FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 3: Donuts, Bakeries, Pies and other sweet places on Less Beaten Paths

Voodoo Doughnut - Portland, Oregon Voodoo Doughnut – Portland, Oregon[/caption] Ahh…now that the BBQ and Chicken Fried steaks are done, how about something sweet?  Nothing like fresh donuts and pies!!  But who needs the chains?  How about some great independent bakeries and doughnut places?  Every Picture Tells a Story, Doughnut? Voodoo Doughnut – Portland, Oregon [caption id="attachment_3540" align="aligncenter" width="384"]Voodoo Doughnut Voodoo Doughnut[/caption] Voodoo Doughnut is probably one of the most unique doughnut places in the world (not just the U.S.)!!  Yes, they have amazing doughnuts, but they also have stained glass windows and even a wedding chapel.  They have been featured on dozens of food and travel shows as well.  And, by the way, make sure to bring cash if you want to eat.  That is all they take. [caption id="attachment_3537" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnuts at Voodoo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3538" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Miami Vice Doughnut Miami Vice Berry – Raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting, blue raspberry powder and pink sprinkles.[/caption] The menu of great items is abundant and ever changing at Voodoo Doughnut.  On my visit in March 2012, I picked up a few, including their most popular items.  Here is a sampling… [caption id="attachment_3548" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The Voodoo Doll - Raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake! The Voodoo Doll – Raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3549" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Bacon Maple Bar - Raised yeast doughnut with maple frosting and bacon on top! Out of this world yummiferous! Bacon Maple Bar – Raised yeast doughnut with maple frosting and bacon on top! Out of this world yummiferous![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3550" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Triple Chocolate Penetration - Chocolate cake doughnut with chocolate frosting and coco-puffs! I was Coo Coo for this one... Triple Chocolate Penetration – Chocolate cake doughnut with chocolate frosting and coco-puffs! I was Coo Coo for this one…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3551" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Ain't That a Peach Fritter - Peach fritter topped with cream cheese frosting with pink and orange sprinkles! This one was HUGE. Ain’t That a Peach Fritter – Peach fritter topped with cream cheese frosting with pink and orange sprinkles! This one was HUGE.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3546" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Dirty Snowball - Chocolate cake doughnut with marshmallow topping, dipped in coconut and a dollop of peanut butter in the middle! Dirty Snowball – Chocolate cake doughnut with marshmallow topping, dipped in coconut and a dollop of peanut butter in the middle![/caption] Other unique items include Mexican Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Cake doughnut dusted in cinnamon sugar and cayenne pepper); Captain My Captain (Raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting and Captain Crunch); The Loop (Raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting and Fruit Loops); Grape Ape (Raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting, grape dust and lavender sprinkles); Dirt Doughnut (Raised yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting and Oreos); and there are a few that I won’t include in here (they are a bit on the nasty side….) [caption id="attachment_3547" align="aligncenter" width="225"]It is no wonder there are always lines at Voodoo Doughnut - 24/7 It is no wonder there are always lines at Voodoo Doughnut – 24/7[/caption] And did I mention the stained glass and wedding chapel? And, oh yes, the proprietors are ordained ministers!! [caption id="attachment_3542" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Voodoo Doughnut Stained Glass Voodoo Doughnut Stained Glass[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3536" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Voodoo Doughnut in the Pink Boxes Voodoo Doughnut in the Pink Boxes[/caption] Paris Bakery – Paris, Ontario [caption id="attachment_3560" align="aligncenter" width="504"]Paris Bakery - Paris, Ontario Paris Bakery – Paris, Ontario[/caption] I lived in Paris, Ontario for a few months in 2008 and it had many benefits. It is a beautiful small town that is sliced by a lovely river (actually, two of them). There is a picturesque downtown area with a number of unique shops and one of those shops opens early (6 AM) everyday from Tuesday to Saturday and provides a pleasant aroma to the early morning air. In this day and age of big box grocery stores and fast food chains with their baked goods, a good Mom and Pop type of bakery is getting difficult to find. Paris Bakery remains one of those “pleasant places.” [caption id="attachment_3559" align="aligncenter" width="241"]Ross is up early making the rolls Ross Avery is up early making the rolls[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3558" align="aligncenter" width="241"]Gerry makes the specialty bread Gerry Power makes the specialty bread[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3564" align="aligncenter" width="241"]Owner Vickie Shows off the Goods Owner Vickie Norris Shows off the famous Chelseas[/caption] Unlike the young folks who throw the donuts in the oven at Tim Horton’s and Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme, Gerry and Ross have been baking for over 100 years combined. Indeed, Gerry has been in the bakery business since he was 12 years old! And like many other small bakeries, this is a family affair. Vickie’s sister Liz works at the bakery as does Gerry’s daughter-in-law Heather. There are a couple of other who family members there as well. [caption id="attachment_3566" align="aligncenter" width="280"]Chelseas were the specialty Chelseas were the specialty[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_3562" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Famous Butter Tarts at Paris Bakery Famous Butter Tarts at Paris Bakery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3561" align="aligncenter" width="188"]Tasty Chocolate Cupcakes Tasty Chocolate Cupcakes[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3563" align="aligncenter" width="239"]A Rack of Goodies at Paris Bakery A Rack of Goodies at Paris Bakery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3555" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Lemon Tarts Lemon Tarts at Paris Bakery[/caption] Vickie Norris sold the bakery in January 2013, but some of the staff has remained.  Vickie now runs the shop next door, which she has owned for a while, called The Paris Health Store and Yoga Studio.  I think all that go to the bakery may need to visit Vickie’s new business to get back in shape after the Chelseas, doughnuts and breads! Frontier Pies – Rexburg, Idaho [caption id="attachment_3571" align="aligncenter" width="225"]Frontier Pies - Rexburg, Idaho Frontier Pies – Rexburg, Idaho[/caption] OK, so this place is really a restaurant, but it is called Frontier Pies and that is what is famous for.  So, have some pie….the pictures say it all… [caption id="attachment_3570" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Frontier Pies - the real good stuff Frontier Pies – the real good stuff[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3568" align="aligncenter" width="300"]More Pies More Pies at Frontier Pies[/caption] Oh, and I should mention that they make great breakfast, lunch and dinner items too! Jaarsma Bakery – Pella, Iowa [caption id="attachment_3573" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Jaarsma Bakery - Pella, Iowa Jaarsma Bakery – Pella, Iowa[/caption] Going Dutch was never so good as it was when I visited Pella earlier this year.  This is Holland-ville USA and the Jaarsma Bakery does not disappoint with Dutch baked treats.  Famous for its “Dutch Letters”, their other treats are just as good. [caption id="attachment_3572" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Dutch Letters - S shaped pastry filled with almond cream and sprinkled with sugar. Delectable! Dutch Letters – S shaped pastry filled with almond cream and sprinkled with sugar. Delectable![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3576" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Bear Claws - you will be scratching the glass case to get one of these Bear Claws – you will be scratching the glass case to get one of these[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3575" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Almond Tarts at Jaarsma Bakery Almond Tarts at Jaarsma Bakery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3574" align="aligncenter" width="300"]A whole case of goodies at Jaarsma A whole case of goodies at Jaarsma[/caption] And, when done at the bakery, go get some Pella bologna a couple of doors down… International Bakery – Omaha, Nebraska [caption id="attachment_3582" align="aligncenter" width="300"]International Bakery - Omaha, Nebraska International Bakery – Omaha, Nebraska[/caption] Dutch baked goods are not the only delights out there.  A good Mexicana Panaderia is also a great place for baked goodies and, typically a bit cheaper.  I visited the locally famous International Baker while in Omaha for the 2012 US Olympic Swim Trials.  Made for a great morning breakfast on Mexican Sweetbreads and other delights. [caption id="attachment_3584" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Cases of Goodies at International Bakery Cases of Goodies at International Bakery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3581" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Coconut covered chocolate iced donuts Coconut covered chocolate iced donuts[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3579" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Mexican Jelly Rolls at International Bakery Mexican Jelly Rolls at International Bakery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3577" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Ahh...Sprinkles Ahh…Sprinkles[/caption] Not everything here is sweet.  There are some great Cream Cheese Jalapeno Bolillos there as well.  These guys are like little soft baguettes filled with cream cheese and jalapenos.  Wowzers!! [caption id="attachment_3583" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Jalapeno Bolillo Jalapeno Bolillo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3580" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Lots of goodies for the road Lots of goodies for the road[/caption] And while there don’t forget the strawberry conchas.  Everything is 50 cents so you can’t beat the price.  But, bring cash as that is all they take. Dutch Haven – Ronks, Pennsylvania [caption id="attachment_3586" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Dutch Haven - Ronks, Pennsylvania Dutch Haven – Ronks, Pennsylvania[/caption] If you are going to go to Amish country in Lancaster County, there are a few places to visit including Intercourse, Paradise and Bird-in-Hand.  You also need to stop in Ronks on the Lincoln Highway between Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand and visit the Dutch Haven for some real yummy Shoo-Fly Pie. [caption id="attachment_3587" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Dutch Haven - home of Shoo-Fly Pie Dutch Haven – home of Shoo-Fly Pie[/caption] Shoo-fly pie is basically a molasses pie. Some say it is a variation of the older Treacle Tart. Treacle is a British term for any syrup made from refined sugar cane, which would include molasses.  Gooey sweet goodness. [caption id="attachment_3585" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The Shoo-Fly Pie The Shoo-Fly Pie – yummiferous[/caption] Presti’s Bakery – Cleveland, Ohio [caption id="attachment_3588" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Presti's Bakery - Cleveland, Ohio Presti’s Bakery – Cleveland, Ohio[/caption] I was born in the Little Italy area of Cleveland.  Unfortunately, I was taken away from there when less than a year old.  I never had the chance to meet my real father.  However, I have been back there numerous times to visit my half brother and half sisters.  And, each time I go to Cleveland I have to make a visit to Presti’s Bakery.  Great cannoli and other baked goods. [caption id="attachment_3590" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Presti's Goody Case Presti’s Goody Case[/caption] They also make some great stiffed breads with good Italian meats and cheeses and veggies.  But, nothing tops the melt in your mouth tingle your tongue cannoli.  And, you can get them in a nice box to go. [caption id="attachment_3589" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Presti's Cannoli to go Presti’s Cannoli to go[/caption] Along the Less Beaten Paths there are many interesting places to stop and get some goodies.  I wish I had more time to stop at them all.  Here are a couple of more places I could have visited while on the road.  At least I snapped a photo of some of them… Other Places I could have gone [caption id="attachment_3593" align="aligncenter" width="199"]The Donut Whole - Wichita, Kansas The Donut Whole – Wichita, Kansas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3595" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Shakespeare Pies - Shakespeare, Ontario Shakespeare Pies – Shakespeare, Ontario[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3591" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Windchill Donut Shop - Port Huron, Michigan Windchill Donut Shop – Port Huron, Michigan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3594" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The Chocolate Chicken - Egg Harbor, Wisconsin The Chocolate Chicken – Egg Harbor, Wisconsin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3592" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Route 66 Cookies - Commerce, Oklahoma Route 66 Cookies – Commerce, Oklahoma[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3596" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Heavenly Donuts - Portland, Oregon Heavenly Donuts – Portland, Oregon[/caption] Check back in a couple of days for Part 4: Leftovers – all the other places]]>