years ago, my husband (at that time he was a new boyfriend) brought me here to proudly show off his favourite sandwich - the chicken pollo. I didn't want to eat here, my scary-sanitation-spidey-senses were tingling and the massive menu made me really concerned. I kept my mouth shut and ordered what he ordered...holy cow, now THAT was a sandwich! Everything was uber-fresh, perfectly seasoned and the fillings were well-proportioned.
I've tried a few of the other tortas since then (all just as yummy) and sometimes pick up a wonton soup from the other side of the restaurant to accompany my sandwich. The soup is really quite good too, loaded with lots of fresh veggies and nicely done dumplings.
Judging by the other reviews here, clearly I need to go back soon to try the pupusas and the fried chicken... -
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 2/5/2012
When their fried chicken is just fresh, it's the bomb!!! Perfect for the Super bowl party...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2012
Yes, I don't throw these 5stars so easily; but after all these years, it's great food, prices &… Read more »
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Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2011 4 Check-ins Here
2 things, 24 hours.. Pollo Chicken sandwich!
That sums up all my experience here at Duffin's. Lettuce, avocado, and juicy tender chicken in a crisp bun! mmmmm my fuel after a day a long day of hockey. sooooo good!
You would expect this place to have donuts like a mothersucka, but the funny thing is that this place is more like a restaurant than a donut cafe. They got Chinese food, sandwiches, burgers, fried chicken, and even noodle. I still have yet to come here for the donuts though. I do hear they are good :) -
Review from Dee d.
Burnaby, BC
12/29/2011
What I like about these donuts is that they're more heavier than say, a Tim Hortons donut. It's definitely more bready and like my sister has observed - look a lot like Simpsons donuts. My favourite kind of donuts have got to be the ones with sprinkles. The apple fritters were dense and heavy with big chunks of apple inside. It wasn't too overly glazed but was crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. [read more on http://gastrofork.ca!]
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Review from Marje B.
Burnaby, BC
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good Donuts take it to go!!! But that's it!!!
Place looked super dirty. )=
Debit and Cash only! -
Review from Larry L.
Machaca sandwich and pupasas are the bomb.
For the first time I tried their frid chicken on a whim and I was surprised to find that it was crispy on the outside and tender juicy on the inside.
Not bad for a buck and change.
I've been here early in the morning, at lunch time, dinner time and late late night snacks. Always good for food and very good prices.
I've been a fan of Duffins since the 80's........Listed in: FAST AND FURIOUS FOOD
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/23/2011
Haven't I written a review of this place before?
It seems to be my thing with Yelp. Missing reviews… Read more »
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Review from Mike G.
Vancouver, BC
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hot Torta Sub; Chicken Viet Sub .....Come to Papa! This place has everything you could imagine Awesome Value and your always treated right. The Donuts are too good; I think I would likely stop by more often if it wasn't for the donuts. It is hard to go in without craving a buttermilk or french cruller dipped in chocolate! You have to try this place. And the bathrooms; don't worry about what others say; your here to eat..or better yet take it to go!
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Review from Fritz S.
5/27/2011
My new addiction!
after passing by this little hole-in-the-wall for YEARS! 15 to be exact, I finally tried out their doughnuts.. I got the plain sugar and the jelly filled. oh man! all i can say is that i am an instant fan! Light, fluffy, FRESH! not frozen! (ya! im talking to you you Timmy ho's!)
So here's the story.. One day i was Craving Malasadas BADLY! and i know for a fact that Vancouver has none. :( so as a fluke, my wife and i decided to try Duffins since we've never stepped foot inside here before. To our suprise, The Plain suger Doughnut was the closest thing to Hawaii's Malasadas as u can get in Vancouver. Those of you who've already tried the Malasada know what im talking about!
Wait... this place has more than JUST doughnuts? They got Tortas, Fried chicken, Ice cream, BUBBLE TEA,.. and wait.. what?.... Chinese food as well.? who came up with this menu? well whoever it was, its working for them! Great job Mr. Duffins! U found yourself a regular. :) -
Review from Darcy D.
4/12/2011 ROTD 2/20/2012
What funny signage. the front canopy is bright and new. The menu board behind the counter is old. Wait, there is another backlit menu board on the side above the coolers. Wait, there are hand written signs all over the glass. Big ice cream menu hanging in the corner but, no ice cream in sight. Everywhere you look, another menu is staring back.
What a funny selection of food. Torta subs with latin american fillings, machaca, jamon y queso, chicken avocado but, wait viet bahn with mixed viet hams, other viet selections with various meats. A meatball torta, a tuna salad torta, teriyaki beef? teriyaki chicken torta? A chinese fast food take out. 30 varieties of fresh donuts. Bubble tea? Fried chicken? Fried bananas on a stick beside fried yams on a stick? A good looking pile of papusas. I bet they don't have taro pudding, hold on its in another cooler I didn't spot before.
What a funny looking crowd of old, young, poor, Mercedes, every ethnicity, age and income. Why are all the tables dirty?
Everything we tried was excellent. Tasty, well cooked, cheap, plentiful, fresh. Well maybe not the sushi trays in the cooler, I forgot to mention those.
I don't have a clue how this place works. Chili dogs and fries, I missed that on one of the wall menus. With 200+ menu items, something is bound to be hit or miss. In all my visits, it has been a hit every time but, there might be another menu that I haven't found yet. -
Review from Gina I.
I finally made Darcy try a Torta tonight. I'm so glad he did. I can't even tell you how many times I've had the chicken torta sub. Lots. Every time I tell myself I'm going to order a new 'flavour' and then I just end up ordering the sub.
Tonight I tried a piece of spicy fried chicken. Yum. And then I had an old fashioned chocolate donut. I really hope those 2 classes I took yesterday evened out the calories I consumed tonight. Goodness gracious.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/1/2009
Dude. The first time I walked into Duffin's I was scared. But then I had their chicken torta sub & I… Read more »
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Review from Kari C.
1/16/2011
There was a Duffins on Main and 33rd, near my old 'hood, that I never went to. Had I done so, I might have chained myself to it before the bulldozers rolled in for their prey. Damn you, condo developments!
I used to think, "What the f*** is a torta sub?" and now wonder how I ever lived without them. A torta sub is a big, fluffy, oblong bun, sliced in half, and filled with magical ingredients. My favourite is the chicken sandwich (#4?), with the chicken well-done, so it's crunchy. The lettuce, tomatoes, hot pepper slices, and avocado make it a snarf-tastic, wolf-down-able sandy, for $4 or so!
In addition to sandwiches and a few plates, there's also Chinese food, bubble tea, tons of doughnuts, desserts in an old-fashioned case, and FRIED CHICKEN. I used to live ten blocks away from this location and could sleep easily at night, knowing that if a 3 AM craving struck, help was nearby.
This place is a little weird, and all the better. It's great for people-watching, as sketchy characters sidle in and out all day. The decor honestly looks as if time has stopped and the year is 1970, but if the restaurant were given a facelift (when? It's open 24/7!), it would lose its endearingly cheesy, old-fashioned charm, like the sweater-vested grandpa that always pulls a quarter from behind your ear.
More than a pitstop for food, this is a hub, almost an East Van landmark! If anything ever happens to this Duffins, there will probably be mass riots.Listed in: East Van, Yo!
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Review from Caelan G.
Vancouver, BC
1/28/2011
I was there yesterday night. If you've ever been to South-east Asia, this place will remind you of a bus terminal diner in Manila or Bangkok. It's chockablock with menu items, always busy, fast, and imbued with a kind of hustle-bustle honesty that you find from a place that can only be found under fluorescent lighting. The cafeteria tables defy physics and are comfortable.
It might be easier if you eat meat. I had a veggie Viet sub sandwich. I've had better. There was plenty of carrots and pickled good stuff, a really spicy pepper, and a nice surprise, cheddar cheese. The cheese was pretty real too, not crappy processed stuff. Unfortunately they put pate on my first sandwich, even when the (really nice) cashier/server and I had communicated about my vegetarianism. I came up right away after seeing the generous pate helping on the sandwich. She was super apologetic and rushed another sandwich out. Great, I mean great service!
Frequently a vegetarian needs to send stuff back. It sucks, and is contrary to my reasoning for this dietary choice. I hope to minimize my environmental impact. It's often made worse by being an asshole vegetarian by being angry, entitled or just plain insensitive to the server. In this case, my server was great, so apologetic and got me a new sandwich right away. Last note about this: if you are omnivorous and get pate, there's a lot -- looks generous!
I also had a banana cream filled doughnut, something I do once every five years. It was good: crispy and sugar powdered. I don't know what possessed me to imagine that banana flavour filling was the way to go, because frankly, it's impossible to like banana flavour filling. I topped it all off with a brilliant cup of coffee from a real mug. (A special thanks to this business for not succumbing to the disposable trend.) As diner coffee goes this was good, it only needed one creamer to jazz it up and it wasn't so old as to taste like a stuck e-brake on the highway.
Prices were really great! -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 7/18/2010
* Yet another offering on an already complex menu! *
Duffins continues to expand the randomness of their menu which includes donuts, tortas, Cambodian noodle soups, bubble tea, fried chicken, steam table Chinese fast food, etc. They definitely win the prize for the most diverse menu in Vancouver in my book!
Normally a diverse menu is a dangerous thing with nothing being good. But Duffins does have some winners.
In addition to my favourite machaca torta (superb), and their spicy fried chicken (very good for a fast food version), they have now added pupusas!
The pupusas come in 4 varieties. I tried two classics, the de cerdo (pork), and the queso (cheese).
They were served in the traditional Salvadorean style being accompanied by a side of curtido (a pickeld slaw), and a very liquidy tomato salsa.
They take a while as they make them fresh when you order. The flavours were surprisingly good. The dough had a nice strong corn flavour, and the fillings complemented things nicely. The cheese version had little chili dices inside to balance the flavour. The pork version had been nicely seasoned. The tomato sauce adds a nice complexity. The curtido was a bit closer to a vinegared cole slaw than a traditional curtido, but I'm splitting hairs.
The pupusas range from $2 to $2.85 depending on the fillings.
These make a really nice addition to the already extremely complex menu!Listed in: Which wich is which?, Vancouver multicultural fried…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/5/2008 First to Review
This is the new location of the old neighbourhood staple from Main Street which closed down. They… Read more »
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Review from Emmo S.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011
Fantastic Veg Torta Subs, and the donuts are great especially when super fresh - I could eat a dozen!
Prices are fair and they are pretty quick to get your order out. Other food items look pretty good too but being veg-heads we primarily come for the tortas day or night as they are open 24 hrs. -
Review from Mary B.
Vancouver, BC
9/5/2011
There isn't much that you can't get here. Chinese food? Yep. Vietnamese sub? Yep. Torta? Yep. Fried chicken? Yep. Salad? Yep. Fries. Yep. Pupusas? HECK YEAH.
I like just about everything here. The prices are awesome (especially essential because a certain university is vacuuming up 80% of my income these days). But damn if I wouldn't order 3 pupusas everyday if this was in walking distance of my house. Should I just ditch the west side and start looking on craigslist for nearby apartments now? Or can we get some sort of campaign going to get these people one of those lovely mobile food trucks that are all over Vancouver ASAP? -
Review from Doris L.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2011
"Their torta sandwiches are really good" -Annoymous/EVERYONE.
I saw the above in the "feed" that is generally how I think this restaurant/"hang out" really is about!!!
This place is 100% affordable and the only thing I've had there is the torta subs and I have not looked back since! It's absolutely heavenly.
This is the kind of place where you pay at the counter and don't expect any service, cause you ain't going to get any. Why would you need service though? This is like complaining about the service at McDonald's. What are you going to do? Stop eating Big Macs? Quit them Chicken sandwiches cold turkey? That was confusing. But you get my point.
I love this place. -
Review from Pamela L.
Vancouver, BC
9/22/2010
Ah... this place takes me back to the high school days when all I had was some chump change in my pocket that was just enough to get one of their delectable apple fritters. Duffin Donuts is more than just donuts. Greasy Chinese food? Check. Donuts? Check. Tortas and Viet subs? Check. Fried Chicken? Hell, they got you covered for that, too.
The food is cheap and you should know what to expect about the decor just by the food offerings I've described. It's a place where grandpas hang out and drink their coffee in the morning, where truckers grab a sammich and teenagers get their sugar fixin'.
I love their sammichs. I love the Chicken Torta. It's warm, stuffed with goodness and fresh. The buns are soft on the inside and flaky on the outside. It's the type of meal that makes you say "Ohhhhh hell yeah... it's ON!" -
Review from Dayna B.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2009 ROTD 12/8/2009
I don't have a car but boy if I did...
Whenever I have access to a car. Guess where I go? Try harder...That's right! Duffins!
I first discovered this place because I was so intrigued, I had to know what a "hot torta sub" was. Turns out its one of my favourite things on the planet.
Like that episode of Seinfeld with Papi, this place has everything! Vietnamese food, donuts, Chinese, sandwiches, bubble tea, breakfast stuff, fried chicken. And I'm glad they do because considering how good the food is, who cares!
The cleanliness of this place leaves something to be desired, but once again, I so don't care.
Something that never, never, never, disappoints here is the Beef Steak Hot Torta Sub. Even if I'm not hungry, I can eat this because it is that good.
Hmmm, I feel like words aren't getting this one across... Let me start over. Let's try this SAT styles. A beef steak torta sub is to food as cookies are to cookie monster, as green is to St. Paddy's Day, as eating disorders are to Lindsay Lohan.
It contains delicious marinated beef, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, banana peppers and other things together that just make it amazing, the bread is warm and so tempting as well.
So if you have a car or a bus pass. GO! GO! GO! It's so worth it. Ignore the fact that the booths are never clean and many old men camp out there to watch the small TVs when hockey is on. It's worth it. Or, you can always get it to go! -
Review from Tamar K.
Vancouver, BC
8/15/2011
Am I crazy to think that these are the best donuts in Vancouver? If you get them when they are fresh, there are no better than the traditional and maple glazed.
Torta subs are also delicious. Try the hot chicken torta once and you'll find yourself detouring to east Vancouver whenever you crave the perfect hot sandwich.
The menu is hugely varied (torta subs, Chinese food, fried chicken, and the list goes on). This is also the perfect late night jaunt as it's open 24 hours. Ambiance is perfect for the wee hours of the morning, but sparse for a lazy lunch with friends. -
Review from Joyce D.
Burnaby, BC
2/1/2010 ROTD 2/27/2010
I have worked at many donut shops in Ontario all through high school but I ain't never worked in a shop like this.
The place is a combination of Chinese food, Vietnamese food, fried chicken outlet, Mexican food, donut shop and convenience mart. Unfreaken believable. From the outside it doesn't look like much and location is not in the greatest of areas 41/Knight but what awaits inside is a whole different ball game.
I knew that they were previously located on Main street and after reading the favorable reviews made it a point to check it out on the weekend. I am glad I did. If you go for 1 reason only you have to check out the Buttermilk filled gems, you won't be sorry. I haven't found anything to beat Krispy Kreme's originals but these are definitely knocking down the door. They are filled with bavarian cream, blueberry or lemon curd and I recommend the lemon. They are the #1 sellers in the place.
Tried the tortas, chicken being the most popular and it was very fresh, came with avocado and the buns are better than Kaisers or Portugese. Service was quick, less than 5 minute wait and the staff were friendly and willing to please. The vietnamese subs came with the 2 main staples that make them, cilantro and jalapeno's. It is surprising how many Vietnamese restaurants don't include either.
Overall, no faults whatsoever with Duffins, in fact it was more than I expected and I can see why it gets such glowing recommendations. If you haven't went yet give it a try and you too will let Tim Hortons eat your dust. -
Review from Jes A.
Vancouver, BC
I went there for a doughnut a year or so ago and it was okay, so when my husband wanted to go for a torta, I was down.
Freaking A... it was busy, but you can close one reg or ask the folks chatting behind the counter on the Chinese food side to help clean the dining room. In my experience- if what you can see (the dining room) is gross, what you can't see (the kitchen,) is worse.
I was so put-off, I skipped a sammy and had some fries instead (boiling-hot oil kills a lot of bad stuff.)
My husband went for the Vietnamese chicken torta and loved it, but I couldn't even bring myself to take a bite- was too busy trying to avoid touching the dirty table (cleanest we could find.)
Only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one is because my husband loved the torta, the fries were okay-ish. I'm sure the spouse will go back sometime - when I'm not tagging along.
From past reviewers, it could be my experience is an anomaly, but ick, I'm not going to bother with another try when this town's full of other places that won't give me the heebie-jeebies with nasty dining areas. -
Review from Tina H.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2010
Great low key 24 hour hangout with delicious subs and doughnuts.
Chinese food is also available along with bubble tea.
It is definitely a laid back and fun place to hang out with friends while watching the game on their tv's.
Favourites:
All the doughnuts are fantastic
Scrambled Egg Sub
BLT Sub
Not a Fan:
The chicken burger is not their specialty- I like to stick to the subs :) -
Review from Trish R.
8/1/2010
Best place in town (that I've found) for fresh, inexpensive tortas -- based on traditional Mexican methods, with an Asian twist (they have torta fillings such as teriyaki chicken, etc. -- oh, so good!).
All tortas are on bakery fresh rolls (which you can buy fresh in bags), toasted until they are like they just came out of the oven, thickly spread with yummy refried beans, and topped with almost the right amount of meat (or other protein such as fried eggs), with lots of onions, tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, pickled hot peppers, and fresh slices of avocado.
For around $5 each -- you just can't beat it for a quick stop for take-out dinner on the way home from work! And, if you feel like a donut fix, they have decent donuts too! :)
PS - don't bother with the chinese take-out counter on the other side of the room, which is not very good -- but we won't hold it against them -- just walk on by.Listed in: Quick dinners
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Review from Raymond O.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2009
Walking into Duffin's Donuts was like walking into a scene from Lynch's Twin Peaks. Driving into the place reminds me more of restaurants that I come across on a road trip to nowhere. The interior vibe and ambience reinforces this notion.
Duffin's Donuts. That's pretty descriptive for a place that looks like it wants to compete with the likes of, well, Dunkin' Donuts. Oh, but that's just on one corner. How about some Banh mi, Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, that reminds me of the infamous Lee's Sandwiches. By the middle covered in plexiglass they serve two kinds of fried chicken. That's KFC to you, but in a home-made bread crumb coating kind of way. Now scoot over to the right and you're transported to a pseudo-Panda Express counter of Chinese fastfood treats. Still not satisfied? Did I happen to mention they also have Chinese and Vietnamese noodle soup?
It's a riot. I tell 'ya. But let us focus and skip all the eye candy, shall we. For as Marc stated in his review, we're here for the torta subs. Meat lover? Head straight for the Machaca - spicy shredded beef. Me? I'm a chorizo and egg person.
And if you feel tempted to grab those donuts and Chinese food as well. I fell for those, too, and I can tell you to...STAY AWAY. Re-focus.
Otherwise you'll end up disappointed as I was with those sub-par Apple Fritters. And don't question my expertise. I happen to be the King of Apple Fritters. My tummy will attest to it. These ones are small. Not crispy outside. Too dry inside. And a treasure hunt to find the Apple filling.
Salivating for the Chinese fast food? Too stale and over-cooked by the time they get to the customers. Us! For this you need to head on over to Kent's Kitchen at Chinatown if you want freshly cooked delight with fast turn over.
But if you're craving for Vietnamese subs? You've come to the right place at Duffin's Donuts. Huh? Yup. End scene.Listed in: C.O.V. (Cash Only Vancouver)
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Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have been driving past Duffin's Donuts for years and thought it was 'just-another-coffee-and-donut shop' ignoring the 'torta subs' signage (I didn't know what that is). It wasn't until I heard they served Vietnamese subs, 24 hours a day, that made me want to investigate.
The place was pretty busy at 2AM on a weekday as it was packed with fellow nightowls. The interior is pretty run down as expected in a 24 hour donut shop. The (unimpressive looking) Chinese fast food section was closed - which is good because the choices on the main board were overwhelming: fried chicken, donuts, burgers, poutine, ice cream, torta subs, Viet subs and more. Before my head exploded, my friend and I order the mixed ham Vietnamese sub and a machaca torta sub - both were $4 each.
The subs were pretty small in length and would probably take me at least two to fill up on. However, they are packed with meat and inexpensive. The mixed ham Viet sub was solid - not the best I've had and more expensive than other places - but it's not a bad option if you have a bahn mi craving in the wee hours of the morning. The machaca torta sub was picked because it sounded the most exotic; it was spicy shredded beef with avocado -- tasty. I'm still not sure what a torta sub is, but I think I'm a fan.
I also had a jumbo coffee for $2.50 - it was pretty stale (like coffee from a gas station) so I would probably avoid in the future. But even with the weak coffee, I have a feeling I'll be heading here instead of Tim Horton's the next time I'm having a sleepless night and feel like some 'bad-for-you' food.
I would have given Duffin's 3/5 stars if it were not for the fact it's 24 hours. Fried chicken, tasty subs, huge donut selection at any hour? What's not to like?Listed in: East Van Eateries, Late Night Eats in GVRD
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Review from Dani B.
3/31/2010
Want a doughnut, Vietnamese sub and some other Asian delights at god knows what hour? Done and done.
This place is open 24 hours a day and does not disappoint. Do not go here looking for some culinary creme de la creme, go here for the cheap, greasy, always good food.
Duffin's does it right any time of day but I think the food tastes best after midnight.Listed in: Hungry at Midnight?
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Review from Rudolf P.
Vancouver, BC
4/15/2010
Duffins Donuts
at Knight & 41st Ave. is a calm, cozy, busy-at-times, wonderful place to relax, read the paper for free and watch sports on TV.
Their Angel donuts are "spiritually" soft, dusted with icing sugar and filled with light creamy chocolate whip that emerges as a whorl-turret - heav!en!ly! 90¢; mine were extremely fresh...April 15 they were 3 for $2.50 so if two of you want to go with me sometime....
Many other low-cost offerings: like $2.50, and the other side has Chinese food. -
Review from Quddous B.
Vancouver, BC
8/12/2010
The 5 stars is only because of the Chicken Torta (#4 on the menu).
Probably my all time favourite sandwich in all of Vancouver.
I don't know anyone who I've taken there who hasn't loved it.
Ask for Jalapenos after you get your sandwich. -
Review from Peter S.
4/2/2009 1 Check-in Here
This weird gem has something for everyone!
Lunchtime, and you are near 41st and Knight?
Try this place!
I say Vietnamese sub, maybe a piece of fried chicken on the side (it is really good, and I DON'T eat fried chicken). And to finish off a good strong coffee with an Apple Fritter donut. They win hands down compared to other coffee donut joints (you know who I am talking about).
You can seriously pig out here for 10 bucks. mmmmmmmmListed in: Pig Out, My dirty picks, Best Breaky
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Review from Justin F.
Vancouver, BC
3/4/2011
What Rhymes With Duffins?
Hi, my name is Justin and I have an addiction
It's not alcohol or cocaine, I'm addicted to Duffins Fried Chicken
It's made with pure TLC, Tender Loving Crack
And it's cuz of the crack that I'm compelled to come back
It's a poultry possession
And could turn into an obese obsession
But I'm not stressin
No need to be delicate even though this is a delicatessen..
And a restaurant...
And a coffee shop
And a bubble tea place
Is it no wonder why I have this look of wonder on my face?
You can go around the world in 80 ways
Flavours of different cultures on the menu for display
There's Vietnamese and Chinese
A little Mexican and a lot of North American fare
Oh Duffins, sweet sweet duffins, is there anything you don't know how to prepare?!?!
Back to the menu it's so diverse and eclectic
Delicious pictures of dishes shining so bright I'm surprised I haven't turned epileptic
Plus there's always something new on the list, something fresh
I've been here over a 100 times and there's still things I haven't tried yet
But that could be partly because sometimes the items are hidden
I want the menu of the food that's forbidden..
Hmmm....maybe a bigger darker spicier greasier fried chicken?
That's what I'm thinkin...
If you couldn't tell I'm a fat kid, fat kid number one in fact.
And I'll keep on being a fat kid up until my grown up heart attack.
The way I look at this food, I'm filled with so much lust and awe
Dammit..what was I sayin? You see the size of that bear claw?!?!?!
There might as well be diamonds or platinum behind the glass
Except instead of on my finger or neck, this weight will be worn on my ass
But it's worth the grease, fatness and calories
It's even worth the fraction of my salary
That I spend every week sometimes 3 or 4 times
Damn, I love this place so much, it inspired this rhyme
Yup, this place is beyond excellent, it's exquisite
And that's why I take all my boys from Ontario here when they come to visit
Not surprisingly they have the same fat kid reaction
And after they eat, comes the same look of satisfaction
Which is only replaced by the hunger, the craving they can't fight
And so they must frequently return to 41st and Knight
But that's how we roll, us fat kid ON peeps
One of my boys needed to have Duffins Fried Chicken every night before he went to sleep
Ridiculous it sounds to many but not to those who've had a taste
But I've gotta cut this poem short cuz I'm getting hungry and there's no more time to waste.
So you may say "Have it your way", "I'm lovin it" or "Make a run for the border"
But unlike mighty Duffin's do they allow you to phone in your order?
Henceforth, there is only one phrase that exists that has the ability to make me go nuts
And that amazing phrase, that sweet music that plays is:
"Yo, let's go to Duffin's Donuts!" -
Review from Reena M.
10/3/2009 1 Check-in Here
A Mexican friend of mine told me I had to go here as this was the only place in Vancouver you can find authentic Mexican torta sandwiches. So I finally went today and got the most Mexican sounding one: Machaca--shredded spicy beef sandwich. It was pretty delicioso. I have not been feeling so well lately, otherwise I would have finished the whole thing. The whole sandwich is pretty filling though. The bread was good quality, meat was flavourful. The only thing is that the avocado in there was a bit over ripe.
It's strange that they have so many different kinds of cuisines going on, plus donuts, and ice cream. Yet, they seem do be doing really well in business because it's been there for as long as I can remember.
The donut was pretty good, adequately fluffy and not greasy. And it also doesn't have that chemically taste that is imparted in Tim Horton's donuts.
Oh, for a donut, small water bottle, and torta sub it was $6.05 which is SUPER cheap! They don't accept credit cards, and they charge $0.25 for debit transactions under $5. -
Review from Steve K.
Richmond, BC
8/26/2010
I stop here on occasion for a fast bite during the lunch hour.
My favourite is the ham and cheese sandwich with a diet coke (all for about $5!). The best part is the banana peppers and avocado snippet that oozes from that warm fresh baked bun after you bite into it.
If you like a good ham and cheese sandwich and haven't tried it here - you are missing a good thing!
BTW - some of the best meals are created at "greasy spoons" or "stale coffee shops" - this place reminds me of Bob's Subs in Richmond. Check them out if you like this place - read my review of them on http://yelp.ca too! -
Review from Mathieu Y.
Vancouver, BC
1/5/2010
This is one of my favorite donut and burger shops open 24 hours in south van. If I was in the neighborhood more often I;'d likely be eating here 3 or 4 nights a week! Which would be a horrible thing for my gut and my wallet (they are really pricey on certain items!) but righteous on my taste buds...
Walk in, place an order, take a number. The food usually only takes about 15 minutes but can be a bit of a wait , depending on the time of night, not to mention which night it is. Don't fret about a long wait! All good things take time! There's a booth or table available, soft drinks are a buck, and the bus runs by here all night.
Try the cheeseburger combo, the fries are incredible! Try the teryaki sub! Its a taste experience. And if youre coming from a party, and going back, remember to pick up a 12 pack of day-old donuts. Theyre usually packed only a few hours before and make a great item to share with your beloved, and likely still drunk, friends at 2 in the morning.Listed in: Dive Eats
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Review from karen c.
Vancouver, BC
2/17/2010
This place is awesome if you're looking for donuts that are REALLY sweet, but really soft! Tired of the told Timmy's donuts - this is the place to go. The donuts are really good, but it's far too sweet for my liking. The twist donut is okay though - not too sweet and super fluffy.
Their torta sandwiches are really good. I usually order number 12 - whatever it is called. It's pork and scrambled eggs?, banana peppers, avocado, lettuce, onions, mayo and I'm pretty sure the bread was heated up with butter. Pretty fatty, but really really good! Their fries even taste like Costco's fries! Rare finding.
Bubble tea is really sweet. I had their strawberry with pearls and it tasted just like their donuts because of how sweet it is. Otherwise, pretty damn good!
They sell lots of different types of food. I really enjoy how diverse it is at Duffin's since you can pretty much get anything there except for sushi! Their menu will definitely speak out how diverse they are!
