One night when Mike and I were in Portland, we stopped in at Voodoo Doughnut. I was surprised by how much it had changed since the last time I was there (4ish years ago). The place is huge now. It used to be a tiny little hole in the wall where you could take Swahili lessons (remember Shauna?) before they opened at 9pm. Now there are three cash registers, a bar where you can eat your doughnuts, and room to spare. Weird.
Plus, the line out the door… well, kind of funny because they make you wait outside so even if there were only 4 people waiting the line would technically be “out the door.”
Ok now honestly, I think Voodoo is way over hyped. Sure, it’s a fun place with a glittery brick wall…but the doughnuts, not really anything special. It really doesn’t need to be the focus of every Portland themed travel show and blog. And I’m kind of sick of people making a big deal about “driving to Portland just for Voodoo” or “bringing Voodoo all the way to relatives in some other far away place.” Doughnuts get stale fast. They are not going to be delicious.
Portland has plenty of cool, unique, and much more delicious eateries. Get over the silly doughnuts already.
All that being said… of course I took Mike there. I had to. It was on the Travel Channel for goodness sakes! But I did privately laugh as the guy behind me kept saying, “I can’t believe I’m actually here!”
xo, jill
I was just psyched to eat a vegan maple bar. I had been dreaming about them for a year. If you know other eateries with vegan doughnuts, let me know.
Ha! That’s funny – I never understand some of the places people over-hype either. Magnolia bakery in New York comes to mind.
Just looking at that donut makes my teeth hurt!
There’s one of these types of donut shops here in San Jose called Psycho Donuts. Their donuts get cold fast and are way too sweet for me to ever finish one. They were cool for like the first year, but now they’re just really gimmicky.
Swahili lessons?! Haha, how cool! When I went there was also a massive line that wrapped all around the block…made mostly of tourists over locals, I think 😉
Yep! My first time there we went for the Swahili lessons not the doughnuts. We were given day old doughnuts for free…not very delicious but appreciated nonetheless.
Gimmicky is the perfect word.
Oh yeah. I could definitely feel the sugar rush.
I blame travel shows! 😉
I’m glad you mentioned this place…I’ve been jotting down foodie ideas for a USA road trip every time I watch a show on one of two food channels, and this one had made the list. A good reminder that just because something gets the hype doesn’t mean it’s the best. thing. ever.
Still, I’d have to go O:-) 😉