17 August 2013
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Food in Kansas City: John’s Space Age Donuts
While visiting family in suburban Johnson County, Kansas, I decided to put my jet lag caused early awakening to good use and go buy some donuts. A few minutes of internet research later, I settled on John’s Space Age Donuts. Located in downtown Overland Park, John’s looks exactly as you would expect for a shop that’s been in business since 1967.
The dining room has a U-shaped counter with seating on the two legs and display cases across the front. With a large door between the kitchen and dining areas, the place reeks (in a good way) of oil and deep-fried dough. Service is brisk but friendly and the selection is broad, although they didn’t have the blueberry donuts that niece number two requested, so we settled for raspberry.
The donuts were still a warm and very surprisingly tasty. They are dense donuts, but neither soggy with oil nor undercooked and doughy. The apple fritter, pictured above, is a masterpiece with a crispy exterior, moist interior, and plenty of apples.
The cake donuts are nice, too, and the dough itself was flavorful. Even unglazed, these donuts would be a pleasure to eat. Unlike some donuts (think Krispy Kreme) that seem to expire within a few hours of baking, these were still fresh when we finished the remaining ones the next day. Must be some of that space age technology!
While I am not the biggest donut fan in the world, it is a sure bet that I will be back to John’s Space Age Donuts next time I am in Kansas City.
Comments (7)
A good apple fritter is hard to beat! I dislike Krispy Kreme – they leave a very bad coating of grease in your mouth… ick.
That apple fritter looks amazing. Recently in our area it has become pretty popular for there to be “gourmet” donuts. As you can imagine, it’s usually pricey donuts, made fresh to order with the toppings you request. They package it all up and make it look pretty and then charge you a significant amount for it.I’d trade the flashy plastic/paper packaging and perfectly shaped donuts for a lovely retro donut from johns anyday!I hope your trip is going well!
This is very different from thailand. I have not had donut for a long time. Temptation aside, i have to remind myslf that i am on diet and not supposed to lick the computer screen on your blog photos. Yumyum.
I am not a huge fun of donuts…though those one look really good! Thanks for sharing!
Them donuts and the apple fritter looks really good. We have a couple of places here in town that are exactly the way you have described. Old place with home charm. Mornings are always crowded with people, and the smell of fresh baked donuts and bear claws and fritters assails you as you walk in the door to get the staple two glazed donuts every Saturday morning for Davis who sleeps over. But looking at your pictures and the description, I have to say that I need to take some time off from here to go do a Roto-Rooter thingy with my carotids. The smell of the donuts alone makes my carotids plug up me thinks!
The apple fritter w/ the side of fruits should be healthy right? Seeing the staff in white uniform makes this place even more of a time warp.
i’m SALIVATING now.