2 blocks of food options below Columbus Circle

Doughnuts may not be a totally new innovation in subway station vending, but chances are you haven’t had them fried to order while you wait for the next train. That’s how it’s done at the five-yearold, mini-doughnut plant called the which also has stalls in Chelsea Market and the basement of the Plaza Hotel.

The magic happens courtesy of the Lil’ Orbits automatic doughnut machine, a surprisingly compact setup that manager Edward King calls “our hardest-working employee.” A funnel drops just the right amount of batter to make a 2-inch cake doughnut into a little river of hot frying oil.

At the end of their journey, still-hot mini-doughnuts (above) can be dunked into vanilla glaze, sprinkles or nearly two dozen varieties of flavored sugar, from strawberry to green tea. Or just do as King wisely does, and have them straight up, dunked in a little dulce de leche. Six minidoughnuts are $5.97.

Doughnuttery: 1000 Eighth Ave. (underground), between 57th and 59th Sts.; (212) 633-4359 A vegan, fast-casual mini-chain with four locations, no doubt makes the meat-free who pass through Columbus Circle station very happy. But the nice thing about the shop for regulars is that it generally passes muster with their carnivorous companions, as well. Wraps like the smoky avocado ($9, photo right) arere loaded with layers of crispyoand creamy textures and a chipotle aiolii that’s instantly craveable. If the smoked tempeh bacon at its center won’t fool a meat eater, it still delivers plenty of protein and umami, which is all you really need. Other hits for every kind of eater include spicy buffalo fried cauliflower bites. As a sandwich, they’re $9.50 with ranch dressing; as a side, they’re $5.95 with Caesar dressing. And there are bowls ($11.75) you can fill with quinoa, kale, beet patties, turmeric-rice, avocado, beans and corn, plus countless other options that are currently trending at every corner salad bar in the city.