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The Donut Pub
- Nearest Transit:
-
14 St (1, 2, 3)
8 Av (L)
14 St (A, C, E)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
171 reviews for The Donut Pub
Review Highlights
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"I love love the Boston Creme and Honey Dip." In 19 reviews -
"Red velvet and blueberry bake donuts are awesome." In 19 reviews -
"Glazed, frosted with milk chocolate, oozing boston creme." In 14 reviews
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170 reviews in English
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Review from Devin D.
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Woooo, the Donut Pub. Has more of a diner atmosphere than a pub, but either way... who cares?
I went for the honey dip (yeast donut), the red velvet (cake donut), and what the heck, a black & white cookie. Something about the B&W, whenever I see one, I just can't resist. Sadly, the B&W underwhelmed me a great degree. Had a funny aftertaste. The honey dip and red velvet though, were quite tasty. Not the best doughnut I've ever had, but up there. Very light (great texture), fresh, and only slightly sweet. I don't think this kind of doughnut is for everyone, but I enjoy the subtle sweetness in comparison to the all too common SUGAAR overload seen in many American desserts.
Cash only. -
Review from Amy R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I got a small coffee and red velvet donut. The red velvet was bland and tasted like a regular old fashioned donut.
Later on, a guy beside me was boasting about the apple fritter (which he got the waitress to add extra apple...jelly? to). I tried it with the extra apple and it was beyond amazing. Loved it!
The place has a dive-y feel to it and can get a little fast-paced. -
Review from Taiyo O.
4/22/2012
I am not a sweet lover and hardly eat doughnuts. Last doughnut I had was at Dough near Pratt in Brooklyn a year ago so my review may not be for sweet lovers.
Red Velvet doughnut didn't even taste any different from regular sugar doughnut. That might be because there was no creamy rich frosting (?). Cream doughnut was what I expected. The white cream took me back when I was a little but I had to take some off to enjoy.
I appreciate old business survived, marinated and making into an icon of New York. Thank you. -
Review from Rachel A.
Boulder, CO
5/20/2012
This place has both elements of a successful donut shop (in my mind): delicious donuts and a great atmosphere (read: 1970s coffee shop). Perfect.
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Review from Ari B.
3/30/2012
I have been wanting to go here for the past week, especially after finding out this is where that awesome scene from "Louie" took place!
I was talking on the phone with my friend tonight, the one who enlightened me about the fact above this sentence, and lo and behold, I stumbled upon The Donut Pub!
This place is no frills, simple, straight and to the point. I ordered a sugar jelly filled donut. It was pretty good, especially for $1.15! Come on, get outta here! Way better than any crap you will get at a Dunkin Donuts. I also wanted to try the "Old Fashioned Donut" but alas, my stomach could not stomach it. By the way, the pun was unintended.
So yes my friends, if you have a moment, stop by and nosh on a donut at The Donut Pub. And although it skipped my mind and I didn't, go ahead and ask for Louie! -
Review from Ash C.
New York, NY
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm not sure what all the hub-bub is about here. The smell when you walk in is certainly enticing, and the layout transports you right back into the good olde diner days. That said, the donuts grossly underperformed.
For outstanding donuts, you're going to have to make the trip out to Dough in brooklyn. -
Review from Grace C.
4/27/2012
Uh, the donut holes that I got were just mediocre. They gave us a mix of flavors, including red velvet and chocolate. Maybe it's my own fault for going around 3pm on a weekday, but the donut holes were underwhelming & kind of hard.
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Review from Allie C.
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
The best french cueller I've ever eaten! period. I wish we had gotten more donuts, i'm disappointed in myself. We also slip a blueberry and Boston cream. I would have liked a whole wheat, a honey dip and a red velvet as well. They all looked perfect, but we went with the flavors we knew we would liked and wanted to find perfection, and I think we did.
The service was quick, and the attitude is that of New York. The price is great. 3 bucks for 3 donuts a coffee and a milk? Thank you!
The coffee is not good, though. -
Review from Jin C.
New York, NY
4/24/2012
I came here late on a weekend night to fulfill some munchies, and The Donut Pub is aptly named: it's got bar stools which you could drunkenly stumble on, and instead of various bottles of liquor lining the back of the bar, it's trays and trays of freshly baked doughnuts. I got the red velvet donut, which was fresh, warm, sugar glazed and oh so delicious. It's cheap too, at a little over a $1. Definitely worth a drop in if you're in the neighbourhood and craving something sweet and unhealthy for you.
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Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
Another day and another donut would take me to a venerable 1964 institution that had for one reason or another always fallen outside my dining agendas, Buzzy Geduld's 24/7 Donut Pub on 14th. With a somewhat obscure gameplan for the day including a midnight dinner at Minetta Tavern prior to making my way to LaGuardia for a 6:05am flight home the next morning it wasn't so much that I'd planned to visit Donut Pub, but more that it was there, I was on my way to a movie, and while looking in the window I saw the staff loading the shelves with hot and fresh donuts.
Obviously not expecting the artisan pastries of Dough or Donut Plant considering the oldschool environs and low prices I made my way into the shop just after ten pm to find the space approximately half full and greeted by a server who simply asked "what can I getcha" I quickly assessed the situation and asking him what he recommended he stated "well, you gotta try the Red Velvet and the Fritters just came out of the fryer" - the same two options I would have ordered, though I have to say the Vanilla Kreme and oft raved Black and White cookie had also caught my eye.
Taking my order - inclusive of a rather unmemorable coffee that never seemed to dip below 2/3 full thanks to the helpful servers - I sat at the bar to enjoy my selections and beginning first with the warm fritter I was admittedly a bit underwhelmed because although the exterior was crunchy and nicely glazed with a dense interior full of cinnamon and pie filling the sweetness was just too cloying - something I rarely complain of given my substantial sweet tooth, but something that I tend to notice when confronted with high fructose corn syrup in large quantity. Faring better than the fitter, the red velvet selection was an old fashioned cake donut with hefty notes of cocoa and a dense crumb beneath a light compliment of glaze that added just a touch of sweetness - basically just a good chocolate old fashioned with red dye from an old fashioned sort of place, the sort of place you can find all over America...but not always churning out fresh product 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for nearly 50 years. -
Review from John W.
After passing this place by hundreds of times, I finally got a whiff of its hidden awesomeness via Bobby Deen's show on Cooking Channel. He used their whole wheat donuts as part of one of his recipes, and they certainly sounded legit from his enthusiasm. Naturally, I had to try one.
As fate would have it, they were of course all out of the whole wheat when I stopped in. Like a lot of donut establishments, the flavor selection will vary from hour to hour. Not a crime by any stretch, as I would prefer to know the selection on-hand is at least fresh. The donuts I had were...okay. Not orgasmic or anything like that. Doughnut Plant is better, albeit for about triple the price, and honestly, I've had better donuts at Dunkin Donuts too.
The kicker here is the ambiance. Old school to the max. Donut and coffee joint, in the heart of hipster heaven, where almost all the customers are thoroughly unhip older people. Almost worth the price of admission alone. I'll be back, hopefully to try those whole wheat donuts.... -
Review from Gar E.
Houston, TX
4/2/2012
This has got to be one of my favorite donut spots in NY...well until I find another. Donuts are always fresh and hot. The place is laid back and the service here is fast. Don't run if you see a line, these folks will get you in and out in no time!
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Review from Ida C.
12/20/2011
As the former under-secretary of defense for an office doughnut club, I've learned a few things:
- One should never underestimate the super-sneaking powers of mooching colleagues
- You can never have too many Boston Crème donuts
- How to recognize a great donut
- How to take down 50 munchkins
That's why I can tell you that The Donut Pub makes fantastic donuts.
I've managed to prove this in 3 ways:
1. I wrote a mathematical proof that exceeds the yelp maximum character count
2. When I brought 2 dozen Donut Pub donuts to the office at 11am (after breakfast and just before lunch), it was annihilated in just 25 minutes, and word of mouth spread so fast that I actually met new colleagues as they came over to get in on the delicious donut action
3. I asked a magic 8 ball and it answered, "Outlook Good"
So you see, The Donut Pub really does make fantastic donuts, and they even sell them for a reasonable price (e.g., not $3/donut like some of our other favorite donut places). In fact, a dozen will only run you ~$13, and donut holes are merely 3 for $1.25. They even make Red Velvet Donut Holes! Other full-size donut varieties include Boston Crème, Blueberry, Chocolate Cream, Apple Cinnamon and Pineapple!
PARTING THOUGHT: As Homer Simpson would say, "Mmmmm, donuts...drool..." -
Review from KL Z.
Manhattan, NY
4/30/2012
Maybe I came late in the evening so the donuts aren't as fresh but I was hoping for freshness to stay throughout the whole day if they were that good. I've had the blueberry one before and it was superb so I wanted to try something else. I tasted the honey one and it was kinda dry and nothing special. Didn't wanna leave defeated so I bought another one so I could redeem DP's status in my brain but alas, my verdict was in. Stale and disappointing. The only donut that made me give this place a 3 star is the blueberry. I'll always remember you!
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Review from elvir c.
12/3/2011
Donut Pub is their name... old skool and old fashioned deliciousness is their game. Yeah, you've got Doughnut Plant and their fancy gourmet donuts, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin with their mass-produced goodness... however, I'll take old fashioned and tried and true recipes that you grew up with in a heartbeat. Donut Pub does exactly that for me. This spot has character...
And not to mention delicious donuts. You can't go wrong with the classic glazed or honey dipped--fluffy, perfectly fried and decadently sweet. Kick it up a notch with the red velvet... and have your fruity fix with the blueberry filled. Classic flavors here, nothing too fancy, but probably exactly what you're looking for. And at $1.15 a pop, even more so!
Old skool coffee shop vibe... classic... delicious... and open 24/7. That's hard to beat. -
Review from Seiko F.
Woodside, NY
1/13/2012
I put 3.5 starts.
I know many people love this place and it was good but wasn't GREAT for me.
I've been so excited to come to this old school donuts shop and I finally made it!
my husband came with me so we did try bunch of them.
We had red velvet, old fashion, chocolate cream, boston cream.
I was bit disappointed especially the cake donuts.
inside of chocolate cream donuts and boston cream donuts's creams was all good but grazed of others is a bit too sweet so I couldn't taste the donuts itself.
all the donuts was a bit dry to me either... I guess it might be better if I try in another time??
This place is very close from my work so I'll try again. -
Review from J Y.
Manhattan, NY
11/17/2011
The french crullers are the BEST! Other donuts are awesome as well, but I'd recommend the yeast donuts over the cake ones.
One star off, because they always are out of cruellers when I am stumbling home after a night out (could be the time?).
Friendly staff, very reasonable prices and great hours. -
Review from William V.
Miami, FL
3/8/2012
Wow! Red Velvet and Boston Creme! Delicious!!!
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Review from Lily L.
11/25/2011
I have to split this review into two parts: The coffee drinks and the donuts.
Let's start with the bad:
THE COFFEE - I've had the regular drip coffee and the cappuccino here. The drip coffee is stale and old, while the cappuccino appears to be made via one of those machines that have a "cappuccino" button that you press. Awful. And you're charging me $3.10 for a small cappuccino that I could get from Starbucks, where someone is foaming the milk and making it by hand? I don't think so.
THE DONUTS - Absolutely the best I've had in New York. Great selection, and I've never had a less than satisfactory one yet. The sugar donuts and the glazed are like little pillows that melt in your mouth. Several bites and those pillows have disappeared.
The scones - beautiful, inside and out. Love the blueberry over the raspberry.
The apple fritter - chewy in all the right parts, soft and pillowlike inside. Just the right amount of cinnamon. Pair this with a coffee (from elsewhere, of course) and it really doesn't get any better than that.
Shame about the coffee! -
Review from Jason P.
Manhattan, NY
11/7/2011
Had my first donut here recently. The French cruller was so good. Very, very fluffy!! And not ridiculously sweet.
I will come back to the 24-hr Donut Pub soon. -
Review from John F.
Manhattan, NY
11/6/2011
Made our first trip down here today... Great tasting, classic donuts. Fluffy, don't get that "old" crusty texture to them, etc...
We ordered some vanilla cream, honey dip, sugar ring and an apple fritter. I don't like apple fritters, but the others tasted fantastic. Loved the cream used in the vanilla cream donut. And I love that they put just a little but of powdered sugar on it, but not a lot.
The trip down was hectic, coming from Upper East. 4/5/6 were suspended while we were heading down, so we had to make a couple of transfers to get over there. I probably wouldn't go through THAT again for these donuts, but they are worth a regular trip. Wish we had something like it Upper East. -
Review from Phil H.
5/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sorry, but I have to go against the grain on this one. Just don't understand what all the fuss is about this place. Yes, it's a Donut shop, and these sugary doughy concoctions along with cupcakes seem to be the hot new trend around these parts, but I was just not impressed.
We had the chocolate glazed and the honey dipped donuts. The chocolate was just alright and was a bit dry. Kind of the type of donut you can buy in any supermarket. The honey dipped was light and fluffy, but lacked any real flavor - nothing like Krispy Kreme or Doughnut Plant original glazed. Maybe I am spoiled from eating Doughnut Plant donuts? Maybe I have become a donut snob? Maybe we should have sat at the counter and ate these with some coffee to bring out the flavor and enhance the experience?
Sure, this place has been around since the mid-60's and has seen a lot of history. I still love the old neon signage on the facade. I like that it looks like an old diner with swivel stools at the counter and an overall retro feel. The old no-nonsense guys working the counter hearkens back to past NYC. There is a certain coolness about it.
Still, I just don't get it. Maybe I expect too much out of a donut nowadays.Listed in: The "MEH" list, Doughnuts or Donuts
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Review from Baker L.
Bridgeport, CT
10/28/2011 3 photos
Good effn' donuts, point blank. I don't get the comparison with dunkins here, the donut pub is one of the main reason I don't bother with dunkin donuts anymore.
Nice, fluffy, old fashioned donuts. The
honey dip are what dreams are made of!
When I'm in that mellow down, simple mood, I hit up the donut pub. When I'm feeling adventurous it's the donut plant. -
Review from Alexandra C.
New York, NY
9/17/2011
Pretty darn good donuts. Only tried two, but they had a nice selection.
The honey dip was better than the frosted chocolate.
Really nice older guy at the counter.
Beats Dunkin Donuts by far any day. -
Review from Phil L.
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Walking around kind of hungry and drunk and came across the donut pub. I don't think it's really a pub but more like sitting at a diner counter than anything else. Ambiance aside, I don't normally eat doughnuts, but what the hell it had been awhile. I ordered the apple cruller for something around 2 bucks. The filling inside was good, the dough was delicious, but the frosting on top of the doughnuts was hard as a rock and when you bit into the doughnut, huge chunks of the frosting promptly fell to the floor. Lame. I also had a bite of their 50 cent red velvet cake doughnuts, super tasty especially for 50 cents it's a pretty darn good deal.
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Review from Matthew Y.
New York, NY
1/15/2011 41 Check-ins Here
You can hit some fresh donuts, you can come across some stale donuts here at the Donut Pub
What really matters here, at the good old DP, is that it really feels like it belongs in NYC. From the people that work here, to the people that frequent this establishment they all bring a warm fuzzy NYC donut love to the place. It's an institution just as much as MOMA or the NYC public library.
So why not five stars then you may ask? Well, this is because at certain times of day lets say 11pm is one of those times, a patron can be faced with a bafflement as to the extremely limited amount of donut options. Which may be understandable from a sales point of view... Less people, make less donuts... But this is the time that I wander into DP and look for a good variety.
Now I recommended the French Crullers freshly made at around 2am. Everything else pales in comparison. 'but what about the powdered mini thingamdonut?' No my friend, unless you want to risk mediocrity go for the sure thing, the safe bet. The donut that when freshly made out of the oven tastes less like a donut, and more like a maple syrup infused pancake. Does the taste change after about 20mins of cooling time... Yes, its not a 'smack you in the face and tell me my middle name', type of good. But its still good after 20mins of cooling time
As strickly a hang out place late at night it cant be beat. Try being as cool at McDonalds at 4:05am. You cant. It's been tried. Gain your body fat in a Respectable place... The Donut Pub, its like a Cheers for fat people. -
Review from Monica T.
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very yummy doughnut from here. Best local shop I've seen in the area. Comparing it to Dunkin' is an insult considering I'm from an area where Krispy Kreme rules the day & we have Tim Horton's. Diversity of flavors & better service than what I've seen at Dunkin'. Not to mention the woman behind the counter appeared competent & to give some regard to the customer.
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Review from D H.
New York, NY
4/22/2011
We need to hold onto more places like this in New York. The Donut Pub is a total throwback to the days when New York was cool without trying. This place has such little atmosphere that it has charm in it's simplicity. As a coffee snob, I find it funny that their coffee is some of the best (and cheapest in town). I'm addicted to their chocolate glazed donuts - but their chocolate covered are just as delicious, as well as their red velvets.
I was there a few days ago at 4PM and every single seat was taken by people craving a sweet snack and pick me up as they wound down their workday.
Also - it's open 24 hours - so it's a great spot to grab a donut and coffee on the way to the airport for an early flight or when you have a latenight sweet tooth that needs to be taken care of. -
Review from Josephine L.
Boston, MA
5/31/2011
Honey Dip: Soft, fluffy, not too doughy or sugary. Excellent.
Black and white cookie: Thick, huge, soft and cake-y, and again, not too sweet. Perfect sugar snack when you're drunk and stumbling around Chelsea like a fool.
The fact that's this place is open 24hrs a day is just sweet, sweet icing. Pun intended. -
Review from Jay W.
Newark, NJ
4/22/2011
You know if you compare them with Doughnut Plant, there's no comparison. But these donuts are light years better than the major franchises. The difference: human hands actually touch the product. The honey dip donut is wonderful, as is the Red Velvet.
I also love the customer service. One day I happened to buy a bunch of donuts(like 25 or so) for my students. The guy gave me an extra bag of munchkins on the house! That was so amazing that I've been a fan ever since. -
Review from Tina C.
1/29/2011 3 photos
To end a week without sweets is unjustified! After meeting with a good friend as I was immensely filled with worries for her, unable to sleep yet two large chocolate chip cookies at $2.50 each got me fully bloated. There are various pastries of donuts, cupcakes albeit a small selection of cupcakes yet enticing. A donut cafe homemade unlike the mass production of Dunkin' Donuts. The chocolate chip cookies were not warm as I popped it in the microwave for fifteen seconds and felt like it was fresh from the oven. My craving for chocolate chip cookies all week calmed my stomach but sadly my heart is lonely...
No delivery takeout menus
No business cards
Sales receipt contains no contact information
No alcohol -
Review from Brian P.
Jersey City, NJ
5/5/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Do you know what two things to ingest when you're on the verge of pass-out drunk that will keep you awake and alert long enough to take the PATH back to JC and then make the short walk home?
If you answered a black & white cookie and coffee, you win a prize; and what better place to get both things at 4:30 in the morning than The Donut Pub? -
Review from Jason N.
4/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Funny to rate Donut Pub on a cookie alone, but that is what I'm about to do. The donuts looked good but these days, if I'm going to ingest 500 calories on the quick, I'm going to do it by eating a behemoth at Dough.
So, at Donut Pub, we tried a black and white cookie ($2.50) and found it delicious. Cake-y and yet almost crispy in spots around the edges, with lip-smacking icing slathered on top. At half the price of William Greenberg's version, I think I just discovered a way to save trips up town for these circular treats!
Note: for white icing purists, DP also offers a totally white version of the traditionally black and white cookies. -
Review from Randy S.
Manhattan, NY
3/16/2011
The honey dip and the old fashioned are my favorite.
Not so crazy about their fruit donuts because they don't have much fruit in them.
The Boston Cream is also quite good, but the coffee needs some oomph. -
Review from David Z.
11/13/2011
For those who have read any of my reviews, you know I like old school mom and pop places....in Manhattan such places are not so common due to the obscene rents. The Donut Pub has decent/average donuts, not great. I just like the vibe in this place. It had not been remodeled since...well probably never. But that is where its charm comes from, think the diner in Superman II. Class!
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Review from Kathleen G.
Brooklyn, NY
11/3/2010
Oh New York- land of nasty Dunkin Donuts.... I come from a place of Shipley's and Krispy Kreme--that is, the South, so I had a hard time wondering why New Yorkers would settle for dry donuts from DD.
Glazed, frosted with milk chocolate, oozing boston creme...that's what on my mind when I'm in need of a donut. The Donut Pub even keeps things interesting with their enormous muffin window display and diner-esque ambiance. I even saw a Red Velvet Cake donut today! Seriously?! Just when I thought the donut industry had no more room for delicious creativity.
This place is on my route to work- which is dangerous, but I still manage to limit myself to once every few weeks. The man behind the counter- I assume he's the owner because he's the only one I ever see- is always very nice and gives quick service. (If you order the donut holes, you might even get a few extra thrown in for free!)
Dunkin Donuts is just a few doors down-- better to skip it, support an indpendent business, and experience the best donuts in Manhattan. -
Review from Mike B.
New York, NY
2/4/2011
I've been a fan of the donut pub since moving to the neighborhood about 7 years ago...brought many out-of-town visitors here, etc. And I rooted heartily for them when a chain shop opened 2 doors down, apparently in an effort to drive them out of business. What ended up happening is the Donut Pub appeared to have driven the chain shop out of business. Good for them!
However, since that's happened, they've jacked up the prices! I guess when you've killed the competition that is an option. But the donuts here were not that good to begin with...everything that's not a donut (cookies, crullers, etc.) are exorbitantly overpriced for what you get (especially now,) and the coffee (which sucks) costs more than my local frou-frou coffee shop where at least it's fresh and tasty.
Sad to say, but as of today, they've lost me... -
Review from Matthew A.
Long Island City, NY
10/29/2010
How I imagine Donut Pub:
The rain begins to clatter against the pavement with growing urgency, its even tempo accented by the dopy staccatos of drops plodding against the brim of my hat. My trenchcoat, worn and trusted, defends me from dampness, but the chill of the rain penetrates.
I seek salvation on the desolate avenue but the options are fickle for somber insomniacs. For a city that never sleeps, the streets sure seem sluggish now.
A wandering glow beckons in my periphery and I make hurried strides towards it. Sloshy puddles part in my wake. The illumination is dull but distinct; a buzzy neon sign that reads "DONUT PUB".
I duck in. It's a vacuum of pretenciousness and I am instantly grateful for that. I sink myself onto an ageless stool along the nearly vacant counter. The proprietor, currently engaged in a silent debate with the only other patron at the far end of the counter, notices me with disinterest but makes his way over anway.
"What'll you have" he asks without saying anything, a cocked eyebrow instead doing the talking.
"Coffee. Honey Dip." I say.
He returns with the request before I even get my coat off and dissapears to the other end to continue the wordless conversation.
I sit. I eat. I drink. I don't think. Everything is right.
How I really am at Donut Pub:
OH MY GAWD! ME WANT DONUTS! GROFFLE GROFFLE GROFFLE. -
Review from Christian R.
Woodside, Queens, NY
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok, so it's a cute little shop located on 14th Street just before you head into the meatpacking district. In my opinion, not worth it. Just so-so. Nothing special. I'd never been here before but always wanted to go. Donuts are mediocre however the muffins (I had blueberry) taste rubbery and almost artificial. The coffee was terribly bland as well. Service was a bit slow but then again nobody was in the store. The final bill came to almost $5 (a muffin and a decaf coffee)- seriously?! While the old-fashioned interior boasts of nostalgia for the good ol' NYC diner days, sadly, that and it's flashy facade are all it has going for it.
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Review from Allan T.
New York, NY
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I walked 40 blocks down here to get an Apple Fritter. I got there and guess what - they didn't have any!
It took about 10 minutes to figure that out because no one was minding the store. There was one guy there and he was making coffee and couldn't be bothered to help me.
If I try again I will plan on taking the subway.
BTW the Donut Pub is actually between 7th and 8th, not 6th and 7th. Right near 7th but on that side.
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