Last year, on designated Saturday mornings, some of us congregated at the test kitchen of SideCar Doughnuts, standing in line to taste something those of us who have been to Portland, OR, or New York City have already had a taste of (Voodoo and Doughnut Plant). Sure, there are the M&M Donuts, and the Donut Man in southern California, but still, they were nothing compared to the gourmet doughnuts I ate in NY.
I don’t really eat doughnuts — well, I’ve never until Doughnut Plant — and when I first took a bite of SideCar Doughnuts, I thought “hmmm these are pretty good”. They weren’t sickly sweet and they were light and not dense like commercial doughnuts were. Then came the anticipation of the opening….. waiting, waiting….. waiting……..
The wait is no longer. Last Friday, SideCar finally opened and since then I’ve been back three times. I wanted to make sure that my previous experiences with them were not flukes, that they are indeed as good as the last visit no matter what time of day I’m there. I’m glad to report — they are!
Each week, the shop features a different array of flavors which are available until sold out, but favorites such as Maple Bacon and Huckleberry will undoubtedly always remain. I guess the “you snooze you lose” phrase is really put to the test here. Check their Facebook page to find out each week’s flavors.
Maple Bacon ($3.50), a salty sweet combo perfect for breakfast. They also make a Monte Cristo which I heard is still being perfected, but that was one of my favorites during their test kitchen days.
Malasadas were treats while living in Hawaii and while these malasadas aren’t quite Leonard’s, I can honestly say, the one stuffed with haupia ($2), a coconut cream filling is deliciously soft, gooey and the perfect balance of sweetness. There are also plain malasadas for $1.50. I highly suggest eating these right away as they lose a bit of the softness as time passes.
Another awesome offering is the Lemon Meyer Pound Cake ($2.50) essentially a lemon meyer flavored cake doughnut. The scent of citrus bursts into your olfactory senses as soon as you take a bite — aromatic and not too dense.
Raspberry is fragrant with a slight tartness — gorgeous fresh fruit explodes in your mouth when you bite into this.
The signature doughnut here is the Huckleberry ($3.50), a cake doughnut with a purple-hued huckleberry glaze topped with crushed huckleberries. The mix of tart and sweet with the fragrance of the berries will make you fall in love with it at first bite.
Kids will delight in Birthday Cake ($2.50) complete with sprinkles inside and out.
My new found flavors are Guava and Bavarian Cream (sorry, I was in a rush to get them I didn’t see how much they were) and although I could detect the aroma of guava, I would’ve liked a stronger flavor profile inside my mouth.
The Bavarian Cream was so delicious I actually ate the entire thing minus a bite for The Hungry Dogg to try. It wasn’t very sweet even though it looked so rich and decadent!
They have a ton of flavors which rotate including: Cinnamon Crumb, Toasted Coconut, Vanilla Twist, Cornbread with Sorghum Brown Butter Glaze, Banana Nutella and much more.
No matter what flavor is your favorite, I honestly believe you should treat yourself to one of these once a week! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but as much as I’m not a sweets fan, I’m loving these doughnuts! If you’re a coffee fan, then you’ll love the Stumptown Coffee from Oregon. They open Mon-Fri at 7am and on the weekends, at 8am and closing is determined when everything is sold out!
This week I have half a dozen doughnuts to give away to one lucky winner. Tell me if you love or do not love doughnuts and why you’re excited to try SideCar out. Leave me a comment with your FULL name for a chance to win. Entries close on Sunday April 21. Winner announced Monday, 22nd. Good Luck!
SideCar Doughnuts & Coffee
270 E 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tel: 949-887-2910
Went to Voodoo about 3 years ago and really want to see how the maple bacon, can I say pure love, compares. – Karen Terry
I didn’t get into one of the events prior to their opening and since then, all of my blogging friends have been here. I’m so bummed! That same day , I had a yum yum donut and it just wasn’t the same. All because pictures like these! I must try the Bavarian Cream also. I think Sidecar has just some flavors you can’t find in a chain donut shop.
love donuts. i thought voodoo’s donut in portland were too sweet and over-the-top. the flavors here though look more focused and refined. can’t wait to try.
I’ve been to Sidecar and absolutely loved it. My kids had the vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, and I devoured the Bavarian cream, nibbled a vanilla-frosted malasada and tasted the Huckleberry and Maple Bacon. I love the actual Helms Bakery truck parked outside – it helped make our little donut shop visit seem more like a fun experience for the kids. This place is dangerously close to my house and I could really use the half dozen doughnuts to help my dining budget – like many of the better-made treats around here, these are yummy but not inexpensive!
you’re totally right — it is definitely not inexpensive
I love doughnuts! Some people can be so creative with them, which you rarely see in most franchises. My family and I have been eating most franchise doughnuts like Krispy Kreme for too long that I grow tired of the plain and dullness of simple doughnuts; that is why I am excited about SideCar, all of their doughnuts look appetizing and a great way to start any day!
I have never ever impressed any doughnuts in this country. I have been here since 1990. That means I haven’t had any decent doughnuts for over 20 years. I am really excited to hear about SideCar Doughnuts because you loved them, Anita.
Donuts are our friend 🙂 I’d love to try the Malasadas and have a place closer than Oahu to get them. And that Huckleberry looks pretty tasty!
Ooh, I love doughnuts and this is a must-visit! I visited Voodoo in Portland and Daily Dozen and Top Pot in Seattle–good to know there’s a comparable place right here in SoCal. I’d love to try them and see how they compare.
– Stephanie Han
I love donuts, and want to try the malasadas and bavarian creme!
I love donuts, had some great ones at Dynamo Donuts in SF. Would love to try the malasadas.
I’ve loved donuts as far back as when Dunkin Donuts used to be on every corner in the OC. I know it’s no comparison, but it’s all good. Can’t wait to try the Maple Bacon.
I love doughnuts! I’ve tried Doughnut Plant in NYC and they were delicious, so if these are anything like those, then I’ll be in heaven. The bavarian cream is top of my list.
I LOVE doughnuts but try to eat only really good worthwhile ones. So Cal has never really had any, until now!! I cannot wait to try these. And since its a bit of a driver for us, getting some free doughnuts will convince my husband to make the trek to make my tummy happy 🙂
I almost don’t want to win because I’m trying to eat whole grains and blah blah blah, but you had me at Malasadas filled with haupia. And the maple bacon. Screw the healthy eating. At least for this half dozen.
love doughnuts!! don’t allow myself to have them that often, but that bday cake one is calling my name!
LOVE doughnuts. Dying to try Sidecar! Maple Bacon is a must try!
Ok I left a comment before but I think it failed… 1 <3 Doughnuts
I love doughnuts! I keep reading about the malasadas at Leonard’s in Hawaii but haven’t had the chance to go on vacation. I’m definitely thinking about going to SideCar to try that and other goodies!
My wife loves donuts. She wants to visit NYC just to go to Donut Plant. I know she would be thrilled if I won this!
I love doughnuts and especially Leonard’s malasadas when vacationing in Oahu! Love that the Sidecar crew is going gourmet using the best possible ingredients and can’t wait to try them out!
I love donuts! Although I feel sorta guilty after consuming 1, or 2, or 3. I would LOVE to try Sidecar Doughnuts, especially the Huckleberry doughnut!
Favorite donut has to be the tiger tail at The Donut Man, I’ve never had a gourmet donut that has been able to beat that, not even Voodoo in Portland! Who doesn’t love donuts?!
Maple bacon looks yum! I bring a dozen each week to my daughter’s soccer game. They are always so plain compared to these!
congratulations you are the winner!!
I LOVE donuts!!! I’m excited to try everything; literally every donut as I can’t make up my mind as which one looks the best.
Me Encanta Doughnuts. I think they’re the good lords gift to breakfast and any other time of day for that matter. So yeah I want. I want now, I want all the doughnuts SideCar has to offer. Either all at once or in separate hopefully and probably equally delicious trips. If I get this free Half Dozen I most likely will still buy a dozen as I LOVE DOUGHNUTS!!!!
I adore doughnuts.. I could eat it daily… Im lookin forward to trying the unique sidecar flavors! Would LOVE to win some doughnuts!!
I adoore donuts!! Could eat them everyday. Would love to try all of sidecar’s unique flavors and to win some donuts!! 🙂
I’m a huge fan of donuts. I love them! I’m excited to try SideCar because all the flavors you posted about sound great and I’ve heard good things about this place!
I like donuts. Haven’t had them in a while. Would love to try the malasadas.
I don’t like donuts – too sweet, way too heavy & cloying. Prove me wrong.