Duck Donuts

Duck…duck…duck…

DONUT!

Spring has me feeling a little daffy.

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“The Maple Bacon is so good that I want to take a bath in it. This has just the right amount of sweetness. I’ve never had bacon on a donut before Duck Donuts. The Chocolate Marshmallow Chip is very chocolatey. The melted marshmallow is very nice. I can’t believe I just ate two!”

Two is the going rate at Duck Donuts where they go down so easy. I can picture my group where we’d be tossed warm, fresh Duck Donuts instead of cold, stale dough. We’d swarm and fight over every offering. After we would’ve had our fill, we’d get along swimmingly.

It went something like that.

On the first of April, we were nobody’s fool. Looking up, there was no blue sky, but spring was here. We dawned toward the warmth and brightness radiating from the burst of activity at the first Duck Donuts to land in Illinois. Our friend Tracy and her boyfriend Larry, our friend Scott, Lisa, my mom, and I met up in downtown Libertyville for donuts and coffee. I was insistent that we enjoy everything right off the line. I had been at Duck Donuts once before in North Carolina, but for everyone else this would be their primary lesson in fresh, made-to-order donuts. Two times six equals a dozen. Appropriately enough, we were on School Street.

Walking into Duck Donuts, it smelled like the funnel cake stand at a carnival. There was a warm, sweet and savory allure. On the left was a bustling line of activity that moved like a machine. We watched fresh drops become artful masterpieces in minutes. Once we snapped ourselves out of our fascination, we moved over to study the menu. Despite all the choices, little monsters want what little monsters want. Everyone knew the objects of their desires to devour, so the dozen filled up fast. With the only two tables just vacated, we took over the place.

“The Peanut Butter Paradise melts in my mouth. Duck Donuts made-to-order line is the freshest way to enjoy a donut. The Blueberry Pancake tastes just like a blueberry pancake. And the coffee is very good. A plain donut would clean up everything leftover in the box!”

From their hands to mine, I opened our custom assortment box and quickly took a few snaps before the first bites. With our coffee tableside and my recorder running, we were about to slip into a brief episode of altered states with our inner child behind the wheel.

Before I could turn to ask everyone for their impressions of their first donut, they were already gushing about their second. The words I heard most were, “delicious,” “fresh,” and “amazing.” The most indelible impression was the made-to-order warmth, freshness and quality of each donut. Every selection looked like art. With the speed of everything moving down the line, we wouldn’t have expected the donuts to resemble their menu pictures. Artistas for baristas.

With the kid in everyone satisfied and put to bed, we reset ourselves and behaved at the grownups table. Everyone highly recommended Duck Donuts and was very insistent on returning soon. We agreed to get together and try the rest of the menu, especially the savory sandwiches. And sit on the patio!

“The Strawberry Easter Confetti is not overly sweet or heavy. The Cold Brew with Sweet Cream is pleasingly robust. The top layer of cream is reminiscent of a proper Irish coffee. Everything looks so artistic. The Vanilla Caramel Crunch is a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Fast, fresh and fun. That’s Duck Donuts!”

I asked everyone for their impressions. Tracy: “The Maple Bacon is so good that I want to take a bath in it. This has just the right amount of sweetness. I’ve never had bacon on a donut before Duck Donuts. The Chocolate Marshmallow Chip is very chocolatey. The melted marshmallow is very nice. I can’t believe I just ate two!” Larry: “The Peanut Butter Paradise melts in my mouth. Duck Donuts made-to-order line is the freshest way to enjoy a donut. The Blueberry Pancake tastes just like a blueberry pancake. And the coffee is very good. A plain donut would clean up everything leftover in the box!” Scott: “The Chocolate Covered Bacon perfectly balances sweet and salty. The bacon tastes nice and smoky. The coffee and donuts are a great combination. The Blueberry Pancake reminds me of a stack of blueberry pancakes. These funnel cake style Duck Donuts are delicious!” Mom: “The Sunrise is so tender and light. I definitely taste lemon. I like that I can control the sweetness by choosing the toppings. The Milk Chocolate Strawberry is like eating a bowl of strawberries covered in milk and chocolate. Duck Donuts are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I can eat two donuts—no problem!” Lisa: “The Cappuccino is airy and light. The coffee has just a touch of sugar, basically black which I almost never do. The Berry Cookie Crumble is amazing with three different flavors. Duck Donuts go so well with their coffee!” And me: “The Strawberry Easter Confetti is not overly sweet or heavy. The Cold Brew with Sweet Cream is pleasingly robust. The top layer of cream is reminiscent of a proper Irish coffee. Everything looks so artistic. The Vanilla Caramel Crunch is a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Fast, fresh and fun. That’s Duck Donuts!”

If you see someone walking or riding a bike heading north on Milwaukee Avenue, they might be earning their two Duck Donuts. The proverbial carrot to the donkey has lost its mojo. I know what’s motivating me.

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