Mediocre Doughnuts at Donut Monster

Donut MonsterLocation: 28 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Website: https://www.donutmonster.ca/

Donut Monster is a really acclaimed doughnut joint from Hamilton that recently opened a location in Toronto’s Stackt Market.  I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about their doughnuts for a while now — if they hadn’t opened an outpost in Toronto, taking a long drive to Hamilton might have been in order.

I’m so glad I didn’t drive all the way to Hamilton for this.

Donut Monster

I tried the Cherry Cheesecake Bullseye, which features sour cherry pie filling, cream cheese icing, and a graham cracker crumble.

I know a lot of people are more concerned about a doughnut’s fillings/toppings than anything else, and on that level this was pretty decent — the balance between the tart cherries and the sweet frosting was actually quite good.

Donut Monster

But the doughnut itself was seriously disappointing; it was dense and dry and boring.  It was like Wonder Bread.  There’s nothing to it.  I’m pretty sure the prepacked doughnuts you can get at the supermarket aren’t much worse.

It certainly wasn’t unpleasant, but from a high-end doughnut place it’s a huge let-down.

Delicious Doughnuts at Glory Hole Doughnuts

Glory Hole DonutsLocation: 1596 Queen Street West, Toronto
Website: https://www.gloryholedoughnuts.com/

I checked out Glory Hole Doughnuts when it opened and was thoroughly unimpressed.  That was a few years ago, and in the meanwhile it’s been piling up accolade after accolade.  Another visit was in order.

Glory Hole Donuts

Yeah, everyone is right about this place: it’s great.

I had the bread and butter doughnut, which is a classic raised doughnut topped with brown butter icing, toasted breadcrumbs, and cinnamon.

Glory Hole Donuts

The doughnut itself was perfect; just the right amount of fluffiness and chewiness, with a really nice flavour and no oiliness (this was an issue on my first visit, but not even a little bit this time).

Glory Hole Donuts

The icing was creamy, slightly nutty from the brown butter, and perfectly sweet.  The breadcrumbs add some crunch and a mild toasty flavour.

The sweet cinnamon-infused flavour, the creamy icing, and the crispy breadcrumbs are an irresistible combo.  It’s an amazing doughnut.