Baked Goods
Glory Hole Doughnuts
Glory Hole Doughnuts has been so eagerly anticipated that on a Sunday morning at 10 a.m., there's already a rush at the counter. The two-day-old retail location in Parkdale, between Roncesvalles and Sorauren, is already drawing both praise from long-time fans, and rubbernecking from locals.
Owner and baker Ashley Jacot De Boinod (formerly of Buca) has garnered well-deserved credit for being one of the first to introduce Torontonians to inventive doughnut flavours. Her chicken-fried waffle and maple bacon doughnuts caused a fervent buzz earlier this year, but now that even Loblaws sells a maple bacon doughnut (don't bother, it's gross), Ashley is stepping up her game, and offering ever more imaginative combinations.
For example, the Butter and Toast doughnut delivers exactly what its name promises via sweet buttery frosting and toasted bread crumbs. It's subtle but delicious, and showcases a touch of restraint and sensitivity towards those of us who like things a bit less sweet. With the option to add bacon to any doughnut for $1, I only later realize the missed opportunity.
The Elvis with Marshmallow is iced with peanut butter frosting and topped with banana chips, nuts, bacon and toasted marshmallows--I don't think I need to tell you how phenomenal it tastes.
Drip coffee from Mountain View Coffee is available for just $1.50 a cup, while doughnut holes such as the Lemon Ricotta with an olive oil glaze ring in at $4 for 3, $7 for 6, or $10 for 9.
The bright and airy space is sparsely decorated; a set-up which better accommodates the eager crowds and quick take-away service. A vibrant orange countertop and woodpile-styled bar houses a glass showcase displaying the unbearably seductive goodies.
A blackboard wall illustrates the rotating menu, including other notable flavours such as Chocolate Pistachio, Yogurt & Granola, Beer (featuring a Kensington Brew Co. flavoured frosting) and Black Forest Cake to name just a few. Each are between $3 and $4.50 depending on the flavour, or you can opt to get a half dozen for $21, or a dozen for $38.
There is much to like about this new addition to Parkdale, but don't fret if you're not a local; catering and delivery options are available with at least three days notice.
Photos by Derek Flack
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;^P
Not affiliated with this shop, nor have I tasted their product yet. I just think on a whole we demand un-sustainably cheap food and then turn around & bark about carbon foot-prints & authenticity. Somethings gotta give somewhere. I bet rent isn't cheap for this place.
Doughnuts look GOOOOD! :^)
As I recall some years ago that doughnuts where made with flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and so forth and that they would cost under a $1... Sure inflation and so forth but I don't see how they would warrant $38... Personally I prefer the doughnuts at Little Nickys warm with sugar and cinnamon plain simple tasty and affordable...
Disclaimer: I do not work at Little Nicky's or am I affiliated with them in any way...
$3 for a flippin' donut? $38 for a dozen?
Are we all of a sudden suffering from hyper-inflation?
This place will be on the deadpool list in short order, can pretty much guarantee that.
I had ordered from Ashley before she opened her store and absolutely loved the product. Now that they're right around the corner, look out!
Next time you're lined up like cattle at your local corporate mega-coffee shop, have a look at the thawed out baked 1000 miles away 20 days ago 'pastries' they sell for $2-$3 a pop and then give your head a shake.
If you eat so many doughnuts that $3 is excessive to you, then you eat too many doughnuts and maybe it's time to get out of your SUV and take a walk.
People aghast at the $3 price are probably also wondering where the drive-through window is and can't stomach the notion of visiting Parkdale, which is one of the most vibrant communities in Toronto.
Disgusting name, Crummy Doughnuts. She belongs in Berlin so she can really do what she wants to do, and not just dream about it everyday.
I can't believe all the negative comments left here - all by people who haven't even tried them.
As for the name, lighten the f up....what's in a name? You people need better things to do with your time.
@Crystal Ball - your implication that this business woman (with a great sense of humour) is a whore is more disgusting than its name. For shame.
PS: Get the lemon meringue.....Now that's what I call $3 heaven.
My implication is my sense of humour - touche.
Woo! Gentrification is awesome! I can't wait to displace more indigent and marginalized people! Hurray!
By the dozen its a $10 premium - $47.46 compared to $37.29 w/tax.
Hah, not even wasting my time with you.
As for the price, they are totally worth it. Quality ingredients, lots of love and worth every penny.
Don't know how people can complain about the price, as many of you spend $2-$5 on bottled water when you can get it for free from the tap.
Take a moment and head to Glory Hole Doughnuts, you will be glad you went. See you soon Glory Hole!
And for the pervert who sees his passions vindicated by a public sign on of all things, a donut shop...go f yourself!
What really does bother me is the name. I get it - it's funny and many will get a kick out of it (initially, I did too. I'm not denying that). But any business name that warrants embarrassment when saying out loud (or God forbid EXPLAINING) to a family member is pretty risky. In fact, I can guarantee that the office I work in, which orders snacks and treats for client meetings on a weekly basis, would NEVER order from a company called Glory Hole because the name would be too ridiculous to explain.
I really hope the bakery does very well and again, I think the critique of the pricing is silly considering. But I'm just worried that the name is going to warn off potential customers and I would love to know how the owner weighed out these kind of risks when landing on a business name.
As for the name..... I find it kind of funny but yeah, a bit weird when telling friends about the place and they are like "wtf"?
As for the name. Absolutely HILARIOUS, I mean, that is IF you have a sense of humour. As for taking your kids there, what difference does it make, I am pretty sure the kid would just be excited to merely get to eat a doughnut. Regardless of the name of the joint.
"So when your kid asks why the donut store you took them to is based on the same illegal and lewd act of perversion that you hopefully try to protect them from at the mall"
Grow up.
SEE YOU SOON ASHLEY! I WILL BE BY FOR THE BEST DOUGHNUTS EVER!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!
She should have to set up her stupid store next to our disgusting bathrooms!
Thanks for perpetuating and I dare say normalizing something so repulsive!
I WILL NEVER STEP FOOT IN THIS SHOP!!!
As well... my two young kids have been eagerly awaiting GHD's opening for weeks. They know how awesome the food is and they haven't even asked that the name of the store means - as far as they know, glory = great praise, hole = donut holes. Let them figure it out when it's appropriate. Seems to me the only people offended by the store's name are tightasses who want to control the world around them instead of enjoying a little cheeky fun.
To those who question the cost of the donuts. Try not to compare this mini-bakery to a Tim Horton's, will you? Go around the corner to one of the Polish bakeries on Roncesvalles and see what their confections cost, then you have a viable comparison.
Every time I read a review on this site, I see this cynical unnecessary backlash.
p.s good doughnuts.
http://www.gloryholedoughnuts.com
that's it. I'm going tomorrow.
You sound like an f-ing self entitled douchebag.
Sincerely,
Someone who has $$ to spend on baked goods.
I don't want anything to with this place even more now!
And the most certainly don't know how much leases cost for retail space, nor do they know how much it costs for commercial liability insurance for a food production facility. And don't forget employee wages, government deductions, business taxes.
Ashley is making a hand-made product with care and attention to detail and not using manufactured crap and re-heating it in the store.
"specialty" doughnut shops begin to pop around the city. Then spontaneously the city will begin to crave something cooler and pretentious to chew on.
organic chocolate bar with slivers of gold and maple coated bacon anyone?
Giving something a premium price point, saying it's hand made, etc... and making it seem all hipster and cool is not enough to justify the fact that it's still only a damn doughnut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEfkdnx1zUs
GLORY HOLE! GLORY HOLE! GLORY HOLE! Am I offending you yet?
Doesn't sound like I'm missing out!
Like Cowbell and Parts and Labour?
Visit the hood before you spew nonsense...
Will these be available at the Metro Theatre?
great branding too for their site/logo etc. good luck GHD
such a gross name for a donut shop!
Sorry but I agree with the others on here. I have never seen a blog on here with so many cutting remarks but I actually can understand why.
Did nobody give her the counterpoint argument on why the name is not wise??????? Guess her friends are just rude freaks too.
I am opening next door with a corn on the cob shop called The Corn Hole.
We will serve them in condoms so you don't get greasy. Just peel them back and eat.
you pay $8.50 to fill your mouth with hot water and the server will dunk the bag directly into your open mouth.
We can all laugh at funny ideas but thats what they are - funny ideas.
PS: instead of donut holes, you should call them Bum Nuggets.
Paczki are delicious, stop being a silly goose.
Please, blog TO, so a "BEST OF" READER COMMENT THREAD - this thread gets my vote!
e of the most delicious things that I have eaten in my life.
NO JOKE.
The name Glory Hole is spot on once you try it. Cuz it was just that...glorious.
I won't lie, yes, the doughnuts are expensive. But you really do have to keep several things in mind. Leasing space is not cheap, hiring staff is not cheap, quality ingredients are not cheap (she goes through a lot, but nothing close to what a large chain would go through meaning the bulk discount is nowhere near as high). If a large chain were to start selling, say, the Elvis with Marshmallow doughnut, I see them charging no less than $3 for it, and that's at a large chain with plenty of other business to keep them afloat.
On to the doughnuts, I picked up a half dozen ($20) for my family & I to share. We ended up cutting them up so that we could try all of them.
Lemon Merengue - Not a lemon fan, so the rest of the family shared this one. They thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cinnamon Sugar - Was good but not extraordinary. Just a plain yeast doughnut rolled in cinnamon sugar. While nothing special, it was good.
Maple - Plain yeast doughnut with maple glaze all over. Nothing over the top, but it was very tasty.
Cookies & Cream - Plain yeast doughnut with sweet cream icing and cookie crumble on top. Not your run of the mill crappy icing, you can tell this was fresh and hand made. Very tasty!
Chocolate Pistachio - Plain yeast doughnut with chocolate icing and crushed pistachios. Once again, you can tell the chocolate icing was fresh. It's not that hard sugary icing like most places use, this was a nice smooth and rich icing. The pistachios added a nice flavour.
Elvis with Marshmallow - OMG! This is the best doughnut I have ever had in my entire life and was well worth the price!! Plain yeast doughnut with peanut butter icing, banana chips, nuts, bacon and a toasted marshmallow on top. The peanut butter icing was just amazing and once again very fresh tasting. Bacon went very well with this and the toasted marshmallow on top was quite nice with the doughnut as well.
The yeast doughnuts were quite good, though a bit on the dense side compared to a typical yeast doughnut. However, this did not take away from the experience. You can only do so much with a base doughnut anyways, so it really is all about the toppings.
All in all, the doughnuts were very good. Of course this won't be a daily thing (due to calories, cost and distance), but I do see myself going back there again. I certainly wish Ashley all the best with her new business. Based on the first week, looks like it will be quite a success!
I understand quality ingredients cost more but the end result should be a better quality product. I'm guessing freshness will be less of an issue on the weekend but at $3.50 a pop, it shouldn't be an issue on any day of the week.
Given how recently the store opening, perhaps they're still juggling how best to meet customer demand.
Furthermore, I'm not too impressed with the staff at this place. They are not very friendly and can be downright snobs. God forbid you smile or something ridiculous. I hate to jump on the hipster-hating bandwagon, but its true. These people are just too cool for school.
That being said, I have tried 2 flavours and they are absolutely DELICIOUS. Probably the only reason I keep going back. And I live in the neighbourhood so its not a major inconvenience to walk by. But still. I know a lot of people that have come a long way to try them, only to be disappointed because they don't have any left.
Word of advice to the owners - make some more donuts and hire some genuinely friendly people. It wouldn't kill you to be nice to customers.
The problem with this place is that it's in a terrible area. A 10 minute walk east and there are nice stores, everyone's friendly and it's just generally awesome. Glory Hole is surrounded by really dirty looking places. I still made the trip multiple times despite how far it was, but it is true that they often don't have all of the doughnuts available. If it were in a nice are or closer then it wouldn't suck so bad, but going there and finding they only have one doughnut left and it has bacon on it (I'm a vegetarian) is pretty annoying.
Never again. I'll wait until Doughnut Plant comes to T.O. for my sweet fix.
I left Ottawa to get away from the square attitude that seems to be so pervasive in this comment thread. Really, Toronto? Shame on you. Get a life. Sounds like you need new hobbies, too (other than hating on DOUGHNUTS). Give me a break. Go eat Tim's frozen garbage 'donuts' if that's what you like.
On the plus side, I challenge you to find a more tasty, flavourful, masterful donut anywhere on the planet. In my experience it doesn't exist.
The sad part is that after 7 months, Glory Hole still doesn't understand that to be a donut shop, you need to have donuts in your shop. 80% of the time they will either be out of stock, or only left with the bad flavours that nobody ever orders. Hmmm when you see that certain flavours are ALWAYS left and certain ones ALWAYS sell out...maybe make some cuts from your roster? Consistently people come in, get frustrated at the selection and walk out in a snit. Myself included.
Also their decision to make the donuts 2.5X bigger is to me an egregious error that will only lose them customers. They were the perfect size when they first opened in AUG '12.
If they were on the subway line (or anywhere remotely close to it)...it would be my choice and I'd put up with the oversights mentioned above. But since they're in parkdale, always low on stock, and they've ruined a good thing by making their donuts far too big, Krispy Kreme will become my new go-to.
Ashley, you're failing. And if you keep failing, you'll be out of business. Stop disappointing your customers. Learn how to run a DONUT SHOP (aka. more than one flavour available at a given time). I'm pissed.