This one really hit home! When I lived in Brooklyn, I’d usually get my morning coffee from these vendors. Sometimes I’d get a donut too. This post addressed so many questions that had gone unspoken. Also, the line “When you go for the donut, you go for the donut!” is something I’m going to say whenever someone goes big on dessert. There’s real wisdom from that street vendor.
I did like them. Funny thing is, I’m not a big donut guy. I rarely even set foot in a donut shop. But the three years I lived in Brooklyn were probably the high point of my donut consumption.
Great story. I’m headed to North Dakota in a month to try bagels that were featured in Wine and Food. No other reason to visit ND. One of two states I haven’t been two. ( Arkansas is the other).
Awesome as usual! This story of doughnuts was so entertaining. Haven't seen the word crullers for MANY YEARS but saw it on the order form. Every culture fries dough and gives stuff different names like beignets & faschnauts. I don't go for doughnuts much but this has me thinking it is time again. When you take the tour please ask the owner what is the famous donut of Tajikistan. Everybody has one it seems :) I figured as I was reading that a reporter on a bicycle talking donuts would be met with some resistance. Regarding the trash pile, here is a theory. Someone in the nieghborhood has a side hustle doing YouTube unboxing videos for phone cases and keeps their costs down by dumping on the street. Still imagining a donut the diameter of a salad plate...yikes
It's been a minute since I've lived in NY but I've always wondered about this and about the folks who sell the candied and honey roasted pecans and other nuts from carts. I've seen vendors selling roasted nuts here in Tokyo but not the breakfast carts - I've only seen that in the states. There is a "NY inspired" donut shop out here called DUMBO doughnuts after the neighborhood in Brooklyn that has pretty good donuts... all this talk about donuts, I guess I'm getting donuts today. Anyway, thanks for providing the answers! This is the third article I've read and enjoyed. Finally subscribed. Looking forward to reading more 🍩 😄
out of all the things about living in NYC, street cart culture is one of the things i miss the most - gotta try a donut next time i'm back in town. newly subscribed!
Loved this article! I do my laundry at Soft Bubbles every week, and live in one of the "limestone tenements" you speak of- had no idea there was such an influential bakery here for all this time!
Oh that's so funny! I am jealous you get to hang out at Soft Bubbles. It's such a great name and the owners seemed so nice. Thanks for your kind words!
Such a great combination of joy ("Stupid Russia) and despair ("I told my friend, ‘We’re going to drop dead here I think!"). I wonder what are the other languages Mr. Parliament speaks (guessing English/Russian/Tajik)?
I love this, thank you! I do love yeasted donuts, but they don't hold up as well. In my opinion, as far as cart donuts go, the marble cruller can't be beat. My old breakfast cart (haven't seen him since the pandemic :( ), however, had better chocolate glazed donuts. Perhaps they were from the now defunct bakery. NYC is not really a donut town (go to SF sometime!), but I appreciate the cart donuts, and that I'm supporting the guys in the carts and a family business in the donut bakery!
Michelle, I am SO with you. Cake donuts all the way. Have you ever had the "mixed" (chocolate and vanilla) glazed cruller at Seventh Ave. Donuts in Park Slope Brooklyn? I KNOW you would go crazy for them.
I have not been! I live in northern Manhattan so I don't get to Brooklyn too frequently. However I've now added it as a must stop the next time I'm near Park Slope.
This one really hit home! When I lived in Brooklyn, I’d usually get my morning coffee from these vendors. Sometimes I’d get a donut too. This post addressed so many questions that had gone unspoken. Also, the line “When you go for the donut, you go for the donut!” is something I’m going to say whenever someone goes big on dessert. There’s real wisdom from that street vendor.
Did you like the street funny donuts? It's funny I never tried one until now.
I did like them. Funny thing is, I’m not a big donut guy. I rarely even set foot in a donut shop. But the three years I lived in Brooklyn were probably the high point of my donut consumption.
Also, I can’t wait for you to go back and write that story!
Oh man it's going to be highlight of the summer for me.
Great story. I’m headed to North Dakota in a month to try bagels that were featured in Wine and Food. No other reason to visit ND. One of two states I haven’t been two. ( Arkansas is the other).
Phil please report back on these North Dakota bagels!
Grab some bagels and go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park -- check out the bisons...kinda cool. Not much else to see :)
Awesome as usual! This story of doughnuts was so entertaining. Haven't seen the word crullers for MANY YEARS but saw it on the order form. Every culture fries dough and gives stuff different names like beignets & faschnauts. I don't go for doughnuts much but this has me thinking it is time again. When you take the tour please ask the owner what is the famous donut of Tajikistan. Everybody has one it seems :) I figured as I was reading that a reporter on a bicycle talking donuts would be met with some resistance. Regarding the trash pile, here is a theory. Someone in the nieghborhood has a side hustle doing YouTube unboxing videos for phone cases and keeps their costs down by dumping on the street. Still imagining a donut the diameter of a salad plate...yikes
Love the idea of asking the owner about Tajikistan donuts. So great! Is YouTube videophone case unboxing a thing? It should be. SO FUNNY.
First time I heard about unboxing I was amazed. Filming opening seems weird to me!
What a fantastic journey to the heart of NY’s donut cabal
Thank you Jack! Keep your ideas coming please!
love this! especially the vendor awaiting death and "Stupid Russia!"
Thanks Inky! Yeah I got a kick out of that too. :)
It's been a minute since I've lived in NY but I've always wondered about this and about the folks who sell the candied and honey roasted pecans and other nuts from carts. I've seen vendors selling roasted nuts here in Tokyo but not the breakfast carts - I've only seen that in the states. There is a "NY inspired" donut shop out here called DUMBO doughnuts after the neighborhood in Brooklyn that has pretty good donuts... all this talk about donuts, I guess I'm getting donuts today. Anyway, thanks for providing the answers! This is the third article I've read and enjoyed. Finally subscribed. Looking forward to reading more 🍩 😄
Oh that's great, thanks ZM! Now I'm curious about the candied nuts too! Uh-oh...
out of all the things about living in NYC, street cart culture is one of the things i miss the most - gotta try a donut next time i'm back in town. newly subscribed!
Welcome wing! Just subscribed back atchoo!
much love!! excited to read more pieces from you
Loved this article! I do my laundry at Soft Bubbles every week, and live in one of the "limestone tenements" you speak of- had no idea there was such an influential bakery here for all this time!
Oh that's so funny! I am jealous you get to hang out at Soft Bubbles. It's such a great name and the owners seemed so nice. Thanks for your kind words!
They're so nice, anytime the dryers are full they always profusely apologize and sometimes take out some clothes early for me haha
Such a great combination of joy ("Stupid Russia) and despair ("I told my friend, ‘We’re going to drop dead here I think!"). I wonder what are the other languages Mr. Parliament speaks (guessing English/Russian/Tajik)?
Thanks Lisa! Will add to my list of questions for sure.
I love this, thank you! I do love yeasted donuts, but they don't hold up as well. In my opinion, as far as cart donuts go, the marble cruller can't be beat. My old breakfast cart (haven't seen him since the pandemic :( ), however, had better chocolate glazed donuts. Perhaps they were from the now defunct bakery. NYC is not really a donut town (go to SF sometime!), but I appreciate the cart donuts, and that I'm supporting the guys in the carts and a family business in the donut bakery!
Michelle, I am SO with you. Cake donuts all the way. Have you ever had the "mixed" (chocolate and vanilla) glazed cruller at Seventh Ave. Donuts in Park Slope Brooklyn? I KNOW you would go crazy for them.
I have not been! I live in northern Manhattan so I don't get to Brooklyn too frequently. However I've now added it as a must stop the next time I'm near Park Slope.
After reading this investigative piece, I feel like "The Sopranos" missed out on whole donut cart story line that could have been *fabulous*.
LOL I'd love to see this episode Debra!
You are a super sleuth! So Nancy Drew & The Donut Mystery.
Haha that's what it felt like!
Now do a story of the Mexican fruit card peeps. Thats what I live on. Cause Im healthy. :)
One of the things I most miss about NYC: the coffee carts and those donuts 🍩!!!