Rebuilt Donut Hole still packs ’em in
By
Colleen Coffield Sachs
Daily News Columnist
DESTIN – There are few landmarks that have been around Destin longer than the Donut Hole restaurant.
The Donut Hole in Destin has been completely remodeled and is open for business offering diners breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as fresh pastries, doughnuts and homemade breads. Photographed by Daily News photographer Debi Haussermann.
It was established in 1978 with a good variety of yeast and cake doughnuts, and has become a Destin icon, serving throngs of summer visitors and locals as well.
There have been changes over the years. A number of years ago, to accommodate the crowds that lined up outside for breakfast, the small restaurant was expanded, but kept its homey charm.
The biggest change was recently when the restaurant was brought down to its foundation and completely rebuilt. But it really didn’t change much then either. Everything looks newer, but it is still the same restaurant.
You can still get excellent doughnuts, as well as pies, cakes and pastries (I like the cherry flip). Lots of hearty breakfast fare, sandwiches and salads are on the menu. There are also specials each day, with one board dedicated to breakfast, and another with meats and side items.
When we visited on consecutive Sundays, a gentleman was there both times for the turkey and dressing special that shows up regularly.
Another special was on the breakfast board. It was an order of biscuits with tomato cream gravy. A thick cream gravy base is laced with chunks of tomato lending a subtle tomato flavor punctuated with bursts of juicy tomato bits balancing the richness of the gravy.
Servings at Donut Hole are uniformly oversize. Sandwiches, entrees and breakfast items are typically enough for two. We ordered a piece of cake for dessert that was so huge (about one-fifth of the cake) it attracted the attention of other diners as it was being delivered to the table.
Donut Hole’s value would be outstanding if you actually split a meal with your dining companion. But if each orders something different it is more expensive (but still a good value), and because the most of the food at Donut Hole is best eaten when served, you are likely to leave lots behind.
I tend to go for the breakfast fare even when I am visiting later in the day. Omelets are quite good. You will find the basics such as cheese, Western and vegetable omelets.
There are some locally inspired omelets that are worth a try. The Bayou includes crab meat, cheese, peppers and onions. The Gulf Coast adds shrimp to that mix. For more local flavor try the Gulf Coast Crab Meat Benedict.
French toast, waffles and pancakes are reliably good. My favorite is an order of Texas Sweet Potato Pancakes. These cakes taste of sweet spices, and make me think of autumn. A pecan-packed praline sauce is served in lieu of syrup.
The tongue-in-cheek Diet Plate includes biscuits topped with sausage patties, cheese and fried eggs. The biscuits are drenched with cream gravy, and home fries are served on the side.
When I want something other than breakfast, Donut Hole has other good options. Chicken fried steak features a crisp crust on the chicken and good cream gravy.
I am also a big fan of the Patty Melt, a burger topped with sweet grilled onions and Swiss cheese served on grilled rye bread. A decent, cooked to order, halfpound burger is offered.
Other sandwiches include a French Dip, cheese steak, egg salad and smoked pit ham and cheese.
There are also salad options at Donut Hole. The Trio tops lettuce with a scoop each of chicken, tuna and eggs salads. Caesars are offered with grilled chicken or steak; and a chef ’s salad includes cheeses, egg, ham, turkey and bacon.
Dessert offerings change from day to day. We tried coconut pie, chocolate pie, cheesecake, and strawberry cake. Or you can choose from the large selection of doughnuts and pastries.
Service was down-to-earth and friendly. When we asked about one dish, our server brought out a small taste so we could try it before ordering.
Despite the recent overhaul, not much has changed at Donut Hole. The atmosphere is casual, and food is wholesome fare served in large portions. And there are still lots of people lining up for breakfast.
Colleen Coffield Sachs is restaurant reviewer for the Daily News. She dines unannounced at area restaurants for this column. You may write to her in care of the newspaper at P.O. Box 2949, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
