Why A Donut Shop In Phoenix May Be My Favorite In The World

ByEdward Pizzarello
a box of donuts

I’ve been to enough donut shops in the past 3 years that I think I can start to form some pretty data-driven opinions.  Even though my cholesterol level is down (through exercise), my waistline is increasing a bit from research.  I don’t think you can claim something is “best” after visiting just once.  I do think I’m at the point where I can claim a favorite.  But, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.

Here’s a bit about ?

And,  because I wanted to have nerdy fun, with the donut thing, I have my own rating system.  Which leads us to…..

Why Phoenix Has My Favorite Donut Shop

18 months ago I stopped by a place called Welcome Chicken & Donuts.  Located on the flight path to Phoenix Airport, it’s in something of an industrial area.

a building with a sign on it

That first visit was unbelievable.  Shockingly good.  For some reason, I never did write a review at that time.  But, I knew I needed to go back.  Having visited Welcome Chicken & Donuts multiple times, I’m ready to proclaim it my current favorite.  Here’s why:

  • It’s in a crappy neighborhood and everyone has heard of it.  Every time I show up somewhere with their chicken and donuts, I get knowing smiles and nods from people.
  • The donuts are legit.  Whenever a donut shop branches out past donuts (or tries to create crazy flavors), I’m worried that they’re not focused on the quality of the donuts.  Welcome makes a great basic donut.  Their entry-level donut is labeled “sprankles”.  Love it.  But, you’ll also find chipotle lemon and chocolate rose pistachio if you like funky flavors (I liked the former, not the latter).

a display case with donuts on it

  • The chicken is biblical.  They have some cool sauces to go with it, but they’re really just window dressing  for the runway model that is the chicken.  My best suggestion?  Get there as close to 10:30 in the morning as you can, when the chicken first starts rolling out.  It’s so good when it’s hot and crispy.

a box of fried chicken wings and sauce

a box of fried chicken and side dishes

a menu board on a wall

The store itself isn’t anything pretty.  It’s straight forward with a few tables and a counter.  As I mentioned earlier, you’ll find normal flavors like glazed and sprinkles.  You’ll also find  a variety of more exotic flavors.  The yeast-raised and cake donuts are both very good.

a display case with donuts on shelves

a box of donuts

So, What’s The Score?

You might expect me to throw out a 4.5 or 5 on the donut scale, given how much I’ve raved about Welcome Chicken & Donuts.  I went slightly lower than that.

  • A Sugar Symphony In Your Mouth. Life-Changing!
  • You Literally Reach For Another One Before You Finish The One In Your Hand.
  • Dunkin' Donuts. Waaay Better Than No Donuts At All!
  • Taste Good After A Hangover.
  • Only In Case Of Emergency (i.e. grocery store donuts).

Want to know a little more about the donut ratings?

I’ve had better donuts.  But, when you add in the uber-friendly staff and incredible chicken it pushes Welcome to the top of the list.  If I was baking all that in to the rating, they would be a 4.5 or a 5.  But, in the interest of purity around the donut rating, they’re a 4 (which is a darn good donut).  No fancy labels or flashy signs at Welcome Chicken & Donuts.  Just honest-to-goodness great food.

a white sign with blue text

The post Why A Donut Shop In Phoenix May Be My Favorite In The World was published first on Pizza in Motion

My goal in life is to fill my family’s passports with stamps, creating buckets of memories along the way. You’ll find me writing about realistic ways for normal people to travel the world, whether you’re on a budget or enjoy luxury. I also enjoy taking us on the occasional detour to explore the inner workings of the travel industry.

4 Comments

  1. I live in Phoenix and can’t wait to visit this place soon. I think the best donuts are in NE Ohio called Jubilee Donuts. They are one of the few places remaining that make the original creme stix.

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  2. Realize that walk in customers don’t keep the doors open. Rather it the wholesale orders, especially the ones placed by local churches, schools and other organizations. Locally, as long as the donuts are fair to Midland, aren’t priced like the Bread Co. (Panera) and available even late on Sunday morning, folks will stop for a dozen or two. Counter or table customers also want a decent cup of coffee at a fair price and refill(s).

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