HEAD TO DONUTLAND
for long johns, jelly-filled Bismarks and coffee
A steady stream of families walks into the new Donutland that just opened in Urbandale. Many leave with a box of treats, stuffed with cream or jelly, coated with frosting or rolled in powered sugar. ⬤ The Cedar-Rapids-based chain originally opened in 1971 before locations started closing across the state. The company is making a comeback, opening its fourth location in Iowa. The bakery with more than 50 flavors has two locations in Cedar Rapids and one in Iowa City. The new Urbandale location offers a drive-thru as well as a single table inside.
On Saturday, a line formed inside as customers ordered branded boxes of cherry, chocolate chip, or blueberry doughnuts, and fancies such as apple fritters, bear claws, filled long johns and vanilla bowties. Customers order coffee, too, touted by the sign outside as “good.”
Tall windows line the eastern and southern walls, letting in streams of sunlight. On the right side of the shop, a counter with merchandise hawks T-shirts and orange branded coffee mugs.
The décor retains much of Donutland’s iconic look, from its retro logo straight out of the ’70s to its brown and orange lines decorating the inside.
Donutland closed its Des Moines location at 4941 Douglas Ave. in 2009.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
Where to find Donutland Location: 4820 100th St., Urbandale
Contact: thedonutland.com
Hours: Open from Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the doughnuts run out.