Why: Mr. Maple Donuts just debuted in Hazel Dell. The shop, which is family owned and operated, is in the strip mall on the corner of Northeast 78th Street and Highway 99. It opens early and closes late every day, featuring regular and fancy doughnuts with a kid-themed special doughnut every day.
What I tried: I selected a dozen, including a few fancies. Among my picks were a chocolate cream-filled, powdered sugar-raised, a chocolate old-fashioned and a regular old-fashioned, a caramel-topped latte, a cheesecake, a toasted coconut, a Bavarian cream-filled, a cinnamon roll and a bear claw made with raised dough, an apple fritter, a strawberry-frosted, a chocolate-frosted-glazed and a coconut cream.
I always enjoy a doughnut filled with Bavarian cream and Mr. Maple’s did not disappoint. The apple fritter was large and not too greasy. Both old-fashioned doughnuts were tasty. The chocolate cream-filled was unique, as were the coconut doughnuts. The strawberry-frosted’s flavor was a bit weak. The chocolate-frosted-glazed was classic and the cheesecake doughnut was spot on with a dollop of blueberry filling. The bear claw and cinnamon roll were essentially the same, only different shapes.
Overall, my doughnut dash was sweet and interesting. I think any doughnut lover will find something to please at Mr. Maple Donuts.
Dining out guide: Mr. Maple Donuts
Where: 1108 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver.
Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Contact: 360-718-2069 or MrMapleDonuts.com
Health score: Mr. Maple Donuts has received a pre-opening inspection and is scheduled for a routine inspection in the near future. For information, call 360-397-8428.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: There are plenty of maples on the shelves, though I did not try any. I only go for genuine maple syrup on my pancakes, and this rule extends to everything maple for me. Frosted varieties include purple, blue, green, vanilla, chocolate sprinkles and M&M topped. Plain cake, chocolate coconut, chocolate-glazed, plain and chocolate-frosted crullers, maple cream, caramel cream and coconut cream are among the selection, as are blueberry cake doughnuts.
Doughnut holes come in a variety of flavors. The kids special on the day of my visit was a Ninja Turtle, which was bright and colorful.
Atmosphere: The space has been completely renovated. Outside, a wrap-around tile bench adds interest. A gray, orange and white palette is accented by walnut-toned laminate on the counter and beige floor tiles. Tables and chairs provide a place to sit for a doughnut break. Doughnuts are displayed on wall racks behind the counter, yet are plenty close enough to entice.
Other observations: The doughnut shop is bright, clean and comfortable, and the aroma of maple is in the air. The service was friendly and helpful. A fair number of the doughnuts are Mr. Maple exclusives.
Cost: Doughnuts are $1.35 each, $7.49 for a half dozen, and $13.49 for a dozen. Doughnut holes cost 25 cents each, $2.95 for 15, $4.95 for 30, and $8.50 for 60. Fancy doughnuts are $2.25 each and $11.25 for a half-dozen. A bagel with cream cheese is $2.95, or $4.25 with egg and cheese. Coffee or tea may be added to a bagel sandwich for $1 for a medium and $1.25 for a large. Blended beverages and smoothies are available in a regular size for $3.50 and a large size for $4.50. Coffee and espresso drinks come in 12-ounce, 16-ounce and 20-ounce sizes for $1.75 to $4.
