4. Restaurants

The Doughnut Vault

401 1/2 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL, 60654
  • (312) 285-2830
  • Store is closed

The Doughnut Vault Menu

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  • Anne M.

    A must for any doughnut enthusiast. After months of hearing good things and drooling over their website full of doughnut shots, I FINALLY ventured to the D.Vault last week. Yahoo! Me and my doughnut-accomplice were in line right around 8:30 - it wasn't as long as I've seen it before, but there were a good 15-20 people in front of us. But, the line moves at a decent pace, so it was not that bad. We were out of there about 15 minutes later. Inching along, inching along... finally we're at the pearly gates of doughnut heaven. People aren't kidding about the close quarters in here - space is tight! Single file line, be prepared with your order and adequate cash, and then shimmy out quickly. Good luck if you're getting coffee. I was just hoping I didn't drop anything, or spill my coffee on someone, or trip and ruin the goods. I dropped a $20 on a coffee and a variety of doughnuts for visitors and co-workers and got a mix of the old fashioned buttermilk and one of each of the normal glazed: vanilla, chocolate & hazelnut. The verdict: $2 Old fashioned buttermilk takes first prize. It was rich, velvety, dense on the inside, and sticky / crispy / crunchy on the outside. Perfect doughnut goodness. YUMMY. $3 Glazed were good too. Larger than the old fashioned, but also more airy. These were just a tad too sweet for me, but really good if you're craving a big fat bad-for-you doughnut. I wouldn't make this a regular stop for me because I'd turn into a blimp and go broke. However, once and a while, I'd love another good old fashioned. 'Twas very good indeed.

    (5)

  • Benjamin L.

    There's a lot of hype around this place and it lived up to it. I was a bit lazy and didn't make it there at open on friday (830) to avoid the line, but thankfully still made it in time for some doughnuts. I went on the Friday before Labor Day and got in line just before 930. There were only 4 total pistachio glazed doughnuts (daily special, rotates) left by the time I ordered (~15 mine line). I took the advice of other reviewers and pitched a pistachio glazed, as well as a buttermilk glazed old fashioned. In my opinion, both were outstanding, though my girlfriend strongly preferred the pistachio doughnut. One final note, the $3 glazed doughnuts are huge... Big enough to share. Will return! Would've given 4.5 stars.

    (4)

  • Jaime S.

    I guess I'm just not a doughnut person. I waited in line for 30 mins on a cold and rainy Friday, and while the gingerbread stack and vanilla glazed were good, they were not life altering. Great place if you like doughnuts, but if you're not obsessed, it's not going to change your mind.

    (3)

  • Bockri R.

    The dougnuts are great, but they will make you FAT! My favorites are the old fashioned, topped with anything or on its own. Yeah, they're good. But they will make you fat.

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    After all my donut experiences in various cities throughout the country, I just need to declare that doughnut vault is the absolute BEST of all time.

    (5)

  • I C.

    Went there this past Tuesday morning. The person behind the counter was perfectly friendly while he walked me through my choices. I decided on the Vanilla Glazed. The balance of vanilla and the sugariness of doughnut was perfect - not the slightest bit cloying in its sweetness. Yes, its $3 - but it was huge (the volume of two doughnuts, or bigger) and perfect with coffee. And for those of you saying, "This is all hype! I can get a few glazed doughnuts at Krispy Cream for less" Granted you can but can get one where you don't taste the chemicals probably used as dough conditioners and or leavening? No chemical after burn, a clean finish with each bite.

    (5)

  • Joanne W.

    "Meet me at the L at 8:00 AM on Saturday. We are going to the Doughnut Vault." How can you argue with such a request? Yes, it's Saturday...a day of sleeping in, taking it easy. I was not crazy about the idea of dragging my butt outta bed on a Saturday morning but somehow I knew it would be worth it. We waited less than an hour. Yes, this is what the world has come to. We wait in line for hours for doughnuts. But fear not, it WILL be the best doughnut you've ever had. I got a dozen. Chill out, they were not all for me. I shared them...barely. There was not a bad do-do in the bunch. The glazed were perfection. I was partial to the chestnut glazed. The gingerbread stack was delightful. The pineapple old fashioned almost made me drool but the favorite for me was the raspberry jelly filled. JACK POT. Now, it is a bit spendy for a dozen doughnuts. You are going to be spending about $36 for a dozen. Yes, you read that correctly. Keep in mind though, the doughnuts are the size of your head. I'm not kidding. They are HUGE. Would I make another trek downtown to hit up the DV? Damn right I would, except next time...I'm not sure I'll be sharing.

    (4)

  • Luke T.

    pretty spectacular!!! Got there a little late in the day and only had an old fashioned but it was great!

    (4)

  • Alison V.

    Way, way, way overhyped. After having monumental donuts at Voodoo Donuts in Portland, Tom Douglas' Dahlia donuts in Seattle, and treat from the Doughnut Plant in NYC, I was expecting so much more. I tried one of each. The best was the vanilla. Love that I can see the vanila bean in the glaze. The chocolate was disappointing. It was just a vanilla that had a secondary glaze of chocolate around the edges. The worst was the chestnut. It tasted like they used dry chestnuts that were reconstituted in a strong liquor. Very old-school tasting (not in a good way). The buttermilk old fashion was very, very ordinary. I would not be able to distinguish that donut from any other buttermilk that I have had. Similarly, the gingerbreads were nothing to get excited about. Based on so-so donuts and insanely high prices, I doubt I will be back. Plus, I realized after I left that I was overcharged a dollar... not so great. P.S. These will NOT hold until the next day. I didn't have room to eat the chocolate. I stored it overnight under a glass dome. It was really dry on the inside and gummy on the outside. So only buy what you can consume that day.

    (3)

  • Rachael F.

    I went on a Saturday morning and arrived at 8:50. I was 4th in line and once the place opened (at 9:30) everything moved pretty quickly. The crowd in line was really friendly and every person I spoke to was a die-hard fan. I am not a donut person myself but I thought it would be fun to try "America's best donut." And even with the wait it was definitely a lot of fun. The special that day was pistachio glaze and it was good- a lot like pistachio ice cream drizzled on a donut. I tried most of the every day flavors and they were pretty good and pretty huge. I think if donuts are your thing this place is great. If you don't normally die for donuts you may end up feeling like they weren't worth the wait. Also, since it was Saturday the line was huge and when I left it honestly seemed like some people in line wouldn't be getting donuts because the place closes when they run out. If you are serious about trying these donuts, especially the daily special, you should probably arrive sooner rather than later.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    Holy smokes, I dream of donuts after visiting this place. Hot damn they were good. We had: ginger bread short stack, glazed, almond old fashioned, and the apricot jelly filled doughnut. The glazed was our favorite, it was airy, flakey, and delicious. They were all good though!! It's a little pricey, but well worth it. We got there around 10:30am and by that time they were sold out of the chocolate glazed. Disappointing. Also, it's cash only!

    (5)

  • Josh V.

    Do one thing and do it bleepin' well! That seems to be DV's motto. They do doughnuts and only doughnuts, and only a few of those. They offer only a small selection of doughnuts. When I was there, 3 varieties with 3 choices of glazes for one of them (so that's really 5 varieties, you could say). You might sigh about waiting in line (15 or so minutes for me, on a Friday morning). You might grumble about the price ($10 for 4 doughnuts*, two of which were the "cheap" variety). You might get a bit claustrophobic being inside the store, which is smaller than some actual bank vaults. But then you'll take a bite, your irritation will melt away, your face will soften and you'll maybe--just maybe--moan a bit with delight. Because the doughnuts are amazing! The Buttermilk Old Fashioned melts in your mouth. The Gingerbread Stack (*which is three small donuts, so I technically bought 6 for $10, but they're sold as one unit) is light and flavorful and the Chocolate Glazed is huge and really damn tasty! (They also have good hot & iced coffee for $1 a cup.) This is not an every day indulgence for sure. But once or twice a month for a special treat? Abso-freakin-lutely! CASH ONLY!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    Screw making the doughnuts; it's time to *eat* the doughnuts! I like doughnuts, but I don't really crave them; personally I'm more of a bagel gal. However, the praise and hype surrounding Doughnut Vault had me intrigued enough to brave a potentially long line for some circular sinfulness. Thank goodness for smartphones! Not willing to be as badass as Melanie S and stand in line for an hour (rain or not); I planned my visit for a weekday. Going right at opening was key; I was able to get some work done from my phone and before I knew it I was sauntering off with my deep-fried treats. Doughnut Vault is tiny. It's size rivals my bedroom closet; which is nice for my closet, a bit cramped for a retail establishment. As such, it is adorably decked out with the bare essentials - a large mirror with the menu painted on it, water and cups, and a clerk behind an ornate, vintage-looking, gold cash register. There are three main doughnut choices - buttermilk, gingerbread stack, and glazed, which comes in vanilla, chestnut and chocolate. I went a little crazy, knowing I would have help polishing them off, and ordered a buttermilk, gingerbread, and two glazed (chocolate and chestnut). My favorite doughnuts were the glazed ones. They are perfect; light (tasting, not in calories but I like to pretend it's also true), and gigantic. I'd say it's a tie between which I preferred, the chocolate or the chestnut. I'd argue that if chocolate and chestnut had a glazed doughnut baby, it would be mind-blowing. The buttermilk and gingerbread were tied for second for my affections; good, but not worth standing in line for on their own. The gingerbread stack, three smaller doughnuts covered in cinnamon and sugar, reminded me of the doughnuts from the farmer's market in my hometown. A better version, but similar just the same; simple, tasty and light; I'd get these again. The buttermilk were good, but I don't know that they were standouts when compared to other bakeries' buttermilk doughnuts; however the freshness couldn't be beat. Bottom line, $11 for 4 doughnuts might sound a bit outrageous, but I thought they were worth it. I'm just not sure, I'd feel the same way if I had to wait more than 15-20 minutes for them. TIP: DV is cash only. Doughnuts are $2 or $3, and coffee is $1; prices include tax and they're open until they sell out.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    I've been hearing that the two best donut places are Do-Rite Donuts and the Doughnut Vault, so this morning, I waited in the cold for an hour to get Doughnut Vault donuts. The Good: The dough base for their regular donuts is extremely good, and the icing on all the donuts is flavorful. The jelly donut is really good, as is the icing on the chestnut, the old fashioned, and their coffee. I love the bowl of brown suger lumps! I'm a sucker for dropping three into my cup, putting one into my mouth, and beginning to drink using the one in my mouth to sweeten the fluid as the others are still dissolving in the cup. The Bad: The hours suck! I get up early, and I don't want to wait until their opening time to eat. By that time, I've already eaten once, studied for hours, and I may have even taken a nap. The ratio of dough to chocolate on the chocolate glazed results in a plain donut w/ a hint of chocolate. This is a letdown for a chocoholic like myself. You stand in line for an hour. Obviously, going to the Doughnut Vault is an event for people. The wait makes the experience better psychologically, so more power to them. The only except cash. Conclusion: I was going to give them 5-stars, for you can't mark one restaurant down a star because they happen to share a city with the best of their kind in the country (Do-Rite). But after I thought about it for a while, I realized that I really consider them to be a 4-star donut. Even if Do-Rite wasn't 0.6 miles away, these donuts would still just be exceptional and not extraordinary.

    (4)

  • Jake H.

    Gave the van another shot - friendlier person, and the chocolate was considerably better though still just a tad soggy, though I suspect I'm just catching them late in the "donut sale cycle" or some such thing. So, I still prefer their downtown competition but you won't go wrong trying 'em all and judging for yourself!

    (3)

  • Annie K.

    Seriously? 30 minute wait for THESE donuts? Not worth it. I was expecting amazing donuts with unique flavor, and what I got was just plain old donuts that you can find in a lot of little shops around LA... The chestnut glaze: It just tasted like glazed donuts, but with the tiniest hint of "something else" but I wouldn't say chestnut. Chocolate glaze: meh. A little dry if anything. Buttermilk: Nicely crisp on the outside. It's not that they were bad, they were just...donuts! They were airy and chewy, but seriously...I can find these anywhere back at home. Maybe Chicago has a more limited choice for donuts or something. All I know is, I felt like a dumbass after waking up early, standing in line for 30 minutes, and paying $3/donut. Uh...what just happened??

    (2)

  • H I.

    Giltbar, Bavette's, and the new Dillman's restaurants are all in my top ten restaurants to eat at in Chicago. I love their formula of serving up high quality, HIGH VALUE old school American fare. To me, the dining experience doesn't get much better. Donuts here are out of this world good. As soon as you bite into one, you know that you are experiencing a super fresh treat with the best ingredients around. I ordered the buttermilk, and one of each of the glazed donuts. They all blew me away, but the glazed ones were a bit heavy on the sugar.. A little too sweet for my liking. I think I will get more buttermilk and try the gingerbread stack next time (which won't be for a while as I do not want to start a dangerously unhealthy habit). Don't skip out on the coffee. I was surprise how good it was! Every sip had me saying in Ace Ventura's voice, "Yommaaaaay!"

    (4)

  • Jen W.

    If you don't mind standing in line and getting in that line early EVERY TIME you want a donut this is the place for you! The business model is NOT customer friendly. You will stand in line,... you may or may not get a donut after the wait.... definitely check the twitter feed for availability updates. After waiting in line to purchase these (great but not life changing) donuts on a handful of occasions and going up to Doughnut Vault on MANY MORE occasions to find that they are sold out, I have decided to stop patronizing a business that consistently wastes my time.

    (2)

  • Pam F.

    Three of us decided we were going to go downtown to try out some food places we had heard about. Because the reviews talked about the long lines, we got to The Doughnut Vault early. There was no one there. It was a beautiful day, so we sat outside and waited. The was still no line when it opened. The person working the counter (the owner?) was so nice. When he opened, he actually invited us inside and explained each doughnut. We were so overwhelmed, we did not realize the line forming behind us! My first choice, the chocolate glazed. First, the doughnut was HUGE!! Second, it was soooooo delicious. OMG!! So delicious. I bought three different varieties. Loved each of them. Of course I had to bring some home since they were so big, I could not eat more than one in one sitting. If you are in the area, stop in!! Get there early before the line and before they run out. They only sell until the batches they make are sold out!!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    So my co-worker asks me yesterday if we should pickup donuts for the office today. I say, "Donuts? Why yes! What a lovely idea! Have you heard of The Doughnut Vault? I've heard it's quite good. Why don't we give it a try?" "OK", she says, "I'll drive and you run in." Well, alrighty then! Problem... can't run in when there's a line of 20-25 people in front of you! Darn! Oh well, must wait. I was in line for about 30 minutes. Once it was finally my turn, I felt like jumping up and cheering. But, alas, I tried to be as quick as possible so as to not hold up the line unnecessarily. "I'll take a half-dozen, please. Two Buttermilk, two Vanilla Glazed, and two chocolate." I paid my $16 and went on my merry way. Once at the office, we opened up the box which - oddly enough - made that heavenly angel music sound. Wow! The glazed donuts were HUGE! Let me put it this way, I was able to cut each donut into six pieces! But... man! They were delicious! Turns out that I wasn't really a fan of the buttermilk which surprised me, but the glazed (both vanilla and chocolate) were phenomenal. They were sweet, but not overpowering... in my opinion. YUMMMMM! I will most certainly be back. I'll just have to strategize a time when the line is dwindling down. TIPS: Be ready to order when it's your turn. Do your research in advance. Avoid asking a million questions? Order, pay, & move out. Also, Doughnut Vault is CASH ONLY. The maximum order per person is one dozen doughnuts. They also sell $1 coffee. There is some metered parking around. Beware of the meter-police. She's anxiously waiting around the corner.

    (4)

  • Kathy K.

    One of the best things I've ever eaten in my life and I've eaten a LOT of different foods from around the world. I grew up eating glazed donuts from tons of different places but this is off the charts amazing. Hot, puffy, sweet, fried, goodness. Simple yet perfect. Everyone who is complaining about the price- It's $3 vs. $1 not $20 vs. $1 so get over it. It's a treat and not something you buy everyday, hopefully not or else I'd advise you to reevaluate your diet. If you can't afford an extra $2 for a treat once in a while then I'd advise you to reevaluate your finances. If you haven't gone and like donuts, go immediately!

    (5)

  • Olivia M.

    This place is fantastic when you're actually able to get your hands on a donut. I've been here a handful of times ~10 and they've been sold out all of 3 times. One time I was here and the people in front of me got the last ones and I considered buying theirs/and or just ripping the bag out of their hands. Self control! Thinking about this place makes me salivate. It's so good! I love especially their gingerbread.

    (4)

  • Adam M.

    Hands down the best donuts I have ever had. Someone brought them in at work and I fell in love. Before this I have never heard of the Donut Vault and was informed that they are highly sought after donuts. According to their website: The Doughnut Vault serves up piping-hot, fat and delicious doughnuts... Tuesdays-Friday starting at 8:30am until we run out. And Saturdays at 9:30am until we run out. I have yet to try to go to the Donut Vault but it seems like you have to get there early. I can't wait for my Donut Vault experience.

    (5)

  • Roxy A.

    so I live down the street from the Doughnut Vault & finally decided to see what all the hype was about this joint! The menu is pretty straight forward nice & simple. Old Fashioned $2 Gingerbread Stack (3 mini donuts) $3 Glazed (chestnut/pistachio; vanilla, chocolate) $3 FYI: CASH ONLY!!! So I tried the chocolate & old fashioned yesterday and wowzer the chocolate glazed donut was ginormous..but super tasty! Today I went back again & tried the gingerbread stack and some old fashioned donuts. The gingerbread was really yummy & had a nice lil spice to it. Yesterday I waited in line for about 15-20 mins. tops..today (yea my fatty self had to go back for more) I got lucky b/c there was no line!!! woo hoo!! Idk if I would wait 1 hour in line for these donuts, but nonetheless I think they do live up to the hype & were pretty damn good. Also it is a bit pricier than your average Dunkin Donut, but you can tell that theres some major TLC put into these donuts b/c they're made fresh. Also I love how they're always bumping underground hip hop when you finally do make your way inside the vault! =P

    (4)

  • Rebecca R.

    I have been trying to convince myself that getting up early on a saturday to wait in line for a doughnut was worth it. Let me tell you it is! I went on a Saturday. They opened at 9:30. I got there at 8:40ish and was the sixth in line. Once they open the line moves super fast. I got one of every flavor to share with my family and loved every one. They are huge and still good the next day. Though a bit pricey they are worth it. My total was $25 for a gingerbread stack, old-fashioned, raspberry jelly filled, chestnut glazed, 2 chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, and a pistachio.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    Osi V, the boys and I finally made a trip to the city to see if these doughnuts really were as AMAZE as everyone is making them out to be! We got to the line at 8:33 (they open at 8:30) and there was about 50 people already in line. After about an hour wait we finally made it inside while some super nice ladies watched the double wide parked outside! There is room for about 5 people inside, it is small, quaint and is exactly what I think a little place in Paris would feel like. LOVED the atmosphere...I mean it is so quaint yet Bone Thugs "For the Love of Money" was blaring...LOVE IT! =]] I ordered one of everything except for the gingerbread...and my favorite would have to be the vanilla bean glazed!! SOOOO good! You can taste the quality in that glaze and the doughnut was like a better version of a Krispy Kreme and much larger in size! I also LOVED the old fashioned (buttermilk) doughnut...it was by far the best of this type that has ever touched my lips...mmm mmmmm! The chestnut and the chocolate were good as well, but the chocolate was a little over the top for me. I will definitely be making another trip out for that vanilla and old fashioned! Y to the U to the M! *These are definitely tied with the Big Dat for the best doughnuts in the city! IMO.

    (5)

  • Marc T.

    Try the glaze dounuts there huge but so good and really sweet. Great with a cup of good coffee. You will love it!

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    My husband found this place about a year ago and I have never eaten so many doughnuts before. We always make sure to get some when we have out of town guests. I have waited in the line for close to two hours at one point but it is always worth it! I love love love the newest addition, the raspberry jelly doughnut.

    (5)

  • Jen B.

    It's a testament to my recent commitment to not being a total fat kid that I have only had Doughnut Vault ONCE ever despite the fact that it is less than a block from my office. Srsly. The glazed donut is so good you want to die. Literally. I think I cried a little in my office as ate it. Or half of it, I should say, because no one can eat an entire one of these gigantors. It's too rich. You're mouth/heart/face will explode if you even try. OMG. GMBD. FNDB. I'm making up acronyms, it's that effing good. Apparently lines form early and often to get at these beautiful babies so plan ahead. Maybe go on a rainy morning and get a sackful, and then sneak off to furtively devour these sinful creations. Just make sure to wipe the glaze from your cheek, lest you be judged by your jealous co-workers.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth B.

    I have never considered myself a doughnut person - they're either too dry or too dense or too sweet or too... Never worth the calories. Unfortunately for me, Doughnut Vault has changed that - my standard order is a $3 vanilla glazed with a $1 Metropolis coffee - pretty good deal at $4. The vanilla is light, not too sweet, nicely puffed with yeast, great vanilla flavor and a perfect amount of glaze over the top with flecks of vanilla bean. Really, I never thought I'd say I love doughnuts, but I love these doughnuts. The old-fashioned is also really good but I can only eat a few bites as it's a much more dense cake doughnut - love the buttermilk flavor. Follow @doughnutvault on Twitter to get updates on how many doughnuts are left and how many people are waiting in line - they usually open between 8-9am and are closed Su/Mo. Cash only. So worth it.

    (5)

  • Natasha A.

    Best Coffee Ever!!! The doughtnuts are huge and yumm, I tried the chocolate glaze and pineapple. The long lines are insane though!!

    (4)

  • Jeff K.

    Great all around doughnuts. No one can beat them in the area and aren't bad for the price considering the size. The line can be hit or miss, best to show up early.

    (4)

  • Kp Y.

    If you are going to eat just one donut (or 3 donuts so you can try all the flavors) do it here. I'm not sure I'd wait in that crazy long line on Saturday, but I strolled by on a Thursday about 10 am and there was no line and plenty of donuts. Moist without being greasy. A treat without being overly sweet. Perfect doughnut.

    (5)

  • Christine J.

    This place is overrated. I love love love the idea of a gourmet doughnut shop. I don't even care about the high $3 pricetag per doughnut or that the line is 90 minutes. But when the glazed doughnut is as bready as a sweet breakfast bun, I feel a little cheated. I like that their doughnuts are not overly sweet, and I actually really like their version of a cake doughnut. But I'm a glazed doughnut kind of girl, and it's just not there.

    (3)

  • r s.

    Decent and close but Dat Donut makes it look like amature hour

    (3)

  • Bel B.

    Yum Yum, they are so fresh, this is the best doughnut place in the states? If there is anither one, please someone tell me about it. :)

    (5)

  • Tim O.

    Doughnuts - we sampled a chocolate glazed, a vanilla glazed, a special mocha glazed, and the gingerbread stack - were very good. We - my wife, my five year old son, and I - love to find and sample the best food finds in every city we travel to. All three of us enjoy a good doughnut, so after hearing and reading about "The Vault" we were intrigued enough to wait in line for about thirty minutes on Saturday morning to indulge. The line moved slowly but we did meet some interesting people while listening to my son exclaim many times, "When will I have my doughnut?" There is an obvious buzz/hype surrounding this place, its location, and ( of course ) its doughnuts. The doughnuts are, as I previously mentioned, very good. Honestly though they are far from the best doughnuts I have ever sampled ( I think my "best doughnut nod" goes to a small town Indiana Lion's club or to my grandma Bess's home made frying pan doughnuts, and I am not one to glorify or over state the culinary accomplishments of a family member ). For one thing I found the glazed varieties to be too large and the vanilla glazed doughnut was almost gummy at times inside. I did enjoy more both the chocolate and mocha glazed, but I can not say they were "great" doughnuts. The gingerbread stack were, in my opinion, the best of group; but still just very good, not great. As other reviewers have stated "I don't understand the hype behind these doughnuts." I have no issue with the cost, the line, or the calories; I have simply had better doughnuts. I did enjoy the experience but "The Doughnut Vault" will not make my "must eat" check list when I next visit Chicago.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth M.

    First, and most importantly, let me point out that doughnut vault has a Twitter feed that they update every 20 minutes or so during the morning to let you know what's left and how long the line is (or whether there is a line). Definitely check this so you know what you're in for. I work a couple of blocks away and have often contemplated walking over, checked the Twitter feed around 8:30 or 9 and seen that they have lots of doughnuts and no line. However, something always came up and I never actually made it over there until today. I got there around 8:15, there was basically no line (maybe 3 people in front of me?) and they still had all the doughnuts left. I got: - a buttermilk old-fashioned glazed, - a gingerbread stack, - a blueberry glazed (the daily special) and - a blackberry jelly filled. I probably should have gotten a vanilla just to try it out, but decided even though I was sharing with a few people, I probably didn't need that much doughnut! Overall, these were decent doughnuts, but I certainly wouldn't wait in line for them. The buttermilk glazed was good and sort of reminded me of a cruller, flavor-wise. The gingerbread stack was also good, but basically just a cake doughnut with cinnamon-sugar on the outside (I didn't taste much ginger). I had really high hopes for the blueberry glazed, but the doughnut fell far short of my expectations. I imagined a blueberry doughnut with glaze (i.e. blueberries actually mixed into the doughnut batter and cooked, then coated with plain glaze), but it was actually just a plain doughnut with a blueberry-flavored glaze. The glaze was very sweet and just had a weird flavor - I can't even describe it, but it certainly didn't taste very blueberry. Also left a weird aftertaste in my mouth. Meh. The blackberry jelly filled was by far the most unique of the bunch - instead of being filled, as most jelly doughnuts are, with some super syrupy sugary "jelly" mess, this doughnut was actually filled with legit blackberry jelly, like what you'd put on a PB&J. The jelly was good, not too sweet, there was a lot of it, and the doughnut itself was soft and tasty. I might go back if they have the blackberry jelly filled again and try the vanilla or chestnut glazed, but definitely wouldn't make this a regular addition to my morning. My standard for comparison is a "legit" Krispy Kreme doughnut - at the store, hot off the assembly line, prior to 2008 when they were still frying everything in trans-fat-loaded oil - now THAT'S a fantastic doughnut. These don't come close.

    (3)

  • Wrigley F.

    yeah, it was worth it. it was worth the wait and lived up to the hype. it was worth $30 for a dozen. it was worth the 20 minute wait in line. the donut vault reminded me why i run marathons - to justify eating 2 ginormous donuts and not feel bad. i went around 9:15 on a wed. am and waited 15-20 minutes....not too bad. they had everything in stock and were just bringing out a fresh batch drool. i think the key is earlier in the week and a little after they open. we ordered vanilla frosted, chocolate frosted, gingerbread stacks, and buttermilk. the frosted ones were ginormous and awesome. the chocolate one had a strong chocolate flavor. it was a bit much for me, but for the chocolate fiends in my office, it was spot on. i loved the vanilla - just a hint of vanilla that accented the donut. the texture was soft and sweet. i loved the texture of the ginger bread stacks and at 3 per serving, its a good deal. the buttermilk were firmer and a nice contrast to the others. i need to brave the line on a sat for a carrot cake. homer simpson would be proud.

    (5)

  • Dennis L.

    dear people, this is what a FRESH donut is. the donuts are good dont get me wrong but definitely not worth the hour wait and $3 price tag. basically you are paying for a giant fresh donut. if there's no wait id recommend it.

    (3)

  • Edward M.

    it's hard for me not to be biased by the long wait(s) I endured. one on a friday morning when i got in line at 8:00 AM (which was already to the corner) and had to get out of line at 8:55 when i was right in front of the door because i HAD to get to a meeting. and the following morning when I got in line at 8:30 AM (halfway down the block) in the rain and finally got my donuts (doughnuts? whatever.) 2 hours later. all the while seeing people walking by with boxes from dunkin donuts, which is right down the street. it's tough, but let's see. no doubt the donuts here are great. but are they worth $3/donut ($2 for the old fashioned) and a couple hours of your morning/sleeping in (whoops)? if you put these donuts in a blind taste test, would they destroy the competition? questionable. on the other hand, probably the best $1 cup of coffee you'll find in chicago. and a good blasting of old school rap in the morning is a nice touch. one thing i did find missing and absolutely necessary for a donut place is a rich, concentrated donut aroma billowing out into the streets. but i guess maybe it'd be torture for those in line.

    (3)

  • Gerald M.

    They serve the best doughnuts I've ever had--they are expensive, but one doughnut is enough for two people to split. I've now tried each doughnut on the menu along with a couple of specials and have been consistently impressed. If you go on a weekday morning, there will not be a huge line. I've heard that the wait on weekends can be up to an hour, but I've always gone on weekdays and I have never waited more than 10 minutes.

    (5)

  • Darlene L.

    I am not a fan of donuts and eat healthy in the morning. However, all the publicity about this place and being in the neighborhood on a weekday morning allowed for a convenient visit. I got in line around 8:10 with 15 people ahead of me. Doors opened promptly at 8:30. By that time the line behind me snaked around the corner. Ordered the buttermilk and chestnut glazed. Split them with my husband as we both concluded that these were the best donuts we have ever eaten. They are just perfect in texture, sweetness, size. I did not feel like i had concrete in my stomach a few minutes later. This is as good as it gets for donuts and tastes better than morning oatmeal. Not bad to indulge once in a while.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Don't go if you don't have some time to wait in line. It's just a fact of life when it comes to certain places (e.g. Hot Dougs, Kumas, etc.) If it's a nice day you'll be surprised that the wait isn't so bad. You end up chating with folks in line around you. Occasionally someone will ask, "Are they really worth the wait?" My response..... Abso-freaking-lutely!

    (4)

  • Courtland H.

    Its a vault, filled with donuts. bring cash and hunger. No more to say

    (5)

  • Daniel A.

    Had their glazed cruller-type donuts. Even though they weren't fresh- they still tasted amazing and had a nice crispy outside and almost gooey inside. So good. I plan on going back often.

    (5)

  • Tina R.

    Amazing!! If you're willing to get up early (be there by 8:30am when they open) and wait in line for 20+ minutes. But well worth it for their glazed donuts, my favorite! Huge, like the size of my head huge, soft and fluffy. The icing is not too sweet or sticky, just perfect. The old fashioned buttermilk absolutely melts in your mouth and is fantastic. The gingerbread stack, 3 delicious donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. Cash only, so be prepared!

    (4)

  • Leigh An S.

    There really doesn't seem to be a slow time for this little hole in the wall, but let me tell you the wait is SO worth it! They have the best old fashioned doughnut I have ever had. With that being said, the rest of them (especially the chestnut!!) are just as good, with the exception of the Chocolate. That is the only one I am not a fan of...sadly I was expecting it to be an actual chocolate doughnut, instead it is a vanilla with a chocolate drizzle. Beware it is very easy to go a little crazy and want to buy up a whole box just for yourself! Pace yourself!! They are enormous! They offer a small cup of coffee, the perfect size for a doughnut for $1! With their friendly service it's hard not to love this place! Go and you wont regret it!

    (5)

  • B.D. K.

    Yo. Best glazed donuts ever had. Yeah, it's worth waiting an hour in line for...

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    DELICIOUS! My fav is the old fashioned.

    (5)

  • Jonathan P.

    Does this place need another review, probably not but they earned it from me. One of the best donuts I've ever had, and I didn't even mind the fact that it was $3 a donut. I ate a chestnut donut and it was delicious, I really don't even know what a chestnut is! Their chocolate donut has a layer of vanilla on it first and its just awesome. Well done, wish I didn't have to wait in line but I will continue to!

    (5)

  • Amy F.

    I love the concept of this doughnut place. Yum!! I recommend showing up early. This place sells out fast. We stopped by at about 10am on a weekday and they were nearly sold out. The only variety available was the vanilla glaze. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago. Also, order the drip coffee for only $1

    (4)

  • Devin G.

    finally ate one of these famed doughnuts and it measured up to the hype. a co worker brought them in to our office yesterday. wow. i had a vanilla glazed(im old school). it was the biggest doughnut ive ever had. easily only needed to eat half of it but put down the whole thing. looking forward to visiting the store although i hear the lines are consistently long on most mornings

    (4)

  • Stephanie K.

    we drove through almost 2 hrs of traffic (we, being my sister and i, live in the suburbs) but finally got there, only to remember that it was cash only. beating ourselves up we hurried to the nearest atm and returned hoping the doughnuts hadn't run out by then. and oh they did not. we decided to get one of each and everything was deeelish. the glazed doughnuts (vanilla, chocolate and chesnut) were phenomenal. The dough was yeasty and tender and oh my lord i felt like i was bitting into delicious pillowy clouds into my mouth. the doughnut vault is the epitome of hole in the wall. there is literally only enough room for standing and waiting in line. the price may seem steep but you get what you pay for-- greatly crafted doughnuts. you will never look at dunkin donuts the same.

    (5)

  • amanda g.

    these donuts are amazing. i haven't been inside. my lovely bf waited in line to get my coworkers and me a half dozen the other day. i could've eaten the entire box. we tried the glazed, the chocolate glazed, the old fashioned, and a cinnamon covered cake one. they were all amazing. i would highly recommend waiting in any length line for these delicious rings of dough. yum.

    (5)

  • Lyn B.

    On a morning when you have the patience to wake up early and/or stand in line for donuts, this is a great spot!! The donuts are fantastic... and huge! They are soft, tasty, and the wait was well worth it! The atmosphere once you get inside is so cool. It's this tiny little "shop" (if you can even call it that), and you feel like you are stepping back into the early 1900's - it is totally old school. The flavors vary each day, but it doesn't matter- everything is so good!

    (5)

  • Lyle W.

    2HR wait in line was thinking i was going to be blown away by the best doughnut ever and I was not. They are good but not worth the wait or the price....I like Glazed and infused a couple blocks away no line and are very good

    (1)

  • Johnnie F.

    All hype aside - it's worth *a* wait (but don't wait more than an hour or so) ... all that needs to be said is this: If you love doughnuts of any sort - you'll rate this 5 stars (service, quality everything) ... if you simply enjoy doughnuts and want 'em fresh with a surprise here and there (flavor of the day, etc.) then it's a solid 4 stars. If you're not a big doughnut fan but take 'em or leave 'em - then it'll be 3 stars or less due to the wait and hype. Me? I enjoy doughnuts and the chestnut flavor and carrot cake special were really, really good. Of course what made the experience for me (and if you'll read my reviews you'll see why) is the service... real special gal opened the door with a smile and thanked us for waiting ... then made sure I was able to get 2 of the carrot cake flavor even though she wasn't sure at that point how many she could give out per customer (she thought the word was 1/per - but she was going to let me by simply to err on the side of good customer service). Not only that she was easy on the eyes ... so who could ask for more (no, a pretty girl did not taint my review ... if the product were not good but service great I would have dropped probably to 2 stars). Anyway - if you're into doughnuts, try 'em out. If not, but you're wondering about all the hype ...I'm fairly sure you'll be disappointed - because in the end they are just doughnuts. Good ones though.

    (4)

  • Sherry G.

    Literally a hole in the wall, it is worth waiting in line (although not too bad now that the season is changing)!!! Make sure you hit up the atm as this place is cash only - tax is included in the prices so super easy to get in and out. Glazed doughnuts are $3, HUGE and DELICIOUS!!! Chocolate is my personal fav but the other two flavors are quite yummy as well (Vanilla and Chestnut). I'm by far a glazed fan but the buttermilk and the other type (escaping my memory, gingersomething) are very good as well. We get the doughnuts at work occassionally as a special treat and leave them out with a knife so everyone can get a sample platter. One co-worker decribed the glazed as like Krispy Kream only more devine :-)

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    This place is amazing! Been wanting to go here for a while and went this morning around 9:30. Only waited for about 10 minutes but these doughnuts are worth the wait! The vanilla doughnut is fantastic but you should try all of them because they are all very good. Never thought I would be so excited about a doughnut shop, but this place makes it happen. Great experience and will totally come back to get some more.

    (5)

  • Tiffany K.

    my review is for the buttermilk and ginger stack doughnuts only. overall both doughnuts were very delish. they melt in your mouth and aren't too sweet. buttermilk doughnut isn't as big (half the size) as the glazed ones. glazed are $3. buttermilk $2. ginger stack doughnuts are not too sweet but filled with so much flavor! there are 3 smaller than buttermilk doughnuts per ginger stack order. this doughnut goes PERFECT with coffee. ginger stack doughnuts are $3. i also had their coffee- which i did not like so much. I should've just stuck with their doughnuts but......... $1 for a cup of coffee..... who can say no to that? (my bf had each of the glazed doughnuts and told me they were too sweet. ) today, they opened at 8:30am, got there around 9am. before i left home, i read that there were 30 ppl in line and by the time we strolled our buns over, there were less than 10 ppl in line and we didn't not wait too long. the girl that takes your order is super sweet. :)

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Sweet heavenly deliciousness...I will pay $2-$3 for a doughnut if it tastes like this! Now I'm not exactly a fan of the sugary morning breakfast but I happened to be in the neighborhood and had heard so much about this place that I just had to check it out. Definitely worth the hype. The vanilla glazed and old fashioned are amazing (but huge, share with a friend). The coffee was fine and inexpensive ($1.00). The service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Shauna K.

    The line is crazy but worth it for the Old Fashioned!! If you like a little heat get the gingerbread stack. The glaced is good, but do all the flavors taste the same or is it just me? After waiting in the rain and finally getting in, listening to Wu Tang was a bounus. If your torn just go!!!!

    (4)

  • Adam M.

    Doughnut Stack = yes, Affordable cup of coffee = yes, Specialty doughnuts = yes.

    (4)

  • Heather B.

    I am not a local and happened upon this gem b/c of yelp*. Apparently this place is a news story, since there were reporters and photographers everywhere. I ran about 1 mile from my hotel to purchase these loops of glazed heaven. After seeing the size, i realized that I also must run back before I could savor these morsels of goodness (and then around the entire lake :-). They were delish. The gingerbread stack was my personal favorite. The flavor of a fresh grated ginger cookie, with the texture of a fluffy cake doughnut. I also had a bite of each of the glazed doughnuts (Chocolate, Chestnut, and Vanilla). All were awesome. The name is fitting for the size of the place. There is room for about 7-8 people single file once you get in the doors. I love how they printed the menu on a mirror and an antique register with the big pop up numbers. It is a smart and cozy use of a small space. Yelp hours indicate 0800-1130, however, I think they open when they are done cooking (closer to 9 today) and close when they are sold out. If you are a die-hard doughnut fan - these are worth the wait. If you aren't, they are still worth the wait....once!

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    This is a REALLY good doughnut joint. We waited in line for an hour and they had already run out of 1 flavor when we got inside. Doughnuts were really good and I'd wait again for them.. I'll leave this review at that; efficient, just like DNV operations!

    (5)

  • cynthia w.

    The doughnuts were pretty good! The glazed ones are huge and might warrant $3 a pop. The old fashioned were my favorite but not as large as the glazed. We also tried the chesnut and gingerbread stack. I did enjoy them, but I also went when there was no line. I really liked the old fashioned a lot. I'd go back for those.

    (4)

  • Jay L.

    This is a absolute needed stop for coffee and donuts. Bring cash, get there early and be prepared for a line that goes out the door.

    (5)

  • Jerry C.

    PHONE FIRST!!! THEY RUN OUT EARLY. Truthiness be told, I never ate a donut here. Everyone else gave them 4 or 5 so I did too...but I could not give five because they have a problem with supply and demand. I love a homemade donut but rarely eat donuts, because most donuts out there are nasty, defrosted, stale, chemistry sets. And also, because they're fried in fat for crying out loud. I wanted to treat myself on my bday since I was in the hood I made it a side trip. Got there 945ish and they were out. Wish I had called. But no prob, I went to their hand-made donut competitors across the expressway who were still, strangely enough, open for business at 10am. Will check DV out next August, but I will phone first. I only wrote this to tell everyone to PHONE FIRST before wasting their time driving and money parking.

    (4)

  • J F.

    This place doesn't live up to the hype. Doughnuts are as good as your colleague brings in from a local suburban bakery. He didn't worry about something getting 'sold out', wait 15minutes, have to deal with people thinking this joint was the most special place ever, get bumped around the small space, and pay cash only. I wouldn't make a special trip, though kids may like the extra large glazed doughnuts.

    (3)

  • Joshua K.

    I only live a block from this place, and it's so hard to resist going down there weekly! We usually try to reserve it for when guests are in town, that way we feel less guilty about the calories! Chestnut and the gingerbread stack are the best! Be prepared to go into a full fledged food-coma about an hour after eating them! My sister said "I don't even like doughnuts and I would eat there daily!" Dollar coffee too! No, it's not Folgers either! It's Metropolis! For $1! You can't buy anything in the city for $1! I would highly recommend stopping by and checking this place out! Check their facebook or twitter to find out what they have left, and don't forget it's closed on Sunday and Monday! You'll probably get the urge to dance while you're in there too! CASH ONLY!

    (5)

  • Irah H.

    i decide to do my morning walk n getting my doughnut for my motivation. since its quite a distance from my plc, i decide to try most of the flavours: the buttermilk, chocolate, vanilla, chestnut, and one of the special of the week. its worthed and my fave is the buttermilk old fashioned

    (4)

  • Jon C.

    we got there at 8:30 on a saturday and it opens at 9:30. we were 3rd in line. luckily it was a nice day out and we passed time pretty quickly. by 8:45, the line had built up almost around the building. we got 7 donuts, one of each kind. my personal favorites were the old fashion and the vanilla. however, after taking the first few bites, we thought to ourselves...'we just stood in line for an hour for these.' while the donuts were pretty good, i'm not sure the anticipation was worth it. after all, they're just donuts. $1 coffee is nice.

    (3)

  • Aivy N.

    Oh God. I don't know where to start. I don't know where to end. Like the continuous circle of a doughnut, my love of this place is never ending. I had the lucky chance of having a very wonderful friend hand deliver these to me since I am never able to make it there in the morning. And every single bite of each doughnut was so amazing. Gingerbread....it melts in your mouth. The hazelnut had this amazing coffee-infused taste to it. You cannot go wrong here. I shared a box with 5 others in my office, and there were definitely some doughnut-O faces. Get them if you can.

    (5)

  • Yvette F.

    My brother brought us a box this morning of glazed and chocolate glazed. They are soft and delicious with the right amount of glaze and huge. At $3 each, considering the size and quality, I think they are worth the cost. My brother was there at 8am with 7 people in front of him and by the time he left there were 30 other people in line. Definitely worth a try. Yum, yum, yum:)

    (4)

  • sejal s.

    I was famished from my bikram yoga class and needed a sugar fix so I strolled by this spot on my way to work. The wait was a bit long for breakfast on the run. However, the 20 minute wait was worth it, I had the gingerbread stack and iced coffee. I may end up in a viscious cycle of working out to burn off the donuts to justify a repeat visit.

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    Worth the hype! These doughnuts are delicious...I tried four different ones (glazed vanilla, glazed chocolate, ginger stack, and old fashioned). They were each tasty...my faves being glazed vanilla and old fashioned - I think because they actual "cake" is so moist and yeasty...it doesn't need any extra flavor. They aren't cheap ($2-3), but they are worth it...PLUS, they are filling...nothing like a Krispy or Dunkin where you eat two and would like a third. One is enough - rich, sweet, and fresh. Check this place out - you'll wait but it's worth it (also: I arrived at 9:00 on a Tuesday morning and I only waited for about 20 minutes. Plus, the service was friendly, funny, and kind.

    (5)

  • Remi V.

    The BEST doughnuts i've ever eaten!!!! Totally worth the wait in line.....my favorite is all of them:)

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    The only going for this place is the ambiance. I've had far better doughnuts for a fraction of the price.

    (3)

  • Alexandra M.

    I haven't actually been to the Donughnut Vault, but I have eaten their heavenly doughnuts thanks to a good friend who shared the splendor. I'm from the South originally where Krispy Kreme is king, so the best compliment that I can give these doughnuts is to say- Krispy Who? Once the rain clears up- I'm definitely standing in line for this goodness.

    (5)

  • Kerri L.

    Got there at 9 am and the line was at the corner. Not too bad, I thought! Doors opened just a few minutes after 9:30 am and the line moved slowly. After getting to the door and inside, it's clear that this place was not really built for speed/efficiency. That is not say that the girl behind the counter was not fast though! Lightening fast, so I guess it would be safe to say that the lag falls on the customers and not her. As it was my first time there, the fiance and I decided to get one of each to try everything out! Gingerbread stack was good, the buttermillk old fashioned was wonderful, and the glazed donuts were really good too (very light/airy, reminded me of a croissant). HOWEVER! The glazed chocolate doughnut with sprinkles was...UGH. Practically flavorless and any flavor it did have just reminded me of eating cocoa powder...plain. Should I visit The DV again I will definitely stick with the buttermilk old fashioned and plain glazed doughnut! Also, while I didn't have any coffee I applaud the $1 price on the coffee! I'd recommend trying this place out, at least once!

    (3)

  • Angela Y.

    It's just a doughnut. It's not worth the price. The glaze is bigger than most but all in all. There isn't anything special about this doughnut. krispy Kreme is way better.

    (2)

  • JulesD W.

    AMAZING!!! Totally worth waiting in line for an hour. My favorite was the Vanilla glazed, but all of them are delicious. You also can't beat coffee for a $1. A really cool thing this place does, is make twitter updates on how long the line is, as well as, what flavors they have leftover.

    (5)

  • Pete L.

    To say that I was more than eager to wait in line to spend $3.00 for a donut would be like saying i enjoy a good Pele kick to my ball pouch but given its location to my vocation, I waited for twenty+ minutes to enjoy these savories. Prior to my visit, I thought I was the only person that pounded Southernplayalistic at 8 am but apparently, the Donut Vault also has an ear for the classics. The set up is simple, it's a tiny hallway and they limit your purchase to 6 donuts ranging from $2-$3 each and serve 3 varieties of glazed (vanilla, chocolate, chestnut) as well as a gingerbread and buttermilk option. They also serve French press coffee for $1 that is that fishscale. Vying to never wait in line again, I tried the buttermilk, chestnut glazed and gingerbread. All were still warm from the oven and taste would rival the likes of a Schwa, Alinea or NEXT chocolate soufflé. Door opened at 8:45, line was twenty deep by 8:20 and they supposedly only sell 350 donuts total so bring your abacus if you are at the tail end to do the necessary calculations.

    (4)

  • C H.

    These are the best doughnuts in the world, and I don't care how long you have to wait in line.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    I am addicted to these things. They are like crack. I have yet to try an old fashioned. I am not able to get there early enough. But the chocolate and the vanilla....especially the chocolate...OMG!!

    (5)

  • Miss O.

    yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum. i die for the old fashioned and gingerbread stack. i would die a happy and morbidly obese person if i had this everyday. loved the girl at the counter super friendly and happy. the tiny place was very cutely decorated with an old fashioned cash register. i have to say i'd pass on the glazed doughnuts. i like to leave that up to the expert crispy creme. lines are long so be prepared to wait!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth D.

    considering i would normally say that i HATE doughnuts, this place is really stellar. even though there's a line and you're probably up earlier than you'd like standing on it, the amazing doughnuts and consistently pleasant (and fast!) girl working behind the counter will put a smile on your face. try the daily specials, or if they're sold out - go with a gingerbread stack.

    (5)

  • donna y.

    loved the chocolate almond glaze. best of both worlds!! I'm so glad there is a line... otherwise I'd be here more than I should be.

    (5)

  • Debra R.

    i'm not even a huge doughnut person but this place is REDIC!!!!!! definitely worth waiting in line. do it do it do it. i dream of these doughnuts and will certainly be back.

    (5)

  • Molly M.

    The chestnut glaze is phenomenal. Pick up a dozen of these on your way to work and your coworkers will love you. Need to get there early though

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    II arrived this morning around 8:10 to find a line of about 30 people waiting in the rain - none of us really knowing when we might expect to finally be let inside. This was the second day -in a row- that both the rather rotund gentlemen in front of me and the pregnant woman behind me had waited for doughnuts. I figured that between a couple of cherubic chubbies and a preggo (who obviously aren't the types to stand in the rain for half an hour if they can avoid it), I was in the midst of fried-pastry experts; these doughnuts *had* to be worth the wait. Deciding to brave the rain and an unknown wait time, I emailed the office and let them know that I would be running late because I had an important appointment with sugar-coated deep-fried dough. I received a response that this was no big deal so long as I brought them (and by "them," I mean, "my boss") a couple of samples as well. Once the doors finally opened, right around 8:30, it took another 15-20 minutes to get my order of 1 old-fashioned, 2 ginger bread stacks, and one each of the glazed. Total investment: 35ish minutes, and $17 dollars, for 6 doughnuts. Upon arrival at the office, the vultures had already assembled at the front and were waiting for me. I felt a previously unknown solidarity with my sisters when I realized that my dough-bosom was being ogled by my coworkers... "Guys... my face... yeah... it's up here... guys? ... are you even listening to me?... UGH!" Anyway... The group verdict was that the glazed doughnuts were, in fact, among the best doughnuts that any of us had ever had (and I especially heart the chestnut). The gingerbread and old fashioned, "meh," they were adequate but nothing exciting. I think the price point was actually ok, given the size of the doughnuts; it works out to $4 for a cup of coffee and 3 normal-sized doughnuts. The thing that I found *REALLY* frustrating was that they don't have a set opening time. Doughnuts are, traditionally, breakfast food. Having an opening, "somewhere between 8 and 9," doesn't really fly for me, especially on a week day. Really guys, the doughnuts take the same amount of time to make every day, so figure it out and commit to an opening time - you know, like every other business out there. Twittering that you'll be open in 15 minutes - when you already have people who have been queued up for 10 minutes - is acceptable for a food truck, but brick and mortar? Eff that. To sum up, 5 stars for the glazed, 3 for the gingerbread and old fashioned, and 1 star for reliability. Overall though, I give it a 4. One final note... I saw the parking police issuing parking tickets to people parked on the street, so remember to feed your meters.

    (4)

  • Jonathan E.

    We ordered one of everything. No specials this Tuesday. The buttermilk are the best. Obviously this place has this mystique about it...cash, random and tiny location, and a line...and I would go back to get a buttermilk doughnut. However, we only waited 10 minutes and I cant imagine waiting longer than that.

    (4)

  • Nikki L.

    best vanilla glazed doughnut of my life.

    (5)

  • Courtney L.

    AMAZING! Skip the gingerbread stack, but make sure to get an old fashioned and a chocolate glazed.

    (5)

  • Fahad A.

    hugely OVERRATED. It was delish though!

    (4)

  • Melisa K.

    This is the place to go in Chicago! The donuts are huge and unbelievably delicious! The gingerbread stack reminded us of cider donuts and the chocolate glazed is too die for. Forget ever eating another type of donut again. The lines are LONG, but they move quick. Cash only and a hot or iced coffee for $1 is the way to go. We tried the buttermilk, gingerbread, vanilla and chocolate glazed. All a perfect 10! Make the trip! $2 or $3 per donut is reasonable given the size and quality. These are not mass produced. They are too eat and savor and not eat again until dinner.

    (5)

  • Matt B.

    Glazed are huge and delicious, best old fashion I've ever had, and the $1 french press metropolis coffee is killer. Worth the wait for sure!

    (5)

  • Brian G.

    To be honest I do not understand the HYPE. They are oversized, overpriced Krispy Creme doughnuts. Everyone kept talking about how great this place is and now I just laugh after visiting, however kudos to the owner of Gilt, he is a pure genius, 700 doughnuts sold during the week, 900 on the weekends, nice hedge to the bar business! WAY TO GO, take advatage of the trend seekers. People in the line are the typical people you would see standing outside the line at a club. Watiting in line for an hour to get coffee and a doughnut?? , which you soon find out is not that good! It is just like waiting to get into Enclave which charges a ton for a drink/cover charge then you leave and realize the place sucks, unless you get laid. The only thing you get after you leaving doughnut vault is a lighter wallet, a fat a-s, and not that great of an experience as a whole. My predicition, the long lines will be getting smaller soon, the buzz will wear off very quickly. To the great reviewers, I think you are all morons to be honest, sorry.

    (2)

  • Brian R.

    I bought into the hype and waited in line for an hour, I did not think it was worth it. I love doughnuts - like one of my favorite foods - and these were fine, some were good, but over-all not worth it. First of all, opening at 9:30 on a Saturday morning - when you sell doughnuts - is dumb. I suspect that it has as much to do with creating faux hype than anything else. (What would be the other explanation, lazy baker?) The carrot cake special sounded amazing; the doughnut was good, but the cream cheese frosting was only fair. It tasted like normal doughnut icing - I would not have known it was cream cheese based but for being told. They do caked doughnuts better than risen, but sell mostly risen. I like caked better, so I am biased. We tried all the risen and they were fine, but nothing to wait in line for. The risen chocolate is glazed with some chocolate on top; much more glazed than chocolate. I would love to see them do a caked chocolate because the softness of their caked varieties were quite good. Finally, $30 for a dozen doughnuts is kind of obnoxious when at a good bakery it would be like $12 bucks. If you love doughnuts, try Roser's on North ave. - caked and risen, old school, affordable.

    (3)

  • diane m.

    It takes A LOT to make me want to stand in the rain for 40 minutes. I was really unsure as to whether the hype equalled the product, but in this case, it did! Worth the wait! I suggest getting there before 8, otherwise the line snakes around the corner and the wait is up to an hour, if they don't run out! The glazed Vanilla, Chocolate and Chestnut are my favorites (personal opinion of course). Chestnut was a hint of maple, mostly vanilla undertone. Vanilla and Chocolate were as expected but for $3.00 you are getting a donut about twice the size of most in other donut stores so it isn't as outrageous as it sounds. The texture was light, spongey, a little chewy and a whole lot of flavor melting in your mouth. Definitely one of the top 3 donuts I have ever had. Only one in NYC at Dean & DeLuca is better. The Buttermilk donut is a bit more cakey with a crisper crust but still tender and delicious in something similar to a sourdough bread type flavor. The coffee is very smooth and rich and well deserved for only $1 after waiting in that line!

    (5)

  • Elyse L.

    This place was completely worth the wait. Frankly, I don't know how anyone could give them less than 10 stars because everything we tried was absolute donut perfection! Better to get there early as a line forms quickly and once they sell out that's it for the day. We got there 15 minutes before they opened and were the second people in line. By the time they unlocked the door the line was halfway around the block. It's extremely small inside (only enough room for about 4 people) so know what you want ahead of time to keep the line moving. Check their webpage for the menu and don't forgot to follow them on Twitter for their daily specials. They are now offering a special jelly donut of the day too. The specials when we went were a key lime pie old fashioned and a blackberry donut. We went for the classics and ordered two buttermilk old fashioned, one glazed vanilla, one glazed chocolate, the gingerbread stack, and one of the key lime pie donuts. The total came to around $17. For being as delicious as they are I feel the price is reasonable. They also have coffee for only $1 everyday. These were the best donuts I have ever had. That buttermilk old fashioned made my eyes roll into the back of my head! The vanilla glazed was as big as my face and had flecks of real vanilla beans in the glaze. Dreamy! The gingerbread stack was another winner and had the sort of cake like texture that made them perfect to dunk into our coffee. We tried our best but between us couldn't finish everything. I can't wait to see what their special flavors will be next time we are in town!

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    I liked this place. Had wanted to go for some time and kept missing that "secret window" when they actually still have doughnuts left to sell. Stopped in on labor day about 30 mins after they opened and they only had 3 kinds of doughnuts left. A bummer to say the least. That said, they were each very very good. Walked away thinking there are a million doughnut shops all over this city and we may have missed something that makes THIS one so special. Guess we should have gotten there before they opened to find out what the other options were. Maybe next time?

    (3)

  • Craig B.

    A Vault of delicious doughnut wafting through the air hits you when you turn the corner only to find that the Pied Piper of yeast cakes has already claimed it's first victims. As we wait in the rain, we slowly make our way to the prize. We select the buttermilk old fashioned, the chestnut glazed, and today's special, strawberry filled. The old fashioned is everything you remember from your childhood Saturday morning trip to the bakery. The glazed is a new twist on an old friend. But sadly that's where the party ends. The strawberry filled was like bitting into a gem and having a whole jar of Smuckers strawberry preserves over power you. Way,way too much filling. I will be back, but I know what I like, and it's not Smuckers!

    (4)

  • David B.

    How cool! A hole in the wall (no pun intended) donut place with an interesting twist. They sell old fashioned donuts; buttermilk (classic) vanilla, chocolate, CHESTNUT, and $1 coffees. The donuts are expensive but a novelty purchase. Inside was a single friendly girl working the old fashioned register. Downside was due to the single employee came the long wait. 20-25 minutes for donuts is alot of time regardless of the quality. I wouldn't say it's a must do but if you're around definitely check it out. The chestnut glazed should be illegal in 50 states.

    (4)

  • Krystal E.

    While I was expecting a gourmet doughnut place, these did not disappoint. If you're someone who likes a traditional doughnut, Doughnut Vault does it right. The buttermilk was absolutely heavenly; I would suggest trying this over anything. Both the vanilla bean glazed and chocolate were huge and fluffy. As everyone else said, get here when they open as a long line does form. Here's to hoping they have the pistachio next time I'm in town!

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    I'm not sure this place is actually as big as the average vault! But clearly they're doing something right, when there's a half hour line outside on a cold Sunday morning. I'm a big fan of old fashioned buttermilk donuts, and although we tried a sampling of everything those were certainly my favorites. I felt they were comparable to Stan's, my long time benchmark from Westwood Village California, and now at two spots in Chicago. However they don't have the nice crust you find at Do-Rite's, which I'd have to dub the winner in that category. Still, a very fine donut.

    (4)

  • Lynsey H.

    Disappointed. Possibly I was naive and went too late in the day (10:45 on a Thursday), but in my opinion there were no decent flavors. We got what they had (buttermilk glazed, pecan glazed & old fashioned). There were no filled donuts or special flavors. What I did taste, I wasn't too keen on and just had a taste of each & left the rest of the donut. My advice would be stick to Glazed & Infused further down the road.

    (3)

  • Vy T.

    I love doughnuts, so I was so excited to try this place. Maybe I'm missing something... I got the chestnut glazed, a jelly filled and an old fashioned. The jelly filled was probably my favorite,. They really stuff their doughnuts here! The glazed and old fashioned were good, but didn't blow me away. The prices here are really good though.

    (3)

  • Alma C.

    Mission Impossible 6: Deadly Donut Deluge happens at The Doughnut Vault every morning (seriously, you have to get there really early or they sell out). Mission Commander: Good morning Alma C. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves capturing your pick of the diet destroyers designated "BAD" (booty amplifying donuts). You may select any one team member that you choose, and only one, because BAD causes even the healthiest of grubbers to turn to the Dark Side. As always, should any of your team get caught stealing bites or gaining excessive muffin tops, Mission Command will disavow all knowledge of your actions. And, Alma C., the next time you go on a donut crawl, would you be so kind as to let us know where and when you're going so you can pick us up a baker's dozen. This message will self destruct in 5 seconds. Alma C: If I let you know when I go on a donut crawl, you'll go rogue too. Plus, I don't share. MI6: DDD Strategy: Wake up at the crack of dawn, grab my team sidekick, fight traffic to get to 401 1/2 N. Franklin Street before it opens. Park. Pay meter more than you think (Digression: gosh darn obscenely efficient meter maids and broke ass City of Chicago contracting out their meter licenses to a for-profit foreign entity). Mid-Mission - Survey the line. Try not to throw eye daggers or intimidate the people ahead of the line to not get all the donuts. Contemplate Bowtruss Coffee on the side. Get one of everything, at least. Buy sufficient number of donuts to prevent sidekick from stealing all of any one donut without getting a taste. Eat all the donuts designated for personal use mission sustenance. Especially the classic buttermilk and fluffy chestnut OMG THE CHESTNUT. SO BIG. SO FLUFFY. Try not to choke. Try to stay away from Mission Command's baker's dozen. Alma C: Mission Accomplished, Mission Commander. Time to get your donuts... I'm absconding with your portion of the take.... Mission Commander: You, you BASTARD! Alma C.: I warned you that I don't share. BTW. please treat my sidekick for blissed out overconsumption and possible diabetic shock. She said it was worth it though. She also wants to be reassigned for a redo MI7: DDD to go back for more Buttermilk and Vanilla Bean. Over and out. Really. Get your own.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey C.

    The battle for Chicago restaurant dynasty supremacy between Paul Kahan and Brendan Sodikoff is subjectively fascinating, but if my wife had a vote for the best of the best, it just might go to doughnut vault. She'll actively seek out the truck on a random weekday morning, and I experienced this firsthand last week when she suggested making the terrifying morning rush hour trip to River North to Doughnut Vault's brick and mortar adjacent to Gilt Bar. 15 stressful pedestrian and taxi dodging minutes later, and there we were, in all doughnuts' grandeur. It's my first check-in, despite experiencing many a vault's doughnut that magically appeared at home upon entrance. The brick and mortar is ridiculously small, and you basically squeeze in and hope the person ordering doesn't take forever at a half (wink and a gun to the lady who had no idea what she was ordering for her office and ended up hauling out four boxes). Yes, the buttermilk old-fashioned is ridiculously good. Yes, some of the doughnuts are the size of two fists balled into one. Yes, you can order the whole spread to sample and pay whatever it costs in the end. Yes, their doughnuts are amazeballs sans a ball in the center (unless you get the jelly-filled or doughnut holes, natch.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Since I don't live or work in the city, I'm never there early enough to check out all the botique donut shops around Chicago. They're usually either sold out or the donuts aren't that fresh anymore by the time I could get there. I happened to be staying in a hotel downtown one Friday and I finally got my chance to wake up early the next day and see what all the hype is about. I really wanted to love this place, I really did. It pains me to give anything Brendan Sodikoff touches less than 5 stars, but I just didn't think there was anything special about these donuts. I was shocked that so many people would get up early on a Saturday morning and wait that long for these donuts. Don't get me wrong, they didn't taste bad, but I didn't think they were worlds apart from even chains like Krispy Kreme or Dunkin. I don't even have high standards. I personally could enjoy a hot, freshly made donut even if it was from the grocery. They open at 9:30 on Saturdays and I got there around 9:45ish. By that time the line was already wrapped around the corner onto Kinzie. I have no clue why the line was moving so slow. I understand the place is small but it's not like they're being made to order. They only have coffee and then like 5 different kinds of donuts. Even if there's only one person working the register why does it take so long to throw a couple donuts in a box and move on to the next customer? I was pretty stubborn and decided that since I went all the way out there I'd just tough it out. About an hour later I finally made it to the door. Slowest line ever. Nevertheless I was excited about finally getting my hands on a fresh craft donut. They were already sold out of the gingerbread stack. I ended up ordering the special of the day (White chocolate), a few of the buttermilk old fashioned donuts, and then one of each kind of the glazed donuts (vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut). The old fashioned was pretty dense and had a light glaze on the outside. It was moist and there wasn't a huge amount of frosting on top to distract from the good flavor of the donut itself. It was $2, which is pretty reasonable, and overall I liked it. The glazed donuts were massive, which you would think is a good thing, but I thought it was way too dough-y. The glaze to dough ratio in each bite was way off for me. Some people may like it that way, but I like sweeter style donuts. It was almost like I was eating plain bread. While the chestnut did have a unique flavor I haven't really tasted anywhere else, the vanilla and chocolate ones honestly just tasted like regular donuts to me. They didn't blow me away. I don't think I'll ever wait that long for a donut again. I've waited in some long lines for food like at Hot Doug's or Franklin BBQ, but I just don't think these donuts are worth that much time. Maybe that hour long wait affected the freshness or maybe I had too high expectations coming in, but I was kinda disappointed from the first bite.

    (3)

  • Stefanie A.

    We live so close but just never got here- FINALLY made our way here today with our doughnut craving in tow. Got here (Sunday) around 11:30 and luckily there was no line- yay! When you step inside it's literally just a small space with a counter. Didn't realize that their selection is limited.....only had three options when we arrived and only one sounded worth the money. So we got a blueberry crumble and a chestnut glazed. Both were ok- I've had much better doughnuts at Stan's. And at least a place like Stan's has lots of options. Sorry doughnut vault, but we won't be back when the craving calls again...

    (3)

  • Kathleen S.

    I usually don't eat doughnuts.. but when I do ... I expect them to be as fluffy and not-so-sweet like these found here! Another hole-in-the-wall place in Chicago where you open the door, look to your left and the counter is right there along with all the doughnuts next to the man at the counter. I tried their Chestnut glazed doughnut (they had vanilla and chocolate as well when I was here) and it was heaven! For $3, it was a great start to the morning. They have assorted jelly-filled doughnuts available that vary by day, as well as their usual gingerbread stack and old-fashioned doughnut all the time. If you want something to drink, they sell Bow Truss coffee here! No seating space; only room to grab-n-go. Come early or ASAP before they run out and close!

    (5)

  • Rachael S.

    Tried the pistachio, almond, and regular glazed (all cake donuts). While all were good, almond was my favorite. Hubby preferred the regular glazed. While I prefer a good fluffy old fashioned glazed donut, these were some of the best cake donuts I've tried. Perhaps a bit too sweet for my liking (they definitely load up on the glaze - all of them were saturated with glaze; so if that's your cup of tea, you'll love these suckers!). Sugar rushed up this morning, guessing I'm going to be experiencing a blood sugar crash in not too long ;)

    (4)

  • Julie M.

    I was determined to make it to Chicago's most esteemed doughnut establishment, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Therefore, on a early Sunday morning, I hauled my suitcases and a giant tupperware container with me and prepared to wait in line for 45 minutes, in order to try these supposed delectable items. Well, I have to say after trying every single flavor Doughnut Vault has to offer, I really regretting wasting all that effort acquiring these treats. Even the buttermilk old fashioned (which is my favorite doughnut these days) was not that great. The yeast doughnuts are just huge. That's really the only allure. The glaze is fine. It's not overwhelmingly flavorful. Honestly, Dough in NYC is probably better and I don't even like it very much. I don't get it. Go to DO-RITE. SO MUCH BETTER. The old fashioned doughnuts there are ORGASMIC.

    (3)

  • Pete C.

    The chestnut glazed was really good! I got 1 of each kind of donut for that day and all were really good but the chestnut glazed would be the donut I go back for.

    (5)

  • Bakchun K.

    I bookmarked a handful of donut places looking to get fat. This place is really a hole in the wall. I heard a person waiting on line indicate the restaurant carved out a little store and it was this donut shop. Don't be fooled by the lines. Inside the store can fit about a 6 person line then everyone else goes outside. The line goes rather slow because people are taking their time deciding what they want and there is one cashier so it's one person at a time. Outside are a few tables, it's a good place to bike to, eat your donut to gain the calories back, then bike back. When you enter, to the right is free water, to the left is the donuts. They have a lot of variety but I decided to take the old fashioned buttermilk donut. I thought it was ok, not that special, the texture is a bit thick, quite doughy. Credit cards accepted.

    (3)

  • Connie X.

    Don't think it lives up to the hype. All the donuts were cakey, old-fashioned donuts during my trip. We got the triple chocolate, pistachio, peach, coconut, roasted almond, and lemon poppy seed. They were just alright. They do the fruit ones, like lemon poppy and peach, well, and the tang of the fruits balances well with the sweetness. But I could not taste the pistachio or coconut at all, and the triple chocolate was underwhelming. Perhaps their yeast doughnuts are more flavorful, but at 2.25 a doughnut, I really expect better.

    (3)

  • Ivy Z.

    My favorite doughnut shop in all of Chicago - and trust me there are so, so, so, so, many doughnut shops in Chicago. This is a must try. But something to keep in mind is that they will really sell out FAST. I mean even by 10am, sometimes they're out of doughnuts. Make this an important stop of yours during breakfast hours so you can secure the best options. They have a food truck that doesn't usually sell out as much, you just have to figure out where it is. You have to get old fashioned doughnuts when you're here. They are perfectly crispy and soft and fresh. The glaze is the right amount of sweet. My absolute favorites are just their buttermilk, lemon poppyseed, and the pistachio. You really can't go wrong and I plan on trying the rest of the menu. Keep in mind the yeast doughnuts are pretty much as big as your face. But you have to try a cake doughnut when you're here! They're also only about $2/doughnut. This is HUGE in a city where doughnuts can cost up to $5.

    (5)

  • Sharon C.

    I ordered one of everything, which I think is the way to go if you want a sampler of donuts. Here, in order, is what I liked: 1. Buttermilk old-fashioned - both crunchy and moist. FLAWLESS. 2. Vanilla glazed 3. Gingerbread stack 4. White Chocolate Softy 5. Birthday Cake Doughnut Holes 6. Chocolate Glazed - not that great 7. Chestnut Glazed - actually bad If I ever go again, I will get a half-dozen buttermilk old-fashioned donuts and call it a day. A really, really good day.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    I'm a Cleveland native who stopped in here on a recent trip to Chicago... because my doughnut-obsessed friend woke me up early begging to go. I was skeptical about waiting in a long line early in the morning, in a drizzle, for a doughnut - but after taking a bite of their buttermilk old-fashioned glazed, it was worth it! A fantastic take on a classic that never goes out of style. It was a bit crunchy on the outside, with a wonderfully soft, fluffy inside. I'm salivating just thinking about it. I tried her vanilla glazed and chocolate glazed, which were bigger and fluffier. The vanilla was pretty good, but I wasn't as big a fan of the chocolate. Definitely go for the buttermilk old fashioned!! This little hole in the wall (literally, it's a small vestibule-like space, hence the line out the door) is worth a visit. While it doesn't have a late variety like larger gourmet shops, it takes traditional to another level. Yum!

    (4)

  • Terry L.

    This is some really good sh*t! Like on some Homer Simpson and Big Belly cop good sh*t! I remember finding out about this place quite some time ago and drooling over the creations and the thought of just holding one of these doughnuts so OBVIOUSLY upon me reaching Chicago... I had to have one, no correction, SOME! Many may not know but this establishment/brand is not just rated the best in Chicago but last year was noted by Food and Wine/Americas Best to be the best doughnuts overall in the US! By even reading other reviews you'll see that there is usually a line around the block to get these babies (no matter the weather)... In my case it wasn't too bad. There was a little line but seemed to be moving at a steady pace. The location is small, small, small so do not expect to be seated... Get your selections and get out! It literally is a line to a cashier and that's it. They do offer complimentary water once you get in. The Doughnuts... I opted to get the Vanilla Glazed and Chestnut which are both yeast based meaning that (1) they are pillow soft (2) there huge in size and will require multiple bites and (3) the glaze is crispy and oh so sweet, trust me and don't pass these up! I also had the Sour Dough which was great and the Birthday cake bites which had sprinkles all over it (very cute)! Overall, I was very pleased and could easily see this being my addiction, I was a tad bit disappointed in the available selections, for example, I wanted the Birthday Cake Doughnut and not bites, I also wanted to try the Double Yellow Cake and other specialty type doughnuts but was informed by the cashier that those selections are usually held by the Doughnut Vaults Food Truck which of course is off site. The cashier recommended that I look on there Twitter feed for daily locations. Now had I known this I would have went to the truck instead, however with this being there prime and well known location for tourists and locals alike, I would have expected the same selections available in house (mind you I came 30 minutes after opening)... Hopefully they rethink this business structure! I will most def be checking them out again when I return to Chicago and will be looking up the trucks location!

    (4)

  • Sara B.

    They have the best doughnuts in the U.S Trust me when I say, you're missing a whole new experience if you have not been here. Follow them in Twitter to know if the doughnuts were sold out

    (5)

  • Lauren F.

    It's Doughnut Vault so, duh, they're amazing! Get there before they open, especially on the weekends, to avoid the ridiculously long line - but if you do end up arriving to a line, trust me - they're worth it. The special Eggnog Old Fashioned is my fall/winter favorite and the Buttermilk Old Fashioned and Chestnut Glazed are my standard go-tos. They also have rotating daily specials so I would definitely add a special to your box while you're there. No longer cash only, they DO take credit cards now.

    (5)

  • Blake B.

    I'm a doughnut fan and The Doughnut Vault is one of the best I've had. I got there early since I read they can sell out fast and I'd recommend you do so. When I got there before it opened there was already a line. It's such a tiny location but the woman working there was super friendly and even gave my son a doughnut hole which he devoured. Some of the doughnuts are the size of your head but so good you need to eat it all. If you're a doughnut fan you need to check this place out!

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    I came on at around 8:30 AM on a Friday, and the line was already bumping! I expected this as the doughnut vault experience, so I didn't mind at all waiting 30 minutes on a sunny morning for some fresh doughnuts! The exterior is artsy, and the interior is very small. With that being said, they know the product is that good so there is no need for superfluous decor. I ordered two chestnut, one chocolate, one birthday cake special, and two buttermilk doughnuts for my girlfriend and me before a road trip, with coffee. The doughnuts were clearly the highlight! It is as if the sugar is a condiment to the dough. I wasn't really looking forward to today's special, but I could tell it is way better than other traditional franchises. Even my girlfriend, who has repeatedly been a doughnut hater, admitted that these were pretty good. Enough said! I really want to go again and try some other specials like salted caramel, pistachio, blueberry......

    (5)

  • Kat L.

    Never have I had a Homer Simpson moment until I've encountered these raspberry jelly donuts! And I'm not big on donuts! This spot has room for -maybe- 10 people to wait in line. It's honestly like waiting in a closet, without visual aids or a menu to tantalize you until you get to the front of the store. I was hoping to nab one of the epic PB & J, but it wasn't on the menu the day I went. They have some regulars, and some specials of the day. Everything was a win, surprisingly. These donuts will change your mind, if you weren't a believer.

    (5)

  • Adriana K.

    Love love love! My co-worker brought me here on my first trip to Chicago (it's right around the corner from the Mart) and I went every morning that I was there. This small shop fits like two or three people and consists of a tiny hallway like room with a chandelier which ends at a counter. I've heard that they sell out of their fresh baked donuts by 10am each day... and as well they should. Take a look here and drool: doughnutvault.com/doughn… The donuts are fan-tastic! I am absolutely a fan. I cannot truly express how good they are. They took baking donuts to an art form and each is a delicious work of art. They offer special varieties that change each day.. but keep the standards. I tried several different options, but everything was good and oh so fresh. They also serve coffee. I miss these donuts :) I wonder if they can mail them to LA.

    (5)

  • Arlene G.

    these are the biggest donuts ever!! chocolate, glazed & old fashioned are my faves! i introduced this place to my girl & now she wants to go every damn week! lol maybe once a month!

    (4)

  • Francis F.

    Went here there was no line had a smaller selection of donuts must be the time and considering how small the place is. There were some donuts I really liked but cant say id keep going here for 3 dollar donuts...

    (3)

  • Mad I.

    My loyalty is being tested! I love my firecake baby, butterscotch praline but holy ISH! The jelly filled apricot here was TO DIE FOR!!! Their yeast donuts are where it is at!! We had: Ginger stack: not anything out of the ordinary Old Fashioned: good, but took up space that could have been used for.... Jelly Filled: BEST DONUT EVER!!! and Glazed: Oh man!! This thing is huge and amazing!! Disclaimer: DO NOT SAVE FOR LATER IN THE DAY OR TOMORROW....yeasty goodness will be compromised. **Try not to get too pissed when EVERYONE comes out with two boxes and you are freakin about getting you some ;)

    (5)

  • Angela W.

    Apparently this is the best place to get donuts in Chicago, and it didn't disappoint! I got a box of six donuts - glazed chocolate, vanilla, and chestnut; birthday cake, old fashioned, and a pumpkin special they had for October. My favorite was the glazed chestnut. Even though I'm a HUGE chocolate fan, I thought the glazed chestnut was just done so much better! There was a perfectly subtle but sweet chestnut flavor to it, and I wish I had gotten more of those. My boyfriend liked this one as well. Prices are not bad (from $2 to $3) considering how ginormous the donuts are. The glazed ones are easily two to three times the size of the ones at dunkin.

    (4)

  • Boon K.

    So I have been wanting to try this place forever and either they are sold out by the time I think about it or the line is super long. I finally made it on a Monday morning and only 6 people in front of me, which gave me some time to think about what I want to order. I order a glazed, chocolate, old fashion, and birthday( their special for the day) and of course shared this with my hubby. All were very old, but I think my favorite was the simple glazed donut. Just like everyone noted, the dough is very very light and airy, not chewy but perfectly sweeten with a tang that is just perfect. the glazed is not overly sweet and not overly coated. I am not an old fashion fan but this one probably my favorite old fashion I ever had. It is very light and yet I like to crust that it has to it and the not so dry cakey donut.

    (4)

  • Tina L.

    I just tried their special, salted caramel old fashioned. OMG it's FABULOUS. If this is the special on the day that you are there, MAKE SURE TO GET AT LEAST A DOZEN. If you can't finish it within a day or two, plan ahead and freeze them! Take one out when you want it, thaw it, and enjoy! It's still just as delicious!

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Best doughnuts in Chicago. Of course when your product is this good, there is demand and they limit the supply. They're only open until they sell out so go during the week if you can. Saturdays always have a monstrous line. The have 5 basic flavors (buttermilk (my favorite), ginger stacks, and 3 types of glazed (chocolate, vanilla, and hazelnut). They usually have a 6th "special" doughnut which is announced on their website every week. Worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Jacob G.

    The Doughnut Vault has the best doughnuts that I've ever had. They're so good. If you go, get there early because they usually run out of doughnuts pretty quickly.

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    Oh Doughnut Vault, what is all the hype about? Everyone who has tried you told me that you offer the best doughnuts in the Chicagoland area, so I had to go try you for myself. I forced myself to roll out of my nice warm bed to head over to pay you a visit. I arrived around 10:30 am on a Wednesday morning. To my surprise, there wasn't a line. Whee..... hurray for me! But don't be alarm if you do see a line out the door because once you enter through the baby blue door, you'll notice how small the interior of the vault is. There isn't enough room for more than 5-6 people. The decor is cute and vintage looking, they even have an old fashion cash register to ring up your purchase (Yes, they do accept credit cards). Since I forced myself to go, I knew I couldn't just get one doughnut. I decided to try the following: Peanut Butter and Jelly ($3): this massive doughnut is jelly filled with peanut butter glaze and topped off with chopped peanuts. The actual doughnut had the right amount of denseness while still chewy. The flavor of the doughnut was spot on to a PB&J sandwich and I enjoyed the extra crunch from the peanuts, but it was a tad too sweet for me. Chestnut Glaze ($3): the texture of the doughnut was enjoyable (the same as the PB&J), but I'm not much of a chestnut lover so I didn't enjoy this doughnut much. My sister, on the other hand, loved this doughnut. She said it had the perfect amount of chestnut flavor. Chocolate Glaze ($3): again, this had the same consistency of the PB&J doughnut which you already know I'm a fan of. This doughnut is for those chocolate lovers. It had a great texture with the right amount of chocolate goodness. Salted Caramel Old Fashion ($2): caramel infused old fashion with salt sprinkled on top. This is definitely for the sweet and salty lovers. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this at all. The caramel was overwhelming which made the doughnut way too sweet. Buttermilk Old Fashion ($2): by far the best darn old fashion doughnut I have tried in a while. It had a great dense texture while still soft. If you want to try one doughnut, I definitely would recommend you to start off with this. I know you must be thinking...how could I have eaten all these doughnuts by myself? I didn't! I shared these with my friends. I now understand why Doughnut Vault has so much hype. The texture of the doughnuts alone gives it a huge advantage. If you haven't tried out Doughnut Vault yet, then what are you waiting for? It definitely won't disappoint!

    (5)

  • Dawnica V.

    Loved the buttermilk old fashioned, and the store itself is adorable. Barely large enough for a single file line and the cashier has a tiny little nook just big enough to ring up your purchase. You can't work there if you're claustrophobic!

    (4)

  • Erik M.

    This is place is SUPER small and easy to miss so keep your eyes out, but man are the doughnuts amazing. Like everyone else I definitely recommend the Chestnut doughnut...can't go wrong. Oh and the $1 coffee is pretty clutch.

    (5)

  • Jenny F.

    This is not the best donut I have had in my lifetime, but it's pretty darn terrific! The day that I went, I waited for 45 minutes, which was fine since I had the day off from being a mommy. Because, it was such a wait, I decided to order a half a dozen mix of their flavor offerings of the day - chocolate, chestnut and buttermilk. The portion is huge--makes up for the $3.50/piece it costs my pocketbook. I think the buttermilk is their bread and butter. They could very well have the best in town! Glazey, crunchy-soft melt in your mouth experience! It was one of those where I dreaded the last bite.... I think if you are a donut aficionado, you must make this joint a stop on your journey to find the donut of all donuts!

    (4)

  • Nishan P.

    So I have this friend who stood in line for over an hour in the rain without an umbrella and got me some DV doughnuts. The glazed ones were perfect. Chestnut, chocolate and vanilla. With a melt-in-your-mouth consistency they had just the right sweetness and subtle hints of flavor. The gingerbread stack and the buttermilk old fashioned were not as exceptional. The old fashioned was a tad too sweet and the gingerbread tasted average. The glazed DV doughnuts are where it's at. They're all kinds of awesome. But you know what's even more awesome? Having a friend like Melanie S. Minus one star for making my dear friend have to stand in line for over an hour in the rain without an umbrella ...

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Wow... It's funny to be finishing up some of my reviews now considering I haven't really indulged in being a foodie instead choosing to eat much, much healthier. Anyways, I did wait on a Friday and the wait wasn't too bad. I got a dozen doughnuts and they were all good with the gingerbread stacks being my absolute favorite. Are they worth the premium price? I would say maybe/maybe not depending if I really want doughnuts. Overall, I was quite pleased with this place and eventually when craving doughnuts will probably come back. Hopefully, the line has gotten shorter than in the beginning...

    (4)

  • FoodLover Z.

    The donuts are good, don't get me wrong. But are they worth the hype and 30+ minute wait in the cold? Absolutely not. And what is up with the daily special running out within an hour of the store opening. I mean, just make a few given that this is a daily occurrence. I feel like this place thrives on the hype, and the limited availability and long wait times are tools they use to create the hype. I'll give them a 5-star rating the day they find a good way to reduce the ridiculous wait times.

    (3)

  • Katrina H.

    MMM MMM MM Good and yes you can GO BROKE!! for 1 Dozen doughnuts you may pay upwards of $36 but this isn't a place to go every single day or you will become broke$$ .. The doughnuts are HUGE and fluffy and they just melt in your mouth! ... They have specials in addition to the doughnuts that they serve daily however I REFUSE To stand in line for 1 hour to get them. Yesterday I got in line and said "Forget it" Went into the merchandise mart for paint samples.. walked around to drool over all of the houseware Lux and came back only to see the woman behind me just leaving.. AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE if you can get in under waiting 10 minutes.. you've scored!

    (4)

  • Melanie S.

    Just to be clear: I *like* doughnuts, I do not *love* doughnuts. They don't make my eyes roll back in my head, nor do the skies part when I eat one. I wasn't one of those people that thought the opening of Krispy Kreme in the Chicago area was the second coming of Christ. I typically prefer my confections in the form of pie or cupcakes. So what exactly prompted me to stand in line for an hour (the better part of it in the rain, sans umbrella) for doughnuts this past Friday? Well, I'm not even sure myself (cue the Led Zeppelin song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgAFoyIgskY). I really did want to try the Doughnut Vault (eventually), but with the constant write ups and buzz surrounding it, I didn't know if there would ever be a time without enduring a crazy line that could ultimately end up with me being disappointed if they ran out of doughnuts. I decided that since last Friday was sort of a holiday and that many people would have the day off (but sadly not me), that perhaps the line wouldn't be as bad. The fact that it would be a slow day at work and my boss was to be out of the office (so if I was a little bit late for work no one would know) made me take the plunge. I arrived at just before 8, and the line had already started forming. Fortunately, there were "only" 20 or so people ahead of me, but unfortunately it started to drizzle and I didn't have an umbrella. I managed to pass the time in line commiserating with some friendly folks in line. We all wondered aloud if we were crazy to be waiting in line, but our collective team spirit carried us through. We all talked of our favorite foods and restaurants and pretty soon I was at the front of the line. It's amazing how fast time goes by when I'm talking about my favorite passion (food). I opted to purchase a half dozen and selected two buttermilk old-fashioned, the gingerbread stack, as well as one each of the glazed (chestnut, vanilla, chocolate). There were way too many for me to eat on my own so being the sweetheart that I am, I shared them with a couple of friends who were only too happy to take them off my hands. They were all pretty delicious. Huge, fluffy pillows of sweetness. I didn't think the gingerbread was all that gingery, but the rest were quite good, even the next day. I think the chocolate glazed was my favorite, and it was evident they used high-quality chocolate. While I thoroughly enjoyed my doughnuts, I am afraid to say that my experience at the Doughnut Vault was a "one and out" situation. There are certain things I will wait in line for, but doughnuts just aren't one of them. I went. I waited in line. I tried them all. If you're a huge doughnut lover, then definitely give DV a try, but for my time (and money), once was enough. Having said that, if anyone else is willing to brave the line, feel free to pick me up a chocolate glazed, willya?

    (4)

  • Farrah D.

    It's hard to get up early on a Saturday, but grab a buddy and experience Vault line. We got there 30 min before they opened and there were 100 people in line. They sold out of the special right before we got there, but had plenty of everything else left. One Saturday we were just walking around the neighborhood, and noticed they were still open at 11:30am--there was no line, we totally got lucky. I've now officially had the vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, and old fashioned. The glazed are huge, almost couldn't finish mine. The old fashioned is regular size, as are a few others. I loved them all, and even more delicious after the long line, I think.

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    If you wait in line for two hours, with the possibility of being turned away, please re-evaluate your life.

    (1)

  • Duke C.

    Waiting about an hour for a donut? What? Yea, that's exactly what we did. We went on a Saturday morning around 10am, hoping to grab a quick bite and a cup of coffee before we saw that the line wrapped towards the front of the Gilt Bar. Half the people were probably visiting from out of town like us and apparently everybody had the same idea as us. The offerings are very simple. You have the glazed in 3 flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and chestnut), old fashioned, ginger stack, and even specials. On that day, they didn't have the chestnut but they did have a pistachio glazed and a carrot cake. I decided to go with the classics and got a chocolate glazed and an old fashioned. The first thing you see is exactly how big the glazed donuts are! They are seriously huge, closer in size to an apple fritter! It is super fluffy, and with the chocolate glazed, there's a layer of sugar glaze first, then chocolate, as well as chocolate sprinkles. Every delicious bite is a sugar rush to the extreme, so if you're not into super sweet things, then watch out! The old fashioned is exactly what it is, an old fashioned. Crunchy exterior with a sugar glaze on the outside, you really can't go wrong. I was able to try a bit of the pistachio and yes you can definitely taste the pistachio, and I like the little touch of coconut they sprinkle on top. Definitely take advantage of the $1 coffee. Dark French-pressed coffee! The place is extremely small, and truly like a vault. I hear on some days that the line can easily be a 1hr-2hr wait, but by the time we got our donuts, the line has shortened considerably. If you sit outside the small table, you can even ask for water to help wash down your donuts. Cash only! Donuts are $3 a piece. A little expensive but nowadays, people pay $3-4 for a cupcake already and I like donuts more than cupcakes :P I've had a lot of gourmet donuts in different cities and where does the Doughnut Vault rank? Pretty damn high! Top Pot is still the best for me, but Doughnut Vault, with its unique styles and flavors, I'm totally digging it.

    (4)

  • Janet E.

    We arrived on a Saturday around 10:50am and the line was not too bad, about 20 people ahead of us. We probably waited 20 minutes before putting in our order. (The place closes at 11:30am or when they sell out...) We tried the ginger bread stacks, buttermilk old fashion, and chocolate glazed donuts (the largest of the three). The ginger bread stacks were my favorite. They tasted like sugar donuts. The buttermilk old fashion was my second favorite, and the chocolate glazed my last favorite. I think the chocolate glazed donut was too sweet for me (and I usually LOVE sweet stuff). All the donuts were lightly fried and had good fluffiness and consistency. Three donuts and two coffees were only $10. So glad we came!

    (4)

  • Jessica J.

    I LOVE doughnuts, but I'm convinced that even if I didn't I would be in love with this place. The chestnut glazed and buttermilk old fashioned are favorites, as are the pumpkin (ridiculous) and blueberry old fashioned (so so ridiculously good). The latter two are flavors that are daily specials here and there, and there are a ton of other rotating special flavors (there's always a daily special and a daily jelly-filled). The wait can get crazy, but that's what Twitter is for :) Follow closely, and you'll know exactly when to go to get the flavor(s) you want. Adorable teensy place, out of this world doughnuts.

    (5)

  • Tom X.

    All this hype for donuts I thought for sure it would be a huge letdown so I really wasn't expecting a whole lot. After an hour-long wait on a Saturday morning, we finally got the highly sought-after donuts. They only had vanilla and chocolate left by this time but we were happy that at least they haven't completely run out. Having watched people bring out boxes of donuts for an hour and taunting us with it as they ate them right in front of the store in full view of those still waiting in line, I was happy to finally have gotten some for myself. The donuts themselves were great, but are they worthy of the hour long wait? I don't know, if it's a lazy Saturday morning, then why not. If it was a busy weekday, then I would have to say nope, definitely not worth the wait. So if you have time on your hands and don't mind waiting for some great donuts, this place would be a great goto spot. The $1 coffee they offer goes very well with the donuts. Bottom line: at $3 a pop for a donut, you would expect great donuts, and that's exactly what you'll get at The Doughnut Vault.

    (4)

  • Chaz A.

    Before today, Brendan Sodikoff was already in my top 5 favorite restaurateurs and after today he has narrowed himself down to the Top 3, the others being Paul Kahan and the Boka Group.. And, I won't say who he surpassed. So, they opened today. Luckily, I'm on spring break so i got to go the first day.... (WOOT!), and I was blaring J Dilla's "Donuts" in the car on the way there just to get in the doughnut mood. But enough about Dilla, Let's get to the doughnuts, 'cuz that's the reason you came to the review, right? Chestnut Glazed - 47 Chestnuts = 1 donut. And, surprisingly the chestnut isn't overpowering at all. It's a very faint hint of beautifully fresh chestnuts and the most perfectly yeasty doughnut you've ever tasted. And, I am a cake doughnut person but this was the best doughnut I've ever had. Buttermilk Old Fashioned - This one didn't WOW me as much as the Chestnut, but it's an unfair comparison because this doughnut is still INSANELY kickass. Sugary, rich, delicious. Yum. All in all, you can't go wrong. Go here. $3 for a doughnut may sound like a lot, because Dunkin is 99 cents. But, allow me to put it this way, the dougnut is 9,000 times better and it's as big as your head. They're very large. And, they have Metropolis Coffee for just a buck. FAIR WARNING: CASH ONLY, TAX INCLUDED IN PRICES. MENU Buttermilk Old Fashioned ...... $2.00 Gingerbread Stack ...... $3.00 Glazed (Chestnut, Vanilla, Chocolate) ..... $3.00 Half-Calorie Doughnut (just a half a doughnut) ..... $3.00 Dollar Coffee (Francois' Favorite) ..... $1.00 PS, The place is also super small, and they close when they run out.

    (5)

  • James B.

    The donuts are among the best, but I can't justify waiting in a line for them more than once in awhile. When I went, I got nine donuts (they had seven varieties, I think), and went through almost all of them in two days. Among the "normal" varieties, the old fashioned was best, and the short stack of gingerbread donuts was good. Sadly, the best donut I had was a double-chocolate frosted yellow cake donut. I say sadly because this was the daily special, so I won't be able to get it any time I want, even though I felt it was head and shoulders above every other one I had.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    After a decent lunch at Theory in River North, we set about to find this mysterious donut place near our office that is causing long lines. It's pretty easy to miss and is closer to Kinzie on Franklin with a nice, light blue mural. The place is tiny and was closed already, so my colleague volunteered to line up this morning to snag a few samples. We purchased the buttermilk and also the ginger donuts and while they were fresher than most donuts you'll find in Chicago, we really couldn't find anything exceptional about the taste other than that. This isn't meant to say that they're bad tasting... just that they weren't as earth-shattering as we'd hoped as it's not easy finding a very good donut in Chicago for some reason. The buttermilk tasted slightly fresher than your Dunkin version, with less sugary icing for sure. The ginger didn't have nearly enough ginger zest for our tastes and the granulated sugar coating could have been nixed. The same goes for the buttermilk donut. I tasted just a smidge of buttermilk but I've definitely had more buttermilky tasting baked goods before (grew up in Mississippi eating homemade buttermilk biscuits). It would be great if they offered a "Buttermilk Pro" donut that has about 5 times the buttermilk flavor and 80% less the sugary glaze. MMMm! just thinking about it! :) If they decide to have more reasonable hours, we could see stopping by every now and again as they're close in proximity... but we simply can't see lining up for these first thing in the morning again. --- UPDATE: This is just to give credit where credit's due and to inform fellow donut lovers about something nearby that might tickle their fancy. Yesterday we had lunch at nearby English Bar on LaSalle just north of Kinzie and to our surprise, they offered to substitute their apple pie with freshly-made donut balls that came with a cup of warm dipping chocolate. Now THIS is the gourmet taste I expected to get from The Doughnut Vault! The donut balls were very warm, just likely cooked and the dipping chocolate was sweet, but not over the top. All too often, baked goods are loaded with sugar but not these. We tasted more of the spices and the texture was perfectly soft, yet slightly crisp on the outside. A new favorite! UPDATE 2: Have you tried the beignets at Grand Lux? It'd been a couple years since I'd eaten there and that last meal was horrendous, worse than bad frozen tv dinners but THIS.. these beignets are amazing! First of all, they seem to want to give you about 7 or 8 tenns ball-sized fritters and they come to the table very hot. There's lot of powdered sugar, but you could just stop there and be happy. But they go on to offer 3 different dipping sauces... a rich dark chocolate, a tangy raspberry and I forgot the last one. Do NOT order more than one dessert with these and maybe should eat a small dinner. They're that substantial and delicious.

    (3)

  • Zarine A.

    DONUTS. I love yeast donuts and these were amazing. I had the plain vanilla glaze but also tried some of the chestnut glaze, and both were excellent, doughy, large, and delicious. I love this place. The "vault" look is fun, too. Best for warmer weather, though, because the only seating options are outside. Or you can go to the merchandise mart across the street and find a place to sit, which I have also done. Cash-only.

    (5)

  • Will V.

    I was skeptical when my friend Dave asked if I wanted to walk over to The Doughnut Vault on Saturday morning. It's more than a mile from my place, and I'd heard about the long lines. But I really didn't have anything else going on that morning, and I hadn't had a doughnut in months. The line was around the corner on Kinzie! I coudln't believe it, but we got in line. If I was with anyone less determined to have fresh doughnuts that morning, I surely would have given up and headed for brunch nearby. My friend brought his dog Frankie with him, and Frankie was the life of the party, getting compliments and pets. Finally we got near the door, and I watched Frankie while Dave went inside to fetch our doughnuts. He was in there several minutes, and while he was inside, I saw a tweet from @doughnutvault saying they only had seven doughnuts left, and I started to panic, thinking our trip would meet with failure at the very last minute. Dave stepped outside mere seconds after the tweet, with a box and two coffees. Success! Unfortunately, quite a few people left without doughnuts that day. Cue the fail horn. We found a nice spot overlooking the river, to eat our doughnuts and drink our coffee. The coffee was great. The doughnuts? In a word, heaven. You'll never have another Dunkin' Donut (look, they're not even spelled correctly) after a successful visit to The Doughnut Vault. We tried each of the doughnuts they had available that morning. My favorite was the pistachio doughnut. It was huge, yet light and fluffy with plenty of pistachio flavor. Heavenly!

    (5)

  • Osiris V.

    I've heard the ravings, so I thought, eh why not check it out. Ange and I headed out on a Friday morning, bright and early, you know now what they say, you snooze you lose. I really think that applies to this place since they sell out in about 2 hours after they open. Anywho, we got there around 8:30 am and there was about 50 doughnut hungry peeps waiting around. My first thought was, man these donuts better blow my f**king mind away!! lol About an hour passed and we finally made it to the front of the line. I got seven donuts. 2 Vanilla Glazed and 2 Chocolate Glazed. Yeast donuts, I thouhgt they were cake donuts. My bad. Perfect with a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. =] I heard theirs was dookey so I didn't get any. To be honest I really didn't dig the vanilla glaze but the Chocolate glaze was was fab. 2 old fashioned donuts (Buttermilk). I thought this was pretty amazing. Again perfect pairing for any cup of joe. 1 Ginger Bread stack (Cake). I was surprised when I bit into this donut. I didn't think I was going to like it but wow, I LOVED them. The only bad thing about these is that they're hard as a rock the next day. Waa waa. Would I stand in line for more $3 donuts...probably not in the near future but if I'm around during the two hour period and they have some left, I'd def stop in.

    (4)

  • C C.

    These are the best of the downtown type doughnut shops. Doughnut Vault's are better than Do-Rite's,which are very, very good. Way better than Glazed and Confused. The chocolate glazed has vanilla and chocolate glaze streaks, which look a bit disappointing, but are fantastic, thanks to the high quality chocolate flavor-- you wouldn't want more chocolate- so light and perfect, but they run out of them real early. Not to worry- they're all good. Being out of the chocolate forced me to try the chestnut and the pumpkin- Best buttermilk doughnuts in the country- yum, yum, yum! Bring cash- about $3 each, but you get 3 of some of the cake doughnuts.

    (5)

  • Allan M.

    It's not bad, but there's no doubt either that the average rating for this place is still WELL over what it should be. (somewhere around 3 to 3.5 would be a lot more appropriate) The chestnut and the buttermilk are about the only donuts I liked, chocolate wasn't bad(but not great), and the rest are average(gingerbread, vanilla). I wouldn't be surprised if the pistachio was also decent, but I don't know when I'll get around to returning here and trying that. I do like that their donuts are slightly bigger than the size of Dunkin Donuts, and comparable in size to some of the better donut shops I've visited in Chicago. My biggest disappointment, even more than their prices(it wouldn't hurt them to knock somewhere around 50 cents to $1 off their donut prices, IMHO), are that(and this is as much as I check their Twitter and Tumblr accounts from time to time) is that they don't appear to offer any creme or custard-filled donuts, nor do they have cake donuts. Which ensures I'll more likely head to other places that actually offer this option(i.e. Bridgeport Bakery, Old Fashioned Donuts, etc.). I will give this place props for marketing themselves so well on Twitter and Tumblr(and probably better than any other business in Chicago), but that only goes so far when I realize this place could be better than it currently is. The cashier who regularly works here(every day? at least she was here the few times I went here) is very friendly. And I mean for Donut Vault, DO NOT be afraid to stir up the pot, and serve some of the classics that other donut shops regularly serve(i.e. apple fritters, custard or cake donuts, etc.). Enough with writing about this place much more. If you seriously have the chance to go to another place serving donuts(i.e. Bridgeport Bakery, Dinkel's, Dat Donut*, Old Fashioned Donuts), I would pick those over DV. It's decent to try Donut Vault once if you happen to be near here on a morning it's open(better if you go in the middle of the week, and preferably no later than 11am if you want to ensure none of the donuts are sold out), but I wouldn't travel hundreds of miles out of your way just to try DV. And of course, it's cash only. *- means I still need to eventually get there, but I believe the reviews and word of mouth I've heard about them.

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    These are the best doughnuts in the world, without hesitation, question, or argument. The basic selection of doughnuts that the vault offers on a daily basis - three varieties of their glazed raised doughnuts, the buttermilk old fashioned, the gingerbread stack, and their seasonal jelly - demonstrates the beauty and genius of what they've got going on. They're not spreading themselves too thin. They're relying on the quality of their product to distinguish themselves, rather than developing ludicrous flavors to satisfy culinary trends (I'm looking at you, bacon doughnuts!). They are controlling the quality of their doughnuts by making a limited number each day and not allowing them to sit for hours and hours and hours, ensuring that each customer is purchasing and consuming fresh, delicious doughnuts as close to their peak freshness as possible. If you are visiting the vault for the first time, I highly recommend getting a box with one of everything and a few old fashioned, just because. The raised yeast doughnuts, absurdly large at first glance, are the finest anywhere. They are light, slightly chewy, and abundantly delicious. The vanilla glaze is a no-brainer, and forms a sweet, fragile crust around the ample surface of the pastry. The chocolate glaze is a bit stronger, a more prominent flavor, and encases the doughnut in an almost candy-like shell. The chestnut glaze is a unique flavor, best enjoyed with a cup of coffee. If you ask the girl behind the counter, this is her favorite, but I will maintain that it is an acquired taste - loved and hated by many. The gingerbread stack - 3 small gingerbread cake doughnuts, covered in cinnamon and sugar - is a choice to make only if you arrive at the vault within the first 30 minutes of business. This is a fragile and delicate beast, but perhaps the most rewarding. See, the gingerbread doughnut has the shortest shelf-life of all of the vault's offerings. It must be consumed at the time of purchase. The shell of the doughnut will be slightly crispy. The inside will be soft and moist. The ginger flavor will be subtle. If you wait, the inside will stiffen and the magic will be lost. The jelly doughnuts - basically the vanilla glazed stuffed with a seasonal jelly flavor - is the most absurdly sweet thing on the menu. I should actually stop ordering it, but they keep offering different varieties that demand sampling. Of all of the seasonal jelly offerings, the finest one has been the Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly that they served last spring. If they bring it back, get in line! The buttermilk old fashioned doughnut is flawless. It is a masterpiece and remains one of the finest confections I have ever consumed in my 30 years of gluttonous life. I must also take a moment to discuss the specials. Generally, the vault will offer a daily special doughnut. On most days, they are simply offering a specialty glaze poured over their raised yeast doughnuts or their old fashioned. In my experience, these work better on the raised doughnuts. The blueberry raised, for example, is superior to the blueberry old fashioned. Other raised specials to look out for include the pistachio and the toasted almond - they're amazing. That is not to say that the old fashioned specials are bad, on the contrary, the coconut old fashioned is just about the finest doughnut to ever be served, as is the horchata old fashioned, which is a rare and delicious special. The specials that you wanna look out for, however, are the cake specials. Most commonly, the vault will serve their birthday cake doughnut, which is a perfectly moist cake doughnut with sprinkles inside and out, coated in a thin glaze. A little less common is the double chocolate yellow cake, which is essentially the same doughnut covered in chocolate. The vault doesn't do a standard cake doughnut on a daily basis, but if you are planning a trip to the vault, I recommend going on a day where they are serving one of these two as the special. It's almost like they're doing themselves a disservice by not featuring some of their finest accomplishments every day. Recently, I had the pleasure of sampling their new red velvet doughnut, which is the finest red velvet anything I have ever had. It is a rare treat to enjoy the product of a true master craftsman in any field, not just the culinary arts. I honestly believe these doughnuts are the best in the world, and the people responsible are true geniuses. I mean, one might say, "who cares, they're just doughnuts," which they are, I guess. They're just sweet fried treats. But I mean, how often are you going to get something that is the best in the world?

    (5)

  • Randy L.

    Built into the side of the Gilt Bar...they actually share the same entryway for the kitchen. The lines get long fast, make sure to get there by 8 otherwise your gonna have a 20 or more minute wait. They offer Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Vanilla Glazed, Chocolate (chocolate dipped/sprinkled vanilla glaze), Ginger Bread, and Chestnut with Toasted Coconut. I had one of each :) The chestnut was the best follow by the Gingerbread Stack (comes in 3's), then the its a tie between the old fashion and glazed. The donuts are a bit pricey but they are definitely worth a try or splurge every now and then.

    (4)

  • Loren S.

    Best doughnuts in Chicago! (Compared to Do-Rite, Glazed & Infused, and Firecakes, that is.)

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    What an amazing old doughnut shop. Expect to wait 30-40 minutes for doughnuts, but it's well worth it. You feel you are part of an elite group if you walk away with a box of doughnuts. They update every few minutes on Twitter to let everyone know how many doughnuts are left so you are not waiting for nothing. My only irritation has nothing to do with the place, but more or less to do with the people that stand in line. One woman came out of the shop when they had less than two dozen doughnuts left. She stopped, turned around and said "they don't have many in there, just to let you guys know." As she walked away with THREE boxes of doughnuts. Thanks tubs. Thanks for letting everyone know after you bought half the supplies. I've encountered some people like this the few times I've been. Get there a half hour early! Really good coffee, too!

    (4)

  • Allison T.

    I arrived at the Vault far too late for any reasonable selection at 11 AM. I half expected a line still snaking around the corner or worse, the chance they were all sold out. Luck happened to be on my side that fine morning and I was able to snag 1 of the last 4 buttermilk glazed cake doughnuts with no line at all. I happily sat down outside to savor my prize. Feeling a tad let down that I only had the buttermilk instead of the famed chestnut doughnut and the fact that this was my last morning in Chicago, I wasn't really expecting much. I was wrong. The doughnut wasn't piping hot fresh, but after one bite I was in love! The texture of the dough and the glaze was just PERFECT. You can always tell how good a sushi chef is by his tamago and the buttermilk is the same for The Doughnut Vault. The next time I find myself in Chicago, I won't make the mistake of showing up too late. I expect to be there prepared at 7 AM (an hour before they open) to have my pick of these heavenly clouds of dough and order at least one of everything. Doughnuts this good are the reason I switched to jeggings!

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Simple and delicious! 4 general choices and coffee....perfect for the girl that gets overwhelmed by choices, lol. I loved the gingerbread stack and would highly recommend getting them. We sat outside at their family style wood table and gobbled up the deliciousness. This place was recommended by my cousin and without a doubt it's a fave for us.

    (5)

  • Cathy B.

    Mother effers...These doughnuts made me wait in the cold for 1 hour and 15 minutes! I felt a teeny bit guilty because I dragged my boyfriend out with me at 9AM in this crappy cold weather... BUT....when I had a taste of this gooey soft delicious donuts, I was like UM HOLY MOLY. I really don't like doughnuts, in fact I hate doughnuts. But I was like OGOSH waiting in line in the freaking cold actually wasn't that bad for these delicious yummy doughnuts! Although the wait was dreadful, I made a cool new friend in line, ate some fattening to die for doughnuts with my daily Starbucks, and experienced something new (IE; waiting over an hour for just doughnuts). Cost is definitely not too expensive - $2-$3 dollars per donut depending on what kind you get and they also have $1 coffee. I loved the layout of the place inside. I thought once you get in, there would be winding hallways and more waiting but once you get in that door, you are seriously near glory! They have this cute old fashion cash register they use but they also play old school rap which I thought was hilarious. Literally, this place IS a vault. Check this place out whether you are a doughnut lover or hater (like me).

    (4)

  • Sean D.

    I had no expectations of the Doughnut Vault upon our excursion to Chicago, and I still don't know how I rightly feel about my experience. I am from St Louis where amazing doughnut shops abound, and you can find top notch doughnuts in almost every neighborhood. Suffice to say I was unimpressed off the bat by being greeted with a line out the door. I have no patience, period. We got there as soon as they opened and waited in line for an hour. An hour later at the counter you've got 7 choices. Old Fashion, Gingerbread Stack, Vanilla, Chocolate and Chestnut Glazed, Lemon Poppy Seed Old Fashion and Raspberry Jelly Filled. We got one of each, except the regular old fashion which was sold out, within an hour! I'm automatically thinking this place isn't making enough doughnuts to meet there demand and everyone waiting in line still. So the pros: Lemon Poppy Seed was possibly the best doughnut I've ever had. Tasted like a slice of lemon meringue pie. Amazingly flavorful. That's it. Cons: long line, long wait. The yeast glazed donuts were big, too big, they were unmanageable. Nothing special, you can get doughnuts like these at pretty much any doughnut shop back home. $3 a doughnut? That's a gallon of gas back home. This place was fine, and I give credit that one doughnut was exceptionally good, but the rest were pretty much average. I don't feel the need to ever return. And wait in line. For a doughnut.

    (3)

  • Barry C.

    A little pricey per donut, but totally worth it! The donuts are huge!! :) They sell donuts until they're sold out for the day!!

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    Believe the hype. I don't even like doughnuts, but these doughnuts are really really good. There is always a line wrapping around the corner, so if you're in a hurry this is not the place for you. On a leisurely Saturday morning though, I'd recommend you give it a try. My husband and I ordered 3 doughnuts to share-- chocolate glazed, chestnut glazed, and a raspberry jelly filled. All completely delicious. Follow them on Twitter for real time updates on their daily specials and what they have left in stock-- a great idea if you're waiting in line or contemplating doing so!

    (5)

  • Christine M.

    YUM YUM YUM YUM!!! who knew I could like doughnuts so much! Got here at 9:15 on a Saturday. I figured I would get there early to be one of the first ones (they don't open until 9:30 on Saturdays). Well, by the time I got there the line was already wrapped around the corner! Apparently people were lining before 9... The line went by fast though and it was so worth it! I got one of everything. It was all good but the Gingerbread stacks were the most amazing things I have eaten in a while! I seriously shoved all three in my mouth at once and I would do it again. Cash only place!

    (5)

  • Daniel C.

    i barely ever eat donuts without chocolate however after waiting in line forever (CASH ONLY) that's all that was left. old fashioned. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS! I was very surprised that I liked it as much as I did because I am a chocoholic! The next time I went I got the chocolate on chocolate and it was AS AMAZING AS A DONUT CAN BE. I got the special of the day mocha glazed with toasted almond and it was just ok but anything would have been JUST OK after that CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE!

    (5)

  • Mickey A.

    Mom and Dad A. approve. This from parents who come from the land of Krispy Kreme (chain) and Southern Maid (local) donuts (or doughnuts, ah ha). On my way back from lunch, I stopped by to see if they (a) were still open, and (b) if so, had donuts left since it was opening day.* If (b) was the case, to find out what time they open the next day. Still with me? I missed the crowd, thankfully, because I was able to snag an old-fashioned buttermilk and a vanilla glazed donut for a total of $5. A little more than I'd pay for a donut, so I was hoping the taste would make up for it. It did. The glazed was big and doughy. It was still fresh and oh, so yum. The old fashioned was so-so to me, but I'm willing to give it another shot. My dad seemed to enjoy it. He wanted to know where it was to get some more during his stay. Speaking of location...If you walk by Merchandise Mart along the Kinzie side (past Kinzie Chop House, Red 7 Salon, and Shamrock, etc.) and turn right at Franklin, the door is just feet from the corner. Look for the stairs (leading to what, I'm not sure) and the Vault door is to the left. I would say you can't miss it, but I did and its big ass sign. Shhhh...Perhaps, you'll see a line as well since the place is teeny but cute. The also offer $1 coffee. How awesome is that? ----- *According to the UrbanDaddy daily newsletter, Twitter, and the employee working that day, the place is open until they run out. They will also be closed Sundays and Mondays, at least for now...I think.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    I have this habit of waking up at 7 on weekends. It's terrible. Now, it's good because I can be productive, but I'd honestly rather have the sleep. So, since the farmers market isn't open yet, I decided to treck on down to Doughtnut Vault last saturday. I got there at 8:45, and the line was around the block already. Lots of self-deprecating humor in the line. 90 minutes later - yes, I waited 90 minutes for donuts - I bought 2 each of vanilla, chestnut, and pistachio. Things I did in those 90 minutes: Watched Arrested Development. Played NBA Jam. Caught up on the news. We really live in the future. Well, when AT&T 3G allows, at least. I walked up to a friends place in the Gold Coast - preempting the calories - and we tried bits of each. These things are massive. Size of a child's head massive. Yet they're not heavy at all - surprisingly light. Out of the three flavors, I liked chestnut the best, but all three were very good. Worth over an hour wait? No, they're donuts.

    (4)

  • Julie S.

    I was in town for a friend's birthday and knew I had to get doughnuts from this joint as her treat. She has tried to go so many times, but keeps missing it. They sell out fast! ...or she goes to work late. ;) I got an assortment of jelly, chocolate, vanilla and gingerbread. I loved the blackberry jelly and LOVED the gingerbread! We thought the chocolate and vanilla were pretty darn tasty too though. They were a little more expensive than, say, a DD, but they were ginormous. Not one of us finished an entire doughnut on our own. The line went really fast and Julie could not have been any nicer if she tried. Super pleasant and efficient. Adorable little space, if really tiny. * Reminder to self that a crystal chandelier can literally go anywhere and make it look amazing. There were rumors circulating amongst the waiters that there may be another location opening in a non-Chicago location. Lucky folks! I wish it was here in MN.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    This place has a lot of very positive reviews. Allow me to explain, with a quote from Friday, the best Ice Cube movie ever: "It's the principle of the thing, Smokey!" I'm a baked/fried dough junkie, and have been for most of my 33 years of life. As evidence, my BMI is not healthy. I've experienced all kinds, from many different makers, across several nations, on multiple continents. I just don't get what the hype is with this place. Yeah, the donuts are good. I'd even say really good. But, for $3 each, I was expecting a LOT more than what I got. Sorry guys, but a Dunkin donut is 0.89. The Donut Vault's donuts are much better, but not 3x the price better. A simple, classic, raised donut should never be $3. I don't care what's on it, what mill the flour came from, how fresh it is, and whether it was made by hand. It's $3. There's just no excuse. I think I might be able to say I've now experienced worse price gouging than the $3 tiny tacos at Bigstar. I ride by TDV on my commute every morning to work, and finally stopped, after passing it nearly everyday for 3+ years, due to the lack of a line. I just don't see the hype. I'd take bakery items from almost any of the Latino bakeries in town before I'd take one from here. There's no quality difference, and I'd be able to get, um, about 5 items for $3. I will disclaim once again that I think TDV's donuts are great, they are. They really are. But not for $3.

    (2)

  • Justin P.

    Well considering I just swallowed some Doughnut Vault this might be a little of a biased review. Yes, there is going to be a line. Yes, its outside. So yes, you're going to be cold (Chicago has a way of making people cold). But seriously once you get what might be the best Doughnuts in the city, who really cares. On today's adventure I got an Old Fashioned, one of each Glazed flavor (Vanilla, Chocolate, Chestnut), a Pistachio (the special), and a Raspberry filled. All were amazing, huge and definitely worth the money. My honest advice is to get there early, dress warmly, and get excited you are in for a real treat!

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    This morning, I found myself in the most peculiar of situations; I'd just ran 5 miles, it was slightly after 8:00, I didn't have work, and it was raining. A perfect storm for catching a rare no-line opportunity at The Doughnut Vault. Special today was chocolate and pistachio drizzle ($3); let me tell you, this thing was absolutely orgasmic. Crispy on the outside, soft and heavenly on the inside, glazed with decadent but not overwhelmingly sweet or copious chocolate and pistachio icing. This is probably my #1 favorite dessert indulgence in Chicago right now. Glazed chestnut ($3) is similar, except with more subtle (yet comparably delicious) chestnut glaze. Not exactly sure why this is a regular offering, but I'm glad nonetheless! The old fashioned doughnuts (tried both the stack ($3) and the regular old fashioned ($2)) are delicious and crumbly, but a little too buttery for my personal taste. I dunno if I'd be as ecstatic about the D-vault if I'd been caught in the usual 1 hour line, but as it stands, this place is unbeatable for a hedonistic treat. If you find yourself unoccupied at 8 on a rainy morning, you'd be a fool if you didn't make the trip!

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    UPDATED REVIEW Noon: I just found a short curly black hair on a donut I bought for my boyfriend. Sad face. ORIGINAL REVIEW 9AM: If you arrive at 8AM you can get a good spot in line. You'll probably be about the 15th person. I wasn't upset by the $3 per donut price b/c: a. $3 for a meal is not expensive b. these donuts are HUGE, like the size of a large bagel (width and length). c. This is a trend food like how cupcakes were/are. So of course they'd be sold at a premium. I would be upset if they were any more than $3. The donut: I've tried the Chocolate Glaze and the Ginger Stack. They are both amazingly soft and slightly crispy on some parts. I preferred the Ginger Stack because although the Chocolate Glaze is delicious with the first couple bites, I had a stomach ache after I ate the whole thing. It's kind of overwhelming, both in size and sweetness. BUT...it is very tasty, especially fresh. For donut lovers, you'll probably LOVE the Donut Vault. For everyone else, try the Donut Vault once for the experience. Would I personally go back? No. I'm NOT a donut lover. I'm just a donut liker. I had a stomach ache from sugar/fat overload and I really don't think a donut is worth the hassle/wait. I'd rather sleep in. NOTE: Cash only.

    (3)

  • Lannie L.

    Visiting Chicago and this was our 1st stop 2 days in a row. It was that good. Both days arrived around 9 am (Th and Fri). No wait. Donuts as big as my face and so delicious. I brought a donut back to Boston with me and still good 2 days later (with the help of a microwave.) I got the chocolate glazed both times. Yum for a severe sweet-tooth like myself.

    (5)

  • Kathleen I.

    They have a food truck that sits on Clark St in the mornings. I stopped by one morning out of curiousity and for $2 bought this double chocolate sprinkle thing. I cannot even express the amazingness of this doughnut.

    (5)

  • Teri Y.

    I have three words to say: Believe the hype. Oh wait, I actually have more than three words to say. Go run 3 miles after eating the big fat, fluffy, airy, and sweet doughnut. That was what I did. I ran the sugar guilt off. Doughnut Vault ftw! p/s: I guess I was lucky for only ending up standing in line for 45 mins(!) since other people waited in line for about 1 1/2 hours?

    (4)

  • Helena G.

    We arrived at 9.40 am and the line was huge. This place is super tinny and has lots of charm! We tasted a few, pistachio, ginger, old fashion milk and chocolate. My favorite was the ginger one but I also liked the pistachio and old fashion milk. The pistachio and the chocolate were huge for my donuts standards. They don't accept credit/ debit cards.

    (3)

  • Tu'ens N.

    Good donuts - I did not wait in the line, they were given to me by someone who did. I would not have waited in that line. It hadn't occurred to me that the donut options in Chicago were so poor because their donuts are just normal donuts, no need to get all excited.

    (3)

  • Gary C.

    Let's gooooooooooooooooooooooo. Holy crap. Story: I was on a doughnut hunt. This was stop number one on my adventure. The wifey-to-be and I woke up one weekday morning and drove from the North Pole to downtown to wait in line for what we hoped to be the best doughnuts we've ever eaten. Little did we know what would happen next... The line wasn't terrible. Quite manageable, really. Maybe because it was mid-week. Maybe it was the time of day (around 830AM). Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was the Spaghetti Monster making my Doughnut Vault experience the best ever. Whatever it was, it was AWESOME. The storefront(?) is really small, that's part of the reason why there's always a line out the door; six people can fit inside comfortably. I peaked over the counter as I chatted with the sweet gal at the old-school register. What did I see? Doughnuts. Racks on racks of doughnuts. And yes, that "hallway" of doughnuts looks very much like a vault. "Half dozen." That's what I said to the gal at itsy-bitsy counter as I bobbed my head to the awesome tunes playing from an iPod. But a half dozen of what? Doughnuts, for sure, but what kind? My motto? K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple, Stupid. So we did, ordering a pair of three kinds of doughnuts: buttermilk old fashioned, vanilla glazed, and chocolate glazed. "Self-control. Don't open the box yet. You can do it" I said to myself as I walked to the car. At this point, the fiancee was contemplating marrying a guy that talks to himself...about doughnuts. I can't believe I made it to the car without opening the box. We ate these bad boys in the car (not all of them, though, because this was stop number one on a doughnut trip). Opinions? Just one: get off your arse and get to The Doughnut Vault because you are missing out on life as you read this. We tried all three before making our way to stop numero two. I'm pretty sure I ate part of the box, too, in part because I saw a sprinkled doughnut on it. And yes, the cardboard box also tasted delicious. And they lived happily ever after. The end.

    (5)

  • Judy L.

    Lines may be long, service is fast and friendly. Donuts are on point. Coffee, burning hot and strong. I am in love!

    (5)

  • Emily Z.

    Doughnut Vault is the best at what it is if not only because there are no others like it. How do you right more than 500 words about a eatery that is less than 500sq feet (I know nothing about square feet so hopefully this is accurate) 1) Glazed donuts are $3 each, cash only, so come prepared. The glazed are where its at, huge and fluffy. My favorite was the chestnut but its an adventure so best to get one of each and share with some friends who will definitely owe you for your sacrifice! 2) Weekday got in line 1st at 8am, 8:25 there were about 5 people 8:35 when I left probably 20. 3) No room to stand inside even when the doors open so dress for the weather. Though it is only a block from the Merchandise Mart stop. A must try. Enjoy

    (5)

  • Jim W.

    Simply the best doughnuts you can find. The only negative I've read was the wait. There's areason for the long lines, IT'S WORTH IT !!!! My favorite would have to be pistachio Congratulations, Chef Patrick...

    (5)

  • Kelsey K.

    These are all fresh and delicious and totally worth the wait. My favorite is the gingerbread stack... It's 3 gingerbread donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar and full of deliciousness!! You will get a sugar high though, so beware of the crash!

    (5)

  • Leilani W.

    Since moving to Chicago from L.A. four years ago I've been complaining loudly to anyone that would listen that the windy city lacks a doughnut scene. Yes, we are bursting with cupcakes. We even have amazing pie (thanks Hoosier Mama). But where were the doughnuts?? And no I don't count Dunkin' Donuts. After weeks of teasing us with pictures of delicious looking doughnuts on their tumblr, The Doughnut Vault mercifully opened today! It did not disappoint. I opted for the glazed chestnut, a yeast (raised) doughnut. It was light, fluffy, fresh and HUGE. To get the idea of the size, it is about 3 times the size of the average doughnut, hence the higher price. The gingerbread stack is their version of the cake doughnut; there are three smaller doughnuts to an order.They are everything a cake doughnut ought to be-- chewy, airy and lightly dusted with sugar. Well done. Hopefully they're still around come Christmas. The space is TINY so don't expect to eat your doughnuts there, I ate mine at the tables outside the nearby Merchandise Mart. Remember, cash only! Also, they do not have set hours. You'll have to check on twitter to see what time they open, they also close when they run out of doughnuts that day. I chatted with the girl at the register and she said they'd like open around 8 or 9AM each day.

    (4)

  • Aurore L.

    "But where is everyone?" That's what I wanted to ask my friend when I arrived, half limping, at the Vault this morning (my left foot was particularly angry with me for reasons that it didn't care to explain). It was a glorified desert. Yes - I am bragging to all of you gluttons who couldn't wait to sink your hungry chompers in a ring of yeasted/caked dough. Sometimes being slow is rewarding. Look at the turtle! It won the race! And I won the donut war! Hurray! (PS - inside tip: Tuesday is their slower day, and they open as soon as donuts are ready, sometimes even before 8 am. Oh no, please, don't mention it) Armed with my $3 (I am always short on cash), I chose a big, fat glazed chestnut donut that I was picturing devoured along with a very large coffee inside the neighboring Merchandise Mart. My partner in sugary crime opted for the same AND an old-fashioned (greedy!). We left the closet (more so than a vault, isn't it?) and proceeding to the best part, tasting. The consistency was nice and chewy, almost fluffy but satisfying and perfect with my hot cup of joe. I have to admit though that I was not overwhelmed with chestnut flavors. My taste buds might have been on strike today (they are French, after all). I was a big fan of the cakey old-fashioned, and would order it again. As I would order anything else, actually. To be totally honest, I don't know what an excellent donut is supposed to be like compared to just a plain regular good donut. I am not that proficient yet. I just know that DV does a nice job and provides a perfect sugar rush when needed at 8 am. I am still limping, by the way, if you were wondering.

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    Writing this based on donuts that someone brought into the office today. From reading reviews, it appears that they charge $3 per donut (and I assume a "stack" is more than one donut). Considering that my first thoughts were "WOW this is an exceptional donut" and "this thing is three times the size / stomach-filling-factor of a DD", I don't think $3 per is all that bad. Admittedly if I'd found out they were $2 each they'd get 5 stars, so $3 per isn't what I'd call affordable. However, as an every-once-in-a-while treat, not too bad. They're some of the best donuts I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Pari P.

    If a store's hours are 8:30am to "until we run out," then you know that you are in for a real treat. From their website, there is definitely a craze for these old fashioned doughnuts. I decided to see what all the hype was about and check out The Doughnut Vault today. It's 10:00am on a Wednesday and the weather is cold and drizzling. The odds are in my favor to miss the crowds. There were no lines but unfortunately, all of the chestnut doughnuts were sold out. I was kind of hoping for one of their specialty doughnuts but I settled with one of their classics for my first time. I'm not a doughnut fan but this was good. The massive and oversized vanilla glazed doughnut was simple and delicious. The dough had a soft and chewy consistency that I wasn't expecting. It was different than the normal dense and boring or incredibly light with no substance doughnuts that you get elsewhere. I can see what the craze was all about. I see why people are going out of their way and driving from the suburbs here.It isn't the kind of doughnut that melts in your mouth but rather it's the kind that you can really sink your teeth into and feel like you're eating something other than just sugar. Call it doughnut with substance, this is not your ordinary doughnut. The people at The Doughnut Vault do indeed have something special that is more than just a hype.

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    The glazed donuts are enormous, which is good because I'm pretty hungry after waiting in line for an hour. The fiancee and I tried the menu regulars: Vanilla Glazed Chestnut Glazed Chocolate Glazed Old Fashioned Gingerbread Stack The vanilla & chestnut glazed donuts were my two favorites; the chewy, yeasty inside of these bad boys was covered in an outside of sticky, sweet-but-not-too-sweet glaze that must have been crafted of sugar and angel laughter. So good. The chocolate glazed unfortunately didn't generate the same hyperbolic reaction, but it was still good. The old fashioned was my second favorite. It had the right amount of bite and a hint of citrus to give it a truly unique taste. As for the gingerbread stack, I can see why it sells even in the middle of April. As a bonus, the old fashioned and the gingerbread stood the test of time and were still good after a day (the glazed not so much). Just a little sumthin sumthin to keep in mind if you're taking a dozen home, which how could you not?

    (5)

  • Ricky R.

    Amazing doughnuts here. There might be a line cause its tiny inside (only one customer at a time) but the doughnuts here are made with the best things ever, including a lot of love. These are the best doughnuts I have ever put in my mouth. They're big, warm and absolutely dangerously delicious. I want one every morning, everyday for the rest of my life. And they're right near my favorite building in Chicago, The Merchandise Mart, they are literally right behind it. Go here, but, please, bring me some.

    (5)

  • Dex Y.

    If you infer the awesomeness of Doughnut Vault based on the hype surrounding it, and assign 100 points to that, the actual greatness of their donuts is about 85. With that said, this place lives up to the hype. Apparently Doughnut Vault has almost gained legendary status among many Chicagoans and even tourists, and it gives Chicago a good name. So I got my first box of goodies after a 1.5-hr wait on a Saturday. The sun was relentless. The line was ridiculously long. Thankfully, the donuts were ridiculously great! After reaching the lovely desk of the cashier, I ordered these without hesitation: Blueberry Old-fashioned Ginger bread stack Buttermilk Chocolate-glazed Chestnut-glazed None of these disappointed. The soft dough felt like cotton and kind of melted in my mouth. Everything was richly flavorful but not heavy. Simply dreamy. If I have to die of hyperglycemia to save the earth, I will choose Doughnut Vault. On a side note, I'm pretty sure the cashier's math skills rank in the top 1% in this country. She greeted me, grabbed the donuts as I ordered, pack'em, and worked out the total within 15 seconds. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Caitlyn M.

    THE best donuts I've ever had. Hands down. And I'm not really a donut person. When I walk by this place I always hope they are sold out so I can spare myself the calories. I've been here 4 or 5 times and it's literally like heaven on the first bite. Any of the cake donuts are phenomenal, I had a birthday cake flavor once that was out of this world. I am glad I don't live in River North or I would be buying bigger jeans!

    (5)

  • Melanie B.

    As part of our new morning ritual instituted for us by the original Loop Brown line shutdown, we've been walking the 4 or so miles to work. This means that we get to the Loop starving and convinced we deserve a treat. Out of the three donut joints we frequent, I think Donut Vault is my favorite. They stick mostly to the classics, but do they ever deliver on them! If the chocolate old fashioned is available, get one: so crunchy and soft and chocolatey all at once. The glazed donuts are the size of tires and worth every calorie, and they made me realize chestnut absolutely should be a flavor we see more often. Be prepared to be annoyed at your co-donuteers. The vault is, well, a vault, and there's room for like 6 people at a time. This means 10 people will be trying to squeeze in. They are the worst. Try to control your anger because these are so worth your trouble.

    (5)

  • Ha Be N.

    Definitely a gourmet doughtnut! I loved the old fashion doughnut and make sure to call before going as they do run out.

    (4)

  • Stephen C.

    Great place, I love the Mocha, Pistashio and Almond glazed. the coconut old fashion is also good. I wish they had a boston creme like Do-Rite has. The only negative is that the line can be very long.

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    This places offers delights that are definitely better than your average donut. My girlfriend and I came here 2 mornings in a row while on vacation in Chicago. We tried the raspberry jelly, the chestnut glaze, the vanilla glaze, and the old fashioned. The donuts are a bit on the pricey side, but are all large, fluffy, and yummy. My girlfriend kept raving about them in between bites. The coffee, which tasted like a dark roast, is only $1 a cup. It's flavorful and complements the donuts really nicely. The place looks really cool from outside with its bright blue door and tall signage. The inside is tiny--basically a hallway--so be ready to quickly take your business outside after you get your goods. The girl behind the counter was very helpful and sweet as she rung up customers on her snazzy gold vintage register. You can check updates of specials on their official tumblr, but make sure to check their Facebook page for live updates every morning. They can start running out of flavors really quickly and even run out completely by 10:30am.

    (4)

  • Peter D.

    Been twice since Saturday. I highly recommend the iced coffee or just plain, black coffee first and foremost. I know right, why not recommend the donuts first? I've only had the gingerbread stack and the old fashioned and I really like both of these. I don't see myself ever getting a glazed just because they are too massive. Beware of long lines and make sure to get there anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes before they open if you want to get a doughnut on a Saturday or any weekday morning. The line dies down after 9:30am on weekdays. I don't think I'll be back during the rest of my two weeks here in Chicago but this place is definitely the best shop for fried dough in the city. Dough in Brooklyn is still my favorite.

    (4)

  • Stephen S.

    If you look at my recent Yelp reviews you'll notice a flurry of doughnut posts as I've been hitting up several of the established heavy rollers (get it, doughnuts, rolls?) to determine my favorite doughnut in the city. If you're up on the scene, you'd know that doughnut vault has to be a serious contender. What made this trip a little more tricky, however, was the rotating specials calendar. Doughnut Vault has a few basic daily offerings as well as a special doughnut of the day and a seasonal jelly filled. I stalked the calendar for weeks and narrowed down to a few selections that I wanted to try in order to ensure my trip to Doughnut Vault was well spent. This particular week the stars aligned and Birthday Cake was the special for the day of my doughnut excursion. In the end, I sampled the Birthday Cake, Vanilla and Chestnut Glazed, and Gingerbread Shortstack. I'll have to say, my devotion to the Birthday Cake doughnut to draw me to the Doughnut Vault was not worth it as I thought this was the weakest of the doughnuts. The crumbly, cakey, doughnut was good but I thought that the cake doughnut was much better expressed in the smaller form factor of the Gingerbread doughnuts rather than the larger Birthday Cake doughnut. I loved, however, the soft, fluffy, yeasty, glazed doughnuts, which fortunately are available daily. If I were to make a return trip to the doughnut vault I think I'd eye that specials calendar for a special glazed of a flavor that enticed me. However, I really liked the Doughnut Vault, wouldn't say it's the best in Chicago, but I like it a lot more than some of the fancy doughnut places I've come across in other cities.

    (4)

  • Alyssa P.

    So I read about this place last week while clicking around Yelp for places to try out in Chicago... and I couldn't wait to stop here for breakfast. When i arrived on Tuesday morning at 9 there was already a line 15 deep. While some people were in and out, others ordered a dozen donuts and kept the line from moving. I made it into the tiny shop after about 30 minutes. The girl behind the counter was super friendly and rang me out quickly. I ordered a stack and a vanilla frosted. Both were incredible!! These donuts are right up there with the ones I ate in California a couple years back ( yelp.com/biz/sweet-o-don… ) Both have left me wanting more.. and both have made it impossible for me to ever have another Dunkin Donut or similar variety. If you've got the time pleasssse go to The Doughnut Vault. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ngan D.

    Cute concept! People seem to love it. We went on a Friday morning at around 10Am and there was a short line out the door. At around $3 a donut though, I thought they were expensive and not worth it. We tried every single one including the pistachio donut. On taste - I think crispy cremes donuts when they come hot out of the fryer are tastier! My friend says the donuts tasted better the second day. I'll have to take her word for it. Also, they don't take cash.

    (3)

  • Rick C.

    These donuts will bring people together. Not the donuts themselves, but the wait. As every minute ticks by, and more people walk out with boxes of donuts you can feel the mob mentality kicking in. "How long have we been waiting here" "Did they tweet how many are left" "I know that lady didn't just walk out with 5 boxes" We got in line around 9 on a Friday morning and waited about an hour. After we walked out, there were probably about 20 left with about 60 people behind us. You can tell these are good, quality donuts. Well made and quite large. Will I wait an hour for these again? Probably not, but I enjoyed what I tried. I probably prefer the ones at Dat donut, but they're totally different beasts and that drive is too far for me. I'd recommend this place to those willing to deal with the anxiety about possibly missing out after waiting in line for an hour. The donuts are quite good.

    (4)

  • Anna V.

    GOD. are you serious? Really? Apparently yes. Doughnut Vault exists as a little outcropping of Gilt Bar and is the only one of the Sodikoff series to be open in the mornings. I am not much of a sweets person. I don't really care about dessert and I almost never crave baked goods (though there are a handful of exceptions). Even though I have a rare soft spot for yeasty dunkinesque donuts, the double glaze a la krispy kreme is usually overkill - and I do think the Vault's vanilla glaze was excessive for me. The one type of donut I like is apple cider donuts - cakey, soft, spicy, and covered in cinnamon sugar. THESE GINGERBREAD DONUTS ARE A SIN. They are fantastic. They do taste like gingerbread, but only faintly. Luxury breakfast. The hours suck. Still worth trying.

    (4)

  • Char Y.

    finally completed my doughnut journey in chicago! i waited in line for 1 1/2 hour in the freezing cold and got one of each doughnuts, and they were absolutely delicious! best out of all the doughnut places i tried in chicago.

    (4)

  • Mark K.

    Very good doughnuts. Are they worth the trouble of getting them? I'm leaning to "no". Here's why: - Open too late in the morning. Most bakeries open around 7 or earlier, so people can get things for breakfast before work. By 8:30 everyone is already in the office, but even if you start at 9 and think you can grab something from here and show up here at 8:30, you'll be either late or hungry because: - The Line. It reminded me of the old country in the late 80's and early 90's. And not in a good way. I showed up for the open at 8:30 and got my stuff at 9. And The Line was even bigger by then. And you have to mostly wait outside, which might be an issue in Chicago in the (normal) winter. - The selection is pretty thin. I guess it makes the line go faster since there is no waffling between decisions, but you can try all the varieties in one visit and where is the fun in that? Again, the doughnuts are good, I especially like the old-fashioned. But I'll probably go to Do-Rite next time.

    (3)

  • Carrie S.

    I had a serious donut craving last week, only made worse by a thread about donuts on one of my other sites. It came down to going to Dunkin Donuts and being okay with meeting my donut craving or going to Doughnut Vault to finally experience their creations. After following the Doughnut Vault on Twitter for months, I finally had an opportunity to stand in line for some delicious doughnuts I dreamed about on a Friday morning. Soon after my meeting, I raced over to the Brown Line and hopped on to stand in line for donuts. Luckily, my wait for donuts wasn't that long. There was a bit of a wait as more chestnut donuts were being brought up. I picked a chocolate glazed and a buttermilk for my first foray into their donuts. My hunger got the best of me as I waited for the Purple Line train to pull up, so I bit into one of my donuts: chocolate glazed. The donut is an interesting mix of yeast and cake based. It's pillowy, but has amazing structure. I ended up nursing this donut most of the morning with some milk. By the end of the day, my buttermilk donut was calling to me. I thought about saving it and sharing it with my husband, but that didn't happen. Instead, it was my afternoon snack. The buttermilk donut blew me away. This is the buttermilk donut of my dreams. It's perfect with a dense milky cake and a nice crunch on the outside. This is the donut I want all of the time now when the donut cravings strike me. Overall, my first visit to Doughnut Vault was a successful one with my two picks. I'd go back for the buttermilk donut any day because I know others just won't compare to that one.

    (4)

  • Kenneth Y.

    A little small mom and pop shop that reminds you that some of the great finds in the vast city of chicago can be hidden in such a confined and cute little shop.

    (4)

  • Suzy D.

    We came here on Saturday morning and waited for an hour in the rain. The line was long and moved very slowly, but we figured it was okay since we'd be having amazing donuts. We ordered the buttermilk, ginger stack, vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut. We really enjoyed the buttermilk and the ginger. I felt like the glazed donuts were really huge and the texture was good, but they did not blow me away. Overall, the donuts are good, but for me it was not worth standing in line for an hour...in the rain. However, donuts are not one of my favorite things. If you're a donut person, this might be a dream come true for you.

    (3)

  • Mariah V.

    As if I needed to go to Doughnut Vault the morning after going to Maude's and Au Cheval... but these doughnuts were awesome. A doughnut shop built into the side of Gilt Bar - random but genius. The inside is small, but more reminiscent of Maude's than Gilt with the blue color scheme and brick walls. In true Sodikoff fashion, they managed to even work a chandelier into this tiny place. I came on around 9am on a Friday morning and the line was maybe 6 people long. Getting in was really quick, and the girl working was able to serve people really quickly. I bought the gingerbread stack, vanilla, chestnut, buttermilk old fashioned and the special of the day, pistachio. The old fashioned was perfect - a little smaller than the glazed donuts, dense on the inside and a little crunchy on the outside. The vanilla, chestnut and pistachio were super yeasty, light and humongous. Gingerbread doughnuts are more cake-y, and come in a stack of three. I wouldn't wait over an hour on a Saturday, but I'd definitely pop in on a weekday morning from time to time. It's cash only, though. Also thank you Brendan Sodikoff for spelling it "doughnut," because I really hate donuts.

    (4)

  • Jane K.

    Gave this place a try because a friend had recommended I come and I was so glad I did. Came 10 minutes past 8 am and there was still a good number of people in line. The special of the day was the blueberry old fashioned but being I was in town for only a few days I splurged and also purchased the chestnut glazed and the raspberry filled doughnut. All the doughnuts were warm, soft and not too overly sweet which was pretty surprising as most doughnuts I've eaten are usually baked with way too much sugar. The cup of coffee (iced or hot) for a dollar was also a plus. I also wanted to try the gingerbread stack and vanilla glazed but forced myself to limit the number of doughnuts I purchased that day. The cashier was very nice and spent time in giving me some recommendations even though there were quite a few people behind me in line. I didn't feel rushed while making my decisions. And even though it was pretty crowded there was ample seating in front of the store so I was able to sit and enjoy my doughnuts outside. I definitely would fly back to Chicago for another visit to the Doughnut Vault.

    (5)

  • Carmen B.

    Similar to many, I had a great experience here! Wonderful buttermilk cake doughnut, also tried the gingerbread stack. A few notes from the super nice gal at the counter... Demand has increased during the week, they will usually sell out by 11ish. I arrived at 1030, the pistachio was sold out and there were few core flavors left. You can also follow on twitter and FB for updates. If you are doughnut lover and are willing to stand in line on Saturday, these will inform your decision. I would definitely return DURING THE WEEK! Great staff and the product is very good.

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    oh mah god delicious sweetness melting in your mouth im not sure if i loved the donuts because i've been on a diet and havent had a donut since forever ago or if the place is just amazing, or both.... but i ended up buying 3 more to take home after the first two.. :3 the pistachio donut is amazing and you can definitely taste the hint of that pistachio flavor as you om nom nom on it. i also had the original buttermilk which was also yummy, but that pistachio donut... so good. i'd definitely would come again to try the other special flavors. i just wish the donuts were warm, which would've made them 129312039x yummier. i could totally just imagine that donut glaze melting in my mouth in the bitter cold weather. too bad it wasn't as romantic as it could've been. also, there was barely a line when i went in the morning. people were getting in and out pretty quickly. i think the longer lines are usually during saturdays when people don't have to go to work in the morning? anyways, 4.5/5 for not so warm, yet dericious donuts. coulda been 5/5 if it was served hot :'( EDIT: OMG SO I BOUGHT SOME TO TAKE HOME AND I JUST ATE EM ALL.. AND NEW FAVORITE FLAVOR: CHESTNUT. it's like an orgasm in your mouth. it tastes so goooood. very strong, rich flavor, just the way i love my donuts whereas the pistachio one is a bit more subtle. gingerbread stack is good too if you're a fan of gingerbread. not as sweet as the glazed donuts, but it's definitely got the gingerbreaddy kick to it. buttermilk was good too, but doesn't shine compared to the glazed ones in my opinion, probably because i just have a really strong sweet tooth. overall, i tend to like the sweetest and heaviest flavors, which ended up being the chestnut one. but i'd recommend the pistachio one for people who aren't reaaally crazy about sweets but still want that sweet love in your mouth. i will be back.

    (5)

  • Pauline H.

    5 stars for gingerbread stacks! it's kind of like a churro- but better' 4.9 stars for vanilla old-fashioned the original donuts aren't as amazing and a little bit greasy. :/

    (5)

  • Thomas S.

    After hearing much about the Donut Vault, I had to give it a try. The donuts are tasty, but not exceptional. There's some mystery surrounding the place (odd location, cash only, limited hours) that enhance its appeal. The owners market themselves as too cool to market themselves, I suppose. The donuts are no better than what you'd find at a decent, non chain, local bakery. Much of the praise I suspect is from those too embarrassed to say they wasted the morning waiting in line. This is similar to people who spend 3 days getting to Ayers Rock; then upon seeing it, say, "Huh?" When they return home the trek gets lots of praise because it's uncomfortable admitting so much vacation time was wasted. Too harse?

    (2)

  • Swati B.

    Super yummy. Went on my birthday for a birthday cake donut..pretty good stuff...waited about 10 minutes which is not bad at all...maybe because it was january...the coffee is a bit dark and strong but not bad. A bit on the pricey side..but definitely the best donuts i've had in a long time just wish they had been piping hot ps these donuts are HUGE (the gingerbread stack is damn good!) they have a facebook page and a twitter acct that tells you how many people in line and how much stock they have left...pretty cool, just sucks they dont reply back to you if you ask them a question. CASH ONLY ps no where to sit and eat! take it and GO!

    (4)

  • Joyce C.

    Let me preface by saying that these are not my favorite doughnuts. They are pretty good, though. I do appreciate the fact that these are handmade/ handstamped and that they are fluffy and light and use quality ingredients. But the wait and the hours really suck. We waited an hour for 8 donuts. 2 chocolate glazed, 2 vanilla glazed, 2 raspberry jelly and 2 buttermilk on a chilly Friday morning. We got there a half hour after they opened with 30 people in front of us and almost exactly an hour later we are literally hoping that they didn't run out. Thankfully they didn't and they were seriously gigantic (a half dozen comes in a box that looks like it would fit a dozen other puny "donuts" from somewhere else). The vanilla glaze was good but I thought it had a little too much glaze, and the buttermilk suffered the same fate. The chocolate glazed I thought actually needed more glaze. The raspberry jelly donuts though, really great. Tangy filling with just a simple granulated sugar topping, yum! I'd say if you're in a doughnutty kinda mood and you have an hour to waste, you should come waste it here. But, get here early or you'll be cussing out the other patrons as they walk out with full boxes and you're left empty-handed!!

    (4)

  • Lavon K.

    Unhinge your jaw and get ready for the best donut you've ever tasted. I had the chocolate and chestnut. The chocolate donut took me to a happy place and the chestnut donut took me to heaven. Simply delicious. Their coffee was also very good. It's strong so it's pairs nicely with the sweet donuts. Be prepared to wait for probably at least 30 minutes and be assured the cashier is working as fast as she can. She's no slacker. This place is super cute and looking forward to going again.

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Doughnut Vault is without a doubt the coolest doughnuterie you will ever enter. decorations are spartan but baller, same as the doughnuts~ they really do have the best old fashioned in the city, though my favorite was probably the chestnut. only drawbacks to this place are the limited hours and variety/quantity of flavors available daily.

    (4)

  • Glen W.

    Good doughnuts, yes. Worth waiting in the cold for hours? Not even close. Skip it.

    (3)

  • Eric T.

    Huge Doughnuts. Great Taste. Great Price. Entirely Worth it! I just wish they were open more hours of the day. They open and stay open until they run out of doughnuts. I have often missed them because I don't have the time to stand in their long lines or because they run out. But this is entirely worth it. Try their doughnuts!

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    The gingerbread stack completely changed my perception of doughnuts. These are fluffy inside with a crisp exterior and not even a trace of the filmy oil that usually coats poorly made specimens. Most importantly, there was plenty of gingerbread and cinnamon goodness! Other doughnuts I'd recommend ordering: pineapple glaze and any of the jam/preserves filled varieties. I'd definitely recommend this establishment; small batch quality and freshness win out every time. As for price, I'd say the price is more than fair - its on par with any cupcake bakery around and worth every penny. The minor inconvenience of waking up early to queue for the privilege of eating them is worth it.

    (4)

  • Rachelle B.

    Several weeks ago The Doughnut Vault opened up around the corner from my office and Chicago has never been the same since. All I keep hearing people talk about is "OMG did you hear about this new doughnut place!??!" Especially River North people. While the actual Doughnut Vault location is teeny tiny, the lines are not. They're very LOOOOONG. Like 100+ people long. Like wait for an hour long. And, as you know the weather these past weeks has been anything but good. So, why would people wait in line in the cold and rain so long for a doughnut? Well, the doughnuts are homemade in small batches, using high-quality ingredients, fresh every day. The Doughnut Vault makes about 300 - 350 doughnuts and they sell out in just a couple hours. They open up between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., Tuesday - Saturday. You have to check their Twitter to see exactly when they're opening.. or just go out there and get in line early. There's always a line before they even open. On Twitter you can also see what flavors are left and when they're sold out for the day. And they're really active on their Tumbler site. They post foodie porn photos, give tidbits about doughnuts, and answer people's questions. So, homemade, small, fresh batches and active social media... it's the key to a doughnut frenzy. In my office we couldn't stop talking about The Doughnut Vault and trying the doughnuts. Finally last Friday, my coworker stood in line. For a long time. For an hour. In the rain. When it was 40 degrees outside. The maximum number of doughnuts you can get is 6. He got 6. It was $17! My coworker knows that I've been wanting to they the doughnuts so he gave me my pick. I chose chocolate glazed. These are not small doughnuts. The chocolate glazed was actually twice glazed, once with a vanilla/sugar layer and then chocolate on the top of that and some chocolate sprinkles mixed in as well. The inside of the doughnut was soft and fluffy and the outside had just enough crispness from the fry and the glaze. These doughnuts were dang good. To tell the truth, though, i can't remember the last time I ate a doughnut.. so I'm no connoisseur... but yeh.. omg.. Delicious. Especially since I didn't have to wait the hour in the rain!

    (4)

  • Jon S.

    On a Saturday morning this past December, my fiancé and I braved the cold for these donuts (it was her idea). Among the others waiting before the place opened was a man in his car with his two pre-teen children in the backseat. They were both shivering and one of them wrote on the window "it is cold." It was cute so I promised not to call social services... Anyway, these donuts are great. I prefer the gingerbread stack and the old fashioned over the raised donuts (whose frosting is intensely sweet ... I could feel cavities developing in my teeth when I bit into the donuts). Even so, she and I were able to finish a dozen donuts in a 24h span and then got tested for Type II diabetes. Nonetheless, we will be back.

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Yes, they are really expensive for donuts, but they're ginormous and delicious. I've tried them all and they're all amazing. Tip: check out their twitter feed before you go later in the morning. They post periodic updates on how many/what kind of donuts they have left.

    (4)

  • Erica G.

    Chicagoans are all about good food so I had to give the city's best doughnuts a try. We got there at 9:45am Saturday morning and after standing outside in below freezing temperatures for 1 1/2 hours we finally made it inside. This place is an in and out joint, with enough space for a 4 foot counter, one worker taking orders, boxing and operating the register and maybe 5 people in line. It's literally as long as the hallway to my bathroom, and I live in a studio. After you get the doughnuts there is no place to sit down and eat. You either have to go back where you came from or run and find a starbucks like we did to thaw out and taste what we frost our butts off for all morning! The doughnuts are larger than life and different than the average "glaze" but it wasn't anything spectacular. Maybe I'm just not than into donuts... All in all, it was a fun experience and the specials are funky and different if I could've been there 30 min prior I probably could've gotten my hands on one. I'll probably go again, but will wait until the summer when it's not bitter cold.

    (3)

  • Amigo L.

    I tried couple flavors here and love them all.

    (4)

  • Stacey K.

    After moving away from Chicago, I came back for a visit and I finally got to try Doughnut Vault. First, I'd like to say I love that they post updates on Facebook. I would have never stopped by the shop if it weren't for those updates. Second, when I walked into the little shop I saw an old friend. Turns out he makes the doughnuts, so I knew they would be tasty. Now, to the doughnuts. When I got there, they had vanilla glazed and buttermilk left. So I got two of each (to share with some other people). They were so tasty!! The buttermilk, was cakey, but still surprisingly light. Now, I'm not a big fan of thick glaze, but the amount of icing on the doughnut was actually extremely well done. The glaze itself was not too sweet and the doughnut itself had enough texture that they complimented each other so well. I can't wait to go back to Doughnut Vault!

    (4)

  • Lisa A.

    I like big doughnuts and I cannot lie. So big and &1 coffee. What else do I need to say? Well the doughnuts are $3 a piece so I guess $1 coffee is just to make us feel happier about buying the most expensive cheap doughnuts ever. Lines can be long but, check twitter for doughnut stats. One time I was just a few shy of being the last group in line and saw people get rejected. It was actually really sad to see people get sent home without doughnuts. So mean.

    (4)

  • Anne A.

    Wowzers these doughnuts are so delicious they will blow your mind away. I had the chocolate glazed with sprinkles and it was literally to die for and I'm not even that big of a doughnut fan (I prefer cupcakes instead). I hear usually there is a line, but I went at 10 am on a Thursday, and no line. Beware, they close when they run out, which was about an hour after I arrived. Bonus- you can get a coffee for only a dollar. Really good coffee too, and I'm very critical of my cup o joe.

    (4)

  • Scott A.

    In what will surely be the immortal words of Homer Simpson... "mmmm donuts". The Doughnut Vault is a must try and sure winner if you're looking to impress the boss or set the right tone at a morning meeting. Unlikely your audience will ever have seen such donut sights as the ginormous glazed donut behemoths that Doughnut Vault serves up. The vanilla was my favorite with vanilla beans you can see in the glaze. I didn't try the vanilla/chocolate but it looked impressive as well. The toasted pistachio I thought was perhaps a bit too subtle in pistachio flavor for pistachio lovers and I probably would have preferred the pistachios placed in the glaze to be less finely ground. The buttermilk old fashioned and gingerbread stack donuts will be much more familiar in terms of size and looks. While these latter two I found to be excellent, I'm not sure they lived up to the Doughnut Vault hype of being the "best" though certainly others will disagree as I saw first hand. All-in-all, I struggled with whether to give five or four stars. I wasn't sure if I was wooed as much as by my first warm Krispy Kreme, variety on any given day is limited, and is the fact they are hard to get good or bad? At the same time even with all the forthcoming hype I found the vanilla glaze to be amazing, the quaint store itself is without question the coolest donut shop I've ever had the pleasure of stepping into, and without even taking your first bite you will have a feeling of specialness just for managing to actually have perhaps one of the most sought after and hard to get donuts (go early) in all of Chicago in hand. Does life get better than this? Four or five stars... One thing is for certain, you should definitely experience The Doughnut Vault at least one.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    The best doughnuts in Chicago. Big, super airy and fluffy for the glazed...just amazing overall. Depending on the day, you can still get doughnuts into the early afternoon, but all bets are off for Saturday. What more can I say? If you have some time in the morning to kill (and doing so in the nice weather is highly recommended), stop by the DV and pick up a box, you won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Diana P.

    I was never a doughnut person, until I had my first date with this place. It's nit just hype, they really know what they're doing and they are doing doughnuts to perfection. Literally, the buttermilk will melt in your mouth and leave you speechless. Who knew a doughbut could do so much good. I tried all they had and would not recommend the stackables. One of the glazed doughnuts could easily be shared with 2-3, however, you may not want to after you try. Buttermilk are by far my favorite (& a fav of many) but those are smaller. Adorable place, come early and on a week day and you won't wait long at all. Both times I went at around 830 and went right up to order. Okay, will continue dreaming of my next date at the Vault...

    (5)

  • Diz C.

    Maybe u are thinkin what i used to before coming here. How good can a damn doughnut be? 50+people lines? After hearing the hype forever- i notice a tweet: "NO LINE!" So i figure i'll finally find out what the big deal is. i order one vanilla glazed, & one old fashioned, & head toward work. i reach into the bag & tear off a bite of the vanilla glazed. & instantly it all becomes clear. The insane lines, the "holy hell man, u havent tried doughnut vault YET?!" comments from friends. I don't know how ya make something as simple as a doughnut, THIS DAMN GOOD! it was soft, the glaze wasnt that almost fake, plastic-ish crunchy type glaze like@ most spots, but perfect. im POSITIVE even unglazed, these things would be amazing. How does one seriously convey how great a doughnut is?!? i don't know their secret- but trust the reviews, & the word of mouth, & check this spot out if you can. they truly ARE wonderful.

    (5)

  • Erica I.

    I was hoping by now the line wouldn't be so long on a Saturday! But I was wrong. I waited around 30 minutes for my doughnuts, and it was worth it. BUT the price wasn't really worth it. $3.00 for 1 vanilla, chocolate or chestnut, and they are really huge, but if you're like me and get 1 of each (5 total) so you can try them all out, it'll cost ya $14!! In my little hometown of Indiana, you can get a 1/2 dozen for $5, and they are just as tasty. Ok enough about me being cheap. The vanilla was my favorite, and then the chocolate (which is just pretty much the same thing with chocolate on top), and the other 3 (chestnut, buttermilk, and gingerbread) were tied for 3rd place. I would love to come back and grab a vanilla doughnut if I'm in the area, but I made a special trip to try these today, so it's not very likely.

    (3)

  • Kari F.

    Best place to indulge on the most delicious melt-in-your-mouth over-sized piece of doughnut heaven. Just wish for a nice day cuz you will wait in line outside. I can't give 5 stars because on my last visit they gypped me on one doughnut that I paid for. I didn't do a count before I left and had to split with someone that didn't get a full one. Tragic for something so delicious.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Tasty Treats While I cannot say waiting for doughnuts is an encourage-able activity. I would propose you spend the time to: 1. Find this place 2. Order one of each 3. Do not share with anyone Quirky space, great doughnuts and I love the Dayton, OH cash register!

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    I was waiting in line this morning, then I realized how dumb it was to wait in a line for doughnuts. I walked over to Glazed and Infused on Fulton street, the doughnuts were just as good. Best part? No line, and no worries of "running out". I guess some people must like waiting in line.

    (2)

  • Amanda P.

    Was here for the first time on a cold January morning. After that visit, I woke up a week later craving it. So, so good. Everything is delicious here. Go. You will wait in line. But who cares? The answer is no one. JUST DO IT.

    (5)

  • Ben C.

    Ok, let me first state that I hate waiting in lines. Whether it's for a club, food, coffee, drinks, whatever....I don't like it and avoid the places/hours where this is an issue. Yes, there is a mighty long line if you find yourself on Franklin early Saturday morning waiting for Donut Vault donuts. I got dragged there by my lovely girl and all the while I complained, she assured me it was worth it. After 40 minutes and an empty Starbucks cup, I was over it. And that's when we entered the Vault. We ordered three (3) donuts between the two (2) of us and wow...freaking amazing donuts. And who cares if the donuts aren't the best in the world? Part of the experience is waiting...if you could just walk up there and buy these gems, I guarantee you they wouldn't taste as good. Suffer in line and you shall be rewarded. Oh, and donuts aren't easy to make. Do a little online research and you'll discover that making good, homemade donuts is an involved process and the Donut Vault is doing a tasty job. Enjoy. Oh, and $$$$ because these are a little expensive for donuts. But whatever.

    (5)

  • A J.

    -My boss is, on occasion, a raging a-hole. -He'll sometimes realize when he's pulled some major a-holeish moves. -A few weeks ago he tried to redeem himself by way of The Doughnut Vault. -And stood in line, in the rain, for 25+ min, for some fried dough g

    (4)

  • Richie D.

    Cupcakes and frozen yogurt were the treat of yesterday. While doughnuts were "the food hit of the century of progress" during the 1934 Chicago's Worlds Fair, I announce that they have made a come back. No, I don't mean doughnuts of mass production that you would find at Krispy Kremes or Dunkin Donuts...Heck, DD can't even spell doughnuts correctly! I'm talking about fresh DOUGHnuts baked in small batches each morning. And when I say small batches, that's just what it is. Here's my story: --Last week: "Oooh new doughnut joint in town. Looks super cute from the photos." [Added The Doughnut Vault to my Yelp "To Try" bookmarks.] --This week: "Must have doughnuts!" (While working on homework trying to keep my priorities in mind.) --This morning: "We open around 8:45 today! Start the line!," shouted my iPhone's Facebook app as I scrolled through my updates in a morning daze. THIS was my chance! No school, no work, just doughnut time! I networked with my friend Patricia and shot over to the Vault arriving at 9:15 am. Being that it was a Thursday, the line was only to the cross street of Kinzie. A harsh (had to be non-Yelper) comes out nagging, "There's only 3 shelves left! You will all get some, whereas the rest of you (as she places her arm in front of my friend and I) probably will be out of luck." Even worse, she walked away with 2 dozen in her arms. I kept stepping one foot at a time...right...left...right...left...thinking about how much I hope those doughnuts give her jelly rolls and kept my eyes on the aged painted brick menu and baby blue door with my order in mind. The bakery's aroma sweets didn't help the wait. I had to no longer gossip with my friend to prevent slobbering. We eventually entered the door and saw a glimpse of Parisian paradise. Various old-fashioned mirrors on the walls with a glistening chandelier above the fancy stainless steel coffee pot and vintage (still working!) cash register showing single digits for the number of green bank notes you owe. Worker: "We just ran out of the Buttermilk Old Fashioned." I remained optimistic that something, anything would remain on the stacks... I had arrived at last. The employee was super sweet and jamming to the rap music that was blasting and a bit out of place (it'd be better if it were French rap at least. Oooh it exists.). Before I knew it, I had my hands on a brown baggie of a Cinnamon Stack (3 Cinnamon doughnuts) for $3 (whereas the Old Fashioned are $2 a piece and Glazed are $3 each). Maaaaan, I bit into one and could taste the fresh cinnamon (not that canned spice crap) with a soft interior and crispy hole. Doughnut heaven! The DV blog states, "Some speculators even believed that you can tell the state of the economy by the size of doughnut holes. When doughnut holes are large, times are tough and vice-versa." Well obviously the economy is improving since the doughnut holes are about the size of a nickel and the lines go down blocks. They have it all under control...keep a low supply and high demand. I'll be back and am driven to have one of your specialty doughnuts soon enough, Chef François!

    (5)

  • Nate P.

    My wife and I stopped here this morning.... Ridiculously long line....check Ridiculously long wait....check Ridiculously good doughnuts...CHECKMATE We arrived at about 8:15 and there was already a long line wrapping around the side of the store. After the doors opened it took a good half hour to get in. I mean, c'mon, let's be honest, the wait is bordering on egregious, but hey, I had to see what the fuss was about. The fact that it was a glorious, sunny morning and we were being showered with the oh, so sweet smell of freshly made doughnuts made the wait much more bearable. If it was a cold, 20 degree day, I would have said, 'f it.' As for the doughnuts: We got one of each and I personally had the chocolate glazed and the buttermilk. Both were absolutely out of this world. The flavors in the buttermilk doughnut were beyond anything I've ever had and I can report that four hours later I am still enjoying the pleasant, doughnut flavored burps that continue to surface every now and then. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Someone below says that the Doughnut Plant in NYC is much better. Definitely disagree. I'm not saying Doughnut Plant is worse, I'm just saying this place is easily equally as good. If it's a nice morning and you have some time to spare, do yourself a favor and check this place out.

    (5)

  • Mandy P.

    Two rare things happened today. 1. I was afraid I would be mugged for the box of doughnuts I carried with me through Streeterville to get to work. 2. Something actually lived up to it's hype. I am more than satisfied with paying $3 for one of those big @ss doughnuts. Doughnut Vault: You turned this admitted cupcake fanatic into a believer.

    (5)

  • Niki C.

    After walking past here on several occasions, we finally stopped in today after getting a tweet that they were open. The line wasn't bad at all --- only a few feet out the door & a few minutes. I kept getting tweets - chocolate was out. Now gingerbread or something was out. Now only vanillas left! (which was fine - I was going to order the vanilla anways) 7 left when we got to the front of the line & I could feel the stares on our backs. Were we going to order them all?! Were we going to be the ones to disappoint the people behind us? Nope. One for me, one for him. At $3 a pop, I still think they're too expensive. I mean seriously. $3. for A doughnut. But while I can't say it was worth every cent, I can say it was divine. A fluffier, poofier, non-greasy version of Krispy Kreme. Yum. Our doughnuts were gone before we sat back down at our desks, a block away. We'll be back, but not every day or every time. These puffed breakfast treats are too rich (money-wise) for my taste. PS: CASH ONLY

    (5)

  • Sean D.

    Get the coffee with the vanilla donut and you are looking at less. The Vanilla doughnuts are the best in my opinion, everything else is okay. But I'll be going back for coffee and the vanilla.

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    Waited an hour in the hot sun in middle of July. Unfortunately, not worth the hype, people! Yes, the dough was better in texture and taste than most, even slightly better than Krispy Kreme, but too sugary, too expensive, too not worth standing in a line. Do it only if you are a tourist who wants to say been there, done that!

    (3)

  • Jason C.

    Yes, I am a sucker for waiting in line an hour for these devilishly delicious doughnuts (I'm assuming the 3 that I ate in one sitting probably made up my entire ideal caloric intake for the day). But hey, I have sweet teeth. Yes, you read that right. The bad: the long line, sporadic opening hours - their website said between 8-9am but I believe this has recently changed to a hard 8:30am time, so at least doughnut fiends (guilty as charged) have a definitive time to get their fix in. The good: They're ALL good and the french press coffee for $1 ain't too shabby either. Since you're more than likely to wait in line, even for a little bit, my suggestion would be to get all three kinds (old-fashioned buttermilk, gingerbread stack, glazed - chestnut, vanilla, chocolate) and snack on them throughout the day. Ok ok, I guess you can share them too. Oh and if you're claustrophobic, brace yourself when you get inside. It's called Doughnut VAULT for a reason. Don't forget to bring cash.

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    This place is not unlike your trendy cupcake bakery of choice circa 2008: the goods are hella delicious, but at the end of the day it's still just a donut. This review is based solely on the donuts themselves: not the hype, the crazy lines (avoided this), etc. I had both the chestnut and the chocolate glazed. Both were Amazing; both were soft, doughy, and had that slight yeasty taste that a donut should have. The chocolate glaze kind of reminded me slightly of Yoo-hoo, but I didn't consider that a bad thing. The chestnut was the winner though; it's flavor had a certain je ne sais quoi about it. It's supposed to be (chest)nutty, but is that a hint of maple and/or mocha in there? Good stuff. Now for the Pro Tip: tell the boss you have a Dr.'s appointment, and get to Donut Vault around 10am on a Tuesday. There will maybe 5 people ahead of you, and you'll be able to pick out your donut of choice without everything being sold out.. Sorry, DV, it's sad but true: outstanding product, but would not feel it was worth the serious line-time. If you like waiting in crazy lines for food that's worth it, by all means, try that little burger place out on W. Belmont.

    (4)

  • Jaleesa S.

    Woke up @ 7am to beat the line (mission accomplished) ..only to purchase a mediocre donut. Had the chestnut glaze and the featured birthday cake. The chestnut wasn't bad at all but not worth the $3..and the birthday cake tasted like sugar..just sugar. I'll take Dunkin Donuts' blueberry cake at a fraction of the cost before I go back to this place.Overall they're okay donuts definitely not good enough to write home about

    (3)

  • Ellen M.

    A cute (read: TINY), grab-and go-doughnut shop around the corner from Gilt Bar. They have a walk up window in addition to a very small indoor counter area. The glazed vanilla (raised) doughnut was delicious - light, fluffy and GIANT. As mentioned in previous reviews, it is about 3x the size of a normal doughnut. You could see real specks of vanilla bean in the delicious, sugary glaze. And I ate it all...quickly. They also had chocolate and chestnut glazed, but were already out when I was there at noon. The buttermilk (cake) doughnut looked great as well, but I had a hard time justifying getting 2 doughnuts to eat by myself. Maybe next time with a friend. Cash only, with no formal hours. Check on twitter to see when they open and get there early -- they close when they run out of doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Natalie H.

    Previously on the Doughnut Vault diaries... Before I could not give 5 stars because it lacked a definite opening time. Well, mad props to DV for working out the previous kinks. Now with an 8:30 weekday, 9:30 weekend opening, plus doling out once again, the most awesome pillowy, sugary flavorfest ever to grace my lips, you have earned those 5 stars. I still had to line up at 7:50 on Saturday, but at least I knew when the golden gates would welcome me inside its sweet, sumptuous folds. In truth, I may not have tried for doughnuts again if some sick, twisted pastry temptress had not announced prior that Toasted Coconut Cream was going to be a special on Saturday. Oh Doughnut Vault, you make it so easy to be so naughty. I am convinced that anything tire-shaped that Brendan Sodikoff touches will turn to pure gold - the edible kind. The BEST kind. I'm talking about Coconut Cream-filled doughnuts. This smooth, luscious nectar-laden confection was bigger than a fist, too thick to really fit in my mouth (that's wut she said), and sweeter than the look on Bobbie Flay's face when he loses a throwdown. The fat pillowy doughnut was sliced and then stuffed with the dense, smooth, buttery tropical cream, and then topped with shredded, lightly browned toasted coconut. For those who think the other doughnuts are too thick and doughy, this doughnut has the perfect filling to dough ratio down to a science. I laughed. I cried. I walked away looking like Stay Puft Marshmallow man just had a * really * good time with my mouth. Doughnut Vault, keep those flavors coming. Black Forest, Bruleed banana, Meyer Lemon pound cake, Sweet potato/pumpkin pie, and Maple Apple Bacon/Dark chocolate bacon would be some flavor combinations I would gladly trade my firstborn for. And all the extra sleep I would miss every Saturday.

    (5)

  • Duncan S.

    Eww, hydrogenated oil, pic shows it on the first page of their website with their pic of shortening, ....healthier to get a glazed donut at dunkin donuts. Who knew...And $18 for a half dozen...yikes

    (1)

  • M J.

    What an expensive treat! Thick, fresh, cake shaped into a doughnut. Had the chocolate and buttermilk. Buttermilk was awesome, the chocolate smaller than the buttermilk - not sure why. 2 doughnuts = $5. Plan on spending about $3 a doughnut. I'm sure if you have one of these for breakfast, it would carry you through lunch. The line phenomenon is intriguing. Luckily, no one was in line when I stopped by -- WINNING! They are very active with social media - Twitter. I had to wait about 2 minutes for Lady to count her inventory and post it on Twitter. Yes - she counted each type of doughnut and posted. Would've made sense for another person to do that, but i guess only 1 human being at a time can fit behind the counter. I tried, I liked, I'll be back.. when i get a raise. Meanwhile, i'll mooch off others at work that buy 6 at a time.

    (4)

  • Bil G.

    Line up early, friends, it's worth it. I'm particular about donuts. I know donuts. I AM donuts. They are a part of me. This place has a lot of hype going for it right now, and rarely will I say this, but it's worth the hype. In fact, this place probably doesn't have ENOUGH hype, because it's that awesome. It's worth paying $3 for a single donut. They are huge, firstly. One donut is a square meal. Secondly, they are amazing. Like, shoot-a-man-into-space amazing. These are the best donuts within about 2,000 miles. Probably even more. Furthermore, the low price of the coffee balances the high price of the donuts, and the coffee is pretty high quality. Best bet: weekday morning (good weather morning if you can manage it), show up by 8 AM, wait in line, make some friends, buy the glazed of your choice. Old-fashioned ones are also amazing. Brown Line commuters, you have the best shot, this joint is right off the Merch Mart stop.

    (5)

  • Ted P.

    The good: Everything they sell is tasty. Everything. The bad: 1) Waiting - even when I was first in line, it's still a wait.. Rainy days seem to be better (no surprise). 2) Price - the doughnuts come at a premium price. Ultimately, the price and the wait were worth it - the doughnuts were fresh (and most still hot) and all were hands-down the best doughnuts I've ever had.

    (4)

  • kelly c.

    Cash only, will open around 10a and stay open until they're sold out. Effing amazing, adorable donuts. And the tiny vault is like walking into France. I love you guys already, after one visit. Dipped fluffy donuts are $3 - chocolate, vanilla or chestnut. Old fashions are $2. Coffee's a buck. Right around the corner from Gilt Bar. What's not to love? Lay down, cupcakes, the donut revolution has arrived.

    (5)

  • Eliza S.

    Waited in the insane line for an hour on a Saturday morning. Needless to say, it lives up to the hype. I ordered the vanilla glazed and birthday cake-both of which were pretty much the best doughnuts I have ever tasted, and I'm not exaggerating. The inside of the place is really cool. I was wondering why there were only 1-2 people going inside at a time when someone would come out, it's because it's super tiny and has one little counter, which definitely adds a unique vibe to this place. Moral of the story, I will wait in this line every weekend if that's what it takes to have this deliciousness.

    (5)

  • Josh C.

    Awesome doughnuts, get there early and avoid Saturday if you can. You buy them individually, there is no dozen or half dozen pricing and they are expensive (about $3 each). It's also cash only! Get your coffee elsewhere, know what you want and keep the line moving!

    (5)

  • Virginia T.

    On a mild Saturday morning we waited about 45min to order. We got there about 10am, 30 minutes after they opened. When we got in line, it snaked around the block. It was kinda fun talking to the other people waiting on line. The line moved slower than we thought it would, though- be warned. The Doughnut Vault is a very, very, very, very small place. There is one person working-fills your order, takes your payment. There is a line of maybe 10 people that extends from the counter and that is it. They added a nice enclosure around the door to help out in the winter months. Their regular menu is: glazed (chestnut, vanilla, chocolate); gingerbread stacks; buttermilk old fashioned; plus a rotating special (this day was pistachio but they ran out before we got in there.) The glazed doughnuts were bigger than I thought they would be. They are most certainly big enough to split. The chocolate ones are just vanilla glazed with added chocolate glaze. All of them had a substantial amount of glaze. They were pillowy and had great texture. The chestnut was my favorite glazed doughnut. The gingerbread stack had good flavor and cakey texture, not too sweet. They (3) were sugar coated. I loved the crispy bits on the buttermilk old fashioned doughnuts, especially since the middles were so soft and creamy. The buttermilk old fashioned were probably my favorite overall. I'd love to try some of the specials sometime. They also have Metropolis coffee for $1. One size. For one gingerbread stack, 2 buttermilk old fashioned, 2 vanilla, 1 chocolate and 1 chestnut glazed with a coffee was $20. The counter employee was friendly, too. I think it was worth the wait. I will be back. CASH ONLY.

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    This place is ridiculous, was in line for 1.5 hours expecting to be wowed...obviously the line causes the hype. The donuts were nothing out of the ordinary and way overpriced. I could have gotten better donuts at Krispy Kreme. I bought 1 of every flavor they had to offer and was not impressed at all. The frosting on every donut was thin and crumbles off each time you a bite so you just end up with plain donut and a lap full of frosting crumbs. The jelly donuts were mundane and tasted like welches fruit jam from a squeeze bottle. These people are charging $3.00 for a donut! Are they on drugs? I rather go to Molly's cupcake and spend that money on something that tastes so much better. Of course these people make only 300 donuts a day and have only have one person boxing and ringing you up. They make a crapload of money selling overpriced donuts and keeps a line formed outside so people will think they're special. Don't be fooled by the artificial hype....not worth the wait or the money.

    (1)

  • Ashley L.

    They open at 8 am and had to get there by 7:30 to stand in line. Thinking these must be amazing if we are standing in line for them. Once they opened, the lined moved slow. It was uncomfortly tight squeeze. Once up to the counter, the girl was friendly telling us what flavors they had. We got one of each and were on our way. First thing I noticed was they were cold. They tasted like they were made the night before. The yeast donuts were airy and melted in your mouth. The cake donuts were off on texture. Overall I thought it was average. Not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Seema A.

    Great product, work on the service. I went here the day they opened to get a nice treat for my coworkers. They say they open at 8:30a - they didn't until at least 9:10a. Nice treat, yes. Enough? No! They only allow you to get 6 per person. If I had known that earlier, I would have brought more coworkers!! The crowd pleaser was the glazed at $3 each. The old fashion was unique - but more like a sweeter cake doughnut. Also, if you are expecting a receipt - don't. They don't even have the ability to do so. They should work on the business aspects of running the place. Especially when you wait in line for 45 mins. You want to be fully satisfied with the experience. Also, CASH ONLY! If you have to run to an ATM, go across the street to the merchandise mart (which is where I ran while my friend held our place in line) ;)

    (4)

  • Christine F.

    I feel so hip, now I can review this place. I didn't want to deal with that pain in the ass line, so I haven't tried them until now. A co-worker brought some in for us today, and I got to sample several types. Good stuff. I had a vanilla glazed and an old fashioned (well, one or two bites of each....I'm not that much of a glutton). The vanilla glazed was fluffy and pillow-y inside, and it had a sweet glaze on the outside. It was pretty good. However, I liked the old fashioned more, which had a rougher outside and was covered in sweet baby jesus glaze. All in all, it was pretty good but it wasn't as good as Top Pot in Seattle. I wouldn't stand in an excessively long line for these donuts, but once the hype simmers down I might make the trip out to the store itself.

    (4)

  • Tony S.

    Is the place worth the hype? Is it worth waiting over an hour for a doughnut? I'm not entirely sure. The doughnuts are wonderful and some of the best I've ever had. But don't come waiting for hot doughnuts. This certainly isn't Krispy Kreme with the 'Hot' sign. My biggest beef is the layout of the place. It's almost like going to a speakeasy to get some illicit contraband. The place is that small and your willingness to wait is the secret knock. Also, they could have one person serving and one taking the cash to speed things up. Bottom line: if you are a die-hard doughnut fan this place is worth a visit. You can decide if another visit is worth the hassle.

    (3)

  • Amanda R.

    My 3 stars should really be 3.5, as I really do quite enjoy this place. The donuts are a solid indulgent breakfast option; they just didn't blow me away the way I wanted them to. That said, I'll definitely be back. But I'll probably go to Dunkin for a cream or jelly filled more often. I walked right up to the counter for my donut on a rainy morning without any wait in line (there was no line!), so if you're an infrequent visitor, I'd say to plan for slightly off weather in order to avoid the wait. I do have to wonder if the walk to work in the cold caused my donut to cool. If I had eaten it while warm would I have been in love? If I discover they're served warm and waiting to eat was a mistake, I will definitely update this review.

    (3)

  • Mary M.

    The old-fashioned doughnut is the best. The glazed doughnuts are ehhhh (definitely have had better). The glazed and jelly doughnuts are huge but it doesn't really make up for the quality. I personally liked the gingerbread stack and crave them from time to time, but people I have went with did not like them very much. Honestly, this place is just all hype. Just by making their hours so short, it makes the place seem exclusive. My first time, I waited on a Saturday morning for 1.5 hours. The wait was not worth it. The doughnuts are not bad but for the price and poor customer service it is not worth the bother. By poor customer service I mean that there is only 1 cashier/register, long lines, cash only, poor hours, and the doughnut you waited for might not even be available when you get to the front. I hate raining on the parade because I was really excited about the idea of a great doughnut shop, but don't waste your time!

    (3)

  • Rapeepat C.

    Went there at 8am on a saturday morning (because I read on their blog that they open around 8am-9am). The line was already at the corner where I stood there jiggling from the cool breeze. 45 minutes passed, the store hasn't opened! Not that I'm complaining. They did say it was going to be anytime between 8-9. So don't be giving them low star points just cos the long wait and unpredictable open time. Donut points for their ginger stacks freebies they hand out for us. It really kept us waiting ^^. Reassuring that the store will open in about 30 mins was like "awww....damm..." Finally the store open!! Quick tip, you can only get 6 donuts max per person! CASH ONLY. So if you go alone, pick wisely. To me, the donuts were still great the next day if you just nuke them for 15 secs in microwave. Third day tho, not so great... The glazed donuts are HUGE!!! But it's so light and fluffy. Think dunkin donut that was puffed up on yeast steroids! It's like...almost as big as my face! (realistically, it's like a size of a cd?) Chocolate glazed was the bomb! I totally recommend this.

    (5)

  • Chad N.

    We waited in line for about 1-1/2 hours. I expected fresh, warm, moist doughnuts with the glaze still dripping. Instead, we paid $3.00 for a glazed doughnut with chocolate glazing and $3.00 for a old-fashioned doughnut plus $1.00 for coffee. What we tasted seemed to be no different than I Krispy-Kreme doughnu, except higher priced. The doughnuts were not even warm, but they were somewhat moist.

    (2)

  • Brian T.

    Now that I'm an old man, every bite tastes like deep-fried guilt. I picture all the extra situps and pushups and cardio I should be doing to burn off these calories and I weep. My tears drip all over the dozen doughnuts exploding out of my cargo short pockets and I have no choice but to eat them, too. Nobody wants to eat doughnuts with tears on them....nobody but me. Here's a tip: get here late. It's a roll of the dice. You may end up empty-handed & they probably won't have the flavor you want but you'll avoid the line...

    (5)

  • Buggin O.

    Overpriced doughut sold out of a closet. $3 for one doughnut?!?! Can't understand the daily long lines. Not worth your dough, even with the dollar coffee special.

    (2)

  • Zsiberian N.

    Loved everything about it except coffee, need to give it another try.

    (4)

  • Reyna P.

    I arrived a little after 9 am (30 minutes before opening) on a Saturday morning. There was a line around the corner. That was expected. Ended up having to wait until a little after 10:30 to order. That was expected. But when I finally got my doughnuts, I expected to bite into rich deliciousness at least a notch or ten notches above Dunkin Donuts. Honestly, if I hadn't stood in line for over an hour and didn't know where the doughnuts were from, I would not have been able to tell the difference. It wasn't warm, it wasn't moist, it was just okay. I probably won't be going back just because it ate an hour and a half of my life I will never get back, but if I did, I would probably stand in line an hour before it opened and hope to get some fresh doughnuts to see if they taste any different.

    (3)

  • Shane T.

    tasty fresh donuts and strong coffee:D if this doesnt wake you up then the chest rattling music might help

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    Damn you donut vault.... why must you have opened 1 block from my doorstep?! And 4 months before my wedding? I'd better have my tux taken out now.... OK... these donuts are delicious. I was skeptical while standing in line, thinking to myself, "why the heck am I standing in line for a donut? how good can it be? Why isn't it warmer out here? Why is it starting to drizzle on my head??" The answer (to the second question), my fellow yelpers, is absolutely sublime. Beware the line, the 6 donut per person limit, and the early sell out (I got there at 930 and they were out of gingerbread and chocolate). But YUM-O!

    (5)

  • Aaron G.

    Do NOT go to this place on Saturday unless you want to wait in line for about an half hour or longer. I went again on a Tuesday and the lines was about a ten minute wait. The donuts are really good. The Old Fashioned doughnut is $2 not bad because Dunkin Donuts charges about a $1 for theirs. If you are a donut fan and would like to try something new it's definitely worth checking out.

    (4)

  • Erica W.

    Delicious doughnuts (the best I've had outside of Italy!), good $1 coffee, and a very cool building. We tried the mocha doughnuts and can't wait to try the other flavors.

    (5)

  • Deez N.

    Dont get me wrong, I thought the donuts were really good. But with all the hype (1 hr wait in line) and the price, i guess its really hard for a donut to meet those expectations. Tried all 3 different types of glazed, the gingerbread stacks, the jelly, and the buttermilk. I love buttermilk donuts, and these were solid. Actually, everything is solid here. Chestnut was my favorite glazed. The stacks were very good too. I just had a hard time paying $30+ for not even a dozen. And also waiting in line for close to an hour (so add another 3-5 bux for parking meter). I will say tho, the cash register lady was awesome and her spunkiness and friendliness definitely add to the experience of buying donuts here. Sounds stupid, I know, but shes pretty awesome. All in all, happy I tried em, and theyre very good, however, I dont think I could wait for em again. Its one of those things where if im in the area, and im craving something sweet and theres no line, ill prolly grab one.

    (3)

  • Laura K.

    Add me to the "Don't Believe The Hype" group. Went here this past Saturday and waited on a ridiculous line. I don't mind waiting if it's worth it but sadly, this was not the case. I feel part of the hype stems from their ultra short operating hours. I cannot believe this place is only open for two hours on Saturdays. By the time it was our turn, we got the last three buttermilk old fashioneds and a gingerbread stack. They were sold out of the regular and chocolate glazed and while I wouldn't have minded trying them, I was really there to try the buttermilk. I think my boyfriend said a silent prayer of thanks that there were some of them left. I felt bad for the people behind us...they would yell out when something sold out but the only people who could hear were maybe the first 10-15 people in line. They should keep the rest of the line informed as well. The verdict is they were good, not great. My favorite doughnuts in the world are at Doughnut Plant in NYC and this place just doesn't reach that level of greatness. I enjoyed them but were they worth waiting for? Hell no. I should have walked over to Xoco to have churros and chocolate instead. So if you go by and the line is small, I say go for it. They were tastier than your average doughnut but I'm sure there are a number of places in Chicago where the doughnuts are just as good or better without the wait.

    (3)

  • Emily R.

    Like a boss I dropped in at 10:45 and found ZERO patrons in line. I was in and out with two glazed lovelies in less than 5 minutes. Yes, they are as good as everyone says. In fact, they are better. They'd even be worth the wait if there were one....

    (5)

  • Allison V.

    We stopped in here before a short road trip. They have a simple menu which makes things move along pretty good. The donuts are big and fluffy. The only ones left were the Chestnut Glazed and the Vanilla Glazed donuts. Coffee is a buck and if you like cream and sugar, that is provided at a side table. It is a tight squeeze in here, but cozy all at the same time. I am not a huge donut fan, but these were super tasty. I really wanted to try the gingerbread stack, but that will have to wait for another time. They must be good because they were sold out of them. I think this a great place and I look forward to trying their other flavors. Coffee was okay. Bike parking on the street.

    (4)

  • Karen G.

    Huge. Delicious. Vanilla. Glazed. Fluffy. Doughnuts. The place is as big as my closet, but the glazed doughnuts are as big as my face. The closet is beautifully decorated there is a small seating area right outside. My friend and I went on a rainy Thursday morning so there was no wait, but a constant flow of people getting the giant donuts. 3 bucks for a glazed doughnut and only a dollar for coffee! I got the vanilla glazed and I was wonderful. A perfectly not too thin, not too thick, layer of sugary sweetness. The ratio of doughnut to glaze was divine. My friend got the chocolate glazed, which is the vanilla glazed with a chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles on top. I could have done without the sprinkles but it was still tasty. I prefer the vanilla though. I really wanted another after I devoured my first, but my love handles thought better of it. Maybe tomorrow. Which, we did. Doughnut Vault, take two! I got the same vanilla glazed doughnut and it was just as good as when I first tasted that delightfully sweet sugar. Love.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    Driving along the street that borders the north side of the merchandise mart, you dont expect to see much save a few toy dogs, a bicyclist or a C-class... Then emerges a line that wraps around the block and I am suddenly aroused. The next 2 times I drive past the entrance all i see is a little sign... "SOLD OUT" I am going to see what this is about so i get up early Monday morning and march down to Kinzie and Franklin at 9am and there's the 'sold out' sign... turns out They're closed Mondays. Take 4, Tuesday morning. Donut Heaven. I don't remember the wait time or the price because i am still day dreaming about the luscious chocolate that seems to drip off this fluffy and airy delight. Old Fashioned? New Hotness... I had no idea donuts could taste like this. Thanks Julie. I can't get enough.

    (5)

  • Scott X.

    Worth the wait. While waiting in line on a Saturday morning, I was told the lines are even longer on weekdays. Get there early, because they close when they are sold out (between 11-12). Also, bring cash! (no credit cards)

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    The hype is bigger than the bite. Spent many a morning trying to get my baby and myself out of the house in time to get a doughnut from The Doughnut Vault. When we finally made it, we stood in line for 15 minutes and got one of every flavor that was left: vanilla, chocolate, chestnut, grape-jelly filled, birthday cake and old fashioned (which was my favorite. Honestly, it was overpriced and underwhelming. The doughnuts were good, but not worth $3 a piece and definitely not worth the extra effort and anxiety it takes to get there before they run out (or run out of the flavor you wanted.) They even had this awful, loud metal music with lots of curse words playing while we were in the shop--that was a little disenchanting, especially with baby. Anyway, not worth all the hype in my opinion. I prefer a doughnut shop that is open until a set time--like Glazed and Infused (which is also pricey, but more worth it if you ask me) or Firecakes (same story.)

    (2)

  • Lauren W.

    While on my way to brunch Saturday morning, I walked right past The Doughnut Vault. Imagine my surprise when the line was less than ten people long as opposed to the half-block I am used to seeing. Holy lucky! I dug into my purse and was surprised to find a $20 left over from the night before. It seemed that this doughnut was meant to be! By another stroke of ridiculous luck, I ended up with the last doughnut. The only choice left was chocolate glazed and it was DELICIOUS! Big, fluffy, glazed and chocolatey. Heaven. And $1 coffee? Even better. I'll willingly wait in the future. Cupcakes, move over! I'm a convert.

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    Question: Is it worth getting up super early on a Saturday to be in line 40 minutes before they open to get a donut? Answer: YES, if we're talking about The Doughnut Vault and their AMAZING vanilla glazed donuts!!!!!! Heaven. I also tried the pumpkin, gingerbread stack, chocolate glazed, honey bun, and buttermilk....all very good but I loveddddd the vanilla glazed.

    (5)

  • Ted W.

    I tried this place because of all the hype surrounding it. As I waited in line for over an hour, I thought several times about giving it a maximum of three stars maximum because of the ridiculous wait. I kept wondering why they would have more people working and why the line was moving so slow. When you get inside though, you realize how small the place is and that they really move as fast as the can. I still don't understand why they don't cook more donuts as they run out though. I got in line at about 8:30 and when I got to the counter at 9:30, 4 of the 7 donuts were sold out. It looked like there were about 30 donuts left, so I feel bad for the 30 or so people in line that wouldn't be getting any, which I guess is a common occurrence. The donuts themselves are really good. And I thought when I heard they were $3 each, that seemed like a lot, but they really are big, so it doesn't seem that bad, especially given the location. So given it is kind of difficult to rate this place. Donuts alone, I would give it a five, but how could I give a five to somewhere I said I would never go back too. I will never go back there though to wait in an hour line for a donut, no matter how good they were. My time is too valuable. However, if they were to expand, open another location, or when the hype dies down, I will certainly go back to try one of the kinds they sold out of when I went. If you really want to try them, my advice is to come to terms with the fact you are going to wait in line for an hour and get there at 7:30 and be toward the front of the line when they open to get the full selection. If you get there at 8:30 (like I did) you wait the same amount of time and don't necessarily get the ones you want.

    (3)

  • Ryan L.

    This place is pretty cool. We waited in line for over an hour while we kept getting twitter updates on how many donuts were left. A half dozen per person is the max and that is what everyone was getting. My favorite is the chocolate. It is by far the best and is possibly the best donut I've ever had. The rest are just average. The coffee was not good. Definitely pass on the coffee. Person behind the counter was super cool. Overall review: Would definitely come back and would get a half dozen max. We got a dozen and 2 coffee's which was $36 bones. Ouch!!! Chocolate was amazing. The rest ok. I really like the look of the place from the outside. And the fact that is has a Harry Potter 1/2 or 3/4 address is hilarious. Very cool place.

    (4)

  • Bob W.

    Not worth the wait or the price. They only offer fairly standard donut flavors but not exceptionally good ones, especially at three dollars a pop and a thirty minute line. The chestnut glazed came highly recommended but it has almost no chestnut flavor worth mentioning. I would go to Do-Rite Donuts since I have never seen a thirty minute line there, the options are more diverse and the donuts are just as good if not better.

    (3)

  • Joe E.

    The Doughnut Vault is probably one of the best doughnut places in Chicago. They open early in the morning and sell doughnuts until they run out. It does vary from day to do... especially depending on weather and if it is a weekday or weekend. Sometimes I stand outside and wait for half an hour and other times I walk right in. I suggest arriving 15 minutes or more before they open and be one of the first in line. This way you will get your choice from all the doughnuts they offer. Whatever you decide, just be sure to buy one of each type that is available.. this way you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Garrett B.

    So, you're up early on a Wednesday morning, middle of the week, and on the way to work in Chicago, you suddenly get the strongest craving for sugary, fried dough and your mind (and smartphone), races for an outlet to your culinary crisis. If you or a friend you know suffers from this same situation, then you suffer from LPDS, Lack of Perfect Doughnut Syndrome. Hi, I'm Garrett B and I used to be just like you, a Chicago food lover who couldn't encounter the perfect place to cram his face with succulent and saccharine sweets of a hole-y nature. That was until I found the Doughnut Vault and my condition, and life, was changed. I no longer felt tired and apathetic as I scarfed down these glucose-induced gifts of the gods and my day soon regained meaning. My story is a simple one my friends. As I arrived at the Doughnut Vault temple 10 minutes before they opened, I was gladdened to find only 10 people in line. Once the doors opened and I handed my financial sacrifice to the pastry gods, I noticed I was out in less than 4 minutes. While walking down the street back to work with a box full of moist morsels under my arm, I felt like the most important man in the city. Once I was in a calm area where I could sit and focus upon my purchase, I heard my Glazed Chocolate screaming at me and soon my hand began to move on its own towards the suicidal treat. I then gripped the doughnut with both hands, holding on for dear life (yes, it is the size of a burger) as my lips and tongue caressed the air-soft mattress that is the dough itself, but not before taking down the soft yet perfectly crispy icing on top. With my first victim devoured, my sugar high had only just began and I soon eyed the Stack O' Gingerbread and sampled the next snack in line. Each donut hole of the stack seemed popcorn-sized next to the Glazed Chocolate but I quickly found their appeal. Each bite was as if I was sinking my teeth into a sugary cloud made of sugar (yes, sugar redundancy is necessary here), and I found my self chowing down until the end when my only disappointment was that there were no more Gingerbread Stacks to be had. Last but not least, as I am a gentleman, I saved the Old-fashioned Buttermilk for last. A tasty and tactile tease that leaves nothing to the imagination. The creamy icing fits perfectly into the ridges of the doughnut's texture and hits you with all of the good doughnut flavor you may have experienced as a youth. Nothing exactly surprising about the taste, but just a d*$^ good doughnut and nothing to be trifled with. If you are suffering from LPDS, do not call your doctor because he will tell you to eat some yogurt, a salad, or something healthier with more substance than a doughnut, but if you are willing to actually have some fun and good memories in life, then hop on down to the Doughnut Vault, where breakfast is more than just a passing-phase.

    (4)

  • Trevor G.

    Sign in door today says "CLOSED FOR SUMMER VACATION UNTIL JULY 6TH." While I like supporting local businesses, I'm afraid that closing in the middle of summer is why folks end up at St*rbucks instead.

    (1)

  • Becky S.

    Heard about the Doughnut Vault on urbandaddy, so I thought I'd give it a try. I wandered up 20 minutes before opening, was second in line. As the crowd grew, I doubted the sanity of all of us. But then it opened. I had the old fashioned and a vanilla glazed. The old fashioned was dense and just the right amount of crispy - perfect for dunking in the dollar French Press coffee. The glazed was extremely thick and melted in my mouth. I'd compare it to Krispy Kreme, but this was so much higher quality. I'll definitely be back - and definitely recommend everyone check it out. Tip: today they had a limit of 6 donuts per person. Bring friends if you need a bunch!

    (5)

  • Annie N.

    yuuummmmm. SOOO good. woke up early on a Saturday morning, we went to bed early on a friday night just for the Doughnut Vault. We knew the line was going to be a pain so we prepared ourselves with games on cells, and a very small snack before. Got there at around 8:50 and the line wasn't bad. However it very quickly got really long, as people started to get there around 9am. The door opened at 9:30 and one by one people entered and exited with boxes and boxes of doughnuts while avoiding jealous and somewhat angry looks from others in line. We finally reached the Vault's door at around 9:45 and entered it with excitement. The inside was so tinny - there was a family in front of us and another couple behind. Only one cashier was working but she was really fast. The special doughnut was Pistachio, which was DELICIOUS to say the least. We bought one of each and also coffee ($1 each). The doughnuts were spectacular. They smelled, looked and tasted like heaven. I am not a big sweet fan and I still dream of them to this day ( we went there a week ago). I loved loved loved the chestnut glaze and the pistachio. They were big, soft and just simply amazing. Didn't get a good taste of the Buttermilk because my boyfriend inhaled the whole thing on the way home - but from seeing it disapeared, I am certain it was good. This place is a must try, whether you are a doughnut fan or not. I wish I had bought 2 boxes instead of one because I've been having craving for them and my boyfriend thinks the doughnuts are not worth the 1 hour line. Get there a bit early, because as we were leaving, the line were super long, almost to the Merchandise Mart brownline entrance. Cash only, and prepare to bring about $20 bucks - expensive for doughnuts I think - but not for this type of doughnuts. Also bring someone to avoid being bored in line. Maybe bring a tiny snack to prevend fainting in line (in case the line gets long).

    (5)

  • Donna C.

    I originally heard about his place from a friend's FB post and finally tried it. True to the story, I waited about 10 minutes to snag my doughnuts. The buttermilk and the gingerbread stack are to die for. Totally living up to the hype. I found the glazed to big and doughy. A bit pricey but the young girl behind the counter was so friendly that it cut the sticker shock....

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    Best doughnut I've ever had. Perfect balance of flakiness, chocolate and sweetness. Get the chocolate glazed and be prepared to be too full for lunch :)

    (5)

  • Sean N.

    Can't say much other than this place has the best donuts I have ever had. All the donuts are amazing but my favorite is the Buttermilk Old Fashioned. Try them all, you can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • KM I.

    One of my biggest enemies is sweets. Not because I watch my figure on purpose, but because I may be one of the only people on the planet who regularly skips dessert and eats chocolate a few days out of the year. BUT, the doughnut vault gets all stars possible for many reasons. They are sweet, but they are VERY good. Soft, fluffy, all consistently made. I am beyond intrigued by this, vault, it is oddly beautiful inside in this rustic French sort of way. I am big on unique businesses, especially ones that thrive in this economy by coming up with innovative ways to operate inexpensively. I am sure the rent is still high here, but having a space smaller than my condo's bedroom must make the doughtnut selling quota a little smaller. The cashier was super nice and sweet in spending time explaining what she had for me even with a line behind me. Things down to the crystal water decanter and small chandeliers on the brick ceilings paired with the fluffy doughnut totally did it for me. When I am in the rare mood for something sweet, and even if I am not, I am happy to come back here often, even with a line out the door.

    (5)

  • Agnes F.

    If you want your colleages to love you, bring a dozen of doughnuts from the doughnut vault :) my fav is the gingerbread stack and then the old fashion coffee is great and $1 only!!

    (4)

  • Brandon T.

    I give my rare five star rating because with this place we are talking donuts, and they have these by their amazing truckload. I was sad to find they are closed on Sundays and Mondays this week, but will still try and find a day to get them when I don't mind taking a nap after breakfast. These are for real, the BEST DONUTS i've ever had the pleasure of eating. Do not hesitate to make your way down here, with the exception of those Sunday Monday off days..

    (5)

  • B. C.

    If you have the time to wait, and a little extra cash to blow (except coffee which is only $1), then definitely stop by The Doughnut Vault at least once. I went on a Friday around 9:30am and was able to make it through in only 10 minutes or so. The glazed are amazing and huge, but I would stick to the classic Buttermilk Old Fashioned or Gingerbread Stack.

    (5)

  • Ali W.

    Oh my doughnuts! I was here with a group of co-workers on Thursday morning. We waited about 30 min to finally get into the vault. Inside it is very small, but decorated nicely with a mirror and chandelier type thing. The girl working there was super nice and very helpful. Since none of us are use to paying in cash (fact) and can't do the math- she tells you what you can get for your cash. I had the gingerbread stack which are three medium sized doughnuts and a chocolate glazed. IT WAS HUGE. These sweet treats seriously melt in your mouth and are totally worth the $$ and experience. The gingerbread stack had a really good taste to them. I was pretty stuffed after two.

    (4)

  • Alexis M.

    I really am not a fan of donuts and sweets for breakfast. BUT, I am a fan of great tasting food and this place is AMAZING when you wake up with a sweet tooth. Every donut is the best tasting donut of its kind - they're big and fluffy. I especially love the ginger donuts because they're not super sweet. BTW - I don't care that there's a 45 minute wait. One of us usually runs to Starbucks and we enjoy coffee in line.

    (5)

  • Ellen O.

    Get to Doughnut Vault early! Waited in line almost an hour before they opened on a Saturday morning, and there were 20 people ahead of us. Not sure whether all the people in line were able to get their choice of doughnuts. This place is tiny! Even though the price is $3 per doughnut, these are doughnuts on steriods--easily three times the size of a standard doughnut. These are doughnuts meant for sharing. Incredibly fluffy. My favorites were the chocolate, vanilla and powdered sugar stack (special of the day). Didn't care for the chestnut (couldn't figure out what it tasted like).

    (5)

  • Sara F.

    I had been hearing about the Doughnut Vault for months on some of my friends' facebook pages. One Saturday I decided to get there EARLY and wait in the long line to try some of these famous donuts. My boyfriend, who isn't into the trendy food craze, pouted in the car while I waited in line in the rain outside this teeny tiny "store". By the time I got to the front of the line they only had chestnut and vanilla left. I bought two of each and two cups of coffee. The price for all that, especially considering how popular and trendy the place is, was reasonable. I didn't realize just how HUGE the donuts were until I got back to the car. My boyfriend and I each split one of each. The chestnut had a weird after-taste, but the vanilla was the BEST donut I have ever had. Light, airy, sweet, so good. We split another one later that afternoon. The next day I was in a sugar coma. I'd say go, for sure go. You HAVE to try one of these donuts. Have ONE. Any more than that and you will regret it. The coffee was good, and the donut was WELL worth the wait in line. Also, if you have guests coming from out of town it would be a great way to show them something they could NEVER get back home. But really, believe me, have just ONE. Enough is as good as a feast.

    (4)

  • Diane L.

    I love donuts!! Intimidated by the insanely long lines and the scare of schlepping outside only to find out they've sold out, I avoided Donut Vault for months. I was mistaken. I ventured out an early Saturday morning to find the line moves swiftly and even an hour after opening you CAN get donuts. Their donuts are everything donuts should be... light, fluffy, mouth watering, delicious, and beautiful to look at before devoured. Some are also scarily as large as my face. The storefront is charming. The establishment is real with no pretension, there's no price gouging... just AHmazing donuts. My favorites are the chestnut and the chocolate glazed. My husband of course rounds out the order with an old fashioned (a dense cake donut) and gingerbread stack of 3 donuts. All in all 6 donuts + a cup of jo = $12 and a heavenly treat.

    (5)

  • Haley S.

    Tried it out the other day - and I'm a NY'er, so I am a devotee of Doughnut Plant. These are really good...not quite that level. I got there at 10:30 am (office is three blocks away), and all that was left were vanilla. Loved that you could see vanilla bean flecks in the glaze. I'd go back, but not wait in the line (which I saw on Friday, and no.)

    (4)

  • Max H.

    We were prepared for a long wait on a Friday morning, but only waited about five minutes. We ordered a vanilla glazed, chocolate glazed and a buttermilk. We split the vanilla first, and it was amazing. Definitely our favorite. Next we split the buttermilk. It was very good. After those we didn't even attempt the chocolate- too full. I ate the chocolate after lunch and it was good, but not quite as good as vanilla. So, the vanilla glazed is the best- really one of the best doughnuts I've ever eaten. It is worth every bit of the $3.00.

    (5)

  • Dominic C.

    Doughnuts and ingredients have a level of quality and skill normally unseen in the doughnut world. I've never had a doughnut I did not like from the Vault. I won't bore you with any details already found in other reviews. You'd need to read a few advanced bread making and pastry book to understand what exactly they do, but they do it because it's delicious. In a world of hurry, somethings are best without the hurry. These doughnuts are not made in a hurry, you can't buy them in a hurry, and it is physically impossible to consume them in a hurry. Take out the ear buds, and pay attention to your neighbors in line. Strike up a conversation; you already have so much in common. You're all *perfectly sane* for waiting in line for a doughnut, and you're food and sweets fanatics. Trade food notes, dog grooming tips, or whatever else complete strangers converse over. Just enjoy the moment before you hurry away to work, or whatever else it is that you hurry to do.

    (5)

  • Wanda M.

    The line is worth the wait. I can and do eat three donuts when making this visit. The interior is so cute and classic. Staff is really nice even when you just stand there because you are in awe of the possibilities. I was last there in July and Mr. Bourdain was filming. This is a must visit place. Keep an eye on their twitter time-line as they keep you updated as to how many people are in line, how much they have left, and when they are sold out.

    (5)

  • Katie P.

    Obviously this place is good. The doughnuts are huge, soft, and extremely fluffy. The dollar coffee great and I love that they have been offering iced coffee for a dollar as well, now that summer has hit Chicago. The only downside to Doughnut Vault is the long line every day, but with how great it is, it's really no surprise. I did a full review on Doughnut Vault and it's interior here: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…

    (4)

  • Dave B.

    The Doughnut Vault makes the best doughnuts I've ever eaten. My wife and I split one of everything, and the highlights were the the chestnut, chocolate and ginger stack.

    (5)

  • Stefan L.

    Good donuts but be prepared to wait at least 20 mins.

    (4)

  • Gabriel B.

    I cannot say enough about this place other than get there early and often. The doughnuts are fantasticly awesome. If you are lucky enough to get some you will understand what I mean.

    (5)

  • Liz J.

    It was my birthday and I wanted to try the D-Vault (doesn't that sound a little raunchy?). The ladyfriend (scratch that -- the Lady Fiance now!) was just as eager for some pre-work fried dough, so we showed up early and were the first people in line. Then ladyfriend realized she didn't have cash, so we dashed to an ATM at the Merch Mart and dashed back and were third inline. I was beginning to think maybe the reports of hour-long waiting times were highly exagerrated, but then I noticed the line behind me beginning to snake around the corner. After a few, they opened for business. I got the buttermilk -- kind of too heavy and overly sweet for me, and based on it alone I'd award this place three stars -- and the chestnut, which was oh-my-god delicious. Lady Fiance got the chocolate and a ginger stack. The ginger stack was still warm (my two donuts weren't, which I was a bit disappointed about), although I would have liked a stronger ginger kick. Chocolate glazed was delicious. Also: dollar coffee. Awesome!

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    line was toooo long! get there really early!!!! and honestly very expensive for doughnuts. i don't think i will be back unless im in real need of those delicious cinnamon powdered donuts! people are friendly and cute little..... VERY LITTLE space!

    (3)

  • Josh E.

    I kind of agree with Dennis S. here - definitely quality donuts but is it worth the money and wait (and wait you do, on a weekend - 40 mins)? Not really. This is a classic example of the hype outweighs the product. I'd get them again if I'm in the area during the week (no wait time), but I'm not sticking out the line again on a Saturday.

    (3)

  • Paige M.

    nobody has better doughnuts. nobody.

    (5)

  • Seth B.

    Excellent donuts. Tried the old fashioned and the cinnamon (sp?) stack. Great Metropolis coffee too. For now only very limited hours, sell out quickly, cash only, can buy no more than six donuts at a time, and only one size of coffee. In short, the donut vault is an experience, but not quite practical yet. I have high hopes that this will expand to become a permanent business with regular hours, quick service, a larger space and multiple locations (or at least getting their donuts sold at other locations). It is great to see the humble donut come back with it's great combination of sugar AND fat - perhaps replacing that diabetes inducing treat the cupcake. For a more practical but still very excellent donut fix head to Dinkels 3329 N Lincoln.

    (4)

  • Jackie O.

    I've been here twice and the line went quickly both times. I really love the chocolate glazed and vanilla. After having these, I could never go to an average doughnut place again! The sweet bass system and cute decor also helps.

    (5)

  • J R.

    I walked up 10am on a Friday morning. Obviously missed the morning rush so my wait was only 15 mins. Well worth it and only $1 for coffee made it even better. The vanilla glaze is amazing as well as the pistachio glaze. $3 a doughnut normally would be a pass for me but since they are HUGE it was a good deal. Perfect glaze, flavor and the dough is awesome. I would go back again for sure. Remember CASH only.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    I finally tried this place out after seeing it listed as one of the best places in America for donuts. Honestly, not one bit impressed. The glazed donuts were more like a bread roll with frosting than an actual donut. The gingerbread stack is WAY too sugary and I had a bite of something that actually burned my tongue...a clove maybe? The old fashioned, while good, was small for the price. I also don't like the fact that the donuts are sort of hidden on racks behind the counter so you can't get a good look. Do-Rite Donuts is far superior in taste, variety and cost (about $5 less for a dozen). Do-Rite also doesn't have the ridiculous line outside AND they take credit/debit cards. I tried the Vault, but won't be back.

    (2)

  • Felix L.

    The Donut Vault is the first and ONLY donut place where I was forced to wait in line for almost 2 hours........for DONUTS!!! And if you think that you have to line up because there're 100 people inside the store and the crew had their hands full....was guess again!! the store is no bigger than 150 sqft..with 1 cash register on duty....That's why you have to wait ur turn for what seems like an eternity... The donuts though...were pretty delightful...despite getting in at 11am (we got there at 9.45am) we managed to try most of the flavors, aside from gingerbread stack and chocolate glaze.....they were all good..not too sweet, and just the right amount of fluffness.... Would I go back and try them again? I simply can't justify waiting in line for almost 2 hours at 9am for anything.....especially not for 6 pieces of donuts......if they get a bigger store.....get the line moving faster... live music at the sidewalk...some form of entertainment....anything that helps me pass the time...maybe I'll give it another go...until then....I'll savor those sweet memories when I have them donuts in my hands.....sweet .....tender....memories.....

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    Came here during a vacation to Chicago and all I have to say is: HOLY MOTHER this is good stuff. My friend and I shared a vanilla glaze and a chocolate, and we both agreed that these must have been made with fairy dust because there's no way a human made these treats. Some Yelpers were complaining about the fact that they're so yeasty... but that was what I loved about them. I prefer yeasty donuts over cake donuts, so if that's what you like then you're in luck. Some other Yelpers also demoted this blessed place because they lack options. "Waaahh there's no cream filled! Waah there's no pumpkin latte sprinked-covered bear claws!" Um, you guys, that's the beauty of this place! Its simplicity is the main attraction. Because they only serve for a couple hours a day, you know your doughnut is fresh. And because they only offer, like, five different flavors, you're not stuck behind some jerk wad trying to decide what to get. And you guys, if you're going to complain about the line then you probably shouldn't complain that it's cash only. Could you imagine how much longer you'd have to wait if they actually accepted credit cards? This place should be revered! Its donuts are by far the best I've ever eaten. It doesn't make food that ends up sitting on the shelves and thrown out at the end of the day. It serves the same flavors every day so you always know what you're going to get. Personally, this business model should be taught in classrooms. WELL DONE, The Doughnut Vault. Well done.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    It took 2 attempts to get donuts from this place. TWO ATTEMPTS!!! Naturally when one sees a giant line they feel compelled to see what all the buzz is about. A tiny little doughnut shop (so tiny all you do when you go in is pay, that's all the space there is). Here are some tips for getting doughnuts: 1. Get there early, like 8:30am on a Saturday. 2. Bring CASH as they are CASH ONLY They limit you to a half dozen, which is fine because I was able to get one of each :) 1. Chocolate was a tasty and sweet one (pretty sure chocolate is just a vanilla doughnut with chocolate icing added on top of the vanilla) 2. Vanilla was tasty and basic 3. Pistachio was different (I'm used to salty pistachio not sweet) 4. Old fashioned was good, but crunchy around the edges 5. Chestnut was by far my favorite :) 6. Gingerbread stack was 3 smaller donuts which were light on the gingerbread flavor and reminded me of just sugar coated donuts (I liked them more than I thought I would. The doughnuts were all good, and fairly large so I can see the price. Add that they are hand made and that adds to the deliciousness. My only complaint is that we didn't get warm ones which probably would have made them divine.

    (4)

  • Lindsay S.

    I have a feeling I would have given five stars, but we got there 30 min before they closed and the only doughnuts left were two and 2/3 gingerbread stacks. We bought the two stacks and the really nice woman working gave us the last remaining. They were delicious and fresh and 8 was not enough! I want to go back when all of the doughnut varieties are available. When we went there was no line probably because almost everything was gone, but it was great to be in and out so fast!

    (4)

  • Peter D.

    I was walking to a lunch meeting at Coco Pazzo when I rounded the corner on Franklin and smelled donuts. There, behind a European facade, was The Doughnut Vault. Tiny shop but what ambience. Donuts from 8 am till they run out. Cash only. Was I too late? Who carries cash? I started digging in my pocket for green stuff. I walked out with a vanilla donut that was begging me to spoil my lunch appetite. Without a doubt, this made my day. I love the donut vault. This place has to be seen to be believed. Brilliant idea and lovely folks. Very, very tasty donuts. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Becky C.

    The place was adorable. Really nice vibe/theme. Loved the doughnuts! Got two of each! Generally speaking I'm a bigger fan of yeast doughnuts (cuz they're soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy) than the cake ones (dense and very sweet). Don't think you can go wrong with any of the glazed ones, though, I love the chestnut flavor the most! Why only 4 stars instead of 5? Adored the big, poofy glazed doughnuts but thought the cake ones were "good" - the flavor is great but like I said not a fan of the dense, cakey texture. The long wait, of course, was a con. Surprisingly, street parking was readily available but at $3.00 an hour, I could've gotten 2 more doughnuts with that meter money! Since it was my first time there, the wait was well worth it nonetheless. It was a fun lil adventure on a Saturday morning. P.S. IT'S CASH ONLY!! IT'S CASH ONLY!! (Two people had to get out of line and dash to the nearest ATM because they either didn't know or forgot!)

    (4)

  • Jones' D.

    I thought the doughnuts were good, particularly the gingerbread stack. The lower rating stems from the wait and the price. Given the length of the wait and how much I spent on 8 doughnuts ($20), I expected to be knocked off my feet. As I mentioned, I thought they were good, but I've certainly had doughnuts that were just as good for less than a dollar. The person I went with even commented that she liked Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts better than the ones from here. In all, I might return...if I'm in the neighborhood...and there is no line...and the doughnuts are on sale.

    (3)

  • Candance T.

    Amazeballs! I went at 10:30 and there was no line, but they only had chocolate and vanilla left. Had vanilla - deliciously scrumptious sugary fluffiness (too much?) . Oh and only $1 for coffee, win. I adore how tiny it is, the parisian flare and personally I love the loud rap music. France is the worlds second largest producer of hip-hop behind the good ol' US of A, surprised? Hell some of my favorite MC's are French so for me the two don't clash. The girl working was super nice and the outdoor seating is a major plus. Will be back, a little earlier, to brave the lines for a ginger one.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    Best donuts I have ever had. Line moved fast and was well worth the short wait.

    (5)

  • Ray S.

    Have stopped by here many times when in the city - the doughnuts are always awesome. If you can deal with the line, and the quirky hallway queuing - you'd be hard pressed to find better doughnuts anywhere. Vanilla glazed are crack-esque, if you'll pardon the term, relative to their addictive qualities. I follow on twitter as the inventory dwindles daily, and look for "NO LINE" - always worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    Ridiculously delish people. Let's be honest, this place is the cat's pajama's. I waited in line with my lovely co-workers as thoughts of savory sweets danced in our heads. Upon entering the vault, it was absolutely charming. The faux finished tiles and elegant chandelier welcomed us with warmth. Much to our delight - they were spinning some Dr. Dre and Bone Thugs in Harmony First of the Month- it was dance party USA for sure. Two thumbs way up for this Doughnut Vault.

    (4)

  • Laura A.

    I had a doctors appointment near by and had to fast to have some blood work done so i thought what better way to end a fast than to try that new doughnut place everyone is buzzing about? I got the buttermilk, the vanilla glazed and the chocolate glazed. The buttermilk: Crisp edges, somewhat dense cake consistency with a nice coat of icing. You can taste the buttermilk. The vanilla glazed: You can see specks of vanilla beans in the icing. The doughnut is airy but is still substantial (unlike most glazed doughnuts) The chocolate glazed: This is a vanilla glazed with a slathering of chocolate icing on top! MY FAVORITE! That said, although I am happy I got to try this place, I probably wont make that big of an effort to be back. The inconvenience of hours, wait time and quantity allowed are kinda not worth these yummy doughnuts for me.

    (4)

  • Ji K.

    Had I written this review a week ago, I would have given this place two stars. But I'm writing this review today, so I have now decided to give it four stars. Yes, I am a fickle individual. A WEEK AGO: After checking out the nearby Do-Rite Donuts, I absolutely had to check out its competition. So randomly at 10:15 a.m. on a Thursday, I decided to leave work and stop by the Vault (since I figured it was such an off time). I was completely wrong. There was a line of about 12 people ahead of me, so I had no choice but to wait. Why it took 35 minutes for me to finally get inside is beyond me-- but by the time I got in to what can only be referred to as a closet, there were only 7 cinnamon donuts left. Keep in mind that one cinnamon stack order comes with 3 donuts, so that means there were only two cinnamon stacks left + one random straggler. Since that was my only option, I bought one cinnamon stack (leaving only 4 donuts) and quickly exited, wishing the 15 new people standing outside the best of luck. Upon returning back to work and biting into the donut, I realized that it was good but I've pretty much had the same thing at nearby apple orchards where I've bought apple cider donuts. It was a complete waste of my time. TODAY: I wanted to hate the Doughnut Vault for it's weird hours (opening so late in the morning doesn't leave people much time to get donuts before work), it's claustrophobically small space, it's extremely limited supply of donuts, and it's lack of communication to those who might be waiting outside only to find that there are no donuts left . . . but, I knew I had to be fair. At the very least, I needed to judge them on their donuts, so I forced myself to wake up early this morning and get there around 8:20. To my surprise, there was no line, no anyone but me, the door was open, and there was the nice lady behind the counter ready to take my order. It was very eery. Long story short, I bought an old-fashioned, a glazed, and a chocolate glazed. The old-fashioned was very evidently different from its competitor's version-- and I have to say that, although it was still too sweet for my taste, it tasted lighter and fresher. The glazed seemed comparable to Do-Rite's, but if I were to choose, I'd say I like the texture of the Vault's a teensy bit better. So that's that. I cannot deny that they have great donuts, but I still will not come here unless it's 1) very early, 2) very cold, or 3) a super random weekday.

    (4)

  • D. K.

    Really yummy doughnuts. I'm not sure if it was the hype surrounding them all, or the fact that our hour-long wait made me SO hungry, but I left feeling very happy with my purchases. The best one was the chestnut. Sounds so unappetizing, but was delicious!

    (4)

  • Vericago C.

    Once upon a time... I lived in Europe and all the donuts I knew were mushy, tasteless and were sold by McDonalds. How disappointing. How sad. I swore I would never try donuts again. Last week I stopped by the Doughnut Vault because I was attracted to the design of the shop. To me it seemed that those guys are definitively in love with their profession. Less is more. So I decided to give donuts a second chance. What a sweet surprise! I turned euphoric and got addicted immediately. Thank you, Doughnut Vault.

    (5)

  • Tommy D.

    I have a job and cannot spend my mornings waiting in line for a freaking donut. Sorry.

    (1)

  • rads d.

    This was on our bucket list before we left Chicago. Got out from our home in Evanston at 745 am . Was in front of the vault at 820 am , no line. We went to a nearby Starbucks and was back by 840 am, coffee in hand, ready for the wait ,there were 7 people ahead of us. The wait was painless, since we had come prepared for it with coffee and our digital devices. They opened on time , with 100 people in line....and it was tweeted before they opened the doors. The line moved quickly and by 940 we were on our way back. Now for the donuts - they were really good, light and airy . We had one each of the old fashioned, chocolate, vanilla, chestnut, gingerbread stack and the special raspberry filled. We saved some for the next 2 days ,( resist the temptation to be greedy fatties)..both DH and I liked the chestnut , gingerbread.... . It's worth a visit ...there's paid parking on the street ...And cash only!

    (5)

  • Charles S.

    huge...HUGE doughnut aficionado, as in life is incomplete without doughnuts, whoever invented the doughnut is right up there with the inventor of air conditioning. IBeen to glazed and infused as well as Do-Rite, each is good in it's own way though I think Doughnut Vault is now my favorite. The texture of the doughnuts are so good, soft outside, followed by a softer inside. My description sucks, but it's just all-around...softness. Ginger bread snaps have a good crunch on the outside. Got there half an hour before it opened, line was about 7 people deep and as 9:30 (on a saturday) drew near, more and more people started to show up. Good thing we got there early. Without a doubt, going back.

    (5)

  • Leang E.

    My coworkers and I have a ridiculous sweet tooth, so we are always considering our options. After much talk, we finally decided to go for a doughnut run, and this was the decided upon spot. This little excursion was a bit confusing as we got a lost at the Merchandise Mart stop of the brown line, meaning we couldn't find the exit, but we managed to get to our destination. We left at about 9am, and got there maybe 20 minutes after, and there was maybe 3 or 4 people before us. I believe the outdoor area is larger than the inside area of the place. It basically looks like a small narrow hallway to a closet that has a tiered pullout shelf of doughnuts. It has a nice simple decor of the interior hallway inside a home with the small touches of a chalkboard posting the available doughnuts and items to purchase. I got a glazed chestnut and a gingerbread. The gingerbread comes as 3 small ones. We were giddy and excited all morning to try these, and we were a bit disappointed. I didn't find that the gingerbread tasted anything like ginger, and the chestnut glazed donut was good, but nothing about it all stood out for me. Maybe my expectations were just too high from all the hype. I don't see myself going out of my way for more of these. The prices range from $2-$3 for a donut, which is pricey for me considering I could get something just as good elsewhere. They do serve Metropolis coffee here for $1. I'm thinking the long lines are due to the size of the place, so as a data person, the size of the line is all relative considering the proportion of the place...and isn't necessarily and indicator of popularity and preferential taste.

    (3)

  • Kelly C.

    this is a review for the DONUTS, not the actual store-because I cheated fate and a co-worker brought some in today. Vanilla glazed-pretty good donut, decent size Chocolate glazed-again, good donut-flakey, sweet, delicious, and pretty big Pistachio-Very delicious, possibly at the top of the list for donuts. Caveat: THEY ARE DONUTS. You are really willing to wait an hour in line to be on-trend with the latest baked good? This whole thing has gone way, wayyyyyy too far. Buy a dollar donut somewhere else, enjoy it, and give your extra 2 dollars to a person in need. Then spend the next 45 minutes of your (now) free time evaluating how your life became so trivial and meaningless that you would be willing to do this to yourself. I mean, hell, I support that it's an independent business, and that it makes a decent-to-great product, and I would even buy a three dollar delicious donut if I could casually do so. However, I am not a rabid dog in search of donut (or cupcake, or macaron) carrion, so I guess I'll pass.

    (3)

  • Karen R.

    Have been hearing about Doughnut Vault Doughnuts for some time but live out of state. Had the opportunity to purchase some last week while visiting family in Evanston. At 10am, doughnuts purchased tasted old, glaze was so dry that it cracked off in the bag and tasted awful. Chocolate, vanilla and chestnut covered plus chocolate peppermint only choices available. Since I don't do peppermint in many things, purchased 2 of each of the others. All were at best only fair; the chestnut was medicinal tasting. They are large but at $3 each not a very good value when half went in the trash after 3 otherpersons tasted portions. Have experienced better donuts in several places in the Chicago area. Won't bother to go return. Sorry.

    (2)

  • Paul C.

    Finally got to try the much hyped Doughnut Vault thanks to a generous coworker bringing in a box for the office. Not having waited an hour or more in line, I feel I can give you a fair review of the food based on taste and not hype. These donuts are just OK. They're like a giant Krispy Kreme. Very sweet, pretty good, but no way are they worth $3. Seems like a lot of people are praising these donuts so hard to justify the long wait. These donuts are definitely tasty, but how far are you really willing to go for a donut? To me, they're not worth both the high price tag AND the long wait. Donuts are the latest fad, and it will be interesting to see what the future will hold for the Doughnut Vault once everyone moves on to the next fad. As it is, make a coworker wait in line, because no donut, not even these ones, are worth the wait.

    (2)

  • Dina I.

    Maybe the best the doughnuts in the city! Glad that there is a daily line because without it, I would be much too frequent of a visitor and 20 pounds heavier!

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    Waiting in line for the Doughnut Vault to open was actually really fun. Anyone who is willing to stand around for a piece of fried dough is bound to be good company. The inside of the Vault was surprising. Super cozy with exposed brick walls, a chandelier and club music. It was a like a 10am dance party for the six people who could actually fit inside. Unfortunately the doughnuts get a "meh" in my book. The vanilla glazed was too yeasty. The buttermilk, though it had good texture was much too sweet for my taste. I was also curious as to why the doughnuts were not warm. In general, there wasn't a "wow" factor to these doughnuts.

    (3)

  • Tamra P.

    Some of the best doughnuts I've had. Huge, warm, light, and oh so tasty. The selection isn't huge and the specials change, but whatever you end up with will be good. The place is small and at certain times the lines are long, but it's worth the wait. Coffee is only a buck, which is a plus. They close when they run out so get there early.

    (5)

  • Carter W.

    The donuts are absolutely delicious. I mark them down because they're a little overpriced and the coffee sucks.

    (3)

  • Tiffany L.

    I thought the hype would have died down in the middle of winter, but nope, still had to wait 50 minutes at 9:30 on a February Saturday morning. It was definitely worth doing once, as the doughnuts were definitely tasty. My fave was probably the Chestnut -- oh so fluffy and insanely large. Note that because these are quality doughnuts, they will be really dry the day after, even when the person you're waiting with just happens to own a vacuum sealer.

    (4)

  • Kristen W.

    A line of twenty-five people that stretches around the block is probably enough to send most normal people to Dunkin Donuts or somewhere faster. Not me, I wanted to see what all of the hype was about. The doughnuts were really tasty! My only compaint was I wish that there were more uniq\que options (Like at Doughnut Plant in NYC, the ALL TIME best place for doughnuts in the world, really) But I recommended getting a few to split so you can try more flavors.

    (4)

  • Mina I.

    In one word - Patience Location - 401 1/2 N. Franklin (Franklin and Kinzie) Food - I had read so much hype about the Doughnut Vault, I had to try it myself. To obtain a doughnut from the Doughnut Vault, you stand in a long line that weaves from Franklin onto Kinzie for minimum 45 minutes (my wait on a Saturday was 65 minutes). And when you finally are able to enter the vault, which can fit 5 people max, you can order a selection of doughnuts. When I finally got in the special birthday cake doughnut was sold out (mega FAIL), so I tried the chestnut and the chocolate glazed doughnuts. Beware, these doughnuts are giant. I truly believe that a normal sized human being should/can only have half a doughnut (unless feeling sick from overindulging in sugar is your thing). The doughnuts were special. Whether it was worth the wait is debatable, but I think everyone should have the Doughnut Vault at least once. Drink - You can get Metropolis Coffee here, which tasted great to me after my long uncaffeinated wait. Service - You really only interact with the cashier for about a minute. But, she was fast, so I was appreciative. It's cash only, so leave the plastic at home. Scene - So much of the experience is the wait. When you stand in line for that long, you are forced to become friendly with your neighboring fellow patrons (whether you want to or not). So, it became a very social, community experience. We learned about where our neighbors were from, what they liked and didn't like about living in the city and which doughnuts they were going to buy. Misanthropes, you've been warn. Occasion - I dragged my friend with me to stand in line for over an hour. She was not pleased. Find a patient person to go with. Price - $10 for 3 doughnuts and a coffee.

    (4)

  • Alexis B.

    So what, I may have cheated. I never actually stepped into this joint. YOU GUYS WERE CLOSED THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN TOWN! So I had my lovely Chicago friends stop in before my plane arrived and order me their favorites so I could try! It was damn worth it too, so sue me! You guys have the greatest Old Fashioned Donut that I've ever had! The birthday cake had a sweet pink frosting with vintage sprinkles, and a deep fried cake donut underneath. The chocolate donut wasn't my favorite, but it had great flavor and spongy textured dough. I'm sure if I actually went into this vault, I would have gone in a normal size and come out a fat ass kid.

    (5)

  • Z K.

    I have been hearing about this place for a couple of years, and while on my way to drop my kid off at daycare...I thought of treating myself to this place for BF. Well, after dropping my kid off and kissing his cute little cheek, I went to this place and before I did...had to take cash out since these guys only accept cash. Probably run by a Mafia or something, a donut Mafia named Paclioni from Danbury, CT. Anyways, I parked my Zoobaru and hit the inside of this place and it felt like I was inside a pizza oven. I ordered up Old Fashioned and couple for my wifey and got the buck coffee and liked the fact they had brown sugar cubes, etc....anyways, it tasted really good - coffee and donut. Although pricey, it does taste a bit better, or a lot better than DD. I have been to the Donut Planet in NY and I think that is better than this joint, however....when in Chicago, you do not give a shniz about NYC.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    So...after two visits I've decided that I could wait in live FOREVER just to get a doughnut here. I've tried the original, the gingerbread, vanilla, chocolate and (drum roll) birthday cake. All the doughnuts are soft and sweet and perfect but the birthday cake has to be the best doughnut I've ever tried in my life. I'm not lying...go try it. Always check their Facebook pages for updates on the lines (if any) and daily specials. The place is small and only accepts cash. You will probably have to wait in line but it's definitely worth it and plus the cashier is always so friendly.

    (5)

  • Kat S.

    Oh. my god. Do yourself a favor and go to The Doughnut Vault. Sure, the donuts are 3 dollars, but you know what? I don't care. Go there anyway. Do it. Now. Or tomorrow. Order anything, because it is all good. Okay. Glad we had this talk.

    (5)

  • Marilu C.

    i'm not much for sweets, but as a san diegan visiting friends in chicago, i knew i had to make food-stops that counted. this was one of them. i do love myself a good old-fashioned donut. there's just something about that consistency; it has a crusty bite to it. it's the only type of donut i'll actually eat. i was excited to try the buttermilk old-fashioned that this place is so famous for. it's no surprise after reading the reviews that this place sells out pretty quickly. expect a long line of early-risers. "i'll meet you there by 8. p.s. bring cash" was what my friend said. that means i have to leave my friend's house by 7:15, which means i have to wake up by 6:15. for donuts. they better taste like heaven... ...and they did. the buttermilk old-fashioned is the best i've ever tasted. if i ever get a chance to go back, i'll be buying a dozen of just those. i also purchased gingerbread stacks, each of the chocolate/vanilla/chestnut glazed, the strawberry old-fashioned (daily special and another tongue-tantalizer), and the grape jelly. on this very special morning, the doughnut vault was having a photoshoot with old-fashioneds and an extremely cute doughnut vault truck. it was lucky that i stuck around enjoying my doughnuts and the shop's $1 coffee with friends until the end of the photoshoot because those old-fashioned doughnuts from the shoot were on sale afterwards. i couldn't resist buying a triple chocolate old-fashioned, a special that isn't usually on sale. it was packed with chocolate flavor. i don't want to oversell it, but it was the. best. donut. ever (second to the buttermilk original)!

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    I am obsessed with homemade doughnuts, and its a shame that there are a million cupcakeries, and not more places making these deep fried delicacies. I had read that they sell out early at Doughnut Vault, we arrived one hr after they were open to a line waiting outside. I am not a fan of cake doughnuts, i prefer ones made with Yeast, which they sell at the Vault. They unfortunately were sold out of the chestnut, so i chose the vanilla doughnut. No joking this doughnut was almost the size of my head and probably almost 3 inches tall. This was a perfect example of a perfectly baked yeast doughtnut, glazed with just the right amount of vanilla icing. Overall if you want to go, go early and order a few, they are amazing.

    (5)

  • Lady B.

    My daughter and I had to try this place based on the reviews and well it was ok...we went on a weekday and the line was maybe 5 people deep which was nice but they didn't have much by the time we go there. We took the train into Chicago and then walked from OTC which is a little bit of a trek and by the time we got there our choices were limited (bummer). I didn't like the donut I had (too rich to enjoy) but my daughter liked hers.

    (3)

  • Niko F.

    This place is so overrated. Everyone talks about it as if it's far and away the best donut shop in Chicago. Here's why: Doughnut Vault limits its supply and makes you wait in a long line to make their product feel better than it really is. But if you try their donut when it's readily available, there's nothing special to it. In the end, these donuts are nothing special. If you want a legit great donut, go try Firecakes. If you want to act like you had an experience, go try Doughnut Vault. Up to you.

    (2)

  • Jay I.

    Ok, Today I am giving one more star. I think this doughtnut is, even though there is little competition in the doughnut business in Windy City, something special. Their gingerbread this time tasted really good (maybe I didn't appreciate it enough last time). Anyway, on weekdays, you will hardly wait. If you have a day off between Tues-Fri, go try it. Won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I am not sure how something can even be this good, but Doughnut Vault doughnuts are! I gave one to my room mate who is a typical girl and refuses sweets. She ate a tiny bite and then in three seconds flat devoured the whole thing--it was THAT good! I have this rule in Chicago that I don't wait in line for ANYTHING because comeon, we are in a big city and you can get duplicate of everything, somewhere else. But not Doughnut Vault. Their doughnuts are one of a kind and fantastic and totally worth waiting in line. 5 stars = worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jason V.

    The Doughnut Vault has the best doughnuts I have yet to taste. The key lies in the quality and simplicity: Doughnut Vault eschews the temptation to throw in some more exotic tastes or the inevitable maple syrup and bacon (e.g., 2Sparrows, were it is done decently, or Nightwood, where it is not), and instead returns a simple, albeit monstrously large, glazed doughnut with a thin layer of icing--hazelnut and chocolate were my favorite over vanilla--highlighted by an incredibly pillowy interior. Less impressive in my eyes were the Buttermilk Old Fashioned doughnut and the special of the day, the White Powdered Stack (which is actually a group of 3 regular sized doughnuts). The coffee, which I had iced, is also decent, but costs a dollar for quite a small cup. A wholly separate question is whether these doughnuts were worth lining up one hour before opening on Saturday over Memorial Day weekend to be sixth in line. It would be hard for any food stuff to attain that standard on a consistent basis, and these doughnuts, while divine, are not the exception. Still, The Doughnut Vault is well worth at least one visit for a taste of some truly remarkable doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Edgar D.

    I'm sorry but these donuts aren't good enough to wait over a half hour in line in freezing cold. I don't care how many James Beard awards or Zagat acknowledgements you have. If you can't take care of your customers, don't expect many to come back.

    (1)

  • Margaret G.

    Margaret had no plans for Saturday morning. As a girl she enjoyed a donut here and there after church and infrequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, her favorite being the boston creme. She tried a Krispy Kreme during their height in popularity. Margaret, however rarely indulged in donuts. It was one particular Friday night when Emily G suggested they wake up early and stand in line for this scrumptious treat. Initially Margaret had doubts about giving up the luxury of a lazy Saturday morning. But after biting into this gourmet treat, Margaret would forever add TDV to her rare donut run list. The patrons queued silently, one by one an hour before open. Margaret dressed smartly in gym shoes and yoga pants, shifted her weight side to side, leaned against the outdoor escape stairs, crossed her arms, played on her phone, and pet a four legged friend begging for flattery for close to an hour. The clock struck half past nine and the procession shuffled shoulder to shoulder into this glutinous chamber. Each patron faced with a major obstacle including what guilty pleasure to choose. Margaret graciously followed the advice of patron upward in the line. The kind stranger pointed towards the birthday cake, old fashioned, and vanilla glazed. The vanilla glazed was savored the following morning after a heat up in the microwave. Margaret and Emily G fraught with emotion after such anticipation let the old fashioned and birthday cake donut melt in their mouth. Both discovered the truth. This OF donut filled all crevices of donut taste buds. No other baked treat could compare. While Margaret is unlikely to join the regulars of dedicated TDV munchers, the Bow Truss coffee burned a yearning for its sensation and turned the Bow Truss coffee brewers into her next city excursion.

    (4)

  • Jeanie P.

    There was gaper's traffic as cars slowed down one Saturday morning to gawk at the line on a random corner in the West Loop. What could they possibly be waiting for at this hour in this cold? Doughnuts my friend, doughnuts. The main question of the newbies in the line was--- is this really worth it? The line moved slowly (about a 30 min wait from the corner). And all the huddled masses gave the stink-eye to those greedily walking away with 3+boxes (I mean c'mon really?) as the cold gnawed at our fingers. Finally the blue door was in sight! We got one of everything, and coffee is a dollar! My favorite was the old-fashioned buttermilk. It is more cake-like, and we devoured it. The other doughnuts were fluffy and a little overly sweet for me. I was a little bummed that they weren't even warm. Couldn't taste any chestnut in the chestnut, but the pistachio was nice. Gingerbread stack had some spicy warmth to it. So friends, was it worth it? Don't think I'll be waiting in that line again personally, but I can see how people crave it. Overall though, I think it's sorta lame how they only have a limited number daily and then they close-- it's like the diamond industry. Anyway I don't think my review will make that line any shorter anyway, so happy doughnut waiting!

    (3)

  • A T.

    I'm no longer in Chicago and I am so sad that I can't visit The Doughnut Vault regularly anymore. The gingerbread stacks are my favorite and are SO FREAKING GOOD. Yes the caps are necessary! Get there early cause they go until they run out. And the line is long usually but it goes pretty quick. If you "like" them on facebook you get updates as to what donuts are left and how many people are in line.

    (5)

  • Justine M.

    Can't say this review will be helpful since I only tried a donut and have not been to the actual location. I was given a donut when visiting an office - I believe it was a mocha coconut flavor - im not sure. Donuts are HUGE. They mentioned you have to go at certain times to avoid crowds. Come here if you want to buy a bunch of donuts for the office. And to share. Eating one would fill you up for the day!

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    This place is aptly named, since in it is some of the sweetest treasures of the city. These doughnuts are HUGE and delicious. The friend that tipped us off about this place must have a heart the size of one of the doughnuts, because she did not steer us wrong. All I can say is, GO. Get there early, though, because they normally don't last past 11am. Seriously. I normally don't recommend stalking, but I suggest it when your mission is to fill your belly and heart with jelly filled goodness. Follow them on Tumblr and Facebook for flavors of the day and the weekly deliciousness. They're even nice enough to update how long the line is and what varieties they have left. Noteworthy Points: Get the PB&J doughnut Cash only Nice service Pull up a chair and discuss the doughnut love with a fellow patron while sipping on some dollar coffee

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    Since we've arrived in Chicago, I've heard rumblings about The Doughnut Vault . Legend tells of warm doughnuts baked in limited supply and so tasty that people will line up around the block to get one (or 12) along with a $1 cup of coffee. So we knew we needed to make our way to the near North side to see and taste for ourselves. We each ordered a glazed doughnut from their daily rotating selection (pistachio for me, chocolate for the hubby), 2 old fashion buttermilk doughnuts, and coffee. Bringing our treats back outside we snatched up two chairs at the long rustic but chic picnic table out front. My pistachio doughnut was, simply put, divine. It was light and airy with a sticky, sweet mint green (color not flavor) glaze and topped with pistachio shavings. Somehow it stayed on this side of the "too sweet" line in spite of itself. Perhaps it was its pairing with the rich, dark, french press coffee that is served. We decided it was well worth the wait. The glazed doughnuts are 3-4 inches in diameter and at $3 per doughnut, they are definitely a splurge, both calorie and budget wise. But sometimes, you have to treat yourself, right? The Buttermilk old fashion doughnuts came with us as we offered up our seats to the waiting crowd. Later that afternoon, I'm pretty sure I moaned when I took my first bite. It was perfect. I'm generally more of a cake doughnut fan, and this was unlike any other cake doughnut I've had. There was a fantastic crust to protect the moist perfection that was inside. It was practically creamy! My mouth is watering as I remember its deliciousity. And, yes, it deserves a whole new word because of how incredible it tasted. The Doughnut Vault opens Tuesday - Friday at 8:30 and Saturday at 9:30. But get there early, because once the daily batch has been sold the doors close. And I can now attest, all the legends are true. These doughnuts are something special and undoubtedly worth the splurge.

    (5)

  • Jassu J.

    We went around 2 p.m. one day and the sign said all donuts were sold out. So I woke up early the next day to get there early. The donuts were okay. Overhyped. Have had better.

    (3)

  • Lindsay L.

    The thought of a fluffy, hand size glazed donut makes me drool in my dream. I would make my husband get our donuts while I wait in the car before we get ticketed for waiting in the long lines. Every donut I've had were scrumptious... Lucky me.

    (5)

  • Kelsey S.

    Walk down Kinzie, round the corner onto Franklin and get in line. Fewer than 10 customers can squeeze into The Doughnut Vault, so depending on the day and time, the line can get long quickly. But the doughnuts are worth the wait. The Buttermilk Old Fashioned is great for the less adventurous; it's sweet and cakey with a slight tang. The Jelly rotates flavors, is coated in sugar and never under-filled. And if you're looking for a fall doughnut that doesn't have pumpkin as an ingredient, opt for the Glazed Chestnut - not only is it twice the size of a normal doughnut, but it is slightly nutty and spicy and a great autumnal eat. The Doughnut Vault also offers different daily specials each week ranging from Birthday Cake to Mocha Old Fashioned with Cocoa Nibs to White Chocolate Softie. There are always new flavors to try. And now that they accept credit cards, there's no excuse not to.

    (4)

  • Allison B.

    Adorable little place with delicious donuts! employee was super nice and even smiled for a picture . They were out of jelly but we tried one of everything else and they were all good! Donuts as big as your face....for real!

    (4)

  • Manpreet K S.

    I am in LOVE with these awesome!! They are huge, soft and perfectly melts in your mouth... I am so going back again soooooooon!!

    (5)

  • Tana B.

    I wish the doughnuts tasted as good as they looked. I got the daily jelly doughnut. It was almost the size of my face and I swear there was like a jar of jelly in the middle of that monster haha. We tried the apricot old fashioned, but that too was nothing special. We did visit later in the day so maybe the selection wasn't the best.

    (3)

  • J W.

    Hands down my favorite donuts in Chicago. It's something about the way they bake the donuts (the texture, etc) that makes them so good. I love their old fashioned donuts. The buttermilk old fashion is the classic that they always have, but they also have other specials (like strawberry, apple cinnamon, double chocolate) and at their Canal Street location they have Triple Chocolate and Coconut old fashion which are really good. I am not as big of a fan of their glazed donuts, as they are really big/heavy and not quite as flavorful as their old fashioneds. Even the glazed donuts are solid, however. Take note, that they rotate their "special" donuts daily, and they do a bad job of advertising what their daily specials are. They have a website online, but usually they don't update what their specials are until the end of the week, so if you are really interested in knowing their specials you should sign up for their email list (I still can't figure out why they can't just regularly update them on their website??). Also, it can be really inconvenient waiting at the Franklin Street location. You can expect to be in line there for at least 30 minutes during a peak time during the week and even longer on the weekend. On the flip side, the Canal Street location (only open on weekdays) is much faster and more efficient. Even with the wait, these are great donuts and everyone who works there is really cool too. Definitely highly recommend this place for donut lovers.

    (5)

  • Bristol C.

    These are my favorite doughnuts. I don't know what it is that makes them so special and delicious, but they are far more superior than other doughnuts I have tried. The line around the block is worth the wait. I'm not surprised that they the sell out so fast. When you're here you mind as well buy a whole box.

    (5)

  • Erica G.

    In planning and talking about my adventure to The Doughnut Vault, I got warned the night before by a local that there would be a line. And not just a normal line, but a good 45-60 minute LINE. I thought that a good strategy to miss this obnoxious line would be to wait out the initial rush and risk (gasp) not getting donuts. Opening at 9:30am on Saturday, I decided that waiting until 10:45am for my doughnut run was plenty of time for that line to die out. Turns out this timing was genius because I literally WALKED RIGHT IN. This very sweet-faced donut-eer greeted me immediately and then started to gather an understanding of my knowledge of the doughnut vault. When he assessed that I was a donut connoisseur but a novice Vault patron, he kindly offered to explain every. single. rack. of. donuts. in. detail. He highlighted which ones had won awards, which ones tasted like other things, and which ones were his favorites. All of the explanation came without hurry or judgment. Buttermilk Old Fashioned is MY FAVORITE DONUT OF ALL TIME and the vault's is the best I have ever had. The Vanilla Glazed, Chocolate, the cocoa powder donut holes were equally amazing. They change out some of the flavors pretty regularly, but you can find out what will be available through their Tumblr page ( thedoughnutvault.tumblr.… ). Is it worth it? Yes. What is "it"? The line risk, all of the donut flavors, and the calories. Commit totally here and you won't have any regrets.

    (5)

  • Ana A.

    The BEST donut I've ever tried! I had a cinnamon glazed donut, it was delicious! They run out fast so you better go early. I am in Chicago for a few days but I will definitely go back to try another of their donuts!

    (5)

  • Jeremy W.

    So seriously, it is literally just a vault. About the size of a small closet, but with sitting outside of the main area. It's tucked away down a side street and I was at first disappointed in the size. But. I was blown away by the quality of the donuts, the quality of the coffee, and the price for both. For less than six bucks two people both got donuts and coffee. I got the original buttermilk donut - simple, delicious. And a dollar cup of coffee that beat the pants off of any coffee I had in the city that week. Also, our male server was really wonderful and spoke to us about the city and wished us well on our trip. I can't ask for more from this place. I will definitely return anytime I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Christy B.

    I have yet to receive a bad doughnut here! I have tried each and every delicious morsel. Triple chocolate, Roasted Almond and Pistachio are my favorite. Get there early, it's first come, first serve and they definitely sell out fast!

    (5)

  • Kellen F.

    AMAZING. I was suggested this by a friend and I had to go back to buy doughnuts for the coworkers before I went back home. And keep in mind these are expensive doughnuts...but they're worth it. So, full disclosure: I used to work at a doughnut shop. So I am a self-proclaimed doughnut aficionado. When I took that first bite of the chocolate raised, I noticed the crumb was just unbelievable. Ridiculously consistent, fluffy... Then you look at the edges. No grease has soaked into the dough...none! And it's a fried doughnut! You don't get that at most places. If you ever want to tell a well fried doughnut? Pay attention to how it doesn't leave a layer of fat on the roof of your mouth. The Vault delivers, for sure. And the buttermilk ones are fantastic too. Great specials. And you know what makes this place awesome? Super nice people behind the counter who actually want to make small talk. Then they throw $1 coffee on top of that. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll be going here.

    (5)

  • Tim S.

    The perfect treat for a day of Christmas shopping. While running around the North and Clyborn area and feeling a little peckish I was pretty excited to see the Doughnut Vault mobile outpost parked right there in the thick of things offering up a sweet treat to tide me over for a little bit. Grabbed a buttermilk doughnut and was quite satisfied.

    (4)

  • svetlana k.

    Fantastic doughnut shop! I have been wary of this place, but I have been wowed! Ordered the chocolate and vanilla doughnut, blackberry jelly doughnut, and chocolate peppermint doughnut holes. Gosh, all were fluffy and finger licking good. I am definitely coming back here even if I have to wait in line as it often happens here. It is NOT cash only. Great coffee from bow truss.

    (5)

  • Karen M.

    Best donut I've had yet, the guy that sells the donut early in the morning has never had a bad day in his life! Always smiling and polite to everyone. Try the daily specials!

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    yeast are great, cake donuts are good but not sure if worth #$2. friendly staffa nyways

    (4)

  • LadyBird X.

    Wait, what? I've been waiting YEARS to try The Doughnut Vault donuts, but because I do not work downtown nor do I want to risk taking the L downtown on a weekend morning to stand in line just to see them sell out, I've never had the chance. By some miraculous stroke of luck I came across their donut truck the other day and immediately handed over my cash for a pistachio old fashioned (well, I actually wanted to order two but the employee thought I wanted to switch my original order so I only left with one). I would have preferred a yeast donut, but they didn't have any. I have to say they remind me exactly of Firecakes donuts, though Firecakes have stronger flavor. They're both insanely sweet and I can't get through half of one without starting to feel sick (and I'm a noted sugar fiend). I felt totally duped! Based on the hype, I had expected fresh flavors, gourmet quality and an artisan vibe, but the donut was insipid with no detectable taste of pistachio. I would love to try their yeast donuts, but it's not worth the effort (their location sucks and I refuse to engage in their twitter rat race - they'll tweet when they're sold out *rolls eyes*) Also, the coffee here is garbage. Aside from fresh cider mill donuts, which are impossible to get in this city, Stan's Biscoff donut remains my favorite.

    (2)

  • Jason F.

    best doughnuts hands down .. then again I'm a sucker for old fashions and the almond and pistachio flavors sent me to flavor town USA! great work and keep coming up with new flavors!

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    Came here to try the hype and it was average. Nothing out of the ordinary. Their service is really good and the girl working in the vault that day was very nice. I tried the old fashion and it wasn't as good as I expected. When I tried the glazed one it reminded me a lot like a krispy kreme doughnut. All in all it was an okay experience nothing too special

    (3)

  • Casey S.

    Expecting greatness. I was disappointed. It is a solid little hole in the wall but nothing to yelp home about. I had the pistachio buttermilk, a jelly filled and a regular buttermilk. All of them were good but not at the level I expected being a 4-5 star reviewed shop. I would have to chalk this up to the fact that the donuts aren't fresh. They bring them in to the vault in the wee hours of the morning. The frying begins somewhere between 2-4 am, so I was eating 6 hour old donuts? The vault had a great feel. I loved the vibe of the hole in the wall but I'd take a Donut- Chinese food shop in a strip mall in Santa Ana with freshly fried donuts over the Donut Vault any day.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Only been once so far, as part of a doughnut crawl, but got to sample about six or seven of their varieties at once and everything was very very good. I loved their regular glazed and regular old-fashioned the best. The only one that disappointed me was the gingerbread stack, which I was hoping would be more flavorful. But, you can't really go wrong here!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    I have died and gone to donut heaven. I'm not a donut fan... but Donut Vault... just shut your mouth and take my money.

    (5)

  • May P.

    Really really good raspberry filled donut! They have their exclusivity thing happening, so if you get here late, don't expect a good selection. But it's worth it to get up early and have your pick. $1 bow truss coffee is great as well.

    (5)

  • Andrew G.

    Ridiculously delicious donuts! This is the real deal and absolutely worth the line. This is a no frills store front (literally inside an old bank vault) with just a few choices for donuts. But they are all so good! Get the vanilla glazed donuts!

    (5)

  • Jen Y.

    Great old fashioned doughnuts... especially the chestnut! Fun place but was pretty picked over by 8:30 on random Wednesday when we went. Waited in line 15 minutes and were one of the last to score some doughnuts!

    (4)

  • Cindy W.

    Got here right at 7:55 AM and waited patiently for a friend even though the donuts were singing to me. *Sigh* There were about 5 people waiting ahead of me and I had to reluctantly let them pass... oh well. I ended up grabbing their chestnut donut ($3) and a cup of Bowtruss coffee ($1) and they perfectly complemented each other. The chestnut donut wasn't too overwhelmingly sweet and very doughy. The size is HUMONGOUS! And I'll probably skip lunch today. It was so worth it though! I hate it when donuts are so ickily sweet that you feel bloated afterwards. Nope, I'm a huge fan of the high quality of their donuts. I would definitely come back. The place is also tucked away on Franklin close to the Merchandise Mart. It has a really cute, light blue exterior and a nice patio. It's really small -- maybe fits 8 people inside? Don't forget that people get boxes for work (such generous people... can I work where you work?) so get there early! ALSO: It says that they're cash only but I think they just switched over to card so they take that as well now.

    (4)

  • S H.

    Yes it is that good. Must have more! Donuts have nice texture and are uniquely full bodied instead of the usual sweet on sweet. Went on a sunday morning around noon and they had only two flavors left!

    (5)

  • Jane W.

    I've been wanting to come here for ages, but the chances of me being in the city early morning are slim. I decided to take my chances and stop by early afternoon even though I knew they could be closed by then - I was in luck! Having just finished a big brunch, I only bought one old fashioned glazed (which I regret... should've bought a dozen). It was an amazing donut - the perfect balance between doughy and fluffy, not too bready, and a delightful consistency with the perfect amount of sweetness. I literally went to donut heaven. They do take card, but their machine was down when I went, so they offered to give me my donut for free (I gave them $1 since that's all I had in cash, which at least covered 50% of the $2 price-tag). Given I only have a month left in Evanston, I really really really want to come back here and try their other flavors. Must make plans to do that soon!

    (5)

  • Lisette M.

    The donuts were okay. I got one of each and they were tasty but I wouldn't wait in line just for their donuts. I'd rather stop by Dunkin donuts because the taste is the same. The bread was soft and fluffy but other than that I don't think I'll be back here anytime soon. I would recommend the gingerbread if anything.

    (3)

  • Stephanie L.

    OMG, this place is delicious. It is technically my second fav place (Do-Rite I LOVE YOU). But this place is the BOMB for huge fluffy, yeast like donuts. They are light and sweet and heaven pockets. The bad the space is small so expect to wait in line outside cash only small selection no seating so you must take them to go

    (5)

  • Annie C.

    I'm so glad my sister found this place on Yelp for our quick trip to Chicago. We got there at about 12:30 and were worried that they would be sold out, but they weren't and thank goodness! We each Loved our choices. She had the chocolate glazed, which was huge, and I had the special, which was the salted caramel old fashioned. It was fantastic! Probably one of the best donuts I've ever had. And the shop was so cute and tiny. I love places like this!

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    A very high quality product that the office enjoyed. They take credit cards now. I got here on a weekday at 7:40AM and was third in line. They open at 8AM. Basically got every doughnut for the office to try. My favorites were the chestnut glazed and blueberry old fashioned (which was the flavor of the day). Definitely better this time when I bought and tried them fresh early in the day as opposed to the other time I came in the middle of the day in the winter. When I had the several hour old chestnut glazed doughnut it was unimpressive.

    (4)

  • Breanne B.

    Best. Doughnuts. Ever. Get here early and be prepared to wait in line! We usually get there before they open to avoid a long line and the doughnuts are nice and fresh. My personal favorite is the vanilla glazed, but you cannot go wrong here. I dare you to try to only eat one! They stick to classic flavors and the ingredients are high quality. Just writing this review makes me want a doughnut right now. Go go go!

    (5)

  • Lili K.

    We got here ten minutes before they opened on a warm, Sunday afternoon, and waited a good 40min in line. It wasn't even a long line to begin with, just went a little bit past the corner. Anyways, I like how their mini menu is posted outside! I got the chocolate raspberry special (loved the jelly) and their famous chestnut (yum). It was all so filling and sweet, I could only stomach half (so definitely share!). Or you can hoard them like most of the people in line did-hey, you gotta make the most of your wait!

    (4)

  • Farooq K.

    Had high expectations! Sadly didn't pan out. Got 12 donuts and took a bite of each one they offered for the day. Their standard donuts (old fashioned, 3 glazed, gingerbread, apple fritter) were just OK. The glazed donuts are light and have layering almost like a cronut (but not very dense) --- but nothing special. Their special donuts of the day (jelly, triple chocolate, birthday cake donut holes) also didn't stand out. Don't get me wrong --- donuts are good in every shape and form. These just didn't compare to some of my other favorite donut joints across the nation (Voodoo in PDX, Dynamo in SF, Donut Plant in NYC, Randy's in LA). So bummed --- maybe went on a day (monday) where they didn't have popping special flavors (nice part though --- wasn't a line). But still, a top notch donut joint should have amazing regular offerings. Really don't think this spot belongs in the upper echelon of donut land.

    (3)

  • Tim A.

    The donuts here are so good. They are really fresh and tasty. You can tell the huge difference between a place like this and the crappy chain ones. Gotta love the sign that says closed when they sell out. You know a place has a good product when they say that.

    (5)

  • Shan D.

    Probably can't add more than what has already been said. Finally accepts credit cards. Got here at 11am on a Saturday morning. Sold out of the cream filling special by then. The line was 10 deep and still moves slow. To summarize the $1 coffee: you get what you pay for The pistachio glazed and the chocolate glazed are two of my favorites.

    (5)

  • Angeline C.

    This place has a small and rustic atmosphere, and there was a huge line out of the store on a Friday morning. I asked which the cashier recommended and was told to try to toasted almond doughnut. I also ordered coffee, which wasn't anything special. Got my doughnut and was so excited, since I love almonds/almond flavor! I was expecting a toasted almond flavor throughout the donut, perhaps with a light almond icing and lots of actual toasted almonds on top. Instead, the doughnut tasted like a regular doughnut covered in icing that was too sweet, with a few small almond pieces sprinkled on top. It didn't feel like they put any effort into making a creatively delicious toasted almond flavored doughnut, which left me feeling very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Jeff C.

    Donuts Donuts donuts! How can you possibly go wrong with donuts? At the donut vault you cannot go wrong! If you're in Chicago visiting or live there, then one place you absolutely must go is the donut vault. Make sure to get there early and you can check their Facebook page for information on the daily available selection. I heard from many of my local friends that we needed to get there early and if it's the weekend then get there really early. They make the donuts fresh daily and when they sell out...the doors close for the day. Homer Simpson would Definitely approve!!

    (5)

  • Allison M.

    The buttermilk old-fashioned is probably the best doughnut I've ever had. And I'm not usually even a doughnut fan.. but these were unreasonably incredible. They open pretty early but only stay open until they sell out, so come early and prepare to stand in line. Then prepare for a life-changing pastry experience. Wash it down with $1 coffee, or the water they have available near the counter. No words can describe what a Chicago gem this little counter is... It's just beyond stellar.

    (5)

  • Lise S.

    Good donuts if your in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip. Old fashion donuts were great. Bought one P&J donut but it was disgustingly sweet so threw it out. Quaint Small storefront - If you go be aware there is only room for abt 6 people inside.

    (3)

  • Molly M.

    Never in my life have I been a donut person. Probably because I was pretty much only exposed to Dunkin Donuts, Jewel brand donuts, Entenman's, & Krispy Kreme.. But Donut Vault.. WOW. These things are like orgasms in your mouth, a flavorful circle of cake and icing and love all bundled into a donut. It's unfortunate because I work in very close proximity, and my entire team has developed some-what of a donut vault addiction, a scary thought for the waistline. It's become a Friday institution. In the 6 months that Donut Vault has been across the river, I have tried: Birthday Cake Wedding Cake Chocolate Lemon Poppyseed and today.. Coconut!! .......All have been incredible. I truly have a deep love for this place, that is why I am writing this review. Seriously, go get a box for your team at work - and make everyone so freaking happy.. Or just go for yourself if you are having a bad day, a good day, or just need some delicious sugar in your life and get a cup of Bowtruss Coffee ( the best in the city IMO) to complement it!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Finally made it to Doughnut Vault. Thought that a day with threatening rain would help limit the line but by the time I made it down there (9:30AM), they were already sold out of the Chestnut Glazed (which I really wanted to try). Thankfully there was no line (though a short one formed right behind me). With the Chestnut sold out, I settled on the Vanilla Glazed and the Special of the Day, Double Chocolate Yellow Cake. The glazed was HUGE. Like monster sized. I ate about half before deciding to take the rest of it home (for a trip in the microwave). Taste wise, it was good, nothing special, and I think the glazed at Glazed & Infused is better. The Double Chocolate Yellow Cake was very good and by far the better of the two donuts. Super chocolately and very fresh. Big fan of this one. I will definitely come back to try the Chestnut and even some more of their specials. But I probably have to wake up earlier next time.

    (3)

  • Meredith X.

    I'm a dedicated reader of Seriouseats so when their rave reviews of this doughnuttery came out (along with a 20+ slideshow of all the doughnuts, drool), I knew I had to get a taste of these portable cakes during my next trip. Legitimately, a hole in the wall. There's maybe room to fit what, 10 people comfortably? We went on a Saturday at 11, no line AND there were doughnuts left. Talked to the girl working the counter and she confirmed that this was an anomaly. Ordered the choc glazed yeast, gingerbread, the last apple fritter (close call). After hearing that this was my first time at the Doughnut Vault, the girl graciously gifted us with a birthday cake doughnut. All were wonderful but the two that elicited an audible "WOW" were the chocolate glazed and apple fritter. The chocolate glazed is the size of your face. At first, you're overwhelmed and put off by the size. Take a bite, light, airy, a glaze reminiscent of specifically chocolate milk, easily devoured in one sitting. Adored the apple fritter, hearty, discernible chunks of apple, cinnamon laden glaze, made me nostalgic for those childhood apple picking excursions on brisk fall days. I would gladly brave the infamous and daunting lines for another taste of these doughnuts. A must when in Chi.

    (5)

  • Mark Y.

    First and foremost, for all those who wait hours in line at the Franklin shop, save yourself and go to the truck (if that's all possible). You can find them often on the weekdays next to Heritage Bikes on Lincoln in Lakeview and at the Green City Market on Saturdays on Clark! Line's always short, but the only offerings tend to be of the old fashion variety - which happen to be pretty damn good! I consider myself a donut fiend. One of the first things I look for when visiting a city is whether there are good coffee roasters and artisan donut shops around. I like all types of donuts given that they're not of the crappy Dunkin variety. DV does the traditional buttermilk variety exceptionally well. The dough itself isn't overly sweat (which many other shops tend to do), and they don't douse it with glaze. So, what you get is sweet with a hint of savory and the all so good crunch with what an old fashion should be. As well as the traditional, I also love the pistachio and almond! The coconut cream and lemon poppy seed are good choices if you really have the sweet tooth. I have yet to try any of the other varieties at DV, but plan on doing so very soon! I expect them all to be just as good as the old fashions because DV just seems to really get it! And for $2 each, I consider them a bargain versus $3.50+ for the Donut Plant!!!!!

    (4)

  • Elaine M.

    Awesome old fashioned doughnuts. Come early and be prepared to wait in the long but quick moving line. My favorite Buttermilk OF was sold out today, but got some delcious Eggnog OF and some Gingerbread stacks (3 small ones count as 1). Coffee is only $1. They now take credit cards!

    (5)

  • Rhoda G.

    One of my favorite doughnut spots in the city. I came here a couple of times and even waited in line for them. I love how fresh their doughnuts are. I usually go depending what their daily specials are and my faves are the red velvet and birthday cake. Yum! From their regular menu, I'm a big fan of their gingerbread stacks and maple donuts. I try to go more on the weekdays because the wait isn't too bad. The weekend lines are longer.

    (4)

  • Tina A.

    Even though this place is not at all close to where I live, too often I still find myself waking up extra early and waiting up to 25 minutes in a line that's out the door...all for a doughnut. Yep, it's THAT good. In my opinion, you can ever go wrong with the glazed chestnut! It's got a subtle nutty flavor that pairs so well with the sweetness of the glaze. I've been dying to try the pistachio glazed for hopes of similar yumminess, but unfortunately the specials of the day usually run out first. The last time I went, the man right in front of me literally ordered the very last one. It was heart wrenching. There was nothing I could do but urge myself to live on, by instead trying a raspberry jelly-filled. The jelly itself was amazing, but the actually doughnut part was just standard. Other flavors I've tried: carrot cake softie (yum!), vanilla glazed (good, but not as good as the chestnut), gingerbread stack (yum!), buttermilk old fashioned (a crowd favorite so I've heard, but myself being a fan of yeast doughnuts over cake doughnuts, would settle for "good.") All in all, definitely check this place out if you haven't. I truly believe their homemade taste of "right out of the oven" freshness sets them apart from all the other trendy doughnut places around town!

    (5)

  • Andrea P.

    Ok first of all, get here really early. Like before they open. Because there will already be a line. I waited in the cold Chicago snow for this. It was worth it. Everyone walks out with a big box. You should too. The gingerbread stack was pretty good and tasted very churro-like. But my favorite was the vanilla glazed doughnut. The special when I went was the double chocolate yellow cake which was delicious but I wanted to try other ones like pumpkin, blueberry or birthday cake :( Guess I'll have to be back! You can get good coffee for only $1 too! Cutest little hole in the wall ever... It really does feel like a doughnut vault. I imagine some chef in the basement popping fresh doughnuts out of a black cauldron like magic. And... CASH ONLY!! Some nice guy held my place in line as I literally RAN aimlessly to the nearest Chase in the below 10 degree weather as it started to snow. The things I do for sweets...

    (4)

  • Eileen S.

    Amazingly delicious! My coworker had been raving about it so I decided to give it a try. I got the glazed vanilla. It's cheap! Get there early!

    (5)

  • Anthony N.

    Epic-sized donuts in a bite-size store? Yes, please. Not sure if they are run by same folks as next door neighbors Bow Truss, but my Yelp-sense points to probably. Which means you have some of the nicely decorated shops around town. My favorite touch is the shiny vintage cash register, which gives it a bit of quirk but still a very cool cafe feel all around. Donuts are gigantic and puffy as can be. The glazes are tasty and well-done. I guess I'm more a fan of the traditional cake style donuts, but I can appreciate a good donut. Best to come really early or a bit later on during the day as lines easily continue out the door and onto sidewalks.

    (4)

  • Tracy Joy K.

    DONUTS! My favorite dessert, this literally hole in the wall shop is another fun stop during your trip to Chicago. If you love pink-boxed huge donuts, this is a wonderful spot. Though previous reviews state that they are Cash Only, I believe that they now do accept credit cards (which slows the line a little, I'd still recommend bringing cash to not annoy the person behind you). They do run out of flavors! So make sure you come early if you want the whole assortment. I was able to get a chocolate glazed and an old fashioned, the chocolate was so huge I had to saved my old fashioned for later. These were great donuts, with crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, very sweet but a cup of coffee can alleviate that :). They have a bench outside for a few seats. Make sure you ask what the daily donut specials are!!!

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    Randomly stumbled upon the Doughnut Vault van a few blocks from a farmers market in Lincoln Park last Saturday. I'm so happy I decided to stop and treat myself. I tried the Lemon Poppyseed doughnut - and I'm still thinking about it. It was so good! And for only $2?!?! How can you go wrong? After raving to my husband about my find on my morning vacation walk, I've since learned that this place is kind of a big deal. Having tried the doughnuts first, and then learning about the hype - I can tell you the hype is very well-deserved. If you see the van - stop immediately and buy one of every flavor that they're offering that day!

    (5)

  • Saba A.

    Finally made the visit! Freshly huge doughnut with flavors light bursting in your mouth- a must do BUT don't go too much out of your way for it! There will be a line in the corner and it moves slow but if you are in town on a weekday morning and have 10 minutes to spare, get the 2 dollar famous old fashioned doughnut with coffee (hot or cold) for a dollar. Or ask for their specialty- I was lucky to try the pistachio which has been featured on websites and blogs about Chicago food. If you can't make a decision like me, go for all of them! The glazed chestnut, vanilla, and chocolate look just as scrumptious as well as the jelly doughnuts. The outdoor sitting area bench is cute and I saw a lot of people with their parents today. The decor had a 40's look with old gold and unique touches inside the little space to stand in line in and the girl serving was nice. I think my husband and I found our perfect morning spot- all though I don't want to be checking out my waistline afterwards...

    (5)

  • John M.

    What all other doughnuts aspire to be. Great texture and flavor. The buttermilk and chocolate glazed are the best in my opinion. Worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Matt W.

    I was expecting more after reading the reviews, but it's still a nice place for a donut. The blueberry-filled was way too sweet for my taste, but the traditional glazed was on point. Too bad there is not more seating outside (none inside). Also wish there was a more comfortable area for ordering since there is very little inside room for a line.

    (3)

  • Robert G.

    Does scarcity equal quality, when it comes to great donuts? Judging by the many donuts I've had at the Doughnut Vault, signs point to "yes". Lots of people know the drill; come when it opens, and stand in line for up to 45 minutes on weekdays (and, from what I've heard, longer on the weekends) to grab a bunch of donuts. The Doughnut Vault actually sells several varieties of donuts daily, not just the donut of the day, including some old fashioned buttermilk donuts along with the typical glazed varieties. But you really ought to make time and room for the specials. I've had several; birthday cake, blueberry and a triple chocolate donut. What makes Doughtnut Vault donuts is the crumb, which is weighty but still crumbles apart perfectly with every bite. Today's triple chocolate donut had a little bit of cocoa in the mix, as well as chocolate sprinkles and a light chocolate glaze to make for a yummy snack. They didn't crank up the chocolate flavor to the max, but that's OK; the cake texture in these donuts is still fantastic. Their birthday cake donut remains one of my favorites, with sprinkles embedded in the batter and the telltale flavor of sweet yellow cake. The blueberry donut had blueberries mixed throughout the donut, creating pockets of strong blueberry flavor. Each of these donuts is reliably very sweet, so your sweet tooth will be satisfied. In terms of payment, they now take credit cards. However sometimes the internet connection is kludgy inside the vault, so don't count on credit cards working all the time. If you're lucky, you can show up around lunchtime and find that they still have donuts to sell off. No matter when you go, though, these donuts are worth waiting for.

    (5)

  • Maxie H.

    These donuts are AMAZING, but the wait is definitely not fun, especially against the cold winds of Chicago. We knew that the Doughnut Vault opened at 9:30 AM, but the wait seemed never-ending even if you come early. They definitely need to develop a more efficient system to serve people rather than one by one. Come early to avoid the long lines! I highly recommend the glazed chestnut and old fashioned donuts. This place is in my top 5 donut places!

    (4)

  • Suzannah S.

    If I could have my first wedding here, I would. It's a life altering experience. Donuts are on point and I feel like a new person after eating here.

    (5)

  • Christina C.

    Amazing donuts - one of the best places to get these treats in Chicago. The store is literally a vault! I got here at opening time on a weekday and the line was already around the block, making the wait about 45 minutes. Thus minus one star for having to be an early bird to get these goodies anytime you want to come. Once you make it in the door, though, be prepared to order an entire box of donuts no matter the occasion. You waited for that long, at least make the trip worth it! The old fashioned are DELISH, my favorite in this city. The donut holes are just ok, IMO. Go for the big ones here. The jelly donuts are really good as well, but if I were to keep coming back, the old fashioned is a must! You can also order coffee here, though I can't comment on the quality because I never ordered it BUT it's only $1!!! Prices are standard for any gourmet donut shop. Service is good - there was only one person working when I went so kudos to him for being patient with everyone wanting to eat these yummies. There are a few tables outside to sit and eat if you so wish!

    (4)

  • Shannon K.

    I swear I would give them more stars if Yelp would allow it. The Doughnut Vault was recently ranked the best doughnut in America and I support that vote. I don't eat sugar often, but when I do I head straight to the Vault or the Vault Van. The dude who works in the stationary Vault is a sweetheart and he moves fast, fast like a cat. And the woman who works in the mobile Vault Van is also a sweetheart. And she plays good music. Sometimes when the Vault sells out, the van returns to save the day! Kind of like a doughnut bat mobile :) The old fashioned is so good. I mean so good. And when they throw a strawberry, blueberry, eggnog or lemon poppy seed glaze on there it makes me go all crack addict crazy. I've come to the conclusion I like fruity toppings, not more sugar sweetness on doughnuts. Personal preference, I know. They are so far above and beyond any doughnut shop in Chicago that it seems unfair to compare them to the others. But I will :) My updated rankings: Doughnut Vault Firecakes Do-Rite Glazed & Infused Beavers

    (5)

  • Christina H.

    Tl;Dr: yummy donuts at a literal hole in the wall. Food: we came around 2:00 and they were on their last couple of donuts. We got the mocha doughnut and it was a great choice. You could taste the coffee flavor in the glaze and the doughnut inside was soft. Was also great the next day because I couldn't finish it the day I got it. Store: was the size of a walk in closet but it works for the doughnut vault. Nice decor, kind of old fashioned, reminiscent of older styles of decor. There's also water in the back which is a plus. Service: the lady behind the counter was friendly and welcomed us when we walked in.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    In general, donuts are good -- free donuts are better. I was underwhelmed by my last experience at Doughnut Vault and really had no intention of waiting in line to give it another try. Enter the DV food truck. I had seen it pass by before but on Fri night, espn was doing some sort of promotion along with DV and another vendor so I ended up with two free donuts. My first bite of the old fashioned was an OMG experience. It was perfect, I don't know how else to describe it. I also had the vanilla glazed and it was good but not great. So, keep your eyes out for the food truck and get an old fashioned (but I wouldn't waste time in the long, unnecessary line at DV's home base).

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    This place exceeded my expectations. All of the donuts looked amazing, so I got a few to try. I got the smores, boston cream, blueberry bacon old fashion, powdered raspberry filled and the blueberry. These were gourmet donuts. The dough was fluffy and light. My favorite was the Boston cream. The cream was a light vanilla custard and was definitely the best Boston cream I've ever had. My other favorite was the smores donut, which was filled with a marshmallow fluff and dipped in chocolate. I wish the there was more filling!! If you love donuts, get in the car and go here now.

    (3)

  • Kate L.

    I wish I could come every day of the week to try a special doughnut. Had the blueberry with lemon crumble and gingerbread. Very good coffee also!

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    mMm... sweet, squishy, goodness! Eating a donut from Doughnut Vault is like eating a cloud. Chestnut glazed and chocolate sprinkled donut were my choices for the day. Yes, I'm from out of town and waited in line for ~25 minutes, getting two donuts just made sense at that point. I think the flavors change every day. What I loved was that this store front was very tiny and the donut selection seems mysterious until you walk into the actual store. The cash register used is dated and adds character to the store setup, which actually feels like you're getting the donut from some secret dungeon/vault. The Vault ran out of certain donuts before they closed and were prepared to close down shop once all was sold. Follow them on Twitter/Facebook for more info on flavors and hours of operation.

    (5)

  • Ana G.

    The pistachio doughnut ruined me for all other doughnuts--its amazing! Tried the gingerbread, vanilla glazed, and chocolate glazed. Loved that the other doughnuts were light and not heavy. Tiny little hole in the wall place, with a line down the block 30 minutes before it even opened up. Thought the chandelier was cute, but doughnuts were amazing--worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Tony P.

    Yeah so you go to the vault no more than ten people fit into this place line wrapped around the block.Then you ask yourself is it worth to wait in line ? and it most definitely is the peanut butter grape jelly with banana chips doughnut is insanely good and also the chestnut glaze...their coffee is pretty good too.Go early to avoid the long lines only place in chi-town to go get doughnuts my opinion and they're that good.Best of the best the doughnut Vault hands down !

    (5)

  • D H.

    I tried the old fashioned, raspberry jelly filled, chocolate and chestnut glazed. Alas my eyes told me I could eat it all, the truth was different. The old fashioned was the most flavoursome, the jellied was filled generously and packed with flavour, the chocolate one was intense chocolate. The chestnut I could not taste. All in all good flavours but try to limit the shopping to your capacity!

    (4)

  • Hollina U.

    Got here at 8:03 on a Wednesday morning and there was already 3 people in front of me... waiting outside. Inside, the space is tiny and can only fit about 6 people... but it's nice that they have water for people inside, and you can serve yourselves while you wait. The line moved pretty fast, I was served around 8:20. I got two dozen donuts to bring back to work, and everybody loved them-- I liked the peanut butter and jelly donut, but my favorite probably was the glazed old fashioned cake donut-- it tasted a bit fruity... I'm thinking that was the dreamsicle brownie softie. Delish! I ended up eating too many donuts and wasn't hungry for lunch until 3:30 PM. Sigh so much for that diet. I wasn't such a fan of the cinnamon donuts. Oh yeah they take credit cards now, but it's a bit cheaper if you pay with cash.

    (4)

  • Angela Z.

    This review is for the Doughnut Vault food truck only. I walked out of SoHo House a few months ago, and like a little kid got so excited, to see the infamous Doughnut Vault food truck! I had never had Doughnut Vault doughnuts before so I quickly scurried across the street to indulge. But unfortunately, like a record or breaks screeching to a halt, my enthusiasm dissipated when met with the unhelpful and uninterested cashier in the truck. The brunette girl inside the food truck just didn't seem interested in giving suggestions to a first timer or in engaging in friendly chatter AT ALL. She was over it from the get go and didn't crack even one smile the entire time me and my date were trying to pick out our selections. The doughnuts themselves were ok, very sugary though. But with service like that I will never ever buy from the food truck again. I may or may not try the shop itself some day to see if there's a difference but I'm not rushing to do so. It's trendy now to say "no f**ks given" and that's really how I felt like I was treated. I'm in the service industry too so I have little tolerance when I see that kind of bored apathetic and rude attitude. I don't care how great or hyped your product is if the service sucks.

    (1)

  • Erica L.

    We got in line close to opening time at 930am last Saturday. Our place in line was on the east side of the Gilt entrance pole. It took about an hour to go donuts from that spot. The sun kept us warm until we turned the corner since that side was shaded. We ended up feeding the meter another 15 minutes once we go to the entrance of the store. They really should have thought about having one entrance and one exit door to help with the flow of foot traffic. Inside, there's complimentary water. I really like the vintage decor, chandelier, skeleton key locked doors, and ceramic tiled walls. These were the fluffiest, chewiest donuts I've tasted in Chicago thus far! They are also so huge. Saturday's special was the chocolate glazed with pistachio drizzle. Yum! I also tried the gingerbread stack, which were 3 smaller old-fashioned donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. Those were my favorite. Hubby also tried the chestnut glazed, which he liked. He thought these donuts were the best glazed donuts he's tasted ever, and he rarely says ever when it comes to food! Goes well with the $1 coffee. We also tried the 2 for $1 chocolate powdered sugar donut holes (also huge), but they were on the dry side and not as good as the donuts themselves. I wish they offered more flavors per day.

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    Biggest vanilla bean doughnut I ever got! I was on the rush and their doughnut vault car was outside of my school! Lucky me :) Until that day I didn't know such place existed. It was a wonderful surprise, nothing taste better then a big wholesome sweet doughnut before class. Especially because it was freezing cold out but the doughnut...could not resist! Wish I went back down to buy one more...oh well until next time!

    (5)

  • Alex J.

    Amazing what sort of magic can come out of a little closet of a doughnut shop. The buttermilk old fashioned's are a good reason to wake up and crawl out of bed, but make sure you get there before the earlier birds get the worm, so to speak. I just wish they had some other drink options to accompany their yum-yum doughy delights, such as iced coffee or milk. In any case, give this place and it's eloquent chandelier a quick drive-by and get the people you love something nice, and get yourself double the amount you get them.

    (4)

  • Triphena W.

    Still. The. Best. The buttermilk old fashioned ($2) (and any of the old fashioned specials) is my favorite doughnut in Chicago. Dense, sweet, slightly crisp on the outside, soft within. Heaven. Far superior to the old fashioneds at Do-Rite, Firecakes, and Glazed and Infused. I also love the gingerbread stack ($3), chestnut glazed ($3), and the seasonal jelly filled ($3). Check their tumblr page to see the schedule of daily specials. My favorite specials: coconut old fashioned, strawberry shortcake old fashioned, double chocolate old fashioned, birthday cake, double chocolate yellow cake, cookies n cream filled, glazed pistachio. To avoid long lines and flavors selling out, I suggest arriving before 9am on weekdays. Or if you aren't particular about what flavors you want, you can go later on around 10-11am (if they haven't sold out yet). On Saturdays and Sundays, they open at 9:30am. I haven't been on a Sunday yet, but the line starts to form shortly before 9am on Saturdays. Follow them on twitter or facebook because they post frequent updates about what flavors are sold out, and how many people are in line. They also have an instagram account which is fun. If there's a particular special you want to try on a certain day, they take requests on facebook and tumblr ('ask me anything'). I've made SO many requests it's embarrassing, but they always make it happen if no one has put in a request for that day yet! Just ask about 1.5 weeks or more ahead of time. The shop accepts credit cards now! $1 coffee (iced available during warmer months). Easy street parking. If you're going to be grumpy about waiting in line or having to wake up early then skip Doughnut Vault, but I think they make the best doughnuts. Highly recommend!!!

    (5)

  • Alex W.

    This little small confined donut shop is tucked behind gilt bar and has some very tasty treats for the morning food cravers. I am giving this place a 3 star because you are going to be in a long line if you don't want to wake up way early before the open time to stand in line. This can be the case in the winter too. The line is shorter but still there and summer is way longer but tolerable being the temperatures. There are plenty of other "specialty" donut shops in the city that you wont have to deal with the wait and taste just as good.

    (3)

  • Cris G.

    Mouthwatering donuts... please don't make me fall asleep drooling!! I ordered 4 dozens and served it on my birthday and guests went crazy bout it... I love love love this place !!

    (5)

  • Mira S.

    I'd been meaning to try it for a while, but honestly, found it overrated. The doughnuts were fluffy and fine, but way too expensive for a basic glazed doughnut, and more cakey than I like. It didn't melt in my mouth. It was huge and pretty dry. Honestly, I'd take a Krispy Kreme half the volume, and figure the unhealthiness would average out. They don't have a ton of topping choices, either. I was glad I didn't wait in the long line this sometimes draws--a midday stop avoids that. So worth trying, or grabbing as I pass nearby, but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Time for an update although my starrage is staying the same. Yesterday morning my friends and I got in line at 845am and we were 12-16th in line. By the time the shop opened at 930am, the line wrapped around the building and down the block. We were glad we got there when we did because we were able to get amazing parking right across the street, we had the option of sitting at the table outside when we got out doughnuts, we got first pick and got to wait nicely in the shade of buildings rather in the hot burning sun down the block. When the doors opened - right at 930am on the dot I must say - cool music was booming and we entered The Vault. Staff is really friendly and as an added bonus, they have complimentary cold water (complete with carry out cups!) and cheap $1 coffee which I hear is pretty good. Now with all my buddies there, I was able to try at least a bite of every doughnut they had on offer yesterday. Orange Dreamsicle - special of the day. My least favorite of the bunch but I'm a bit biased because I don't like orange dreamsicle popsicles...butttt the guy in front of me ordered 5 so if it's your thing, I'm sure you'll love it. Buttermilk Old Fashioned - Loved it Glazed Chocolate - I keep trying it but as a chocolate psycho person, it just doesn't do it for me. I like my chocolate rich and strong whereas this donut has just a light chocolate glaze on it. For those that don't have the hankering for chocolate goodness that I do, I'm sure you'll find it's just the right amount of chocolate. Gingerbread Stack - No doubt it's the best deal plus it was my second favorite of the morning! My new favorite from The Doughnut Vault: Glazed Chestnut. I usually don't like non-chocolate sweet items but the flavor in the chestnut is great. You must get this!

    (4)

  • Lupe G.

    a coworker brought me a buttermilk doughnut from this place & I must say, it was pretty fucking wonderful! It was airy but dense & rich yet simple. Naturally, I Yelped it & was drooling at the reviews & flavors mentioned (not to mention that the place looks beautifully decorated). I see that long lines are an issue & I'm not a fan of crowds, but I am willing to make it out to this bread line just to experience it myself & pick other flavors. Thank you for saving me one my generous coworker!

    (3)

  • Lisa B.

    mmm pretty good! We got lucky and there wasn't any line when we went. HUGE donuts. You don't need to get more than 1 or 2 (for 2 people) unless you are wanting to try out all the different flavors. I think my favorite was the glazed :) Oh ya, the coffee was perfect too! My fiancé said it was french press but I am not sure. I loved it though.

    (4)

  • Tonice J.

    I loved the doughnut vault!! Donuts slays delicious and huge and fluffy! Staff always friendly and knowledgeable.. I work at the merchandise Mart so i Try to catch them before they're sold out and most days i am lucky!

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    Oh. My. Goodness. These are by far the best doughnuts I've ever tasted, especially after microwaving the glazed ones later in the day. I went today, Friday, at approximately 9:30AM (opened at 8AM), and they had everything except for the PB&J doughnut, which I didn't want anyways. There was only like 10 people on the line, so we ended up waiting for less than...5 minutes? Perrrrrfect~! Gingerbread stacks Buttermilk Original Chocolate Glazed Vanilla Glazed Chestnut Glazed Gingerbread stacks - I didn't know what they meant by "stacks", but duh...instead of 1 big donut, you get 3 mini ones. They're honestly not that small either. Gingerbread stacks were my favorite when the donuts were NOT heated. It also probably tasted better because I literally got the last ones and kind of felt bad for the people behind me. Very soft and the sugar around the donut is not overwhelming and not too sweet. Perfect. Buttermilk Original - I personally prefer the original-style donuts more, so this was perfect. Not too sweet, not too dense, perfectly soft and slowly melts on your tongue. yummmmm Chocolate glazed - Honestly, I was scared it was going to be too sweet, but OMG AFTER I MICROWAVED IT FOR LIKE 20 SECONDS, IT WAS LITERALLY HEAVEN ON A PLATE. Hot and soft and chocolately but not overpowering, and fluffy and basically what you would imagine clouds made out of chocolate would taste like. This one was my favorite AFTER microwaving. Vanilla Glazed - Truth? It was too sweet. But it definitely tastes better after you microwave it! Chestnut Glazed - same with vanilla. too sweet for my taste. Make sure to eat it WARM because it really really makes a difference though!! So, my two favorites = gingerbread stacks (not microwaved), and chocolate glazed (microwaved)

    (5)

  • Michael U.

    Speaking of Doughnut Vault - no trip to Chicago at this point would be right without a stop...or two...and as one of the very few 'Doughnutteries' willing to take requests (via their tumblr account) a short wait in the cold landed us a quartet of options including two cake options, one filled selection, and a raised/glazed choice - all impressive as ever. Beginning first with a yeasted chocolate on chocolate with chocolate sprinkles option that disproved all previously conceived notions that a chocolate donut needs to be heavy and moving to the tart, tangy orange marmalade selection before proceeding to my two "special requests" of Birthday Cake and Blueberry Cake I remain impressed to this day by how well each doughnut from Doughnut Vault is crafted - the textures always light and never greasy while the flavors are balanced and restrained, never overly sweet - something exemplified in the blueberry selection that tasted almost identical to fresh blueberries with a bit of added sugar. Try as others might to capitalize on the trend, Doughnut Vault remains - in my opinion - the best Doughnut Shop in America.

    (5)

  • XTreats X.

    Best old fashion type doughnuts in Chicago. Make some fun out of it and follow them on twitter. They have a vault van that drives around and posts updates. Spend a little while chasing the van (burning some calories) and get a great doughnut! The close when they sell out so don't expect to get there late and have a large selection (although they're all good).

    (5)

  • Cece Y.

    Tasty, tasty doughnuts. Among the best I've ever had! The Seasonal Jelly-Filled doughnut flavor when we swung by was Chocolate Raspberry. YUM!!! They definitely didn't skimp on the raspberry jelly, which tasted fresh and was rich with seeds. Best jelly-filled doughnut EVER! It was truly finger-licking good. The popular Chestnut doughnut ring also didn't disappoint. Very good. You can devour your fresh goodies right outside at the picnic tables. If you do, just know that you'll be in plain sight of the long line, who will gape enviously at your mouthwatering treats. We arrived a little before the place opened on a lovely Sunday morning and waited in line behind maybe 20 people for about half an hour. So worth it! (The line moves slowly because it's just two people working behind a counter inside.) The menu is painted on the side of the building and there are only a handful of flavors to pick from, so that prevents people from dawdling when they get to the counter. NY: Take note!

    (4)

  • Katherine E.

    Donuts here are unreal. Make sure you get here early though because lines do start to form and you want to get all your donuts! Coffee is solid as well. I'd personally recommend getting the Buttermilk Old Fashioned, but tbh you probably can't go wrong with any donut from this place. The shop itself is very cute, very tiny, and it really just adds to the Doughnut Vault experience. This is some place I've been wanting to try for three years and finally in my fourth year here I got to go. It's definitely worth the trip down to Chicago and definitely worth waking up early to get your hands on here donuts.

    (5)

  • JD H.

    Four days in a row afforded the opportunity to try pistachio, blueberry, and strawberry old fashioned varieties as they were the daily specials. We tried every other kind as well, and not one single disappointing donut. I thought I was going to have to trip the guy in front of me one day for ordering four dozen, but I didn't feel like it after he had to fork out $120! Anyone will tell you they are worth the price you pay. Any trip back to Chicago will involve planning around the Doughnut Vault!

    (5)

  • Jade F.

    Doughnut Vault = my all time absolute favorite doughnut joint. Honestly, I'm not really a doughnut girl, but I will never turn down a Doughnut Vault doughnut! They are delicious. Some FYIs: Doughnut Vault is only open at 8 a.m. Tuesday - Friday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday, as well as closed when they run out of doughnuts from Tuesday - Saturday. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep posted on how many and which doughnuts they still have left as well as if they are all sold out for the day, so you don't have to make the trip there and then find out all their doughnuts are gone. Doughnut Vault is cash only . Make sure you have enough cash when you come here, because it would suck terribly if you waited on line for a while and find out while paying that you don't have enough dough for the dough-nuts. :) Below are the pricing for their goods: - Buttermilk Old Fashioned: $2 - Gingerbread Stack: $3 (comes in a stack of 3, making it $1 each) - Glazed (Chestnut, Vanilla, Chocolate) $3 - Coffee: $1 They also offer seasonal jelly doughnuts and specials of the week that you can find on their website.

    (5)

  • Aakash P.

    NOM NOM NOM NOM. Of the three donught places I have been to in RN / Loop, doughnut vault has been the best. Strictly comparing across the buttermilk old-fashioned, the doughnut vault gets it right! They do a fantastic job of incorporating the perfect amount of sweetness and keeping the fried / oily tasted out of the doughnut. Would be a 5-star likely, but unfortunately, a couple hours after they open you can't expect to try a variety. Will make the trek again to get the other flavors I missed. For those who want to be a tad bit adventurous, try the birthday cake old-fashioned!

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    Hmm. I really wanted to give this place five stars. Or even four. But alas. To be clear, I am not a donut aficionado. I just eat them once in a while to satisfy my donut cravings. I went on a Monday morning around 10AM. It was slightly overcast and low 40s so there was no line. Hooray! Got a glazed donut and it was quite large. Plus one for serving size! However...it did not blow me out of the park. I think it was good, yes, but nothing to write home about. If all other donut chains are a two, I'd give this a three out of five. It was obviously better than Dunkin and Krispy Cremes, but honestly I feel like there is a very small range of "greatness" that can be achieved from a glazed donut. Perhaps if I tried the crazier flavors I might've given it a four. Maybe another day! All in all a cute little hole in the wall with a cute interior and exterior (they make the donuts in the lower level in case you are wondering). Sort of a tourist trap, but a fun place to visit...

    (3)

  • Puneet G.

    My brother in law suggested that I check out this place. The concept was simple: 4 kinds of doughnuts; Very reasonable; Not at all as sugary as conventional doughnuts; Brilliantly crafted with a perfect mix of chocolate-yellow cake/flour-sugar. There is no doubt that I'd stop by the place during my next trip to Chicago

    (5)

  • Andrew N.

    One of the top two donut places of my life. The glazed is the one to get. It's really simple, but when it's fresh and hot, it's perfectly fluffy and buttery with a nice crunch to the glazed exterior. Great with coffee!

    (5)

  • Jamar T.

    I waited in line for 40minutes in the middle of February...and it was SO worth it! The donuts here were probably the best I've ever had but I'm also not a big donut fanatic. They are cash only and when the donuts run out, they're out so come early. The inside is so small that the entire line has to wait outside. I don't think than three to four people can walk in at a time. Although it was worth the wait, next time I'll wait until the summer to return!

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    Such a cool, hole-in-the-wall place, easy and worth the hunting down of it! You may think you want their fancy, chocolate donut but if you have to pick one...Get the old fashioned glaze, you just can't go wrong with the melt in your mouth taste! Bring cash*****

    (4)

  • Celine U.

    The best doughnut i've ever ate. Very generous portion and soft. Nevertheless i won't give a 5 stars because it's a little bit too sweet for me.

    (4)

  • Candace L.

    I did it! When I say I'm going to do something I usually do, regardless of how small of grandiose but never before involving me waiting on a freezing (literally 30 degrees) sidewalk for over an hour to purchase a DONUT!!!! Well I was coming to town and knew I had to experience The Doughnut Vault - I heard others in line chatting about it being on their "bucket list" so in theory I suppose it was on my visiting Chicago bucket list as well. I arrived at around 920A on Saturday (they open at 930A) and had I been less hungover or never went to bed the evening before I probably would have arrived sooner but I did manage to get there before they opened. The line was already wrapped around the bldg. They tweet updates and their specials so I've been following them in the days leading up to my visit trying to gage how things go down around there. I LOVE blueberry donuts so it was my lucky day that Saturday blueberry old fashion were the special :) My toes damn near froze through my tennis shoes and with each happy customer leaving this establishment with their selections, I'll be the first to tell you that when folks are walking out with donuts by the dozen you nearly want to tackle them to the ground because you know, when these bad boys are gone - they are GONE! Doneso! No more for you regardless of what weather you've endured or how long you've been in line. So most of my 65 minute wait was just hoping these people didn't buy up all the blueberry donuts. Another thing I realized after my purchase is - if while they may be leaving with a box that appears to be a dozen, I believe they put 6 or more in these boxes because they are huge - so they may not have purchased as many as you think their inconsiderate asses did ;) All donuts are $3 I believe and coffee is a buck - the coffee is also really good, especially after consuming upon nearly freezing to death outside. The place is super small - my closet is larger - but really cute inside! I tried the original buttermilk, chocolate and blueberry old fashion special of the day. All were good! Now... would I wait outside in 30 degree weather for over an hour again for these???? Hell no!!! but sometimes the fun in trying something is not only in the treat but in the journey it takes to get there :) even if that included ten frozen toes.

    (4)

  • Shoshana K.

    EXCELLENT! After trying do-rite, I was eager to try some of the other pop art donut shops in chi-town. this place was second on my list and did not disapoint. We just tried half dozen of the classic flavors. They are all delicious here no complaints. I think I like the old fashioned kind better at do-rite than here but I honestly don't remember. Very creative and delicious. Made fresh. I love the added aspect of it feeling like you're in on a secret, goin into the donut vault....getting these crack treats. awesome. PS - we avoided lines - we went in the average part of the morning (around 9am) on a Monday and had no problems w/crowds or sell outs.

    (5)

  • Miriam S.

    The donut vault is awesome! Luckily they do accept credit cards, otherwise my 30 minute wait in line would have been for naught! Their cake donuts are incredible! I wasn't too in to their regular donuts - they were a but yeasty for my taste. But their cake donuts were the best I've had! Definitely worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Vickie C.

    Read amazing reviews online and we decided to head over on our second day, we decided to take a taxi over since it was raining... somehow the taxi driver work previously as their supplier and told us that Doughnut Vault (@doughnutvault) is the best there is in Chicago with everything handmade. It was around 11:00am and the driver warned us that they may have already sold out, apparently they have line up from the time they open at 8:00am from Tue-Fri and 9:30am on Sat until they run out. I think we were lucky that most of the doughnuts were still available when we got there, I guess mainly because of the horrible weather. Their menu is pretty simple with the regular flavors plus a special of the day which you can check through their website or twitter. And remember it's Cash only. It's a really small store and love the warn yellow glow with the vintage decor. Ben was the one who choose the place and when I ask what type of doughnut they had, he had no clue. Why I ask you said.... because I don't really like cake base doughnuts since it too heavy and tends to be too sweet for me. But fortunately they had both and we obviously bought the yeast base one which was incredibly light, airy and spongy... press it flat and it bounce right back to it's shape. Basically the doughnut itself wasn't sweet at all, it only relies on the glaze for it's sweetness which made it really easy to eat and although of it huge size, we had no problem finishing it. I wished we tried all the flavors, even the cake base ones but we had a full day ahead and wouldn't be able to finish it or carry it around. Verdict : Love it and would recommend anyone who is heading to Chicago Would definitely come back again if I'm back to the windy city.

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    Yeah doughnuts I like doughnuts they are nice here for food but who invented the name doughnuts I think that is weird but they taste good and nice.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    The thing about Doughnut Vault is that all the reviews claiming it's the greatest doughnuts people have ever had? They're true. Normally when I see what could be considered overpriced food that people have to line up for, getting great reviews, I assume it's because they spent so much money and time getting what they wanted that they need to convince themselves it was worth it. Not so with Doughnut Vault. The first thing you need to know, however, is that you need to line up thirty minutes to an hour before opening. If you get there an hour past opening odds are all the doughnuts will be gone. So what do they have on offer? They have Chocolate, Vanilla, and the most delicious Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly doughnut you have ever had ($3.00 each.) I don't even like peanut butter - in fact until this doughnut I actively disliked it. Waiting in line I talked of how terrible this one would be, but that I needed to know. It was my second favourite. My first favourite went to the seasonable Blueberry Dip ($2.00). Somehow they manage to get the real taste of blueberry surrounding this treat, without making it seem candied, or otherwise lacking. This is the greatest doughnut I've had in all my life. There's also the stack (three smaller doughnuts for $3.00) and whatever else they make special for the day. Located under a giant street art of Princess Peach from Mario, you can take in the sights while you wait. It doesn't hurt that some of the businesses in the area offer free Wifi either, so if you're charged up, the wait isn't so bad at all. Pay no attention to the people who live in the apartments across the street who watch the silly people waiting in line for pastries. They don't know.

    (5)

  • Tricia D.

    Arrive at Vault. Deposit $27. Receive 9 doughnuts and 2 coffees. Depart and gape at how long the line is, extending around the corner and almost to Bavette's halfway down Kinzie. That short and sweet version of the story skips over the fun waiting part. We arrived 30 minutes before opening on a Saturday, and the line was already 20 deep. Once doors opened, it only took about 15 minutes to get to the front. Not terrible. DV did not live up to the hype for me. I wished all of the doughnuts (and I can say this because I literally ate every single doughnut offered) had more intense flavors! Hire me for flavor development, yo! The glazed (vanilla, choc, and chestnut) doughnuts were yeasty, and the dough had a different, but pleasant springiness to them. Mr. Jelly was a monstrosity because that 'nut literally had like half a cup of strawberry j in there. BYOB: bring your own bib! If I had to pick a fave, it would be the special of the day, birthday cake, though I wouldn't have called it bday cake; it'd be "sprinkles" in my book. Final note: from an efficiency standpoint, I see why they keep the trays of goods off to the side behind the cashier, but I would really like to have full view of the offerings as I approach the counter. Now if only the l-b I gained wasn't because I ate 5.5 doughnuts within 3 days...

    (2)

  • Nicole H.

    Good coffee for a buck! Bow Truss no less! I went with the blackberry jelly and the old fashioned buttermilk. They were solid, tasty choices. The jelly had a smooth texture and tasted like it may have had a hint of lemon in it. It's probably the best jelly doughnut I've ever had. The place is worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Michele W.

    Yes! I am so glad that I found this spot! The doughnuts are made from scratch fresh. Go early because the supply is limited so it sells out soon.

    (5)

  • Blair A.

    Not much you can say about these donuts that hasn't been said already. There is gonna be a line. Enjoy it. Check the twitter before you go, once they sell out it's done for the day. They do take CC's now. Old fashioned and a coffee.

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    I was running a quick errand Monday morning and when I left the office there was a Doughnut Vault van on my way. Two of my three favorite things (doughnuts and food trucks) in one?!?! So, on my way back I stopped for a doughnut, thinking I had $3 in my purse....but no, no cash on me. Just like that my excitement vanished. But wait! The very nice man selling fried happiness for $2 a piece gave me a free doughnut!!! That's right, a free doughnut from a man in a van. (Thinking back, isn't this the kind of thing our parents warned us about as kids?) The doughnut was delicious. Not having to wait in line was delicious as well. The friendly service was delicious. Next time I see the Doughnut Vault van I will buy more and tip generously. You should too. What have I learned from this experience? Always carry cash; you never know when doughnuts will cross your path.

    (5)

  • Sherry Y.

    Their doughnuts are ginormous. I got the chestnut glazed doughnut, and I'm pretty sure it was bigger than my face. Also, the half-calorie doughnut is a joke...just ask. ;) They have a bunch of off-menu, "secret" and seasonal offerings, including a pistachio flavored one and a raspberry stuffed powdered one. Yum. I highly encourage coming here as soon as possible in the morning, as the the line tends to wrap around the whole-in-the-wall shop. Also, dollar coffee!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I mean maybe I'm overly dramatic, but this place has THEE best donuts I have ever had in my life. I had never been before it was catered in for a work event we had, but since then, I've been hooked. I thought after my first couple tries, the vanilla glaze and old fashioned were my favorites, but I stood corrected as soon as I tried the CHESTNUT glaze recently, and almost cried happy tears (dramatic yet again). Either way, this place is all it's cracked up to be and more. Worth the lines. Worth the trip to grab them. Worth every fricken calorie consumed. GO!

    (5)

  • Samantha E.

    Can you say AMAZING?!?!? Chicago is in the middle of a donut boom but all other shops pale in comparison to The Doughnut Vault. I have been here so many times I can't keep count. Yes, that does mean I have been waiting outside the door at 7:55 hot, cold, sunshine, rain, or snow. Was it worth it, you ask? MOST DEFINITELY! Every single donut, may it be the daily special or one of their regulars, is absolutely perfect. The variety is amazing and it has become a habit for me to check their weekly schedule every Sunday. I will change my morning schedule and skip things to just make it out for those certain donuts. Totally worth any sort of wait or weather.

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    Dang, these doughnuts are good. What sucks is that sometimes they can be randomly out of doughnuts depending on the time of day. Not very good for groups, but it's a nice little spot.

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Today was the 2nd time i tried this place out and unfortunately, for the 2nd time in a row, they were sold out. The last time was around 12:15 on fri (open til 2). Today it was 1:00 on sat (open til 3). Its a shame that they dont answer their phones or keep better stock of donuts to keep with their posted hrs. The guy at front desk simply said "they have no idea when they'll sell out" when i asked him, on avg, when they sell out daily, weekend, or any other insight to prevent another wasted trip. He simply had no advice for getting there before they sell out. And why should he...since they clearly dont need the business. Too bad...i give up on this place. Just not worth it unless u work across the street. They're just donuts after all.

    (1)

  • Karla K.

    Yum! Come to Chicago must get donuts. Fresh, quaint, cult following donuts. Come stand in line and get a jelly donut! Got to go I'm next in line!

    (5)

  • Samantha J.

    I have yet to find a doughnut shop that can put together a buttermilk old fashioned quite like the vault can. Definitely worth the lines, arrive early if at all possible. Bring a friend so you can split doughnuts and try the specials without feeling like you're contributing to the obesity of the Midwest. Hands down my favorite doughnut shop in town.

    (5)

  • Reid G.

    Great but not five stars. Chestnut glazed - I found the flavor a bit too intrusive of the the rest of the doughnut. The chocolate glazed - a bit too burnt tasting for me. Also, I really prefer a much smaller doughnut so you can eat more than just one. Maybe I need to give the gingerbread stack a shot. Despite my personal preferences, these were outstanding doughnuts and perfectly fresh. I think I would've rated DV higher if I hadn't gone to Do-Rite first.

    (4)

  • Jon-Pierre B.

    Well I must say, I thought that I would come here and feel like I somehow floated into a Doughnut mecca......not so much. First, I don't know if that is by design or what, the place is literally a hole in the wall. Not that I'm superficial, but because there is almost no standing room inside the place, most customers have to wait outside....It gives the impression that they are in such demand that it must be good.......Well...I guess. At any rate, after waiting about 25-30 minutes in line, my wife and I made it in and we were able to choose from their selection of like 5 doughnuts.... no seriously, they only made like 5 types of doughnuts, if that.... well being the purist that I am I went for the one that most closely resembled glazed. It was a vanilla bean glaze, or something....and two others that I can't remember. When my wife and I got back to the car and tried our bounty, we were really disappointed. Though the actual doughnut itself had a nice texture and an extremely slight but noticeable buttery accent, the glaze itself was completely too overpowering! The glaze and dough should work together to create a flavor explosion in your mouth. All I wanted after this doughnut, instead of another, was a drink of water. I didn't even want to try the other two doughnuts I purchased. nearly $10 on 3 doughnuts I couldn't eat, whereas I could go to Old Fashioned Donuts and had an entire dozen of their AMAZING donuts for the same amount..... at any rate. My wife saved the day when she heard about Firecakes just around the corner.... much better doughnut, no wait at all and I had a doughnut ice cream sandwich! what's better than that?

    (2)

  • Ben Y.

    No, you're not going to get your krispy kreme or dunkin' donuts shit. This is that doughy, glazed, and sugary heaven goodness in the morning that will leave you ready to start the day. I can't help but emphasize the morning because that's how early you have to wake up in order to get this shit. They only make a limited amount for the day and they close as soon as they run out and they run out quite fucking fast. The Doughnut Vault inevitably lends itself to the most hipster environment with its old timey cashier register, vintage decor, and prize to originality. All of the qualities which work with this place. I've had a variety of doughnuts at this place but I suggest the classic buttermilk to give you that good old diabetes.

    (4)

  • Marisa L.

    Doughnut Vault was SO delicious and worth the wait. I bought half a dozen with the intention of "sharing with others" and ended up sampling all of the ones that I bought, and every single doughnut was delicious. And they're rather inexpensive for how good they are! Of all of the doughnuts I tried, the chestnut glazed was definitely the best. Light, fluffy, strong chestnut flavor, huge - nothing bad can be said about it. The only downside is that they only accept cash, and the wait is always a real thing.

    (4)

  • Caroline M.

    Not sure why I never visited when I lived in Chicago....Live and Learn. I arrived on a Tues morning and there was no line. I thought DV was closed because I expected a line wrapping around the corner after reading all these crazy reviews. But they were open and I asked for an assortment of their favorites. Omg--- doughnut Heaven!! Birthday Cake doughnuts? Apple cider doughnuts? Big puffy vanillla bean glazed? In L-O-V-E. :D

    (5)

  • Kelly R.

    I just visited the doughnut vault van that often sits on Adams and LaSalle in the morning and WOW. These doughnuts are crisp, not too sweet, and a little salty... absolutely divine! It was the morning of the Blackhawks rally and there were about 10 billion people around but the wonderful lady in the truck was very patient and incredibly kind. If you're taking a trip downtown or if you work in the loop, this truck is SO worth finding in the morning. Google Chicago Food Truck Finder and you'll come across a little map that tracks their location!!

    (5)

  • Kathryn C.

    Very underwhelmed! I believe the reason this store has such a reputation is because it has succeeded in creating a high demand for their donuts. However, this doesn't make them superior in any way. We waited almost an hour, paid 3 dollars, and I wasn't amazed. Not only was it not extraordinary, it was hardly average. I give this 2 stars because of the wait, the price, and the disappointed expectations. Money and time could be better spent elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Suzanne O.

    Someone in my family told me this was the voted the best donut place in the country, so of course I had to check it out while I was in town. Due to this acclaim, I had very high hopes, but unfortunately I was let down. While the donuts were good, I certainly wouldn't say they are the best I've ever had. I got the jelly donut of the day, pistachio donut, gingerbread stack and an old fashion. Out of all of these, the classic old fashion was my favorite. The gingerbread stack was just dry and almost tasted like it could be day old, and the pistachio donut tasted a little too yeasty. I'll be sticking to Do-rite Donuts in the future.

    (3)

  • Rob C.

    4.5 the mystique of a long line and a narrow hall for fresh made donuts adds to the allure. tried the chestnut glazed. I think they mastered the dough to glaze ratio which is key to reducing the sugar overload. fluffy and airy. also the donuts are massive -- Midwest sized. special this time pumpkin spice. not yet a donut plant nyc though

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    The Doughnut Vault was worth the wait! (Which was around the block when we left; we got there half an hour before it opened.) The chestnut glaze tastes like Christmas morning. The $1 iced coffee was great!

    (4)

  • Sheila K.

    Ok, I still can't figure out what the hype is about. Nonetheless, I have been here 3 times now. The first time, I had the Chestnut Glazed. I thought to myself, DAMN... this is the most expensive donut I've had! (Aside from the ones I had in Japan.) Size wise it is pretty huge, not quite a Texan donut, but big for a normal donut. I like that about the donut. Flavor wise also good. It capture the Chestnut. Now, I do follow their tumblr just to see the specials and I really wanted to check out the Pistachio Glazed. My second attempt, they were already sold out. I guess I came too late. Third Attempt...on a Saturday, I woke up to get there earlier than last. It was drizzling and there was quite a line. It actually took an hour. Was it worth the wait? I really did not have anything better to do and I was set on trying the Pistachio Glazed. I got it and we also got the Chocolate Glazed and Buttermilk Old Fashion. I am not really into the old fashion but I must say it was pretty good, not dry. I like the consistency of their yeast raised donuts. It is spongy yet elastic and has a lot of texture but also airy. You also get a good chew out of it. The Chocolate Glazed was good, not too sweet. Complaints: I wish the donut was warm. It doesn't give you that fresh baked goods aroma. I know that makes it hard with it being glazed and all. Also the pistachio glazed was a disappointment. I wasn't tasting any pistachio; to me it tasted like almond/marzipan flavored. In the future, I wouldn't wait in line. However, no line, then sure. The Dollar Coffee is pretty strong here, I could feel the acidity.

    (4)

  • Daniel F.

    I don't always get out of bed early, but when I do, I head to doughnut vault. Doughnuts are awesome, giant, soft and fresh. A changing doughnut of the day keeps it interesting and the coffee is the best $1 coffee I'VE ever had. Do yourself a favor and skip dunkin' and head to the vault

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Best donuts in the city, hands down. I've visited glazed and infused, stan's donuts, do-rite donuts, and firecakes. All have unique offerings and are awesome, but I think donut vault keeps it the simplest and best. Their yeast-raised donuts are massive, fluffy, and so soft and chewy. Their buttermilk old fashioned has a crispy outside and moist crumb on the inside. The music inside is always hip or funky, and the ambience is just so chill despite being such a small, narrow place you walk/order in. I went with some friends before they closed once and got a free birthday cake donut because there were only a few left! Their daily specials are always worth getting, I remember the strawberry old fashioned was insanely good. Props for their vault van which sells donuts around the city.

    (5)

  • J'Neane V.

    Delicious!! Just be ready to wait in line!

    (4)

  • Kevin Kyle V.

    They now accept credit cards y'all so wooo!!! Best doughnuts in Chicago!!!! And the whole U.S.!

    (5)

  • Jon O.

    This place has some great doughnuts. If you get their run of the mill ones they only cost $2 a pop and the specialty ones run a little more I think. They make their doughnuts fresh everyday and if there is a daily special you will want to get in there early before they run out. Be sure and check out their social media and you can periodically check the updates on what they have and what all is left.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    My wife and I were out and about and ran into the Doughnut Vault and thought "why not?" We weren't disappointed. We split a pistachio doughnut outside on the sidewalk and had to drop back in to purchase another! This time it was a buttermilk. They were both unbelievable. The pistachio was light and fresh with the right amount of nut flavor and the buttermilk had a bit of tang and the perfect texture and flavor. We talked with the guy behind the counter, who is a partner in the place, and he gave us the "Vault" story. I like to support places like this, and with the quality of the product, it's not difficult.

    (5)

  • Anne M.

    The old fashion is AMAZING! Perfectly made w wonderful after taste. A must for all who has not been there. They take CC now.

    (5)

  • Kristy F.

    Buttermilk old fashion-$2- soft but the glaze was too sweet. Vanilla glazed-$3- soft, chewy, nice gentle hint of vanilla Gingerbread stacks $3-- was ok, moist center but not an impressive flavor. Chocolate doughnut $3- soft with a subtle refreshing hint of chocolate. Bday cake- sugar, sugar, sugar...requires milk and a tummy rub. I'd skip it unless you like eating spoonfuls of sugar. Chestnut doughnut- barely a hint of chestnut, mostly tasted like a plain glazed. Overall: they serve a soft, freshly baked doughnut but I wouldn't say they are worth crawling out of bed early or waiting in a long line for. My favorites are the regular glazed flavors, choc and vanilla :) pricey but the size of each is easily 2 regular doughnuts so you get what you pay for. Thoroughly loved the shop though. Tiny, magical and precious ;P

    (3)

  • Frederic S.

    After seeing an expose on 'The Layover' with Anthony Bourdain, I decided I have have to try this place and see what the fuse is all about. On a late Sunday morning I packed up the fam and headed get me some doughnuts. Little did I know there was going to be a line out the door, but also the available amount of flavors and doughnuts would run out quickly. Fortunately for us, we were able to get a couple of their delicious tasty treats, with my daughter actually getting the last one. My recommendation is getting there early on the weekend and expect a line when you show up. Also, be sure to bring cash as they do not take credit cards and there are no ATMs. And if you're lucky enough to be around the financial district during the week then look for their foodtruck. Mind you it's not the prettiest ride, however, it's the doughnuts you're after and not the truck. This doughnut hunt was worth the chase. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Kari T.

    I love donuts, but thought these were just ok. Waaaaaayyy too hyped up and the line was crazy. The donuts just tasted like gobs of bread and didn't really have a lot of flavor. As bad as this sounds, Krispy Kremes for $1 each are much better!

    (2)

  • Meghan H.

    Yes. Doughnut Vault does live up to the hype. It is fantastic. It was this past Friday that I took the 6:01am train down to the Loop all so that I could make the trek up Canal St to reserve my spot in line at the Vault before their 8am opening. I came upon the shop around 7:30 when the line was just 5 people deep and then waited out that half hour in anxious anticipation of finally digging into these nationally-acclaimed concoctions. While I waited, I reflected on how the shop itself is so inconspicuously situated at the corner of Kinzie and Franklin - directly across the street from the Merchandise Mart. It's such a tiny place that you really have to be looking for it to notice it's there. That is unless you happen to walk by during opening hours and spot the notoriously long line that is affixed to this corner block. I found it strange that in all of my trips to the Merchandise Mart, I never once realized that the Doughnut Vault is literally right there. Weird. OK people! The line is moving!!! So once I made it up to the counter, I got one of each variety except the jelly filled :p which means I tried the gingerbread stack, all of the glazed: vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut, plus the buttermilk old fashioned, and the special of the day: the double chocolate yellow cake. The gingerbread, the old fashioned, and the three glazeds all make up the Vault's daily menu - so those are always available (until they sell out of course). What differs from day to day is the special of the day and the type of jelly in the jelly filled donut (it's grape on some days, strawberry on others, etc.) All of the daily specials are posted on their website and facebook page, which is handy. And If you follow/like them on facebook you'll also see that they post frequent updates throughout the morning of how many donuts they have left and of how long the line is Now all of the donuts were incredible. But the gingerbread and the buttermilk old fashioned were my favorites. The gingerbread stack that comes as 3 relatively smaller size donuts is very delicious. The cake donut rings are coated in a spiced sugar that is reminiscent of the flavors of fall - ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon...mmm. The dough is decidedly dense as a cake donut should be, but at the same time not too heavy. The buttermilk old fashioned was wonderful. The dough had the perfect crumb to it and was coated in a perfect amount of glaze. As other reviewers have noted and praised the Vault for - their old fashioned does not have that greasy or heavy quality as many old fashioneds do. It is successfully flavor-packed and dense at the same time that it is "light" by nature and texture. The glazeds were all similar in that they are a yeast-raised donut of the finest quality. The airiness of the dough was complimented wonderfully by the light coating of glaze on each donut. The chocolate in particular, surprised me with how much chocolaty flavor such a thin coating of glaze was able to provide. And I wasn't sure what flavor to expect from the chestnut donut, but it had a heavenly sweetness to it. The classic vanilla glazed donut was definitely delicious, so they have that staple mastered. The double chocolate yellow cake that was the special of the day was incredible as well. The cake donut had a wonderful flavor to it on its own, but the chocolate frosting portion took this donut to a new level. The frosting was intense because of how quality the chocolate tasted. It appeared to be a darker sort of chocolate and tasted so, but not in a bitter sense of lacking sugar. Waking up so early all for donuts, was definitely worth it. I'll certainly be back to sample all of their daily specials!!

    (5)

  • Elle C.

    One word, YUM. They have the best old fashioned buttermilk donughnuts!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    So delicious, however the location of there food truck is very rarely were they claim it will be. If it's supposed to be on Clark and Monroe expect to find it at Adams and Lasalle.

    (5)

  • Lan L.

    As a place voted "Best Doughnut in America," I expected to be blown away. Don't get me wrong, the doughnuts were very tasty, but it didn't warrant waiting 30 minutes for them. The line goes out the door, but once you enter the door, you see how small the place is and how close you are to the register. It is designed to look like a vault and the cashier rings you up on an old school register. We got the classic buttermilk and the gingerbread stack. The classic was very very tasty and moist. I didn't like the gingerbread stack too much. It had way too much cinnamon. It was $2 and $3, respectively. Cash only!

    (4)

  • Mina P.

    My new favorite donut shop. It's literally a hole in the wall but very cute! The glazed donuts just melt in your mouth and they are enormous. A little pricey at $3 a piece but definitely worth the price in my opinion! :) I went on a weekday late morning and the line was very short. I'll be back soon!

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    Creative without trying too hard, this place has the right touch - sweet and doughy goodness without being too over the top. The best damn old fashion I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    Doughnut Vault, you jerk. Why does your truck of awesomeness terrorize my mornings? A Chestnut Glazed doughnut, a coffee, A Tribe Called Quest. I mean seriously. Happy Friday indeed.

    (5)

  • Giovanni O.

    Very good doughnuts. We ordered the original and a chocolate glazed. The chocolate glazed was pretty good, I don't know if I would wait on line for it though. The Original, now that was worth making a line.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    Love these donuts! I'm a big glazed and traditional fan - these are top notch! Coffee is great and only a dollar! Makes a great morning to start off here

    (5)

  • Mika O.

    Had the gingerbread, old fashioned and birthday cake donut. Long line but worth the wait. Didn't really appreciate donuts till I came here

    (5)

  • Alan W.

    Excellent doughnuts! The original concept and original gourmet donut shop. Definitely for foodies. Amongst the several growing options this emerges as top 3. Beware cash only!! And long lines. We waited for an hour on Saturday morning. Cops out front giving tickets for people parked at meters.

    (4)

  • Maddie R.

    SO FREAKIN GOOD. Seriously I've never had doughnuts like this before. Not only are they huge, but they are so light and perfectly iced, it's amazing. We got the apricot filled, which was just oozing with filling; the pumpkin special, which had a nicely spiced cake with a lick-your-fingers good icing; the double chocolate, which was rich and chocolaty (YUM); and the buttermilk old fashioned, which was like heaven. Would love to come back and try their other flavors as well!!

    (5)

  • Naureen R.

    The Doughnut Vault is a cute, hole-in-the-wall place that perhaps every Chicagoan should experience once...maybe. But that's it...once may very well be more than enough. I do believe DV is overrated. It's definitely not always convenient to get doughnuts from here as the lines are long and usually they close welllll before noon. The service is fast, and again, the location is cute. I've had the pistachio and chestnut doughnuts and they really weren't anything to write home about. I've had doughnuts from quite a few places around the city, and this just seemed like it wasn't worth all the hype.

    (3)

  • Bobby A.

    Donuts are good but not great there is nothing really special here. There are much better options in the city such as Glazed and Infused, or Fire Cakes.

    (3)

  • Alex Z.

    Don't bother going here they sell out very early in the day so your just wasting your time going there

    (1)

  • Kunal N.

    So here's the thing about me, I can VERY easily taste the difference between processed doughnuts and truly authentic homemade doughnuts. That's why, save the occasional craving, I don't care much for Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts. However, this place has instilled in me a love for doughnuts that might surpass even my love for cupcakes (which is great, let me tell you.) My friend recommended this place to me when I told him that I was visiting Chicago and it turned out to be a couple of blocks from my hotel. My friends and I came here one morning for breakfast and there was no line (which, based on what I've read, is VERY lucky) and so we ordered immediately. As soon as we took the first bites, we were in heaven. We ordered probably one of everything that was available and despite the fact that we were full, we still wanted some more because they were THAT good. I highly recommend the buttermilk old-fashioned and the chestnut glazed for starters just to taste how unique, great, and different these doughnuts are from the normal processed kind. I wasn't crazy about their coffee but then again, I am picky and I don't know what I should expect for a $1 coffee. This place is a MUST-GO-TO if you are in downtown!

    (5)

  • Samantha C.

    I went there on a Thursday, got there at 8:30 and had to wait for 30 minutes. The wait was totally worth it and the cashier lady was super fast!! I got one of everything and the special that day was pistachio. My favorites were the double chocolate, hazelnut and gingerbread stack! The seasonal jelly was good too but was pretty jellyey. I wasn't as crazy about the pistachio, I thought it tasted kinda like soap. You could tell the chocolate glaze was with high quality chocolate and the vanilla used vanilla bean. I will defiantly be back next time I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Vivien H.

    I've only had two flavors of donuts from here but I absolutely love the Chestnut Glazed Donut (it's as big as my face) and the Blueberry Donut!! I heard they serve coffee from Bowtruss coffee which is an extra touch!

    (5)

  • David K.

    Accidents can be fun sometimes. No, I didn't crash the rental this weekend. I was cutting through to get back to The Loop and saw a line of people inexplicably waiting outside in the rain. Upon closer inspection I saw they were standing in front of a doughnut shop. My desparate need to not feel left out compelled me to circle the block and join the line. By the way, I didn't plan for my weekend very well and I only had on a t-shirt and jeans... in the cold, rainy weather. The line moved relatively quickly. I paid for an hour of parking as a precaution and probably only used 20 minutes. Service is quick and they make great use of a space the size of my mother's walk-in closet. Glad I accidentally detoured through here. I scored a box full of goodness before they ran out (and discovered this place before most of my Atlanta friends).

    (5)

  • Danny W.

    Come early for awesome doughnuts!! The Buttermilk Old Fashioned are euphoric and cause my to be euphoric too. The Gingerbread stack is also a must have. The glazed doughnuts are quite large but, for my money, are not as good as the previous two. The also have a daily special (Birthday Cake when I went = Yum :-d) and seasonal jelly doughnuts (Grape when I went, which despite being a member of the strawberry jelly camp, I thought were delicious).

    (5)

  • Andy R.

    I almost walked right by this little hole-in-the-wall doughnut shop, but I'm glad I didn't. This place has delicious doughnuts. You are initially greeted by an unassuming door with the menu painted on the wall of the building. Once inside, there is barely room for ten people. What they do have, though, are doughnuts. Their buttermilk old fashioned was crispy and perfectly glazed. I also had their chestnut, which was big and yeasty and a little more than I probably should have eaten. The prices were pretty reasonable for the quality of the doughnuts. In addition to their standard doughnuts, they have daily specials, which I didn't try unfortunately. They also have dollar coffee from the nearby Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, which is perfect for doughnuts. The service was quick and pleasant. The only drawback is that there is absolutely no indoor seating. No matter though, it just adds to the character of this tiny shop. Overall, it's one place I'd visit again.

    (5)

  • Itanni B.

    While in Chicago I was on a mission to find the best donut shop. I had heard a lot about this establishment and knew that once they sold out of their donuts, they would close for the day. I made it to their shop at 9:30am and they only had 3 donuts left. What they had left were cake coconut donuts. I was so disappointed. I do not like cake donuts or coconut. It was my last day in Chicago so I could not return the next day and try again.

    (3)

  • Johana M.

    I will never know how this doughnuts taste because I got there and they were 'sold out' by 10:30 am!!! So we went to Glaze :)

    (1)

  • Dominique F.

    Even though I live on the south side I would come here just for a $3 donut. Donuts are sooooooo freakin good.

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    Holy hell these people know what they are doing. I am ticked that I have to walk past this place on my way to the gym. Isn't it bad enough that I have to smell the chocolate from Blommers on Kinzie M-F? I stopped here around 11am on Black Friday and saw folks walking out with boxes of donuts. The panic set in. "What if they run out? What if I wait in line all this time and I don't get a donut? I just want one, not a dozen!" Then I started getting a pain in my chest - the same pain I get at work when I'm overwhelmed. I started to take deep breaths and in the end, I got a donut - thank.god. The world stood still with each bite. You have to close your eyes and the donut melts in your mouth. This is a must-do when you have time to stand in line.

    (5)

  • Jackson K.

    It's definitely a small, closet-sized joint that's easy to miss. But these are some serious doughnuts! We went on a Saturday late morning, and I suppose the crowds already got their fill as there was no line when we got there. We sampled their seasonal jelly-filled (orange marmalade), the buttermilk old-fashioned and the strawberry-glazed old-fashioned. The jelly filling was delicious and the doughnut was pretty good, but I think my fave was definitely the buttermilk old-fashioned. Even though we ate it a good 3-4 hours after purchase, it still kept it's moistness / chewiness without going stale. Definitely worth a visit for any sweets-lovers who happen to stop in Chi-town!

    (4)

  • Helen S.

    My friends and I did an impromptu, self directed donut tour in Chicago, which began when we received a free donut at the Publican for brunch and kept running into more donut-eries along the walk home. This was our second stop, and we split a chestnut donut. So good, amazingly light, maybe not chestnut-y in the least but that can be forgiven. My friend said he once bought 6 donuts from here and ate them all in the same morning...he's cray.

    (4)

  • Keerthana K.

    The hype is a factor that probably takes away from your experience. An outdoor hour wait no matter what time you get there? Cash only? Is it worth it? Maybe. Can't say definitely as I went once 8 months ago and haven't been back. The doughnuts are indisputably amazing. You will probably never again order Dunkin Donuts' donuts, as you will realize their product is hardly even a donut now that you've had the real thing.

    (4)

  • Joanna K.

    I hate waiting in lines... But it's kind of worth it for this place. I've been multiple times and have had the old fasioned, the gingerbread stack and a pineapple old fashioned. The gingerbread stack is now one of my favorite doughnuts. I don't know how they do it, but their doughnuts are very light and airy, and they don't leave that weird film in your mouth that some doughnuts do. They're simple and delicious. Also, they have pretty good coffee (hot or iced) for $1... Can beat that! FYI: They're cash only, so don't forget to hit up an ATM beforehand.

    (5)

  • Kirsten H.

    After seeing lines here nearly every time I passed by when they were open, I finally stood in it today and got some donuts. The donuts were very yummy (I got a nice little assortment of the traditional flavors as well as a seasonal strawberry jelly-filled one). The chestnut glazed (which I almost didn't get) and the buttermilk old fashioned were definitely my favorites. Maybe it was just my donut or my personal preference, but I thought that the jelly-filled was way too jelly-filled (jelly oozing everywhere and pretty overwhelming) and it also would have been nice to know the flavors in advance (information on their website was only through Saturday and I went on Sunday morning). That being said, I don't really understand all the hype and the line. I can think of many places in Chicago (Glazed and Infused, Do-Rite, Stan's, etc.) where I can walk right up, order, and be on my way with a donut at least equally as good without having to plan my day around their opening hours and waiting in line for 40 minutes. Oh and they definitely take credit cards--there was talk in the line of it being cash only but I was able to pay with one (and felt terrible for the family who was in line and left before getting a donut since another customer told them it was cash only)!

    (3)

  • Terry S.

    wow. great dounut even At 12:30 all they had left was 4 glazed donuts.. I had my mind set on a chocolat , but the glazed was outstanding... it felt like an illegal transaction,, the shop appeared to be a hallway...haha... anyway. 10 thumbs up

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Love the donuts there. My favorite is the glazed chocolate and buttermilk old fashion. Took my parents there, they loved the donut but not the hour wait. Go back on a weekday when the line isn't at long.

    (4)

  • Seamus M.

    Best doughnuts I have had. Other places just don't seem worth the calories anymore. Their Vanilla Glaze has won awards but I typically like their Chocolate Glaze or Old Fashion. Now I just follow them on Facebook so I know their daily and if it's worth stopping by when I need a doughnut fix. Try to hit them early in the week on weekdays or during bad weather to avoid long lines. They are great but I am impatient/ADD and don't think it's worth some of the extremely long lines they have most weekends. Great coffee too!

    (5)

  • Julianne Z.

    This place is worth the wait in every sense. Yes, the lines are long, and yes, it can be cold. But it is part of the hype and experience to wait with your fellow donut lovers, for an amazing sweet treat! I got the gingerbread stack and the pineapple glazed, both which were so fresh and so delicious. I am not a fan of sweets usually, but I loved them so much! What I love most about this place, is that they are just trying to make great donuts and from their updated statuses to the special flavors that change every day, I would be so fat if I lived anywhere near this place!

    (5)

  • B.B. K.

    Best doughnuts anywhere in my humble opinion! These are doughnuts so worth weathering any type of Chicago temps outside to wait in that line. Fresh, quality ingredients, well crafted....super yumminess...all in one doughnut! These little bites of heaven beat Glazed and Infused doughnuts hands down! Including the customer service!

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    I may be in the minority but I really feel like these are the best doughnuts the city has to offer. I strongly prefer it to both Do Rite and Glazed & Infused, both of which always seem too heavy and too sweet. Doughnut Vault gets it right across the board - the Old Fashioned, the Gingerbread Stack, and the various glazed varieties are all great. Bonus points for allowing the purchase of only a partial Gingerbread Stack (which typically comes as a set of three) and for finally deciding to take credit cards. I love you, Doughnut Vault!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Decided to meet up with a friend here yesterday for what was voted "Best Doughnut in America." Got here right when they opened, and there was a bit of a line. The line moved at a moderate pace, which made it difficult in the Chicago cold - but once you're inside you realize that it's practically your turn! It's tiny in there, but very chic. The staff member working the counter was very efficient and super polite. And of course, the doughnuts were to die for. Can't vouch for "best doughnut in America," as I haven't had a taste of every doughnut in America, but I'd say it was worth it standing out in line in January on a Saturday morning. Just remember to have cash on hand, as they don't take plastic. And definitely go for the $1 coffee. It's the best $1 coffee I've had.

    (5)

  • Derrick T.

    Holy smokes... Literally the BEST doughnut I've ever had in my life thus far. Part of the reason may be because it's served fresh right as they come out, but even so, they've got their flavors and cooking process down pat... They aren't cheap ($3 a donut), but they are gigantic... think 1.5x the size of a Dunkin Donut, and faaaaaaaaaaar tastier. No wonder this place sells out of donuts so fast... by the time we got there at 9:30 (they open at 8:00), two of the flavors were already sold out! 1. Red velvet donut (rotating): Firm crisp outside yields to a soft airy inside. Cream cheese frosting offers a great balance. Very tasty. 2. Apricot filled donut: VERY tangy, and filled from the top in. While there's lot of filing, it's hard not to make a mess since you can't eat the donut from the filled spot. Again, very good donut, though I was hoping for something a bit sweeter and less tangy... 3. Vanilla glazed and chocolate glazed donut: Both of these were spectacular...soft and airy, generous glaze... it's like eating a cloud of sugary sweetness. Verdict: Seriously, the best doughnuts my wife and I have ever had in our lives so far. Next time we go, it will be 8:00 sharp...

    (5)

  • Aditi R.

    This place is so adorable. It actually looks like a vault and is gorgeously decorated even if it is a little hole in the wall. The service is great as well! I luckily walked in without a giant line snaking around the corner and got the following: 1. Vanilla Glazed Doughnut: $3 - sooo good (and it's a beast!). I had to eat it in 2 sittings. The glaze is absolutely perfect and the way it comes out, I almost don't want to eat it. The sweetness is perfect. 2. Classic Buttermilk Donut: $2 - perfect. Just perfect. Right about of doughiness, a bit of crispiness, and the perfect amount of sugar. 3. Coffee: $1 - perfect to wash it all down. Just make sure you have cash with you when you get here. Overall, I like this place much more than I liked Glazed and Infused (plus its an a much better value for money spent) And just in case you're not as lucky as I was, a decent amount of time.

    (5)

  • L. Danovia ..

    I knows my dough and these donuts did not live up to the hype in my book. I waited for 30+ mins and ordered about one of each so no one would be able to say, "you should have got the..." The vanilla tasted like lightly glazed bread. Maybe I went on a bad day...

    (1)

  • Nathan B.

    Just moved to Chicago. Wanted to check out all the donut shops downtown. This one was definitely on the list. Got up Saturday morning and headed out. The line went around the corner, which got me super excited. I thought, "Hey with this kind of line, it's GOT to be good, right?" Turns out the line was forming even before the place opened. 1 hour later, doors opened and it took my ~45 minutes to wind through the line and get to the front. Yes, this place has a really cool atmosphere. The decor is really great. It's in a really cool location, but sorry, behind everything the donuts are just ok. There are plenty of other gourmet donuts shops that make better donuts AND have a larger variety. Doughnut Vault = not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Janelle C.

    YUM! Purchased a buttermilk donut from the truck and it was worth every 200¢. The buttermilk cake melted in my mouth and the glaze was the perfect amount of sweetness.

    (4)

  • Victoria G.

    Simply delicious! Make sure you come early. They sell out quickly! The chocolate one is my favorite and the $1 coffee is good too.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    If you could only go to 1 place to eat in Chicago it must be The Doughnut Vault. First of all let's talk about the fact that they actually spell the word "doughnut" properly! That means it must be authentic :) But, seriously, it is THE BEST doughnut I have ever had in my life! I'm a huge fan of yeasted doughnuts over cake doughnuts, and their yeasted doughnuts are massive and delicious. I recommend the Chestnut yeasted doughnut and and old-fashioned. The old-fashioned was not dense, it was incredibly moist, it didn't dry out my mouth, it was absolute perfection! Whatever The Doughnut Vault is doing, they're doing it right. This better be your first stop upon arriving in Chicago. Also a helpful tip: get there when they open so you are guaranteed the doughnuts you want (the line get's pretty long, even on weekday mornings).

    (5)

  • Phill C.

    Mmmmm doughnut... You can never go wrong with a donut and they make 'em tasty! They were at a recent Dose Market and after waiting in a ridiculously long line, I got my hands on A donut. Yup, they were running low so it was limit one, but they were selling them for $2 each. I tried the Chestnut, which turned out to be a great pick. It was very moist, not too sweet, and had great roasted chestnut flavor. That was one tasty donut!

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    The short answer: the line is definitely not worth the result. I finally convinced myself to stand in line this morning to have a donut here at the Vault. The last time I went by, there were about 60 people in line (yes, we counted...you'll have time to play games like this while standing there), and our group decided that it wasn't worth the wait. Are the donuts tasty? Well, of course they are; the gingerbread stack might have been my favorite, but the old-fashioned and the vanilla bean glazed are also quite good. And the prices are about right for these gourmet donut shops that have apparently crushed Chicago in the last two years. But are the donuts good enough to justify standing in line for 35 minutes, like I did today? Hell no! What is really striking about Doughnut Vault is the operational efficiency (or lack thereof) of their operation. My line had about 40 people in it. Many of them were couples or groups. The Vault only sells five different types of donuts, plus a special each day. It's cash only. Why does it take so long to move people in and out of their standing-room-only entryway? You'll think about this a lot while you are there, because the line moves so slowly. When I finally did get inside, I could (sorta) see the culprit, and it is two-fold: first, the guy working the register was a really nice, semi-chatty guy. If they had someone working the counter who is better at turning over customers, I'm sure their business would be better (even today, a few people looked at the line and gave up before standing in it!). Second, totally the fault of the customers: given how small the menu is, the indecision of the customers is APPALLING. This is funnier because the semi-chatty guy yells out what the Vault is out of every few minutes, so it's not like you don't know what is available. With only four types of donuts left when he ordered, the guy in front of me today CHANGED HIS ORDER TWICE before settling on two glazed donuts and a coffee. I literally laughed as this was happening. You've been in line for almost 40 minutes, and you don't know what you want????? And most of my line today were locals; this would be frightening on a weekend during tourist season. I won't be back, because who has an hour to dedicate to buying donuts when you can stroll right in at Glazed & Infused/Do-Rite/Firecakes and spend that time eating? If you are hellbent on going, friends tell me that 10 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday might result in a short line, especially when it's cold. Note that these guys are not open on Sunday or Monday; the Monday thing is common in Chicago, but who thinks that food isn't a good idea on a Sunday (besides Chik-fil-A)???

    (3)

  • Lyndsey G.

    worth the wait everytime Also, GET THE COFFEE

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    Yummy! Fresh, unique, delicious!!!

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    Wow this place is amazing...super tiny, but amazing! When we arrived, there were 30 people in line. It must be good when there's a huge line like that! It was! My favorite doughnuts were the almond cake and vanilla bean. Oh my goodness! Simply the best flavor and texture ever! It's a tad pricey for doughnuts, but worth every penny! You MUST stop here! It made our day!

    (5)

  • Abdullah A.

    Ginger bread stack was delicious. Never had ginger bread doughnuts but was pleasantly surprised. Very cute little place in a cute neighborhood. Happy we stumbled upon it!

    (5)

  • Peter N.

    Have lived literally 5 minutes from here for 4 months and have didn't hear about it until 2 weeks ago. Decided to see what the craziness was about and go at 1030 am on a Saturday...rookie move. Line up was about 30 minutes at that point. Once inside, the place is maybe 15'x4'...so tiny. You get your donuts and coffee and get out. The buttermilk old fashioned is by far my favourite. Chestnut and vanilla glazed are close seconds. Wish the donuts were warm when we got them. They also serve bowtruss coffee which is really good as well.

    (4)

  • Wo w.

    This place seems extremely slow each time I'm there. It may be part of the cache, but plenty of other good don't spots in the city. Even driving to another neighborhood on a Sunday morning will likely get you better donuts faster.

    (3)

  • Romana Y.

    Delicious treats- the pistachio-coconut glaze is so good; the stacked gingerbread goes perfectly with their strong coffee; the chocolate glaze was good, but standard. Donut prices range from $2-4. Coffee is $1. Have cash on hand. The vault closes once their donut supply for the day has finished, so arrive early, especially if you're going for the daily donut specials; do expect a perpetually growing line. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait in line for the scrumptious treats. I was treated to these sweets after a long, and grueling, embryo exam. I'm not one to wait in line for any food, especially not donuts, but these were delicious enough to change my ways. As for waiting in line during rain/storms/snow... ya'll out yo' damn minds!!

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    I almost hate to post this because I don't want it to be more popular. The line can be long on those cold winter mornings, but it's worth it. I am not a fan of the donuts with tons of junk on them to make them "gourmet." I don't need bacon and maple syrup or bourbon infused items. That is why I really appreciate the chestnut glazed and the buttermilk at the Vault. They are simple, flavorful, and not overdone. I have enjoyed the other flavors I've tried as well, but when it's simple and I can savor every bite, I am more than satisfied.

    (5)

  • Roxanne A.

    I decided to stop by since their daily special was a strawberry shortcake old-fashioned ($2). Of the two small batch doughnut bakeries in the area, Doughnut Vault's old-fashioned donuts come out slightly ahead, since here they offer different old-fashioned varieties every day. Things to note: -it's cash only -non-old-fashioned donuts are $3 -they are closed on mondays -coffee is $1 -follow their twitter to see if they still have the donuts you want before you head over -their specials are on their website

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    LOVE their donuts, not much more to be said other than that. They are all good, the specials, the old fashioned, the pistachio is my daughters favorite. Priced right about 2 bucks per, have some.

    (4)

  • Dhruv P.

    Yea, your eyes don't deceive you. 2 stars. Two. Deux. Finally snagged a doughnut (or for the rubes like me, donut). GF got another one flavor. That's duo for us to salivate. Grabbed a coffee to counter the insane amount of sugar that would flow through out blood. Ran out the crowds. Spilled a little hot drink on hands. Snatched napkins, wiped mess, walked out door. Onto the corner, and sat on ground where outdoor seating was or could have been existent for Gilt Bar. Looked starringly at the doughnuts, couldn't believe our luck... took a slow bite and.... nothing. It wasn't mind-bending, it wasn't existential, it wasn't meta, it wasn't really anything but a good and voluminous doughnut. ... A few stars punched out for the pretentiousness of this endeavor. They limit supply to 300 doughnuts, make people follow their Twitter page (oh, 300 doughnuts, 75 people in line... now 100 doughnuts and 30 people in line... oh, looks like no doughnuts for you!) Yea, they build this (artificial) hype, and then let one person be able to buy 6 (sechs) doughnuts at one time???? How's that fair? And why would any one person need more than 1? Ein donut bietet zwei Mahlzeiten! What would your doctor and dentist say if they were at a party? Any more, and people, we have a obesity epidemic!

    (2)

  • Anuj S.

    This place is fun for a one-time deal. We did the whole waiting in line thing and I think part of the charm is the big wait until you get the goods. Also enjoyed sitting outside and munching on our treats. The line actually died down by the end of it. The doughnuts themselves were good. I wouldn't say they were the best ever and maybe all the build-up led to somewhat of a let-down. Not to say they were bad, though. We definitely enjoyed the doughnuts. Like I said, it was a fun one-time experience, but now that I've done it, I wouldn't necessarily do it again. Not going to rule out a craving in the future, though...

    (3)

  • J D.

    I finally had a chance to go here. Every time I wanted to go they were sold out of doughnuts. I got here early to try to beat the crowd. I was 3rd in line when the doors opened. The competitive side in me wanted to be first in line but there were two nice old ladies I front of me so I didn't mind so much. I couldn't wait to try the doughnuts. The lady in front of me actually ordered two dozen doughnuts. Seeing this unfold, I started to hyperventilate thinking there wouldn't be any left for me. Luckily they had a lot left. I bought the chestnut and vanilla glaze, the almond glazed (special for the day) and the old fashioned. All I was blown away by the chestnut glazed doughnut. I read in December that the chestnut glazed doughnut from here was the best in America. After eating it I can see why. It was incredible! The dough was so light and airy. It was glazed perfectly, and the sweetness was just right. The doughnut was on point! I loved it!!! The almond glazed was also fantastic as well as the vanilla glazed doughnut. I can't wait to try all the other flavors. The hype is real and I'm a fan for life! And yes...I like this place more than Glazed and Infused! My only wish is that the place is bigger. :-)

    (5)

  • Greg H.

    Best doughnut in Chicago rated by The Daily Meal.

    (5)

  • Amelia B.

    The doughnuts are fantastic, but I pretty much put a 10 minute wait on anything that's going to go straight to my hips. So your worst-kept secret is to check Twitter frequently during the morning hours. She'll start updating it 8am on weekdays and let you know the line, what's still in stock and what's sold out, etc. And good luck on Saturdays, unless you go during a huge rain or snow storm. But thanks to the Twitter gods, I've always gotten in and out super quick (and been saved of a trip when there are already 50+ people in line) But the pumpkin doughnut may be one of the best things I've ever tasted. And that says a lot. Now if only they would keep it year-round...

    (4)

  • James M.

    First, some intelligence - I drive by the Donut Vault on the way to work every day and check out the line most days. It seems like the lines are shorter than they were last year. Line looks longer on Friday mornings. Just had one person in front of me on Thursday morning @8:30. I've only stopped by a few times. The service is friendly. And $1 coffee is nice. What to order? Chestnut Glazed and their Blueberry donut - amazing. Better than Glazed and Infused. Strawberry oldfashioned and chocolate/vanilla - not bad, but not worth $3.

    (5)

  • Arlene L.

    Small and cute donut shop! The seating is all outside, so you can enjoy the donuts (soft and tasty, I had the gingerbread stack) in the nice summer sun!

    (5)

  • Ashley A.

    This place is all about hype. The limited amount of doughnuts is what gets the customers! I visited the Vault back in April. Waited in line for about an hour in 30 degree weather! The line was around the corner when I had gotten there and only grew larger. The shop is very small and probably allowed no more than 5 people at a time. Got an assortment of a dozen donuts. Nothing special besides the size of the donuts. The portions were humungous! Spent around $30 or so. Might be a little too sweet for my liking, though I did enjoy the jelly doughnut the best. The buttermilk old fashioned might as well have been glazed. The wait was worth the experience but not for the donuts! They weren't anything too spectacular.

    (3)

  • M H.

    They take credit card now!

    (5)

  • Valerie H.

    I am a HUGE FAN OF THESE DOUGHNUTS!!!! The best in town. I have tried all the other places, but nothing like these yeast donuts. My favorite is the Vanilla, it is fluffy inside and has the perfect glaze on top. They are VERY large. I love the decoration of this "vault" and like having a coffee when the table is out. I am not a huge fan their coffee, too dark for me (my friend loves it). I wish they would have a lighter option or hot water. The charm of this place is that it is not available always and you have to possibly wait in line to get them. If you know follow them in twitter you will know when to go w/o a line. Cash only!

    (5)

  • Corie Z.

    If I get to a business as soon as it opens and wait in line for 30 minutes - it better have what I want when I get up there. This was not the case at doughnut vault. Place opens at 9:30 and at 10am they're out of old-fashioned donuts - they ONLY thing I came for. I guess I just don't understand the hype. Place is in the middle of nowhere and the layout of the store makes me feel trapped in a creepy basement. When (and IF) you get to the counter the donuts are on trays of a pushcart. It's clear they do NOT make them here. If so they wouldn't run out after a half hour. There are so many other places in the area to get an awesome homemade donut and you don't have to wait in line or be disappointed when you get to the counter. The owners of doughnut vault apparently aren't business-savvy because they don't want to make money. I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Greg G.

    The gingerbread stacks are amazing. Tender, not too sweet, and cinnamon-y. My favorite - easy to see why others agree it's their favorite too :) Plus, they're made in a more manageable (and shareable) size than the other offerings. As for the Doughnut Vault itself, we got up extra-early on a weekday (I've heard weekends have even longer lines) specifically to look silly standing in line with people who look like they just woke up to well-dressed suits who were probably heading to work afterwards. If this wasn't free entertainment for us, it was for those walking or driving by. I suspect that some of us in line were there solely because they saw a line and thought, that must be cool. I digress. After waiting 30minutes in line, we enter the very small shop playing very unknown music. I'm pretty sure if someone recognized the song, the DV would have changed the song immediately. Water is provided, and a menu is posted on the wall. While we waited, we heard groans as some varieties were sold out or just sold out to the person in front of them (this is the reason I didn't get to try the old-fashioned). After reaching the [cool] register, you order your doughnuts, take them out, and begin feasting. I already raved about the gingerbread stacks - the other doughnuts I found to be not that great. Not only were they expensive time-consuming to acquire, but they frankly tasted like average doughnuts. Not well-mixed, somewhat oversweetened, average glaze. Huge, yes - but not worth it. If you do stop by or want to try, go for the gingerbread stacks - and maybe try the old-fashioned. Twitter might help in seeing what's left in real-time, in case you want to be sure your variety is in-stock. PS: We also tried the Doughtnut Vault at Dose Market, a monthly market at the River East Art Center. They featured very different flavors (ie: apple cider, lemon) - and surprisingly, I really liked every variety our group tried. It was like an entirely different shop than what I visited. Notably, there were a 3-doughnut limit for each person that quickly became a 1-doughnut limit. That was an awkward moment when the worker changed that right before my friend ordered. Their eyes met, he crossed out "3", wrote "1", and then pretended... I'm not sure what he pretended, but just be wary of the 1-doughnut limit. Picture: yelp.com/biz_photos/rV5_…

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    Talk about a unique donut shop, this place is a hidden gem in Chicago! But seriously, where's the kitchen? This place is TINY. I'm not much of a donut-eater, but I have to admit, the donuts here are pretty amazing. They're big, they're fluffy, they're delicious. Come early! They sell out fast. Oh and, be prepared to wait. :)

    (5)

  • J P.

    Let's be clear this place is over hyped. I like it don't get me wrong, but it is 3.5 star/4 star kind of place. The best is vanilla glazed doughnut. It is very, very good. Delicious. Not so- gingerbread stalks. Also, very limited options when it comes to filled doughnuts (at least on a days when I was there). This is a deal beaker for me. So in conclusion if you have time to wait around and you feel little risqué because you might not know what you will end up getting since by the time is your turn to buy all is left is gingerbread stalks, go for it. But for Fat Thursday (or Fat Tuesday) stick with Paczki ;).

    (4)

  • Jason H.

    I love this place.

    (5)

  • Jacob J.

    It's the kind of stuff baby angels make with clouds. What's that you say? the soft stuff. Fluff. Why $3 dollars for a friggin' donut. I say think about your typical Dunkin' donut. After that first bite what do you feel rolling around your tongue. Look at the bite you just took and realize the mild texture within. Now you look at a donut from the Vault and like thread count of bed sheets I ask you to think of fluff count. After a bite of these fluffy, soft donuts, take a look within. Massive amount of fluff. Not that marshmallow stuff, I'm talkin' that super soft stuff that makes chewing a treat. It's got just the right amount of glaze across it and it's perfect. I say pair it with a cup of Metropolis coffee at a dollar and your golden for the day. All three styles of donuts three dollars each and that's the whole menu. Interesting experience. The space is tiny and allows for approximately six or seven to stand in a straight line to wait within the entrance. No chance a person could budge. The lane is shared with a small cubbie filled with accoutrement's for coffee. If the line is any longer, you'll see them standing single file around the corner. Donuts are sold till they are sold out or the sign has been reversed to closed. Not a typical donut and worth the bookmark my doughnut fiends. Don't buy just one.

    (5)

  • Jai B.

    I AM NOT A BIG DONUT EATER. after leaving Green Street Smoked Meat, while waiting for Valet, we came across a very unassuming donut truck. We purchased a few donuts for dessert, one bite of the Buttermilk was perfect, but then we started to share and the LEMON AMAZING! Toasted almond Amazing. We didn't move and went back for a few more. I AM NOT A BIG DONUT EATER, I will be eating from here again. Can't wait for my morning coffee and one of these donuts. I'll follow them on twitter

    (5)

  • Alex N.

    Had vanilla glazed and pistachio glazed. Very big. Quite light and fluffy dough. Gingerbread stack was very good, and great for dipping in coffee.

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    The Doughnut Vault. It's one of those hole in the wall places you have to go to when visiting Chicago. Heck, if I lived in Chicago, I'd find myself here several times a week if calories and weight weren't an issue. It's small and unpretentious, a single blue door, a 8' menu painted on the wall besides the blue door, and a few seats outside the establishment are the only things that give this place away. Well, that and the long lines that can sometimes stretch around the whole block, down W Kinzie St. and all the way to N. Wells St. And with long lines, you have to figure they must be selling something good. If you want to be one of those fortunate ones to get their delicious doughnuts, please plan to arrive before the store even opens (especially on weekends) so that you can wait on line and raise your chances of scoring the doughnuts you've been wanting. Store hours are: Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 AM until everything is sold out Saturday: 9:30 AM until everything is sold out We arrived about 30-45 minutes before Doughnut Vault opened on a Saturday, and there was already a line of 40-50 that wrapped around the corner. But as soon as the place opened at 9:30 AM sharp, lines moved quick and we were lucky enough to get all the doughnuts that we wanted. Buttermilk Old Fashioned ($2.00) - A smaller donut, the buttermilk that was on top partially melted into the top quarter of the doughnut, which made for a creamy/buttery top, yet it still maintained a nice crispness. Delicious! Gingerbread Stack (3 small donuts for $3.00) - Crispy with a nice seasoning of gingerbread/cinnamon all around the outside. Ever so slightly airy but thick enough to make you feel like you're eating some substance. A solid doughnut that is sure to please, but the other doughnuts are the stars of the show. Chocolate ($3.00) - the doughnut was fully covered in a white semi-glaze and then topped with a chocolate glaze and chocolate sprinkles fashioned in a quasi-drizzled effect. This doughnut was huge, just like the other glazed doughnuts (Chestnut and Vanilla). With all that glaze I was afraid it was going to be too sweet, but it wasn't. It was neither too airy nor too thick, making for one of the most scrumptious and delicious donuts I've ever had. It's a must try!! Also keep an eye out on Twitter (@doughnutvault) for the doughnuts of the day which vary everyday. The day we went, Pistachio was being offered, consisting of a green glaze and then sprinkled with pistachio bits. Sometimes they can still have a good number of doughnuts left by noon on weekdays, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on Twitter to see what they have left. Almost any doughnut that you get here is sure to please. If you don't have the luxury of coming with a bunch of people to try all the doughnuts, I guarantee you'll be back again. I know I will!! But if your stay in Chicago is short, you can get several put in a nice brown box and indulge your inner gluttony.

    (5)

  • Emmy M.

    These are doughnuts of epic proportions. Go for the chocolate glazed. If the weather is nice and you're not in a hurry, head outside to the fire escape and eat your doughnuts there to make passersby jealous. I went at 10AM Friday morning on December 16th, and there was NO LINE! Very lucky. And dollar coffee? That's how much plain coffee should always cost, everywhere. *In Arnold Schwarzenneger voice*: "I VILL BE BAAHCK."

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    A buddy recommended the Doughnut Vault during my last visit to Chicago. A tiny window served large doughnuts and coffee only. Here's the catch. When the doughnuts sell out the shop closes. While I was waiting in-line, I was told that you almost always wait in-line and flavors change daily. You may not be able to enjoy the same doughnut flavor two days in a row. I had a chocolate doughnut with sprinkles. It was light, not dense and cake like. It was decent and I washed it down with a cup of coffee. The doughnut was about 5-6 inches in diameter. Obviously larger than most doughnuts. The price is larger than most shops too. $3 per doughnut. This place is worth the hype, but not the price

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    Mmm... Old fashion... gingerbread stack... classic vanilla glaze. all good! if you're really a fan of new and intriguing doughnuts, check their website before going. they have the updated specialty menu that changes everyday.

    (5)

  • Hong L.

    The locals know best. I randomly found this on yelp and made this a must on my list-of-to-eats-in-Chicago. This was Stop #1 out of a long list -of-to-eats and it set the tone of what we would encounter - A LONG LINE. Yes, on a Saturday, we got there around 8:30am thinking we were early and it wasn't set to open until 9:30am. Oh boy, by the time we got there, there was already a line around the block next to Gilt bar. We waited for 1.5 hours before we got to order. Everyone before us would order 1/2 dozen or a dozen donuts. Doughnut Vault keeps it simple: 1. Buttermilk (one of my favorites), 2. Gingerbread (not my favorite), 3. Glazed (Be warned. These are big but light and fluffy) - Chocolate, Vanilla, and Chestnut (The Chestnut was very tasty and the flavor wasn't overpowering) 4. Special - Ask about the special because they don't have it up! Only allowed 2 specials per person. The special when we were there was Carrot Cake donut. (small, heavy, and cakey) I enjoy this place because they keep the donuts simple and focus on the taste. I could do without the wait but from what I see - Chicago people are willing to wait for what they love.

    (5)

  • Laneka G.

    I saw the truck in front of the 600 w Chicago building one day. It looked interesting but I was going to keep on to work until I heard a tribe called quest coming from the van so I had to stop I went the triple chocolate. Tasty chocolate glaze over moist chocolate cake with chocolate sprinkles on top. I would eat there cake for breakfast again

    (4)

  • Bryan L.

    Best Donut in the universe? Maybe. Best donut out of a hole in the wall in downtown Chicago? Hells yes! The Buttermilk ring of win was the deal. $2 for one, coffee for dunking, and I was out for under $5 and loved every bite!

    (4)

  • Nicole W.

    Yes. This place is literally a hole in the wall. In which delicious, delicious doughnuts live. And $1 coffee. There is nothing to dislike. Unlike the rest of the world, I did not have to wait at all. I had the buttermilk donut. Best doughnut ever? Maybe not, but pretty close.

    (5)

  • Vanessa G.

    The Doughnut Vault is another unmissable Chicago experience. I've tried nearly all of the doughnut spots in the city, and while they're all impressive in their own right, The Doughnut Vault is my absolute favorite. Sure, their store location is small and awkward (I've stood in a 30-person line in the middle of February for a single doughnut), and their selection is slim, but the craft, taste and texture of their product is unmatched. I'd pick one of their subtly sweet, subtly nutty "chestnut doughnuts" over a bacon maple glazed at Glazed and Infused any day. If you're interested in trying the doughnuts, or want to take a friend or out-of-towner, I suggest going between the hours of 9AM and 11AM on a week day. Or at the crack of 8AM on a weekend. Saturdays after 8AM, especially during the summer, are an f-ing nightmare; sometimes they run out of doughnuts, and I don't know about you, but nothing makes me crazier than standing in a long line. And, naturally, you won't be able to find a place to sit to enjoy the delicious, inexpensive Bowtruss coffee you've presumably bought with your doughnuts on one of these busy days. So take my word for it, get an early start to your day if you're interested in trying these doughnuts. They're worth it. Cash only. Get coffee. $3 per doughnut.

    (5)

  • Carrie M.

    Totally not worth the wait. They are ok, huge and expensive. Swedish Bakery has the best chocolate cake donut.

    (2)

  • Candice M.

    Holy One Holer's ! These are the best cinnamon sugar donuts I've ever encountered: light tasting- not to too heavy or cake/cupcake like. I love them . And I hate them. 5 stars all the way.

    (5)

  • Rubin K.

    TOP 3 Doughnut Experiences of my life...and I've had a lot. Things to note: Get there b/c lines start forming. I know someone who waited 1.5 hours. Once they sell out, it's done. Cash only. Limited menu. They have the staples of vanilla, chocolate, chesnut, plus an old-fashioned, and a ginger stack which are 3 smaller, yet normal sized donuts. They also have seasonal donuts I think...when we went, we got the pumpkin. We got there around 10:15 and waited about a half hour. And it was worth every second. I was quite skeptical going into this place b/c from all the pictures they look like gourmet donuts, which if you follow my other donut reviews, you'll know I'm not a fan of. Plus, they looked very dense and hard and rigid. However, it is all an illusion. Thank goodness. They are just able to make their donuts picture perfect and flawless while still making the inside as fluffy as possible. By the time we got to the front, they sold out of the ginger stacks and old-fashioned, so we got 2 chocolate glazed, one vanilla, one chesnut, and 2 pumpkin donuts. These donuts were definitey the best thing I ever ate. The chocolate glaze was nice b/c it was more of a swirl so it wasn't as overpowering as an entire chocolate clump. The chessnut was similar to a maple bar, but a bit sweet. The vanilla was just perfection, and lucky for me, I was the one that ordered it. The pumpkin was really good too, but for me, the vanilla stole the show. We waited about a 1/2 hour, but even if it was 1.5 hours, I'd wait again.

    (5)

  • Richard P.

    Got some doughnuts at Doughnut Vault during my recent visit to Chicago. Last time I visited I was unable to get these doughnuts, so this time I made sure I was there when they opened. I'd say that while these doughnuts are good, they are pricey. They are a lot larger than normal doughnuts and quite light, but they're $3 each. I tried the vanilla, chestnut, chocolate glazed and the raspberry filled ones. They were good, but not special. The raspberry ones were the only ones to stand out, because they were filled with homemade raspberry preserves, not the normal jelly. In summary, good but expensive.

    (4)

  • Tiffany P.

    These are the best donuts I've ever had! I tried all the different types, and I think the vanilla glazed is definitely the best. Next would come the chocolate, then the old fashioned. I also tried the gingerbread, maple, and pistachio, but I think it's best to stick with the classics. I came on a Saturday morning, and got in line a half an hour before the Doughnut Vault opened. The line was wrapped around the block, but it moved quickly once they opened. It took about 25 minutes to get donuts once the line starting moving. It is very small inside; the fire safety limit must be 5 people. There's only one girl behind the counter but she is lightening fast! Overall great, worth the wait, 5 stars!!

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    Caught the donut vault food truck this morning. I enjoyed the pistachio donut, the coconut glazed was good too. Shared with co-workers, everybody liked the pistachio. Donuts are $2 each, great price!

    (4)

  • Alexander B.

    Definitely a cult place with some huge doughnuts and 1 dollar coffee. Be prepared to wait in a line))

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    I can't believe I have never written a review for this place. I went here a few years ago and I had the vanilla glazed which was good, but to me a vanilla glazed doughnut can be only so impressive. Fast forward to a month ago, now that I live in the city again I get out to doughnut vault earlier and have had the joy of trying their jelly doughnuts. Since jelly doughnuts are my favorite kind of doughnut and this is one of the only doughnut shops in Chicago that carries them this is definitely my favorite doughnut shop right now. All of the jelly doughnuts I've tried here are amazing: raspberry, apricot, grape. Amazing!!

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    My sister heard about this place a while ago, so we ended up coming here to pick up some donuts in the morning. The line starts growing early and the Doughnut Vault sells its goods until there's none left which means you should try to come before the shop opens. +` Gingerbread Stack - 4/5 Pretty solid cinnamon sugar exterior but I couldn't really taste the ginger +' Buttermilk Old Fashioned - 5/5 This was actually very airy despite being a cake donut +' Glazed Chestnut - 5/5 The chestnut flavor is a little light but it shines through! +' Glazed Chocolate - 4/5 Oddly enough, the chocolate flavor wasn't very strong +' Pistachio Donut - 4/5 I couldn't taste the Pistachio, but it was still a good cake donut +` PB&J Donut - 5/5 PB&J on a donut is a bit heavy but the flavors are clearly there The Doughnut Vault sells unique specialty donuts, and although they may cost a bit more than Dunkins, they're worth trying! Bring a friend & try 'em all!

    (5)

  • Niti B.

    So my weakness is for a amazing doughnut any time of the day...being a pastry chef that is the one thing I always crave. I hit up this long lined hot spot and was happy to see that the doughnuts are fresh and gigantic. I had the maple glazed doughnut and it was to my liking. I do have to say due to the size of the doughnut I was in sugar shock and had to save a portion for later. I do want to head back and try a cake doughnut at some point but for now I think it's a bit much for me. Definitely better than Dunkin, hands down. The space is super cramped and I feel very rushed to know what I want when there is another doughnut lover breathing down my neck right behind. You have to be a decisive lover of the fried creations and move along as the wait gets impatient. Once again pricey but expected for a doughnut the size of my face!

    (4)

  • Nan K.

    I'm a huge fan of donuts so I couldn't wait go here, but I was pretty disappointed. I guess it's just a matter of personal preference but I thought their donuts were too sweet and sugary. I went at around 10 am on a Tuesday so fortunately I didn't have to wait in line but I don't think it's worth waiting hours in line for! I remain a loyal fan of Firecakes.

    (3)

  • Salil G.

    Perfect HUGE doughnuts every single time. Well worth the 25 minute wait in the rain. Classic flavors and made with love. There are no better doughnuts anywhere.

    (5)

  • Helen K.

    Finally made the trek to Doughnut Vault on a Wednesday morning. Arrived around 15 minutes before they opened and there were just a few people in line ready to start off their day with some amazing donuts. The actual inside of the Vault holds maybe 4-5 people inside at the most so if you're claustrophobic it might be a tad bit difficult to endure but the line moved fairly quickly so you should be a-ok. Now on to the ordering. We ordered one of each flavor and on that particular day their special was the birthday cake. So there were 7 different kinds: chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, chestnut glazed, orange marmalade jelly filled, gingerbread stack, old fashioned, birthday cake. We ordered an additional chestnut glazed and birthday cake because we are fatties like that and obviously 7 donuts for 2 girls was not enough. Damage done = $24 for 9 donuts. Service was great. There is only one person manning the place and she was very helpful going over the different flavors and didn't rush us at all. The donuts were nicely packaged in a sturdy box with their cute logo stamped on the top. Now on to the eating. 9 donuts for 2 people. Don't worry we did not eat all 9 donuts. That would be dangerous. We started out with the chocolate glazed which was my favorite. It was so light and fluffy and soft. It was triple the size of a Krispy Kreme donut. We then tried the old fashioned which was good but we both decided we liked the yeast donuts vs the denser cakey donuts. The birthday cake was good but didn't get to enjoy it as much because we were so full. Did not get to try the remaining flavors as I conveniently left them at my friend's place. But I'm sure the other flavors would be just as good as the ones I tried. Brought back the chestnut glazed and birthday cake for the boyfriend and he scarfed them down. He seemed to really enjoy the chestnut glazed donut. They also held up really well considering I bought them in the morning and he ate them later on in the evening. All in all, would definitely go back for more donuts! Wished they sold a maple bacon donut. But will be checking out other donut places for that flavor.

    (5)

  • Mike G.

    The nearest donut spot to offset any effort at self control. Donut Vault was among the first and maintains the quality that keeps the lines circling around the block. The lines are a mixed blessing. Prevents me from stopping each time I walk by but always a gamble to see if my favored old fashioned is sold out or not. Waiting in line, we all complain about folks walking out with 2 or more dozen. The sheer nerve to leave us hungry. The only thing I noticed altered since first opening is the addition of background music. Very nice.

    (4)

  • Britt D.

    Confession #1: I have not been here in months. Confession #2: I moved away from Chicago last year, but these doughnuts still haunt my dreams. Buttermilk old fashioned, vanilla glazed, chocolate glazed, oh how I yearn for thee. So much I'm willing to stand in line in the rain for an hour, pay upwards of $4 PER doughnut, and gain 2 lbs. each time I indulge. But heaven almighty is it worth it!

    (5)

  • Llamar 2.

    Love the texture and size of their donuts! However, I found them to be overwhelmingly sweet. Their coffee is kinda awful. They also need to expand. This isn't New York City!

    (3)

  • Teresa T.

    I think it's time for me to accept that I am a doughnut eating convert. I also think I have Doughnut Vault to thank. Like I've said before...doughnuts aren't my preferred sweet tooth answer. But I'd heard great things about this place (and also how quickly they sell out) so I knew I had to eat some of these doughnuts. My first visit was Thursday at around 9AM. There was a small line (around 10 people) waiting outside the tiny shop. Got the chestnut, glazed and gingerbread stack along with a dollar coffee. The special of the day was blueberry glazed but we passed. The gingerbread stack was yummy but cake doughnuts aren't my favorite. I wish the spices had been more assertive but the sugary coatings were good. My definite favorite is the Chestnut glazed. These doughnuts are light, delicious pillows of heaven. The chestnut lent a nice almost fermented quality and I quickly ate my doughnut in glazed bliss. They are also pretty big but are so damn delicious and airy that you'll soon find yourself empty handed, sticky fingered, and cursing your glutton. Friday morning, we got there a bit later at around 9:30 AM and sadly the daily special was already gone (mocha glazed) but got a chestnut glazed and raspberry jelly filled. The jelly was a great tart counterpart to the doughnut. A solid jelly doughnut in my book. All the hype is true. Do yourself a favor and get there early to pick up your goods and then spend the rest of the day in a glorious caffeine/sugar buzz.

    (5)

  • Alice J.

    The store is really small but cute. I especially love the blue paint. There is no seating inside but a large communal table outside. I went on a weekday right around 8 am and the line wasn't bad but it moved kinda slowly. Total time took me about 30 min to get my donuts. I really liked the old fashioned donuts which had a great crispy edge and a really soft middle. I also liked the gingerbread stack which came with 3 smaller sized donuts. I was excited to try the glazed chestnut, but felt that the chestnut flavor was way too subtle. The middle also wasn't as soft as I expected. They're closed on Sun and Mon and cash only!

    (4)

  • Christina A.

    The best doughnuts anywhere! I was a huge sceptic. Wait in line for a doughnut? Are you crazy? But I have and will again. And again. They are so worth it. My biggest problem is not over ordering. I always get enough doughnuts for 6 people but it's just me and my husband. Thank goodness, most of the doughnuts taste just as good the next day.

    (5)

  • Vanessa S.

    I'm giving Doughnut Vault 2 stars because I live in Oakland, CA and while in Chicago, I really wanted to try out this place. I got here about 10:30am on Friday and they were already closed because they sold out! I was SO bummed! There was even a guy that was only a few seconds behind me, who said that he even walked for 40 MINUTES to try out this place too. I'm so sad I didn't get to try it.

    (2)

  • Erin B.

    They're made of crack. Seriously. So damn good. Doesn't get better than this, and honestly, worth the late. I've been fortunate that I go later (and yes, they're picked over and nothing is left), but it doesn't matter. They're so good. Pricey, but worth their weight in dough! (PS--CASH ONLY!)

    (5)

  • Dennis S.

    Sorry - totally overrated. Good donuts. I tried the old fashioned cake donut, the ginger donut, and the raised glazed donuts. All good. None outstanding. Overlay the no-weekend-hours, open only until they sell out, and the limited selection, and it's a the-emperor-has-no-clothes place. Simply no reason to make the effort to come here.

    (3)

  • Jimmy J.

    Doughnuts are amazing.....have to keep your eyes open for it though. If your not looking for it you will pass it right by.

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    Whoa...chocolate/pistachio special is amazing! Guy at the counter was super friendly and helpful. Arrived around 9:15 am on Saturday and waited about 35 minutes to get to the front of the line. Real friendly crowd outside. Great way to spend a nice Spring morning in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    Got here early on a Friday morning cause I knew about the long lines and once they're out of donuts, they are closed for the day. We bought a bunch of different kinds of donuts for family and these donuts were huge! We all shared pieces of the donuts cause they were so huge! Very yummy though and worth the trip from the suburbs :) I'd say my favorite was the almond, regular glazed and chestnut. The chestnut donut is awesome with coffee!! The vanilla was a bit too sweet for my taste, but still yummy. Definitely check this place out especially if you have a craving for a good donut!

    (4)

  • Erik D.

    This place was looming on me for quite some time until I finally went there a month ago. I had heard so much about it and finally had a day off work and stopped by. The donuts that day were fresh and amazing. The vanilla glazed is probably the best donut i've ever had. The old fashion the surprisingly very very good. I had the gingerbread stack and was kind of unimpressed by it. It was sort of hard, which turned me off as I had gotten there at opening. The cinnamon toast crunch honey bun was sort of terrible and I actually threw it out, which surprised me. I think it's been very hit of miss which leads me to say its definitely not worth the 45 minute wait. Going anytime after 10 would definitely be worth it every time.

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    A coworker got up nice and early to wait in line for these (and paid cash, since that's all they take). Some of these were amazing, while others were average. The almond ones were a bit more bitter than I would have liked, and the vanilla was a bit bland. The gingerbread stack was AMAZING, though. They tasted like the apple cider doughnuts you got as a kid at the apple orchard. They were all our favorites, so be sure to grab some if you decide to brave the line.

    (4)

  • Melissa F.

    Get here early! With cash! There's always a line and they close when they run out of doughnuts. The buttermilk doughnut is absolutely delicious. If you want a doughnut the size of your face, get the vanilla. The gingerbread one was just ok. Chocolate is always a winner. This place is aptly named. It's basically a cutely decorated closet. Seating outside if you're lucky. Come prepared to leave with at least half a dozen. Like I said, bring cash be aide they're cash only. You won't be sorry.

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    I've been meaning to get to The Doughnut Vault for a while now, but the line is always outrageously long on the weekends. When I walked past around 12:15 on Saturday, there was no line! I popped in and bought two doughnuts for $5. Since it was late, there were only three kinds of doughnuts left: chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, and coconut old fashioned. I bought a vanilla and a coconut. I truly enjoyed the vanilla. Not too sweet, very soft, and huge! The coconut had a nice flavor, but it was overly sweet. I wouldn't get the coconut again. I definitely wouldn't mind trying other flavors in the future, but I refuse to wait in such a long line just for doughnuts. I suspect that the selection is always pretty limited when you go at an off time.

    (4)

  • JoAnna L.

    Came here on a Thursday morning about 9am, there were about 5 people ahead of us in line and it was easy to find. The menu is painted on the front of the building, but if you follow them on Twitter, they post the specials for the day and also the # of doughnuts left before they sell out. I bought 2 large doughnuts, a vanilla-glazed and a pineapple special for $5 total. They were yumm! The PB & J special my friend got was also amazing. Remember to bring cash! I would totally come back again if visiting.

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    3.5 rounded up Got there at 9:10 on a Saturday with good weather. Our spot in line was around the corner and in front of bisazza mosaico. When the line started moving at 935, the line went all the way down to Chicago brass and it was 1030 before we got our donuts. the chocolate glazed was not all that we would not get again the chestnut glazed and the ginger stack was good we would get again next time we would try the buttermilk old fasihioned and maybe vanilla + ginger, chestnut and the special long wait for slightly above avg donuts

    (4)

  • Mary Ann C.

    OMG...This place is amazing! So, I have been wanting to go here for quite awhile (well, since they opened). I am a huge fan of Do-Rite, but Donut Vault is better! This place is, indeed, like a vault. It is TINY. There is one person working behind a register in something that is as large as some people's walk in closets. There was a long table for outdoor dining, since it is warm outside now. I tried the old fashioned, lemon old fashioned (donut of the day), and the jelly donut (grape). So...the buttermilk old fashioned was AMAZING. However, the jelly donut is probably the best donut I have ever tasted...completely stunning. I cannot wait to try another flavor. Yummm. There was a line when I arrived at 7:50. I actually had an appointment that was cancelled, so I came here on a whim (might be better to plan the trip). Street parking was easy. The line took about 10-15 minutes, and I was about 8 people back. It is cash only....Otherwise, I would have ordered more! Cash and spur of the moment planning limited my sampling to 3 kinds. Next time, I might get one of each option...NOT just for myself!! LOL. Enjoy!!!

    (5)

  • John R.

    Pretty good donuts, but the wait time is really stupid. Glazed and infused is where I'm at. And I know doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Britt C.

    Stop number one on a two stop doughnut binge. What a way to start. The line was to the corner of the street almost. The long line didn't even phase us, other than being worried that they might run out before we could make it to the front of the line. Once we finally stepped through the door way we saw the super cute chandelier and the throw back cash register and I was instantly in love. Super adorable. They may not have a huge assortment, but believe me they don't need to. I went with a raspberry donut, which I didn't realized was the seasonal jelly filled until I got it. These doughnuts are some serious business. They dough is amazing, my raspberry filling was great. I would love to go back and try some more, I would love to catch other "specials" or seasonal flavors. One of my friends, Keith R. ordered the chestnut which was one huge doughnut, and Melanie R. got a gingerbread stack that came with three smaller doughnuts. Everyone was happy to say the least. They also have $1 cups of coffee, incase you have to have some coffee with your doughnuts, but if you can hold out you might wanna make the trek to Ipsento...which we did after hitting up just one more doughnut shop!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    My daughter has effused incessantly about this spot and brought some by. Ilive nearby and have sern the lines and hoped it wasn't just more social media enabled crowd sourcing. I was wrong. An entire generation raised on Dunkin Donuts who haven't been exposed to quality unless they pay excessive cost fuel the hype at this and the other "gourmet" donut shops. I'm too old to play that game...

    (2)

  • afro d.

    i have made many trips since my first visit.. always the same. that s a great thing. quality has not changed. yummy as ever. girl behind the counter very quick with wonderful customer service. this place is a trek for me since im in the northern suburbs,

    (4)

  • Taryn T.

    I don't even want to THINK about how many calories I just consumed by inhaling this hubcap-sized chocolate glazed doughnut. But I have no regrets. My hour-long run tonight will be well worth it. I must've gotten ridiculously lucky with timing - I walked right in at 11:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, and there was no line and every single flavor in stock. How could I not take advantage of this key opportunity to pop my Doughnut Vault cherry? And what an unforgettable experience it was. Can't wait to go back for more!

    (5)

  • Blythe Z.

    This place is so much fun. It's located on the Corner of Guilt Bar - look for the blue door. I have been twice and I love the sweet treats. They are pricey, but totally worth it.... it's not you average Doughnut. The inside is so pretty - looks like a glamorous time warp with a crystal chandelier and a retro cash register. The coffee is cheap - and the mocha doughnut was my favorite. My husband really like the vanilla & Ginger stack. I say, run don't walk here... and then plan to work out later!

    (5)

  • Luke D.

    Hype kills. I have to think that most of the 5 star reviews are from people trying to justify a long wait for donuts. The buttermilk donuts here are really good and everything else is just average. I know that donuts are trendy, so everyone is falling all over each other to praise $3 donuts to seem "in the know," but the reality is that most people could not discern a vanilla donut from the DV from a vanilla glazed from DD in a blind test. Dat Donut and Bridgeport Bakery wipe the floor with this place, but most of the yuppies waiting in line at DV are too scared to drive to Chatham or Bridgeport to give it a chance. Sad that people would rather waste an hour in line for $3 donuts than take a trip to the South Side to buy a better product for a fraction of the cost. In that regard, I give the Vault 5 stars for marketing. On a related note, you have to question the judgment of people who jump on food trends. It used to that cupcakes were AHMAZZZING, but now they're trash and donuts are awesome. I mean, just look at some of these DV reviews where people say they are abandoning cupcakes for donuts. Why not just eat the foods you like instead of the foods that bloggers tell you are cool?

    (3)

  • Tom J.

    I went here last Saturday morning, they open at 9:30 so we showed up at about 9:00 because we had heard there would be a line. At 9:00am there was already a considerable line. Over an hour later we finally got to the front, and the prize....the opportunity to pay $18 for 6 donuts. Thanks. Yes the donuts were good but I'm reviewing the whole experience here. If you enjoy waiting in line for over an hour in 80+ degree temperatures on a Saturday morning when you should really still be in bed then this is for you... and as one other reviewer mentioned, I cant stand in line for 45 minutes on a weekday, I have a job! Good donuts but no donut is worth an hour + wait.

    (2)

  • Carolyn L.

    I can't really add anything that other Yelpers haven't written. But I do want to say that these donuts (sorry, doughnuts) are like biting into flavored clouds. They are so soft, fresh, and GIGANTIC! I bought a dozen for my office (thank God they lifted the 6 only rule!) and we devoured them. I will definitely keep this place in mind whenever I need a special treat to pick up my spirits. The line is getting shorter these days too so I only had to wait about 15 minutes.

    (5)

  • aldrich b.

    Doughnut's were awesome....huge and tasty. Not a big selection, but the quality is top notch. A bit pricey($2-3 per doughnut)....but these are like twice the size of normal doughnuts. Some seating outside, but it is literally just a walkup to the register and order type of place. Cup of coffee for $1 too.

    (4)

  • Hamster P.

    I was getting a hair cut at Red7 and saw a line so I thought I'd get in line too ..not sure what it was for. Line took an hour! and by the time I got to the door they were out of everything except the gingerbread stack. So you really can't go wrong with fresh donuts and of course hey were delicious. But I have to take two stars down for the unpredictable business hours and ridiculous line for something as fast as handing out donuts. Summary: The donuts were good but not 1 hour wait in the morning good.

    (3)

  • Jeff R.

    I finally got to taste a doughnut from the "vault." There's not much to describe - it's a walk up window that serves three kinds of doughnuts and coffee. It's an early morning gig and the line gets quite long on saturdays. Once inventory is gone they stop selling and you're out of luck. The real question is, are they worth it? I'm not a fan of waiting in line for anything, especially food, but you definitely can't find doughnuts like these anywhere in the city. We tried all three kinds - gingerbread stack, buttermilk old fashioned and glazed. The gingerbread stack of 3 was delicious and small enough that you didn't feel too guilty. The buttermilk old fashioned was my least favorite since it seems heavier on the sugar and less on the dough. Our favorites by far were the glazed. These are not your normal glazed doughnuts. Think car tire size. And the doughy middle is more like cake than doughnut, super soft and squishy. I prefer the classic vanilla glaze but the chestnut is also quite good. None of us are huge chocolate fans anyway so we'll let the doughnut fanatics eat that one. If you're a big doughnut fan you must try these. If you appreciate amazing sweet baked goods you must try these. I recommend a mid week stop to avoid the crowds and line and I highly suggest walking home afterwards (they're likely to fill you up for a while). Chicago is lucky to have cool and delicious new take on an old American tradition.

    (5)

  • Mahsa T.

    My lovely, lovely (did I mention she's lovely?) friend stood in line for about an hour one morning and got us a box of these fantastic doughnuts. So I got to try it without suffering in line and I'd have to say they are almost worth it. I agree with the other reviewers that the regular glazed doughnuts are ooey, gooey, flakey, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Chocolate and coconut doughnuts were also excellent, other flavors were not all that great. I myself would not stand in line for these but if you love doughnuts, you might want to try these once.

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    Holy Balls of Dough Batman! We arrived at 9:45 and waited for an hour in a line that stretched around the block before finally stepping up to the counter in this tiny space. With a sampling of cake and raised creations in hand we scurried back out the door to examine the contents of our cardboard box, adorned simply with a charming rubber stamp. We feasted our eyes on unbelievably big, fluffy raised and tender moist cake doughnuts for mere seconds before literally feasting. Right there on the street half of these beauties were devoured, one by one. How does the Doughnut Vault produce such fantastic treats without the slightest hit of the grease they were surely fried in? Must be magic. I've just added a new place to my "Must Visit While in Chicago" list. It's a good thing I'll only get to the windy city about twice a year...

    (5)

  • Jace K.

    I don't understand the hype behind these donuts. I think I am missing a vital link that makes everyone else loves these donuts. I really like donuts and I do like the donuts at the Donut Vault, but they don't seem particularly special and definitely not enough to warrant the price. We got the chocolate glazed and the normal glazed. The chocolate glazed had a very nice glaze- it was sweet and balanced. Not overly sugary like the cheap donuts, but a rich flavor was present. The normal glazed was -eh- Both donuts were large and had layers of flakiness. If you are a coffee drinker, I would imagine part of the joy would be that the donut wouldn't finish before your first beverage and it has a dense flavor. Perhaps, I should have gotten the buttermilk donut. I would give 3 stars for the average donut, but dropped it for the price.

    (2)

  • Rob E.

    5+ stars for taste. 5 stars for the customer service personnel and the tweet updates. Less than 5 stars for the wait, the short availability time and running out of product - all three of which are kind of by design with their model. But still, if you wait in line for 30 minutes for a doughnut, you should be able to get it.

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    Very good fresh doughnuts!! BUT to me, not worth standing in line for hours for...I'll make my own doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Marisa V.

    I will preface this by saying I am in agreement with every person who loves these doughnuts. They are delicious and fresh and wonderful. I also love the quaint little (emphasis on little) shop and the fact that they play hip hop gangster rap despite its French-inspired charm. That said, Yelp is not just about reviewing food - but about reviewing the overall business experience. I'm posting 3 stars to help level out the important consideration of what one must do to get said popular doughnuts. They open whenever they want, so you can show up at 8:30 and be waiting 15 minutes while they take their time. Not cool; it's a business, so they should be punctual. The lines are so absurdly long that even though I love the doughnuts, I dread the idea of going back. I got a life to live, people - I can't be out there waiting for the sun to shine, even if it's in the name of delicious calories. MY REQUEST is that they at least try to make the effort to kick up courtesy a notch and also bring some efficiency to it as a courtesy to the customers waiting for so long. Have someone out there selling the $1 French press cups of coffee to the people waiting in the cold. Or hell, give out the damn $1 cup of coffee for free. Or make it a small cup that would only be 50 cents - just show some love to the loyalists who are spreading the buzz about you across the city. As for the long line, ever been through the drive thru at Portillo's? They've got two lines and people standing out there to expedite the orders. Have a doughnut vault person sport a headset and get out to that line and get some orders. Go in order of who's in line - ask for a name - stick that name on a pre-ordered fresh box and by the time they are inside, they don't need to ask the chick to poke around for doughnuts off the tray. Maybe there are kinks to work out but I am sure it can be done somehow. I believe in you, DV peeps! Make it work! :)

    (3)

  • Zaneta W.

    I LOVE DOUGHNUTS!!!!! Third time's a charm! Tried coming here twice before I finally got my hands on these delicious doughnutssss. First time I wasn't aware of how fast they sold out, go there at 11:30 only to find out they were closed. I knew better the 2nd time, but unfortunately made the mistake of going there on a Saturday at 9 pm and didn't want to wait in line with the chance I wouldn't get the flavors I wanted (it was all the way around the block). 3rd try (I said if it didn't work on the 3rd try I could never come back) I went there on a Wednesday morning at 8:30, waited 30 minutes and got 6 donuts. SUCCESS :) - Chestnut & Vanilla - tied for my favorites; they're not as rich as the chocolate and have the perfect amount of glaze - DELICIOUS - Chocolate - really good, but also really rich and I could only eat a couple bites before my mouth went into sugar overload - Old fashioned - really good as well; i've always been more of a yeast doughnut person rather than cake, but these were awesome as well I thought that once I got my doughnut vault fix, I would be content, but it just made me want to go back there every morning. I wish I lived across the street (but my body would probably hate me if I did). Overall, wonderful treats. Thank you doughnut vault for filling the doughnut void in Chicago, b/c dunkin sucks and YOU ROCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

    (5)

  • Jaimie C.

    Yay for doughnuts! I was not a believer in the doughnut and typically do not partake when the typical "dunkin" variety is brought in but a friend of mine thought it'd be a great way to send off a co-worker on working remotely. So we decided to arrive by 8:15 to get our spot in line. I am so glad we did. First, let me start with the adorable "400 1/2" address. When you see the inside, it really is a 1/2 or potentially a 1/8. But sits on the side of the Guilt Bar. But you can't miss the becoming famous blue door, doughnut description/prices sign, cute little seating area and of course the line! As we arrive, we see the WGN truck and camera crew setting up. They interviewed those waiting and asked.... how long would you wait inline for a doughnut? Since my friend and I had not had these delicious round cakes (oh yes, I said cake, because that's how amazing they tasted to me, but I'll get to that) before, we said 20 mins tops. We were like 20th in line. The line moves quickly and we probably were there about 20-25 mins before we were able to get our hands on those amazing cakes, I mean doughnuts. Once you make it inside the smaller waiting area, you can't miss the old school hip hop blaring from the speakers, the subway tiles, old school chandelier and cash only cash register. We opt'd for a dozen that had a little bit of everything. The glaze doughnuts are really large but covered in goodness, the old fashioned are fresh and light and we had the brown sugar stack....my favorite. I recommend going early, getting a spot in line because you don't want to limit yourself to just one type of doughnut....or be sad you missed out on getting a bit of everything they have to offer. Bring a friend or get your favorite coffee on the way so the wait doesn't seem so long. It's worth it. They have made me a fan of the doughnut....who knew! Crispy creme watch out.

    (5)

  • Barb S.

    I learned about the Doughnut Vault from an employee at my health club (they really look out for your health there!). After reading about the long lines and unpredictable opening time, I arrived at 7:20 and was first in line. The Vault finally opened at 8:30 at which time the line had snaked around the block. Which apparently underlies the unpredictable opening time. I don't believe that they open the door until the line is an acceptable, buzz worthy length. I base this conclusion on the fact that on two separate occasions, an employee peered out at the line from a side door. The first time, the line was still confined to Franklin. When he re-appeared 20 minutes later, the line had grown to the point where it wound around Kinzie. Shortly thereafter, the door opened. I naively thought that since I was first in line that I would be able to sample all their varieties. However, the ginger stack wasn't ready yet. I wonder if this is an attempt to garner repeat business. Note to owners: the way to promote repeat business is to respect your customers by posting and adhering to regular hours and to have all items available when the doors open. For cryin' out loud, the Studio 54 business model couldn't sustain its namesake. And they had the advantage of celebrities and cocaine! It's not gonna work for a doughnut shop! I'd have given them only one star, but I have to admit that the doughnuts were very good. The chocolate glazed doughnut in particular was phenomenal. It tasted as if it had a custard filling. I honestly don't know how they achieved that. But are the doughnuts worth standing in line on a chilly, rainy day for 70 minutes? For my money, the answer is a resounding no. You can get doughnuts that are just as good, with a greater variety, and none of the attitude from Spunky Dunkers (Palatine), Honey Fluff (Countryside), and Dunk (Melrose Park).

    (2)

  • Jeannine H.

    Okay I was downtown running an errand on a cold, rainy, dreary morning near the Merchandise Mart and I remembered...DOUGHNUT VAULT!! Now to be clear...I love me some baked goods BUT I hate ridiculously long lines, overhyped places, and any Chicago institution that draws random hipsters, tourists or other lookie-lous. One of my friends had hipped me to the fact that a rainy day was the best day to go and she was right the line only had 3 people ahead of me at abuot 9:30am (good thing too cause as much as I hate lines this review would have seriously suffered if I had to wait in a long line). But enough with the pleasantries...on to the dounuts. For Scientific purposes I simply ordered one of each BTW I caution against that...those are some Big A$$ doughnuts and it was way too much for 1 or 2 people to eat. The coffee also was excellent Old fashioned - OMG...my clear favorite, tender cakey, sweet, light...everything a doughnut should be in short the PERFECT doughnut Gingerbread stack - 3 smaller doughnuts moist, soft, decent spice...but nothing to write home about Vanilla Glazed - large moist, doughy, yeasty very tasty a tad too sweet for me Pistachio Glazed - my second favorite...excellent flavor and crunch from the pistachio contrasted nicely with the soft pillowy doughnut and was a good balance to the sweet glaze Chocolate Glazed - had both the vanilla glaze AND chocolate frosting and sprinkles...as good as this doughnut was it was so sweet my teeth began to hurt after eating the third bite and I gave it to a friend who is a serious sweet fiend and he loved it. So all in all pretty good doughnuts that come close to the hype (assuming you don't spend all morning waiting for them). My actual review is more like a 3.5 stars but you can't do that half star thingie on Yelp.

    (4)

  • Corin C.

    Donut Vault, I love you, I hate you, I want you, I need you! I hate you for always being so busy that the line is over an hour and I refuse to wait in any line - ever! Luckily, I have a friend who didn't mind waiting in line so I got to try your treats. I also hate you because I can't resist you! You're like an old lover who I'm obsessing about over and over again and I can't get you out of my head. I love you for your little clouds of pastry heaven. These are not donuts, they are orgasmic little puffy mounds of deliciousness. I want you especially with a nice cup of your french pressed coffee and I need you on a Sunday morning when you're NOT OPEN! DV, I need to see you in person so I can see the beauty of your trays. I need to smell your aroma and fragrance and I need to taste you and bite into you. The buttermilk and chestnut donuts were like nothing I've ever had and it's about time Chicago got some quality donuts. I would never call these donuts just because they cannot be in the same caliber or category as any of those donut shops that are on every corner. These are special! I must give myself a pat on the back because when a chef pal and I were talking two years ago about this stupid cupcake trend that was taking over, I said the next thing to hit would be the quality donut. C'mon, DV isn't that enough for a VIP card so I can enter your velvet ropes without waiting in a crazy line? Ohhhh, I'm just half kidding. Maybe one day I won't be so stubborn and I'll wait in line for you just like all your other lovers do. DV, I need you right now but I will put you out of my mind until I either break down and see you early in the morning sans line or have a friend reach out to you and secretly give me some of your sugary delights.

    (5)

  • B C.

    The tricky thing about the Donut Vault is that it opens at 8:30, which makes it tough to get through the long line and to work by 9:00. We arrived at 7:30, putting us right at the front, the third group served that morning. All the donuts we ordered - pistachio, chocolate, and buttermilk - were rich in flavor, freshly baked, and pretty big. I was a little skeptical of the Vault's popularity at first, thinking it was the latest loop-office-worker-fad, a cutesy way to cheer up colleagues with a boxed dozen (and water cooler conversation fodder) but now I can honestly say the donuts are delicious. Still though, I don't think I'm willing to wait an hour in line again. It's definitely a checkmark off the to-do restaurant list, one time visit type of deal.

    (3)

  • Michelle M.

    I love DONUTS! OK really I love pretty much anything that is sweet. So I haven't actually been to this place my coworkers went and picked me up a donut. HMMM...$3.00 for a donut seems kinda expensive but I'll pay to try something new and especially since its sweet. I got a chocolate glazed donut which was the size of my head so I can't really say that the price is that unreasonable. Not sure if I'll actually go and buy some more donuts but why not try and buy a $3.00 donut.

    (4)

  • Liza S.

    I am rating this a 4 since FI and I are in a disagreement about how good these donuts are. I say a solid 4.5, but we'll get to that... Woke up early on Thursday with a slight hangover and ventured out in the cold (still in my jammies) to retrieve some of these cult donuts for my FI and I to enjoy in bed. No, he did not stir until I got back. Got the better end of the deal, in my opinion:) Arrived at 9 and there were only about 10 people in line and all donuts were available. I couldn't decide so I got one of each kind: chocolate, vanilla, buttermilk oldfashioned, chestnut, coconut and gingerbread stacks. Balanced the box and 2 coffees precariously and walked the 8 blocks back to our hotel, depositing them all on the bed. My favorites? Definately the gingerbread stacks or the chocolate although I found them all to be wonderful. The stacks were crisp on the outside but warm and doughy in the middle. Coated with a crystalline crust of sugar, they melted on my taste buds. The chocolate was delicately glazed and fluffly. So many places over do the glaze ratio! The doughnuts are enormous and although FI would have rated them a 3.5, I still found him snacking on the remnants the next few days when he thought I wasn't looking.

    (4)

  • Dennis J.

    Are you serious about the dough in your doughnuts? Do you crave intense, indulgent glazes? If so, put on your waiting shoes and get in line nice and early. I was up on Saturday because my wife had to work at 7AM and decided to (try to) get some doughnuts. I walked here from University Village, hoping to burn off at least enough to offset one donut (though, once I saw how large the glazed donuts were, that was soon forgotten). By the time I got there at 8:10, there was already a line 20 or so deep. By the time they opened at 9:15, there were at least 100 people there! I got the chocolate glazed (indulgent, like the beautiful baby of a dark chocolate bar and pleasantly plump ball of dough), chestnut glazed (interesting maple-y flavor, probably wouldn't get it again though), old fashioned (this was good, but maybe my tastebuds were overloaded from the chocolate glazed). They also handed out free gingerbread donuts which were lighter and had a great texture but not enough to win over someone who doesn't care for that flavor in general. Any of the glazed donuts are extremely doughy (though light), just keep that in mind if you're expecting something like Krispy Kreme. Now, would I go through all the hoops of trying this again? Probably not. Like Hot Doug's (well, without the great working class pathos), I want what they're selling but not enough to build portions of my day around it.

    (3)

  • Demetrio P.

    Two words...Yummy Doughnuts! Tried the Old Fashioned, Chocolate Glazed, and Vanilla Glazed doughnuts and all were so good! Prices are pretty steep for a fried doughnut, $3/each, but they are slightly bigger in size than the average doughnut and the quality is there. So it's worth it. Overall, good doughnut, good service, slightly higher but worth it price. Just a note, it's Cash Only there! Not sure why, but whatever...

    (4)

  • Christy B.

    I have yet to receive a bad doughnut here! I have tried each and every delicious morsel. Triple chocolate, Roasted Almond and Pistachio are my favorite. Get there early, it's first come, first serve and they definitely sell out fast!

    (5)

  • Kellen F.

    AMAZING. I was suggested this by a friend and I had to go back to buy doughnuts for the coworkers before I went back home. And keep in mind these are expensive doughnuts...but they're worth it. So, full disclosure: I used to work at a doughnut shop. So I am a self-proclaimed doughnut aficionado. When I took that first bite of the chocolate raised, I noticed the crumb was just unbelievable. Ridiculously consistent, fluffy... Then you look at the edges. No grease has soaked into the dough...none! And it's a fried doughnut! You don't get that at most places. If you ever want to tell a well fried doughnut? Pay attention to how it doesn't leave a layer of fat on the roof of your mouth. The Vault delivers, for sure. And the buttermilk ones are fantastic too. Great specials. And you know what makes this place awesome? Super nice people behind the counter who actually want to make small talk. Then they throw $1 coffee on top of that. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'll be going here.

    (5)

  • Jassu J.

    We went around 2 p.m. one day and the sign said all donuts were sold out. So I woke up early the next day to get there early. The donuts were okay. Overhyped. Have had better.

    (3)

  • Jeremy W.

    So seriously, it is literally just a vault. About the size of a small closet, but with sitting outside of the main area. It's tucked away down a side street and I was at first disappointed in the size. But. I was blown away by the quality of the donuts, the quality of the coffee, and the price for both. For less than six bucks two people both got donuts and coffee. I got the original buttermilk donut - simple, delicious. And a dollar cup of coffee that beat the pants off of any coffee I had in the city that week. Also, our male server was really wonderful and spoke to us about the city and wished us well on our trip. I can't ask for more from this place. I will definitely return anytime I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Kelsey S.

    Walk down Kinzie, round the corner onto Franklin and get in line. Fewer than 10 customers can squeeze into The Doughnut Vault, so depending on the day and time, the line can get long quickly. But the doughnuts are worth the wait. The Buttermilk Old Fashioned is great for the less adventurous; it's sweet and cakey with a slight tang. The Jelly rotates flavors, is coated in sugar and never under-filled. And if you're looking for a fall doughnut that doesn't have pumpkin as an ingredient, opt for the Glazed Chestnut - not only is it twice the size of a normal doughnut, but it is slightly nutty and spicy and a great autumnal eat. The Doughnut Vault also offers different daily specials each week ranging from Birthday Cake to Mocha Old Fashioned with Cocoa Nibs to White Chocolate Softie. There are always new flavors to try. And now that they accept credit cards, there's no excuse not to.

    (4)

  • Allison B.

    Adorable little place with delicious donuts! employee was super nice and even smiled for a picture . They were out of jelly but we tried one of everything else and they were all good! Donuts as big as your face....for real!

    (4)

  • Manpreet K S.

    I am in LOVE with these awesome!! They are huge, soft and perfectly melts in your mouth... I am so going back again soooooooon!!

    (5)

  • Tana B.

    I wish the doughnuts tasted as good as they looked. I got the daily jelly doughnut. It was almost the size of my face and I swear there was like a jar of jelly in the middle of that monster haha. We tried the apricot old fashioned, but that too was nothing special. We did visit later in the day so maybe the selection wasn't the best.

    (3)

  • J W.

    Hands down my favorite donuts in Chicago. It's something about the way they bake the donuts (the texture, etc) that makes them so good. I love their old fashioned donuts. The buttermilk old fashion is the classic that they always have, but they also have other specials (like strawberry, apple cinnamon, double chocolate) and at their Canal Street location they have Triple Chocolate and Coconut old fashion which are really good. I am not as big of a fan of their glazed donuts, as they are really big/heavy and not quite as flavorful as their old fashioneds. Even the glazed donuts are solid, however. Take note, that they rotate their "special" donuts daily, and they do a bad job of advertising what their daily specials are. They have a website online, but usually they don't update what their specials are until the end of the week, so if you are really interested in knowing their specials you should sign up for their email list (I still can't figure out why they can't just regularly update them on their website??). Also, it can be really inconvenient waiting at the Franklin Street location. You can expect to be in line there for at least 30 minutes during a peak time during the week and even longer on the weekend. On the flip side, the Canal Street location (only open on weekdays) is much faster and more efficient. Even with the wait, these are great donuts and everyone who works there is really cool too. Definitely highly recommend this place for donut lovers.

    (5)

  • Bristol C.

    These are my favorite doughnuts. I don't know what it is that makes them so special and delicious, but they are far more superior than other doughnuts I have tried. The line around the block is worth the wait. I'm not surprised that they the sell out so fast. When you're here you mind as well buy a whole box.

    (5)

  • Erica G.

    In planning and talking about my adventure to The Doughnut Vault, I got warned the night before by a local that there would be a line. And not just a normal line, but a good 45-60 minute LINE. I thought that a good strategy to miss this obnoxious line would be to wait out the initial rush and risk (gasp) not getting donuts. Opening at 9:30am on Saturday, I decided that waiting until 10:45am for my doughnut run was plenty of time for that line to die out. Turns out this timing was genius because I literally WALKED RIGHT IN. This very sweet-faced donut-eer greeted me immediately and then started to gather an understanding of my knowledge of the doughnut vault. When he assessed that I was a donut connoisseur but a novice Vault patron, he kindly offered to explain every. single. rack. of. donuts. in. detail. He highlighted which ones had won awards, which ones tasted like other things, and which ones were his favorites. All of the explanation came without hurry or judgment. Buttermilk Old Fashioned is MY FAVORITE DONUT OF ALL TIME and the vault's is the best I have ever had. The Vanilla Glazed, Chocolate, the cocoa powder donut holes were equally amazing. They change out some of the flavors pretty regularly, but you can find out what will be available through their Tumblr page ( thedoughnutvault.tumblr.… ). Is it worth it? Yes. What is "it"? The line risk, all of the donut flavors, and the calories. Commit totally here and you won't have any regrets.

    (5)

  • Ana A.

    The BEST donut I've ever tried! I had a cinnamon glazed donut, it was delicious! They run out fast so you better go early. I am in Chicago for a few days but I will definitely go back to try another of their donuts!

    (5)

  • Tim S.

    The perfect treat for a day of Christmas shopping. While running around the North and Clyborn area and feeling a little peckish I was pretty excited to see the Doughnut Vault mobile outpost parked right there in the thick of things offering up a sweet treat to tide me over for a little bit. Grabbed a buttermilk doughnut and was quite satisfied.

    (4)

  • svetlana k.

    Fantastic doughnut shop! I have been wary of this place, but I have been wowed! Ordered the chocolate and vanilla doughnut, blackberry jelly doughnut, and chocolate peppermint doughnut holes. Gosh, all were fluffy and finger licking good. I am definitely coming back here even if I have to wait in line as it often happens here. It is NOT cash only. Great coffee from bow truss.

    (5)

  • Karen M.

    Best donut I've had yet, the guy that sells the donut early in the morning has never had a bad day in his life! Always smiling and polite to everyone. Try the daily specials!

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    yeast are great, cake donuts are good but not sure if worth #$2. friendly staffa nyways

    (4)

  • Lindsay L.

    The thought of a fluffy, hand size glazed donut makes me drool in my dream. I would make my husband get our donuts while I wait in the car before we get ticketed for waiting in the long lines. Every donut I've had were scrumptious... Lucky me.

    (5)

  • LadyBird X.

    Wait, what? I've been waiting YEARS to try The Doughnut Vault donuts, but because I do not work downtown nor do I want to risk taking the L downtown on a weekend morning to stand in line just to see them sell out, I've never had the chance. By some miraculous stroke of luck I came across their donut truck the other day and immediately handed over my cash for a pistachio old fashioned (well, I actually wanted to order two but the employee thought I wanted to switch my original order so I only left with one). I would have preferred a yeast donut, but they didn't have any. I have to say they remind me exactly of Firecakes donuts, though Firecakes have stronger flavor. They're both insanely sweet and I can't get through half of one without starting to feel sick (and I'm a noted sugar fiend). I felt totally duped! Based on the hype, I had expected fresh flavors, gourmet quality and an artisan vibe, but the donut was insipid with no detectable taste of pistachio. I would love to try their yeast donuts, but it's not worth the effort (their location sucks and I refuse to engage in their twitter rat race - they'll tweet when they're sold out *rolls eyes*) Also, the coffee here is garbage. Aside from fresh cider mill donuts, which are impossible to get in this city, Stan's Biscoff donut remains my favorite.

    (2)

  • Jason F.

    best doughnuts hands down .. then again I'm a sucker for old fashions and the almond and pistachio flavors sent me to flavor town USA! great work and keep coming up with new flavors!

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    Came here to try the hype and it was average. Nothing out of the ordinary. Their service is really good and the girl working in the vault that day was very nice. I tried the old fashion and it wasn't as good as I expected. When I tried the glazed one it reminded me a lot like a krispy kreme doughnut. All in all it was an okay experience nothing too special

    (3)

  • Casey S.

    Expecting greatness. I was disappointed. It is a solid little hole in the wall but nothing to yelp home about. I had the pistachio buttermilk, a jelly filled and a regular buttermilk. All of them were good but not at the level I expected being a 4-5 star reviewed shop. I would have to chalk this up to the fact that the donuts aren't fresh. They bring them in to the vault in the wee hours of the morning. The frying begins somewhere between 2-4 am, so I was eating 6 hour old donuts? The vault had a great feel. I loved the vibe of the hole in the wall but I'd take a Donut- Chinese food shop in a strip mall in Santa Ana with freshly fried donuts over the Donut Vault any day.

    (3)

  • David B.

    Only been once so far, as part of a doughnut crawl, but got to sample about six or seven of their varieties at once and everything was very very good. I loved their regular glazed and regular old-fashioned the best. The only one that disappointed me was the gingerbread stack, which I was hoping would be more flavorful. But, you can't really go wrong here!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    I have died and gone to donut heaven. I'm not a donut fan... but Donut Vault... just shut your mouth and take my money.

    (5)

  • May P.

    Really really good raspberry filled donut! They have their exclusivity thing happening, so if you get here late, don't expect a good selection. But it's worth it to get up early and have your pick. $1 bow truss coffee is great as well.

    (5)

  • Andrew G.

    Ridiculously delicious donuts! This is the real deal and absolutely worth the line. This is a no frills store front (literally inside an old bank vault) with just a few choices for donuts. But they are all so good! Get the vanilla glazed donuts!

    (5)

  • Jen Y.

    Great old fashioned doughnuts... especially the chestnut! Fun place but was pretty picked over by 8:30 on random Wednesday when we went. Waited in line 15 minutes and were one of the last to score some doughnuts!

    (4)

  • Annie C.

    I'm so glad my sister found this place on Yelp for our quick trip to Chicago. We got there at about 12:30 and were worried that they would be sold out, but they weren't and thank goodness! We each Loved our choices. She had the chocolate glazed, which was huge, and I had the special, which was the salted caramel old fashioned. It was fantastic! Probably one of the best donuts I've ever had. And the shop was so cute and tiny. I love places like this!

    (5)

  • Cindy W.

    Got here right at 7:55 AM and waited patiently for a friend even though the donuts were singing to me. *Sigh* There were about 5 people waiting ahead of me and I had to reluctantly let them pass... oh well. I ended up grabbing their chestnut donut ($3) and a cup of Bowtruss coffee ($1) and they perfectly complemented each other. The chestnut donut wasn't too overwhelmingly sweet and very doughy. The size is HUMONGOUS! And I'll probably skip lunch today. It was so worth it though! I hate it when donuts are so ickily sweet that you feel bloated afterwards. Nope, I'm a huge fan of the high quality of their donuts. I would definitely come back. The place is also tucked away on Franklin close to the Merchandise Mart. It has a really cute, light blue exterior and a nice patio. It's really small -- maybe fits 8 people inside? Don't forget that people get boxes for work (such generous people... can I work where you work?) so get there early! ALSO: It says that they're cash only but I think they just switched over to card so they take that as well now.

    (4)

  • S H.

    Yes it is that good. Must have more! Donuts have nice texture and are uniquely full bodied instead of the usual sweet on sweet. Went on a sunday morning around noon and they had only two flavors left!

    (5)

  • Jane W.

    I've been wanting to come here for ages, but the chances of me being in the city early morning are slim. I decided to take my chances and stop by early afternoon even though I knew they could be closed by then - I was in luck! Having just finished a big brunch, I only bought one old fashioned glazed (which I regret... should've bought a dozen). It was an amazing donut - the perfect balance between doughy and fluffy, not too bready, and a delightful consistency with the perfect amount of sweetness. I literally went to donut heaven. They do take card, but their machine was down when I went, so they offered to give me my donut for free (I gave them $1 since that's all I had in cash, which at least covered 50% of the $2 price-tag). Given I only have a month left in Evanston, I really really really want to come back here and try their other flavors. Must make plans to do that soon!

    (5)

  • Lisette M.

    The donuts were okay. I got one of each and they were tasty but I wouldn't wait in line just for their donuts. I'd rather stop by Dunkin donuts because the taste is the same. The bread was soft and fluffy but other than that I don't think I'll be back here anytime soon. I would recommend the gingerbread if anything.

    (3)

  • Stephanie L.

    OMG, this place is delicious. It is technically my second fav place (Do-Rite I LOVE YOU). But this place is the BOMB for huge fluffy, yeast like donuts. They are light and sweet and heaven pockets. The bad the space is small so expect to wait in line outside cash only small selection no seating so you must take them to go

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    A very high quality product that the office enjoyed. They take credit cards now. I got here on a weekday at 7:40AM and was third in line. They open at 8AM. Basically got every doughnut for the office to try. My favorites were the chestnut glazed and blueberry old fashioned (which was the flavor of the day). Definitely better this time when I bought and tried them fresh early in the day as opposed to the other time I came in the middle of the day in the winter. When I had the several hour old chestnut glazed doughnut it was unimpressive.

    (4)

  • Breanne B.

    Best. Doughnuts. Ever. Get here early and be prepared to wait in line! We usually get there before they open to avoid a long line and the doughnuts are nice and fresh. My personal favorite is the vanilla glazed, but you cannot go wrong here. I dare you to try to only eat one! They stick to classic flavors and the ingredients are high quality. Just writing this review makes me want a doughnut right now. Go go go!

    (5)

  • Lili K.

    We got here ten minutes before they opened on a warm, Sunday afternoon, and waited a good 40min in line. It wasn't even a long line to begin with, just went a little bit past the corner. Anyways, I like how their mini menu is posted outside! I got the chocolate raspberry special (loved the jelly) and their famous chestnut (yum). It was all so filling and sweet, I could only stomach half (so definitely share!). Or you can hoard them like most of the people in line did-hey, you gotta make the most of your wait!

    (4)

  • Farooq K.

    Had high expectations! Sadly didn't pan out. Got 12 donuts and took a bite of each one they offered for the day. Their standard donuts (old fashioned, 3 glazed, gingerbread, apple fritter) were just OK. The glazed donuts are light and have layering almost like a cronut (but not very dense) --- but nothing special. Their special donuts of the day (jelly, triple chocolate, birthday cake donut holes) also didn't stand out. Don't get me wrong --- donuts are good in every shape and form. These just didn't compare to some of my other favorite donut joints across the nation (Voodoo in PDX, Dynamo in SF, Donut Plant in NYC, Randy's in LA). So bummed --- maybe went on a day (monday) where they didn't have popping special flavors (nice part though --- wasn't a line). But still, a top notch donut joint should have amazing regular offerings. Really don't think this spot belongs in the upper echelon of donut land.

    (3)

  • Tim A.

    The donuts here are so good. They are really fresh and tasty. You can tell the huge difference between a place like this and the crappy chain ones. Gotta love the sign that says closed when they sell out. You know a place has a good product when they say that.

    (5)

  • Shan D.

    Probably can't add more than what has already been said. Finally accepts credit cards. Got here at 11am on a Saturday morning. Sold out of the cream filling special by then. The line was 10 deep and still moves slow. To summarize the $1 coffee: you get what you pay for The pistachio glazed and the chocolate glazed are two of my favorites.

    (5)

  • Angeline C.

    This place has a small and rustic atmosphere, and there was a huge line out of the store on a Friday morning. I asked which the cashier recommended and was told to try to toasted almond doughnut. I also ordered coffee, which wasn't anything special. Got my doughnut and was so excited, since I love almonds/almond flavor! I was expecting a toasted almond flavor throughout the donut, perhaps with a light almond icing and lots of actual toasted almonds on top. Instead, the doughnut tasted like a regular doughnut covered in icing that was too sweet, with a few small almond pieces sprinkled on top. It didn't feel like they put any effort into making a creatively delicious toasted almond flavored doughnut, which left me feeling very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Jeff C.

    Donuts Donuts donuts! How can you possibly go wrong with donuts? At the donut vault you cannot go wrong! If you're in Chicago visiting or live there, then one place you absolutely must go is the donut vault. Make sure to get there early and you can check their Facebook page for information on the daily available selection. I heard from many of my local friends that we needed to get there early and if it's the weekend then get there really early. They make the donuts fresh daily and when they sell out...the doors close for the day. Homer Simpson would Definitely approve!!

    (5)

  • Allison M.

    The buttermilk old-fashioned is probably the best doughnut I've ever had. And I'm not usually even a doughnut fan.. but these were unreasonably incredible. They open pretty early but only stay open until they sell out, so come early and prepare to stand in line. Then prepare for a life-changing pastry experience. Wash it down with $1 coffee, or the water they have available near the counter. No words can describe what a Chicago gem this little counter is... It's just beyond stellar.

    (5)

  • Lise S.

    Good donuts if your in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip. Old fashion donuts were great. Bought one P&J donut but it was disgustingly sweet so threw it out. Quaint Small storefront - If you go be aware there is only room for abt 6 people inside.

    (3)

  • Molly M.

    Never in my life have I been a donut person. Probably because I was pretty much only exposed to Dunkin Donuts, Jewel brand donuts, Entenman's, & Krispy Kreme.. But Donut Vault.. WOW. These things are like orgasms in your mouth, a flavorful circle of cake and icing and love all bundled into a donut. It's unfortunate because I work in very close proximity, and my entire team has developed some-what of a donut vault addiction, a scary thought for the waistline. It's become a Friday institution. In the 6 months that Donut Vault has been across the river, I have tried: Birthday Cake Wedding Cake Chocolate Lemon Poppyseed and today.. Coconut!! .......All have been incredible. I truly have a deep love for this place, that is why I am writing this review. Seriously, go get a box for your team at work - and make everyone so freaking happy.. Or just go for yourself if you are having a bad day, a good day, or just need some delicious sugar in your life and get a cup of Bowtruss Coffee ( the best in the city IMO) to complement it!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Finally made it to Doughnut Vault. Thought that a day with threatening rain would help limit the line but by the time I made it down there (9:30AM), they were already sold out of the Chestnut Glazed (which I really wanted to try). Thankfully there was no line (though a short one formed right behind me). With the Chestnut sold out, I settled on the Vanilla Glazed and the Special of the Day, Double Chocolate Yellow Cake. The glazed was HUGE. Like monster sized. I ate about half before deciding to take the rest of it home (for a trip in the microwave). Taste wise, it was good, nothing special, and I think the glazed at Glazed & Infused is better. The Double Chocolate Yellow Cake was very good and by far the better of the two donuts. Super chocolately and very fresh. Big fan of this one. I will definitely come back to try the Chestnut and even some more of their specials. But I probably have to wake up earlier next time.

    (3)

  • Meredith X.

    I'm a dedicated reader of Seriouseats so when their rave reviews of this doughnuttery came out (along with a 20+ slideshow of all the doughnuts, drool), I knew I had to get a taste of these portable cakes during my next trip. Legitimately, a hole in the wall. There's maybe room to fit what, 10 people comfortably? We went on a Saturday at 11, no line AND there were doughnuts left. Talked to the girl working the counter and she confirmed that this was an anomaly. Ordered the choc glazed yeast, gingerbread, the last apple fritter (close call). After hearing that this was my first time at the Doughnut Vault, the girl graciously gifted us with a birthday cake doughnut. All were wonderful but the two that elicited an audible "WOW" were the chocolate glazed and apple fritter. The chocolate glazed is the size of your face. At first, you're overwhelmed and put off by the size. Take a bite, light, airy, a glaze reminiscent of specifically chocolate milk, easily devoured in one sitting. Adored the apple fritter, hearty, discernible chunks of apple, cinnamon laden glaze, made me nostalgic for those childhood apple picking excursions on brisk fall days. I would gladly brave the infamous and daunting lines for another taste of these doughnuts. A must when in Chi.

    (5)

  • Mark Y.

    First and foremost, for all those who wait hours in line at the Franklin shop, save yourself and go to the truck (if that's all possible). You can find them often on the weekdays next to Heritage Bikes on Lincoln in Lakeview and at the Green City Market on Saturdays on Clark! Line's always short, but the only offerings tend to be of the old fashion variety - which happen to be pretty damn good! I consider myself a donut fiend. One of the first things I look for when visiting a city is whether there are good coffee roasters and artisan donut shops around. I like all types of donuts given that they're not of the crappy Dunkin variety. DV does the traditional buttermilk variety exceptionally well. The dough itself isn't overly sweat (which many other shops tend to do), and they don't douse it with glaze. So, what you get is sweet with a hint of savory and the all so good crunch with what an old fashion should be. As well as the traditional, I also love the pistachio and almond! The coconut cream and lemon poppy seed are good choices if you really have the sweet tooth. I have yet to try any of the other varieties at DV, but plan on doing so very soon! I expect them all to be just as good as the old fashions because DV just seems to really get it! And for $2 each, I consider them a bargain versus $3.50+ for the Donut Plant!!!!!

    (4)

  • Tina A.

    Even though this place is not at all close to where I live, too often I still find myself waking up extra early and waiting up to 25 minutes in a line that's out the door...all for a doughnut. Yep, it's THAT good. In my opinion, you can ever go wrong with the glazed chestnut! It's got a subtle nutty flavor that pairs so well with the sweetness of the glaze. I've been dying to try the pistachio glazed for hopes of similar yumminess, but unfortunately the specials of the day usually run out first. The last time I went, the man right in front of me literally ordered the very last one. It was heart wrenching. There was nothing I could do but urge myself to live on, by instead trying a raspberry jelly-filled. The jelly itself was amazing, but the actually doughnut part was just standard. Other flavors I've tried: carrot cake softie (yum!), vanilla glazed (good, but not as good as the chestnut), gingerbread stack (yum!), buttermilk old fashioned (a crowd favorite so I've heard, but myself being a fan of yeast doughnuts over cake doughnuts, would settle for "good.") All in all, definitely check this place out if you haven't. I truly believe their homemade taste of "right out of the oven" freshness sets them apart from all the other trendy doughnut places around town!

    (5)

  • Andrea P.

    Ok first of all, get here really early. Like before they open. Because there will already be a line. I waited in the cold Chicago snow for this. It was worth it. Everyone walks out with a big box. You should too. The gingerbread stack was pretty good and tasted very churro-like. But my favorite was the vanilla glazed doughnut. The special when I went was the double chocolate yellow cake which was delicious but I wanted to try other ones like pumpkin, blueberry or birthday cake :( Guess I'll have to be back! You can get good coffee for only $1 too! Cutest little hole in the wall ever... It really does feel like a doughnut vault. I imagine some chef in the basement popping fresh doughnuts out of a black cauldron like magic. And... CASH ONLY!! Some nice guy held my place in line as I literally RAN aimlessly to the nearest Chase in the below 10 degree weather as it started to snow. The things I do for sweets...

    (4)

  • Eileen S.

    Amazingly delicious! My coworker had been raving about it so I decided to give it a try. I got the glazed vanilla. It's cheap! Get there early!

    (5)

  • Anthony N.

    Epic-sized donuts in a bite-size store? Yes, please. Not sure if they are run by same folks as next door neighbors Bow Truss, but my Yelp-sense points to probably. Which means you have some of the nicely decorated shops around town. My favorite touch is the shiny vintage cash register, which gives it a bit of quirk but still a very cool cafe feel all around. Donuts are gigantic and puffy as can be. The glazes are tasty and well-done. I guess I'm more a fan of the traditional cake style donuts, but I can appreciate a good donut. Best to come really early or a bit later on during the day as lines easily continue out the door and onto sidewalks.

    (4)

  • Tracy Joy K.

    DONUTS! My favorite dessert, this literally hole in the wall shop is another fun stop during your trip to Chicago. If you love pink-boxed huge donuts, this is a wonderful spot. Though previous reviews state that they are Cash Only, I believe that they now do accept credit cards (which slows the line a little, I'd still recommend bringing cash to not annoy the person behind you). They do run out of flavors! So make sure you come early if you want the whole assortment. I was able to get a chocolate glazed and an old fashioned, the chocolate was so huge I had to saved my old fashioned for later. These were great donuts, with crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, very sweet but a cup of coffee can alleviate that :). They have a bench outside for a few seats. Make sure you ask what the daily donut specials are!!!

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    Randomly stumbled upon the Doughnut Vault van a few blocks from a farmers market in Lincoln Park last Saturday. I'm so happy I decided to stop and treat myself. I tried the Lemon Poppyseed doughnut - and I'm still thinking about it. It was so good! And for only $2?!?! How can you go wrong? After raving to my husband about my find on my morning vacation walk, I've since learned that this place is kind of a big deal. Having tried the doughnuts first, and then learning about the hype - I can tell you the hype is very well-deserved. If you see the van - stop immediately and buy one of every flavor that they're offering that day!

    (5)

  • Saba A.

    Finally made the visit! Freshly huge doughnut with flavors light bursting in your mouth- a must do BUT don't go too much out of your way for it! There will be a line in the corner and it moves slow but if you are in town on a weekday morning and have 10 minutes to spare, get the 2 dollar famous old fashioned doughnut with coffee (hot or cold) for a dollar. Or ask for their specialty- I was lucky to try the pistachio which has been featured on websites and blogs about Chicago food. If you can't make a decision like me, go for all of them! The glazed chestnut, vanilla, and chocolate look just as scrumptious as well as the jelly doughnuts. The outdoor sitting area bench is cute and I saw a lot of people with their parents today. The decor had a 40's look with old gold and unique touches inside the little space to stand in line in and the girl serving was nice. I think my husband and I found our perfect morning spot- all though I don't want to be checking out my waistline afterwards...

    (5)

  • John M.

    What all other doughnuts aspire to be. Great texture and flavor. The buttermilk and chocolate glazed are the best in my opinion. Worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Matt W.

    I was expecting more after reading the reviews, but it's still a nice place for a donut. The blueberry-filled was way too sweet for my taste, but the traditional glazed was on point. Too bad there is not more seating outside (none inside). Also wish there was a more comfortable area for ordering since there is very little inside room for a line.

    (3)

  • Robert G.

    Does scarcity equal quality, when it comes to great donuts? Judging by the many donuts I've had at the Doughnut Vault, signs point to "yes". Lots of people know the drill; come when it opens, and stand in line for up to 45 minutes on weekdays (and, from what I've heard, longer on the weekends) to grab a bunch of donuts. The Doughnut Vault actually sells several varieties of donuts daily, not just the donut of the day, including some old fashioned buttermilk donuts along with the typical glazed varieties. But you really ought to make time and room for the specials. I've had several; birthday cake, blueberry and a triple chocolate donut. What makes Doughtnut Vault donuts is the crumb, which is weighty but still crumbles apart perfectly with every bite. Today's triple chocolate donut had a little bit of cocoa in the mix, as well as chocolate sprinkles and a light chocolate glaze to make for a yummy snack. They didn't crank up the chocolate flavor to the max, but that's OK; the cake texture in these donuts is still fantastic. Their birthday cake donut remains one of my favorites, with sprinkles embedded in the batter and the telltale flavor of sweet yellow cake. The blueberry donut had blueberries mixed throughout the donut, creating pockets of strong blueberry flavor. Each of these donuts is reliably very sweet, so your sweet tooth will be satisfied. In terms of payment, they now take credit cards. However sometimes the internet connection is kludgy inside the vault, so don't count on credit cards working all the time. If you're lucky, you can show up around lunchtime and find that they still have donuts to sell off. No matter when you go, though, these donuts are worth waiting for.

    (5)

  • Maxie H.

    These donuts are AMAZING, but the wait is definitely not fun, especially against the cold winds of Chicago. We knew that the Doughnut Vault opened at 9:30 AM, but the wait seemed never-ending even if you come early. They definitely need to develop a more efficient system to serve people rather than one by one. Come early to avoid the long lines! I highly recommend the glazed chestnut and old fashioned donuts. This place is in my top 5 donut places!

    (4)

  • Suzannah S.

    If I could have my first wedding here, I would. It's a life altering experience. Donuts are on point and I feel like a new person after eating here.

    (5)

  • Christina C.

    Amazing donuts - one of the best places to get these treats in Chicago. The store is literally a vault! I got here at opening time on a weekday and the line was already around the block, making the wait about 45 minutes. Thus minus one star for having to be an early bird to get these goodies anytime you want to come. Once you make it in the door, though, be prepared to order an entire box of donuts no matter the occasion. You waited for that long, at least make the trip worth it! The old fashioned are DELISH, my favorite in this city. The donut holes are just ok, IMO. Go for the big ones here. The jelly donuts are really good as well, but if I were to keep coming back, the old fashioned is a must! You can also order coffee here, though I can't comment on the quality because I never ordered it BUT it's only $1!!! Prices are standard for any gourmet donut shop. Service is good - there was only one person working when I went so kudos to him for being patient with everyone wanting to eat these yummies. There are a few tables outside to sit and eat if you so wish!

    (4)

  • Shannon K.

    I swear I would give them more stars if Yelp would allow it. The Doughnut Vault was recently ranked the best doughnut in America and I support that vote. I don't eat sugar often, but when I do I head straight to the Vault or the Vault Van. The dude who works in the stationary Vault is a sweetheart and he moves fast, fast like a cat. And the woman who works in the mobile Vault Van is also a sweetheart. And she plays good music. Sometimes when the Vault sells out, the van returns to save the day! Kind of like a doughnut bat mobile :) The old fashioned is so good. I mean so good. And when they throw a strawberry, blueberry, eggnog or lemon poppy seed glaze on there it makes me go all crack addict crazy. I've come to the conclusion I like fruity toppings, not more sugar sweetness on doughnuts. Personal preference, I know. They are so far above and beyond any doughnut shop in Chicago that it seems unfair to compare them to the others. But I will :) My updated rankings: Doughnut Vault Firecakes Do-Rite Glazed & Infused Beavers

    (5)

  • Christina H.

    Tl;Dr: yummy donuts at a literal hole in the wall. Food: we came around 2:00 and they were on their last couple of donuts. We got the mocha doughnut and it was a great choice. You could taste the coffee flavor in the glaze and the doughnut inside was soft. Was also great the next day because I couldn't finish it the day I got it. Store: was the size of a walk in closet but it works for the doughnut vault. Nice decor, kind of old fashioned, reminiscent of older styles of decor. There's also water in the back which is a plus. Service: the lady behind the counter was friendly and welcomed us when we walked in.

    (5)

  • Linda B.

    In general, donuts are good -- free donuts are better. I was underwhelmed by my last experience at Doughnut Vault and really had no intention of waiting in line to give it another try. Enter the DV food truck. I had seen it pass by before but on Fri night, espn was doing some sort of promotion along with DV and another vendor so I ended up with two free donuts. My first bite of the old fashioned was an OMG experience. It was perfect, I don't know how else to describe it. I also had the vanilla glazed and it was good but not great. So, keep your eyes out for the food truck and get an old fashioned (but I wouldn't waste time in the long, unnecessary line at DV's home base).

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    This place exceeded my expectations. All of the donuts looked amazing, so I got a few to try. I got the smores, boston cream, blueberry bacon old fashion, powdered raspberry filled and the blueberry. These were gourmet donuts. The dough was fluffy and light. My favorite was the Boston cream. The cream was a light vanilla custard and was definitely the best Boston cream I've ever had. My other favorite was the smores donut, which was filled with a marshmallow fluff and dipped in chocolate. I wish the there was more filling!! If you love donuts, get in the car and go here now.

    (3)

  • Kate L.

    I wish I could come every day of the week to try a special doughnut. Had the blueberry with lemon crumble and gingerbread. Very good coffee also!

    (5)

  • Elaine M.

    Awesome old fashioned doughnuts. Come early and be prepared to wait in the long but quick moving line. My favorite Buttermilk OF was sold out today, but got some delcious Eggnog OF and some Gingerbread stacks (3 small ones count as 1). Coffee is only $1. They now take credit cards!

    (5)

  • Rhoda G.

    One of my favorite doughnut spots in the city. I came here a couple of times and even waited in line for them. I love how fresh their doughnuts are. I usually go depending what their daily specials are and my faves are the red velvet and birthday cake. Yum! From their regular menu, I'm a big fan of their gingerbread stacks and maple donuts. I try to go more on the weekdays because the wait isn't too bad. The weekend lines are longer.

    (4)

  • Christina L.

    mMm... sweet, squishy, goodness! Eating a donut from Doughnut Vault is like eating a cloud. Chestnut glazed and chocolate sprinkled donut were my choices for the day. Yes, I'm from out of town and waited in line for ~25 minutes, getting two donuts just made sense at that point. I think the flavors change every day. What I loved was that this store front was very tiny and the donut selection seems mysterious until you walk into the actual store. The cash register used is dated and adds character to the store setup, which actually feels like you're getting the donut from some secret dungeon/vault. The Vault ran out of certain donuts before they closed and were prepared to close down shop once all was sold. Follow them on Twitter/Facebook for more info on flavors and hours of operation.

    (5)

  • Ana G.

    The pistachio doughnut ruined me for all other doughnuts--its amazing! Tried the gingerbread, vanilla glazed, and chocolate glazed. Loved that the other doughnuts were light and not heavy. Tiny little hole in the wall place, with a line down the block 30 minutes before it even opened up. Thought the chandelier was cute, but doughnuts were amazing--worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Tony P.

    Yeah so you go to the vault no more than ten people fit into this place line wrapped around the block.Then you ask yourself is it worth to wait in line ? and it most definitely is the peanut butter grape jelly with banana chips doughnut is insanely good and also the chestnut glaze...their coffee is pretty good too.Go early to avoid the long lines only place in chi-town to go get doughnuts my opinion and they're that good.Best of the best the doughnut Vault hands down !

    (5)

  • D H.

    I tried the old fashioned, raspberry jelly filled, chocolate and chestnut glazed. Alas my eyes told me I could eat it all, the truth was different. The old fashioned was the most flavoursome, the jellied was filled generously and packed with flavour, the chocolate one was intense chocolate. The chestnut I could not taste. All in all good flavours but try to limit the shopping to your capacity!

    (4)

  • Hollina U.

    Got here at 8:03 on a Wednesday morning and there was already 3 people in front of me... waiting outside. Inside, the space is tiny and can only fit about 6 people... but it's nice that they have water for people inside, and you can serve yourselves while you wait. The line moved pretty fast, I was served around 8:20. I got two dozen donuts to bring back to work, and everybody loved them-- I liked the peanut butter and jelly donut, but my favorite probably was the glazed old fashioned cake donut-- it tasted a bit fruity... I'm thinking that was the dreamsicle brownie softie. Delish! I ended up eating too many donuts and wasn't hungry for lunch until 3:30 PM. Sigh so much for that diet. I wasn't such a fan of the cinnamon donuts. Oh yeah they take credit cards now, but it's a bit cheaper if you pay with cash.

    (4)

  • Angela Z.

    This review is for the Doughnut Vault food truck only. I walked out of SoHo House a few months ago, and like a little kid got so excited, to see the infamous Doughnut Vault food truck! I had never had Doughnut Vault doughnuts before so I quickly scurried across the street to indulge. But unfortunately, like a record or breaks screeching to a halt, my enthusiasm dissipated when met with the unhelpful and uninterested cashier in the truck. The brunette girl inside the food truck just didn't seem interested in giving suggestions to a first timer or in engaging in friendly chatter AT ALL. She was over it from the get go and didn't crack even one smile the entire time me and my date were trying to pick out our selections. The doughnuts themselves were ok, very sugary though. But with service like that I will never ever buy from the food truck again. I may or may not try the shop itself some day to see if there's a difference but I'm not rushing to do so. It's trendy now to say "no f**ks given" and that's really how I felt like I was treated. I'm in the service industry too so I have little tolerance when I see that kind of bored apathetic and rude attitude. I don't care how great or hyped your product is if the service sucks.

    (1)

  • Erica L.

    We got in line close to opening time at 930am last Saturday. Our place in line was on the east side of the Gilt entrance pole. It took about an hour to go donuts from that spot. The sun kept us warm until we turned the corner since that side was shaded. We ended up feeding the meter another 15 minutes once we go to the entrance of the store. They really should have thought about having one entrance and one exit door to help with the flow of foot traffic. Inside, there's complimentary water. I really like the vintage decor, chandelier, skeleton key locked doors, and ceramic tiled walls. These were the fluffiest, chewiest donuts I've tasted in Chicago thus far! They are also so huge. Saturday's special was the chocolate glazed with pistachio drizzle. Yum! I also tried the gingerbread stack, which were 3 smaller old-fashioned donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. Those were my favorite. Hubby also tried the chestnut glazed, which he liked. He thought these donuts were the best glazed donuts he's tasted ever, and he rarely says ever when it comes to food! Goes well with the $1 coffee. We also tried the 2 for $1 chocolate powdered sugar donut holes (also huge), but they were on the dry side and not as good as the donuts themselves. I wish they offered more flavors per day.

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    Biggest vanilla bean doughnut I ever got! I was on the rush and their doughnut vault car was outside of my school! Lucky me :) Until that day I didn't know such place existed. It was a wonderful surprise, nothing taste better then a big wholesome sweet doughnut before class. Especially because it was freezing cold out but the doughnut...could not resist! Wish I went back down to buy one more...oh well until next time!

    (5)

  • Alex J.

    Amazing what sort of magic can come out of a little closet of a doughnut shop. The buttermilk old fashioned's are a good reason to wake up and crawl out of bed, but make sure you get there before the earlier birds get the worm, so to speak. I just wish they had some other drink options to accompany their yum-yum doughy delights, such as iced coffee or milk. In any case, give this place and it's eloquent chandelier a quick drive-by and get the people you love something nice, and get yourself double the amount you get them.

    (4)

  • Triphena W.

    Still. The. Best. The buttermilk old fashioned ($2) (and any of the old fashioned specials) is my favorite doughnut in Chicago. Dense, sweet, slightly crisp on the outside, soft within. Heaven. Far superior to the old fashioneds at Do-Rite, Firecakes, and Glazed and Infused. I also love the gingerbread stack ($3), chestnut glazed ($3), and the seasonal jelly filled ($3). Check their tumblr page to see the schedule of daily specials. My favorite specials: coconut old fashioned, strawberry shortcake old fashioned, double chocolate old fashioned, birthday cake, double chocolate yellow cake, cookies n cream filled, glazed pistachio. To avoid long lines and flavors selling out, I suggest arriving before 9am on weekdays. Or if you aren't particular about what flavors you want, you can go later on around 10-11am (if they haven't sold out yet). On Saturdays and Sundays, they open at 9:30am. I haven't been on a Sunday yet, but the line starts to form shortly before 9am on Saturdays. Follow them on twitter or facebook because they post frequent updates about what flavors are sold out, and how many people are in line. They also have an instagram account which is fun. If there's a particular special you want to try on a certain day, they take requests on facebook and tumblr ('ask me anything'). I've made SO many requests it's embarrassing, but they always make it happen if no one has put in a request for that day yet! Just ask about 1.5 weeks or more ahead of time. The shop accepts credit cards now! $1 coffee (iced available during warmer months). Easy street parking. If you're going to be grumpy about waiting in line or having to wake up early then skip Doughnut Vault, but I think they make the best doughnuts. Highly recommend!!!

    (5)

  • Alex W.

    This little small confined donut shop is tucked behind gilt bar and has some very tasty treats for the morning food cravers. I am giving this place a 3 star because you are going to be in a long line if you don't want to wake up way early before the open time to stand in line. This can be the case in the winter too. The line is shorter but still there and summer is way longer but tolerable being the temperatures. There are plenty of other "specialty" donut shops in the city that you wont have to deal with the wait and taste just as good.

    (3)

  • Cris G.

    Mouthwatering donuts... please don't make me fall asleep drooling!! I ordered 4 dozens and served it on my birthday and guests went crazy bout it... I love love love this place !!

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Time for an update although my starrage is staying the same. Yesterday morning my friends and I got in line at 845am and we were 12-16th in line. By the time the shop opened at 930am, the line wrapped around the building and down the block. We were glad we got there when we did because we were able to get amazing parking right across the street, we had the option of sitting at the table outside when we got out doughnuts, we got first pick and got to wait nicely in the shade of buildings rather in the hot burning sun down the block. When the doors opened - right at 930am on the dot I must say - cool music was booming and we entered The Vault. Staff is really friendly and as an added bonus, they have complimentary cold water (complete with carry out cups!) and cheap $1 coffee which I hear is pretty good. Now with all my buddies there, I was able to try at least a bite of every doughnut they had on offer yesterday. Orange Dreamsicle - special of the day. My least favorite of the bunch but I'm a bit biased because I don't like orange dreamsicle popsicles...butttt the guy in front of me ordered 5 so if it's your thing, I'm sure you'll love it. Buttermilk Old Fashioned - Loved it Glazed Chocolate - I keep trying it but as a chocolate psycho person, it just doesn't do it for me. I like my chocolate rich and strong whereas this donut has just a light chocolate glaze on it. For those that don't have the hankering for chocolate goodness that I do, I'm sure you'll find it's just the right amount of chocolate. Gingerbread Stack - No doubt it's the best deal plus it was my second favorite of the morning! My new favorite from The Doughnut Vault: Glazed Chestnut. I usually don't like non-chocolate sweet items but the flavor in the chestnut is great. You must get this!

    (4)

  • Lupe G.

    a coworker brought me a buttermilk doughnut from this place & I must say, it was pretty fucking wonderful! It was airy but dense & rich yet simple. Naturally, I Yelped it & was drooling at the reviews & flavors mentioned (not to mention that the place looks beautifully decorated). I see that long lines are an issue & I'm not a fan of crowds, but I am willing to make it out to this bread line just to experience it myself & pick other flavors. Thank you for saving me one my generous coworker!

    (3)

  • Lisa B.

    mmm pretty good! We got lucky and there wasn't any line when we went. HUGE donuts. You don't need to get more than 1 or 2 (for 2 people) unless you are wanting to try out all the different flavors. I think my favorite was the glazed :) Oh ya, the coffee was perfect too! My fiancé said it was french press but I am not sure. I loved it though.

    (4)

  • Tonice J.

    I loved the doughnut vault!! Donuts slays delicious and huge and fluffy! Staff always friendly and knowledgeable.. I work at the merchandise Mart so i Try to catch them before they're sold out and most days i am lucky!

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    Oh. My. Goodness. These are by far the best doughnuts I've ever tasted, especially after microwaving the glazed ones later in the day. I went today, Friday, at approximately 9:30AM (opened at 8AM), and they had everything except for the PB&J doughnut, which I didn't want anyways. There was only like 10 people on the line, so we ended up waiting for less than...5 minutes? Perrrrrfect~! Gingerbread stacks Buttermilk Original Chocolate Glazed Vanilla Glazed Chestnut Glazed Gingerbread stacks - I didn't know what they meant by "stacks", but duh...instead of 1 big donut, you get 3 mini ones. They're honestly not that small either. Gingerbread stacks were my favorite when the donuts were NOT heated. It also probably tasted better because I literally got the last ones and kind of felt bad for the people behind me. Very soft and the sugar around the donut is not overwhelming and not too sweet. Perfect. Buttermilk Original - I personally prefer the original-style donuts more, so this was perfect. Not too sweet, not too dense, perfectly soft and slowly melts on your tongue. yummmmm Chocolate glazed - Honestly, I was scared it was going to be too sweet, but OMG AFTER I MICROWAVED IT FOR LIKE 20 SECONDS, IT WAS LITERALLY HEAVEN ON A PLATE. Hot and soft and chocolately but not overpowering, and fluffy and basically what you would imagine clouds made out of chocolate would taste like. This one was my favorite AFTER microwaving. Vanilla Glazed - Truth? It was too sweet. But it definitely tastes better after you microwave it! Chestnut Glazed - same with vanilla. too sweet for my taste. Make sure to eat it WARM because it really really makes a difference though!! So, my two favorites = gingerbread stacks (not microwaved), and chocolate glazed (microwaved)

    (5)

  • Michael U.

    Speaking of Doughnut Vault - no trip to Chicago at this point would be right without a stop...or two...and as one of the very few 'Doughnutteries' willing to take requests (via their tumblr account) a short wait in the cold landed us a quartet of options including two cake options, one filled selection, and a raised/glazed choice - all impressive as ever. Beginning first with a yeasted chocolate on chocolate with chocolate sprinkles option that disproved all previously conceived notions that a chocolate donut needs to be heavy and moving to the tart, tangy orange marmalade selection before proceeding to my two "special requests" of Birthday Cake and Blueberry Cake I remain impressed to this day by how well each doughnut from Doughnut Vault is crafted - the textures always light and never greasy while the flavors are balanced and restrained, never overly sweet - something exemplified in the blueberry selection that tasted almost identical to fresh blueberries with a bit of added sugar. Try as others might to capitalize on the trend, Doughnut Vault remains - in my opinion - the best Doughnut Shop in America.

    (5)

  • XTreats X.

    Best old fashion type doughnuts in Chicago. Make some fun out of it and follow them on twitter. They have a vault van that drives around and posts updates. Spend a little while chasing the van (burning some calories) and get a great doughnut! The close when they sell out so don't expect to get there late and have a large selection (although they're all good).

    (5)

  • Mira S.

    I'd been meaning to try it for a while, but honestly, found it overrated. The doughnuts were fluffy and fine, but way too expensive for a basic glazed doughnut, and more cakey than I like. It didn't melt in my mouth. It was huge and pretty dry. Honestly, I'd take a Krispy Kreme half the volume, and figure the unhealthiness would average out. They don't have a ton of topping choices, either. I was glad I didn't wait in the long line this sometimes draws--a midday stop avoids that. So worth trying, or grabbing as I pass nearby, but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Cece Y.

    Tasty, tasty doughnuts. Among the best I've ever had! The Seasonal Jelly-Filled doughnut flavor when we swung by was Chocolate Raspberry. YUM!!! They definitely didn't skimp on the raspberry jelly, which tasted fresh and was rich with seeds. Best jelly-filled doughnut EVER! It was truly finger-licking good. The popular Chestnut doughnut ring also didn't disappoint. Very good. You can devour your fresh goodies right outside at the picnic tables. If you do, just know that you'll be in plain sight of the long line, who will gape enviously at your mouthwatering treats. We arrived a little before the place opened on a lovely Sunday morning and waited in line behind maybe 20 people for about half an hour. So worth it! (The line moves slowly because it's just two people working behind a counter inside.) The menu is painted on the side of the building and there are only a handful of flavors to pick from, so that prevents people from dawdling when they get to the counter. NY: Take note!

    (4)

  • Katherine E.

    Donuts here are unreal. Make sure you get here early though because lines do start to form and you want to get all your donuts! Coffee is solid as well. I'd personally recommend getting the Buttermilk Old Fashioned, but tbh you probably can't go wrong with any donut from this place. The shop itself is very cute, very tiny, and it really just adds to the Doughnut Vault experience. This is some place I've been wanting to try for three years and finally in my fourth year here I got to go. It's definitely worth the trip down to Chicago and definitely worth waking up early to get your hands on here donuts.

    (5)

  • JD H.

    Four days in a row afforded the opportunity to try pistachio, blueberry, and strawberry old fashioned varieties as they were the daily specials. We tried every other kind as well, and not one single disappointing donut. I thought I was going to have to trip the guy in front of me one day for ordering four dozen, but I didn't feel like it after he had to fork out $120! Anyone will tell you they are worth the price you pay. Any trip back to Chicago will involve planning around the Doughnut Vault!

    (5)

  • Jamar T.

    I waited in line for 40minutes in the middle of February...and it was SO worth it! The donuts here were probably the best I've ever had but I'm also not a big donut fanatic. They are cash only and when the donuts run out, they're out so come early. The inside is so small that the entire line has to wait outside. I don't think than three to four people can walk in at a time. Although it was worth the wait, next time I'll wait until the summer to return!

    (5)

  • Jade F.

    Doughnut Vault = my all time absolute favorite doughnut joint. Honestly, I'm not really a doughnut girl, but I will never turn down a Doughnut Vault doughnut! They are delicious. Some FYIs: Doughnut Vault is only open at 8 a.m. Tuesday - Friday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday, as well as closed when they run out of doughnuts from Tuesday - Saturday. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep posted on how many and which doughnuts they still have left as well as if they are all sold out for the day, so you don't have to make the trip there and then find out all their doughnuts are gone. Doughnut Vault is cash only . Make sure you have enough cash when you come here, because it would suck terribly if you waited on line for a while and find out while paying that you don't have enough dough for the dough-nuts. :) Below are the pricing for their goods: - Buttermilk Old Fashioned: $2 - Gingerbread Stack: $3 (comes in a stack of 3, making it $1 each) - Glazed (Chestnut, Vanilla, Chocolate) $3 - Coffee: $1 They also offer seasonal jelly doughnuts and specials of the week that you can find on their website.

    (5)

  • Aakash P.

    NOM NOM NOM NOM. Of the three donught places I have been to in RN / Loop, doughnut vault has been the best. Strictly comparing across the buttermilk old-fashioned, the doughnut vault gets it right! They do a fantastic job of incorporating the perfect amount of sweetness and keeping the fried / oily tasted out of the doughnut. Would be a 5-star likely, but unfortunately, a couple hours after they open you can't expect to try a variety. Will make the trek again to get the other flavors I missed. For those who want to be a tad bit adventurous, try the birthday cake old-fashioned!

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    Hmm. I really wanted to give this place five stars. Or even four. But alas. To be clear, I am not a donut aficionado. I just eat them once in a while to satisfy my donut cravings. I went on a Monday morning around 10AM. It was slightly overcast and low 40s so there was no line. Hooray! Got a glazed donut and it was quite large. Plus one for serving size! However...it did not blow me out of the park. I think it was good, yes, but nothing to write home about. If all other donut chains are a two, I'd give this a three out of five. It was obviously better than Dunkin and Krispy Cremes, but honestly I feel like there is a very small range of "greatness" that can be achieved from a glazed donut. Perhaps if I tried the crazier flavors I might've given it a four. Maybe another day! All in all a cute little hole in the wall with a cute interior and exterior (they make the donuts in the lower level in case you are wondering). Sort of a tourist trap, but a fun place to visit...

    (3)

  • Puneet G.

    My brother in law suggested that I check out this place. The concept was simple: 4 kinds of doughnuts; Very reasonable; Not at all as sugary as conventional doughnuts; Brilliantly crafted with a perfect mix of chocolate-yellow cake/flour-sugar. There is no doubt that I'd stop by the place during my next trip to Chicago

    (5)

  • Andrew N.

    One of the top two donut places of my life. The glazed is the one to get. It's really simple, but when it's fresh and hot, it's perfectly fluffy and buttery with a nice crunch to the glazed exterior. Great with coffee!

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    Such a cool, hole-in-the-wall place, easy and worth the hunting down of it! You may think you want their fancy, chocolate donut but if you have to pick one...Get the old fashioned glaze, you just can't go wrong with the melt in your mouth taste! Bring cash*****

    (4)

  • Celine U.

    The best doughnut i've ever ate. Very generous portion and soft. Nevertheless i won't give a 5 stars because it's a little bit too sweet for me.

    (4)

  • Candace L.

    I did it! When I say I'm going to do something I usually do, regardless of how small of grandiose but never before involving me waiting on a freezing (literally 30 degrees) sidewalk for over an hour to purchase a DONUT!!!! Well I was coming to town and knew I had to experience The Doughnut Vault - I heard others in line chatting about it being on their "bucket list" so in theory I suppose it was on my visiting Chicago bucket list as well. I arrived at around 920A on Saturday (they open at 930A) and had I been less hungover or never went to bed the evening before I probably would have arrived sooner but I did manage to get there before they opened. The line was already wrapped around the bldg. They tweet updates and their specials so I've been following them in the days leading up to my visit trying to gage how things go down around there. I LOVE blueberry donuts so it was my lucky day that Saturday blueberry old fashion were the special :) My toes damn near froze through my tennis shoes and with each happy customer leaving this establishment with their selections, I'll be the first to tell you that when folks are walking out with donuts by the dozen you nearly want to tackle them to the ground because you know, when these bad boys are gone - they are GONE! Doneso! No more for you regardless of what weather you've endured or how long you've been in line. So most of my 65 minute wait was just hoping these people didn't buy up all the blueberry donuts. Another thing I realized after my purchase is - if while they may be leaving with a box that appears to be a dozen, I believe they put 6 or more in these boxes because they are huge - so they may not have purchased as many as you think their inconsiderate asses did ;) All donuts are $3 I believe and coffee is a buck - the coffee is also really good, especially after consuming upon nearly freezing to death outside. The place is super small - my closet is larger - but really cute inside! I tried the original buttermilk, chocolate and blueberry old fashion special of the day. All were good! Now... would I wait outside in 30 degree weather for over an hour again for these???? Hell no!!! but sometimes the fun in trying something is not only in the treat but in the journey it takes to get there :) even if that included ten frozen toes.

    (4)

  • Shoshana K.

    EXCELLENT! After trying do-rite, I was eager to try some of the other pop art donut shops in chi-town. this place was second on my list and did not disapoint. We just tried half dozen of the classic flavors. They are all delicious here no complaints. I think I like the old fashioned kind better at do-rite than here but I honestly don't remember. Very creative and delicious. Made fresh. I love the added aspect of it feeling like you're in on a secret, goin into the donut vault....getting these crack treats. awesome. PS - we avoided lines - we went in the average part of the morning (around 9am) on a Monday and had no problems w/crowds or sell outs.

    (5)

  • Vickie C.

    Read amazing reviews online and we decided to head over on our second day, we decided to take a taxi over since it was raining... somehow the taxi driver work previously as their supplier and told us that Doughnut Vault (@doughnutvault) is the best there is in Chicago with everything handmade. It was around 11:00am and the driver warned us that they may have already sold out, apparently they have line up from the time they open at 8:00am from Tue-Fri and 9:30am on Sat until they run out. I think we were lucky that most of the doughnuts were still available when we got there, I guess mainly because of the horrible weather. Their menu is pretty simple with the regular flavors plus a special of the day which you can check through their website or twitter. And remember it's Cash only. It's a really small store and love the warn yellow glow with the vintage decor. Ben was the one who choose the place and when I ask what type of doughnut they had, he had no clue. Why I ask you said.... because I don't really like cake base doughnuts since it too heavy and tends to be too sweet for me. But fortunately they had both and we obviously bought the yeast base one which was incredibly light, airy and spongy... press it flat and it bounce right back to it's shape. Basically the doughnut itself wasn't sweet at all, it only relies on the glaze for it's sweetness which made it really easy to eat and although of it huge size, we had no problem finishing it. I wished we tried all the flavors, even the cake base ones but we had a full day ahead and wouldn't be able to finish it or carry it around. Verdict : Love it and would recommend anyone who is heading to Chicago Would definitely come back again if I'm back to the windy city.

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    Yeah doughnuts I like doughnuts they are nice here for food but who invented the name doughnuts I think that is weird but they taste good and nice.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    The thing about Doughnut Vault is that all the reviews claiming it's the greatest doughnuts people have ever had? They're true. Normally when I see what could be considered overpriced food that people have to line up for, getting great reviews, I assume it's because they spent so much money and time getting what they wanted that they need to convince themselves it was worth it. Not so with Doughnut Vault. The first thing you need to know, however, is that you need to line up thirty minutes to an hour before opening. If you get there an hour past opening odds are all the doughnuts will be gone. So what do they have on offer? They have Chocolate, Vanilla, and the most delicious Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly doughnut you have ever had ($3.00 each.) I don't even like peanut butter - in fact until this doughnut I actively disliked it. Waiting in line I talked of how terrible this one would be, but that I needed to know. It was my second favourite. My first favourite went to the seasonable Blueberry Dip ($2.00). Somehow they manage to get the real taste of blueberry surrounding this treat, without making it seem candied, or otherwise lacking. This is the greatest doughnut I've had in all my life. There's also the stack (three smaller doughnuts for $3.00) and whatever else they make special for the day. Located under a giant street art of Princess Peach from Mario, you can take in the sights while you wait. It doesn't hurt that some of the businesses in the area offer free Wifi either, so if you're charged up, the wait isn't so bad at all. Pay no attention to the people who live in the apartments across the street who watch the silly people waiting in line for pastries. They don't know.

    (5)

  • Tricia D.

    Arrive at Vault. Deposit $27. Receive 9 doughnuts and 2 coffees. Depart and gape at how long the line is, extending around the corner and almost to Bavette's halfway down Kinzie. That short and sweet version of the story skips over the fun waiting part. We arrived 30 minutes before opening on a Saturday, and the line was already 20 deep. Once doors opened, it only took about 15 minutes to get to the front. Not terrible. DV did not live up to the hype for me. I wished all of the doughnuts (and I can say this because I literally ate every single doughnut offered) had more intense flavors! Hire me for flavor development, yo! The glazed (vanilla, choc, and chestnut) doughnuts were yeasty, and the dough had a different, but pleasant springiness to them. Mr. Jelly was a monstrosity because that 'nut literally had like half a cup of strawberry j in there. BYOB: bring your own bib! If I had to pick a fave, it would be the special of the day, birthday cake, though I wouldn't have called it bday cake; it'd be "sprinkles" in my book. Final note: from an efficiency standpoint, I see why they keep the trays of goods off to the side behind the cashier, but I would really like to have full view of the offerings as I approach the counter. Now if only the l-b I gained wasn't because I ate 5.5 doughnuts within 3 days...

    (2)

  • Nicole H.

    Good coffee for a buck! Bow Truss no less! I went with the blackberry jelly and the old fashioned buttermilk. They were solid, tasty choices. The jelly had a smooth texture and tasted like it may have had a hint of lemon in it. It's probably the best jelly doughnut I've ever had. The place is worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Michele W.

    Yes! I am so glad that I found this spot! The doughnuts are made from scratch fresh. Go early because the supply is limited so it sells out soon.

    (5)

  • Blair A.

    Not much you can say about these donuts that hasn't been said already. There is gonna be a line. Enjoy it. Check the twitter before you go, once they sell out it's done for the day. They do take CC's now. Old fashioned and a coffee.

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    I was running a quick errand Monday morning and when I left the office there was a Doughnut Vault van on my way. Two of my three favorite things (doughnuts and food trucks) in one?!?! So, on my way back I stopped for a doughnut, thinking I had $3 in my purse....but no, no cash on me. Just like that my excitement vanished. But wait! The very nice man selling fried happiness for $2 a piece gave me a free doughnut!!! That's right, a free doughnut from a man in a van. (Thinking back, isn't this the kind of thing our parents warned us about as kids?) The doughnut was delicious. Not having to wait in line was delicious as well. The friendly service was delicious. Next time I see the Doughnut Vault van I will buy more and tip generously. You should too. What have I learned from this experience? Always carry cash; you never know when doughnuts will cross your path.

    (5)

  • Miriam S.

    The donut vault is awesome! Luckily they do accept credit cards, otherwise my 30 minute wait in line would have been for naught! Their cake donuts are incredible! I wasn't too in to their regular donuts - they were a but yeasty for my taste. But their cake donuts were the best I've had! Definitely worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Sherry Y.

    Their doughnuts are ginormous. I got the chestnut glazed doughnut, and I'm pretty sure it was bigger than my face. Also, the half-calorie doughnut is a joke...just ask. ;) They have a bunch of off-menu, "secret" and seasonal offerings, including a pistachio flavored one and a raspberry stuffed powdered one. Yum. I highly encourage coming here as soon as possible in the morning, as the the line tends to wrap around the whole-in-the-wall shop. Also, dollar coffee!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I mean maybe I'm overly dramatic, but this place has THEE best donuts I have ever had in my life. I had never been before it was catered in for a work event we had, but since then, I've been hooked. I thought after my first couple tries, the vanilla glaze and old fashioned were my favorites, but I stood corrected as soon as I tried the CHESTNUT glaze recently, and almost cried happy tears (dramatic yet again). Either way, this place is all it's cracked up to be and more. Worth the lines. Worth the trip to grab them. Worth every fricken calorie consumed. GO!

    (5)

  • Garrett B.

    So, you're up early on a Wednesday morning, middle of the week, and on the way to work in Chicago, you suddenly get the strongest craving for sugary, fried dough and your mind (and smartphone), races for an outlet to your culinary crisis. If you or a friend you know suffers from this same situation, then you suffer from LPDS, Lack of Perfect Doughnut Syndrome. Hi, I'm Garrett B and I used to be just like you, a Chicago food lover who couldn't encounter the perfect place to cram his face with succulent and saccharine sweets of a hole-y nature. That was until I found the Doughnut Vault and my condition, and life, was changed. I no longer felt tired and apathetic as I scarfed down these glucose-induced gifts of the gods and my day soon regained meaning. My story is a simple one my friends. As I arrived at the Doughnut Vault temple 10 minutes before they opened, I was gladdened to find only 10 people in line. Once the doors opened and I handed my financial sacrifice to the pastry gods, I noticed I was out in less than 4 minutes. While walking down the street back to work with a box full of moist morsels under my arm, I felt like the most important man in the city. Once I was in a calm area where I could sit and focus upon my purchase, I heard my Glazed Chocolate screaming at me and soon my hand began to move on its own towards the suicidal treat. I then gripped the doughnut with both hands, holding on for dear life (yes, it is the size of a burger) as my lips and tongue caressed the air-soft mattress that is the dough itself, but not before taking down the soft yet perfectly crispy icing on top. With my first victim devoured, my sugar high had only just began and I soon eyed the Stack O' Gingerbread and sampled the next snack in line. Each donut hole of the stack seemed popcorn-sized next to the Glazed Chocolate but I quickly found their appeal. Each bite was as if I was sinking my teeth into a sugary cloud made of sugar (yes, sugar redundancy is necessary here), and I found my self chowing down until the end when my only disappointment was that there were no more Gingerbread Stacks to be had. Last but not least, as I am a gentleman, I saved the Old-fashioned Buttermilk for last. A tasty and tactile tease that leaves nothing to the imagination. The creamy icing fits perfectly into the ridges of the doughnut's texture and hits you with all of the good doughnut flavor you may have experienced as a youth. Nothing exactly surprising about the taste, but just a d*$^ good doughnut and nothing to be trifled with. If you are suffering from LPDS, do not call your doctor because he will tell you to eat some yogurt, a salad, or something healthier with more substance than a doughnut, but if you are willing to actually have some fun and good memories in life, then hop on down to the Doughnut Vault, where breakfast is more than just a passing-phase.

    (4)

  • Trevor G.

    Sign in door today says "CLOSED FOR SUMMER VACATION UNTIL JULY 6TH." While I like supporting local businesses, I'm afraid that closing in the middle of summer is why folks end up at St*rbucks instead.

    (1)

  • Helena G.

    We arrived at 9.40 am and the line was huge. This place is super tinny and has lots of charm! We tasted a few, pistachio, ginger, old fashion milk and chocolate. My favorite was the ginger one but I also liked the pistachio and old fashion milk. The pistachio and the chocolate were huge for my donuts standards. They don't accept credit/ debit cards.

    (3)

  • Tu'ens N.

    Good donuts - I did not wait in the line, they were given to me by someone who did. I would not have waited in that line. It hadn't occurred to me that the donut options in Chicago were so poor because their donuts are just normal donuts, no need to get all excited.

    (3)

  • Becky S.

    Heard about the Doughnut Vault on urbandaddy, so I thought I'd give it a try. I wandered up 20 minutes before opening, was second in line. As the crowd grew, I doubted the sanity of all of us. But then it opened. I had the old fashioned and a vanilla glazed. The old fashioned was dense and just the right amount of crispy - perfect for dunking in the dollar French Press coffee. The glazed was extremely thick and melted in my mouth. I'd compare it to Krispy Kreme, but this was so much higher quality. I'll definitely be back - and definitely recommend everyone check it out. Tip: today they had a limit of 6 donuts per person. Bring friends if you need a bunch!

    (5)

  • Annie N.

    yuuummmmm. SOOO good. woke up early on a Saturday morning, we went to bed early on a friday night just for the Doughnut Vault. We knew the line was going to be a pain so we prepared ourselves with games on cells, and a very small snack before. Got there at around 8:50 and the line wasn't bad. However it very quickly got really long, as people started to get there around 9am. The door opened at 9:30 and one by one people entered and exited with boxes and boxes of doughnuts while avoiding jealous and somewhat angry looks from others in line. We finally reached the Vault's door at around 9:45 and entered it with excitement. The inside was so tinny - there was a family in front of us and another couple behind. Only one cashier was working but she was really fast. The special doughnut was Pistachio, which was DELICIOUS to say the least. We bought one of each and also coffee ($1 each). The doughnuts were spectacular. They smelled, looked and tasted like heaven. I am not a big sweet fan and I still dream of them to this day ( we went there a week ago). I loved loved loved the chestnut glaze and the pistachio. They were big, soft and just simply amazing. Didn't get a good taste of the Buttermilk because my boyfriend inhaled the whole thing on the way home - but from seeing it disapeared, I am certain it was good. This place is a must try, whether you are a doughnut fan or not. I wish I had bought 2 boxes instead of one because I've been having craving for them and my boyfriend thinks the doughnuts are not worth the 1 hour line. Get there a bit early, because as we were leaving, the line were super long, almost to the Merchandise Mart brownline entrance. Cash only, and prepare to bring about $20 bucks - expensive for doughnuts I think - but not for this type of doughnuts. Also bring someone to avoid being bored in line. Maybe bring a tiny snack to prevend fainting in line (in case the line gets long).

    (5)

  • Donna C.

    I originally heard about his place from a friend's FB post and finally tried it. True to the story, I waited about 10 minutes to snag my doughnuts. The buttermilk and the gingerbread stack are to die for. Totally living up to the hype. I found the glazed to big and doughy. A bit pricey but the young girl behind the counter was so friendly that it cut the sticker shock....

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    Best doughnut I've ever had. Perfect balance of flakiness, chocolate and sweetness. Get the chocolate glazed and be prepared to be too full for lunch :)

    (5)

  • Sean N.

    Can't say much other than this place has the best donuts I have ever had. All the donuts are amazing but my favorite is the Buttermilk Old Fashioned. Try them all, you can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • KM I.

    One of my biggest enemies is sweets. Not because I watch my figure on purpose, but because I may be one of the only people on the planet who regularly skips dessert and eats chocolate a few days out of the year. BUT, the doughnut vault gets all stars possible for many reasons. They are sweet, but they are VERY good. Soft, fluffy, all consistently made. I am beyond intrigued by this, vault, it is oddly beautiful inside in this rustic French sort of way. I am big on unique businesses, especially ones that thrive in this economy by coming up with innovative ways to operate inexpensively. I am sure the rent is still high here, but having a space smaller than my condo's bedroom must make the doughtnut selling quota a little smaller. The cashier was super nice and sweet in spending time explaining what she had for me even with a line behind me. Things down to the crystal water decanter and small chandeliers on the brick ceilings paired with the fluffy doughnut totally did it for me. When I am in the rare mood for something sweet, and even if I am not, I am happy to come back here often, even with a line out the door.

    (5)

  • Agnes F.

    If you want your colleages to love you, bring a dozen of doughnuts from the doughnut vault :) my fav is the gingerbread stack and then the old fashion coffee is great and $1 only!!

    (4)

  • Brandon T.

    I give my rare five star rating because with this place we are talking donuts, and they have these by their amazing truckload. I was sad to find they are closed on Sundays and Mondays this week, but will still try and find a day to get them when I don't mind taking a nap after breakfast. These are for real, the BEST DONUTS i've ever had the pleasure of eating. Do not hesitate to make your way down here, with the exception of those Sunday Monday off days..

    (5)

  • B. C.

    If you have the time to wait, and a little extra cash to blow (except coffee which is only $1), then definitely stop by The Doughnut Vault at least once. I went on a Friday around 9:30am and was able to make it through in only 10 minutes or so. The glazed are amazing and huge, but I would stick to the classic Buttermilk Old Fashioned or Gingerbread Stack.

    (5)

  • Ali W.

    Oh my doughnuts! I was here with a group of co-workers on Thursday morning. We waited about 30 min to finally get into the vault. Inside it is very small, but decorated nicely with a mirror and chandelier type thing. The girl working there was super nice and very helpful. Since none of us are use to paying in cash (fact) and can't do the math- she tells you what you can get for your cash. I had the gingerbread stack which are three medium sized doughnuts and a chocolate glazed. IT WAS HUGE. These sweet treats seriously melt in your mouth and are totally worth the $$ and experience. The gingerbread stack had a really good taste to them. I was pretty stuffed after two.

    (4)

  • Alexis M.

    I really am not a fan of donuts and sweets for breakfast. BUT, I am a fan of great tasting food and this place is AMAZING when you wake up with a sweet tooth. Every donut is the best tasting donut of its kind - they're big and fluffy. I especially love the ginger donuts because they're not super sweet. BTW - I don't care that there's a 45 minute wait. One of us usually runs to Starbucks and we enjoy coffee in line.

    (5)

  • Ellen O.

    Get to Doughnut Vault early! Waited in line almost an hour before they opened on a Saturday morning, and there were 20 people ahead of us. Not sure whether all the people in line were able to get their choice of doughnuts. This place is tiny! Even though the price is $3 per doughnut, these are doughnuts on steriods--easily three times the size of a standard doughnut. These are doughnuts meant for sharing. Incredibly fluffy. My favorites were the chocolate, vanilla and powdered sugar stack (special of the day). Didn't care for the chestnut (couldn't figure out what it tasted like).

    (5)

  • Sara F.

    I had been hearing about the Doughnut Vault for months on some of my friends' facebook pages. One Saturday I decided to get there EARLY and wait in the long line to try some of these famous donuts. My boyfriend, who isn't into the trendy food craze, pouted in the car while I waited in line in the rain outside this teeny tiny "store". By the time I got to the front of the line they only had chestnut and vanilla left. I bought two of each and two cups of coffee. The price for all that, especially considering how popular and trendy the place is, was reasonable. I didn't realize just how HUGE the donuts were until I got back to the car. My boyfriend and I each split one of each. The chestnut had a weird after-taste, but the vanilla was the BEST donut I have ever had. Light, airy, sweet, so good. We split another one later that afternoon. The next day I was in a sugar coma. I'd say go, for sure go. You HAVE to try one of these donuts. Have ONE. Any more than that and you will regret it. The coffee was good, and the donut was WELL worth the wait in line. Also, if you have guests coming from out of town it would be a great way to show them something they could NEVER get back home. But really, believe me, have just ONE. Enough is as good as a feast.

    (4)

  • Diane L.

    I love donuts!! Intimidated by the insanely long lines and the scare of schlepping outside only to find out they've sold out, I avoided Donut Vault for months. I was mistaken. I ventured out an early Saturday morning to find the line moves swiftly and even an hour after opening you CAN get donuts. Their donuts are everything donuts should be... light, fluffy, mouth watering, delicious, and beautiful to look at before devoured. Some are also scarily as large as my face. The storefront is charming. The establishment is real with no pretension, there's no price gouging... just AHmazing donuts. My favorites are the chestnut and the chocolate glazed. My husband of course rounds out the order with an old fashioned (a dense cake donut) and gingerbread stack of 3 donuts. All in all 6 donuts + a cup of jo = $12 and a heavenly treat.

    (5)

  • Haley S.

    Tried it out the other day - and I'm a NY'er, so I am a devotee of Doughnut Plant. These are really good...not quite that level. I got there at 10:30 am (office is three blocks away), and all that was left were vanilla. Loved that you could see vanilla bean flecks in the glaze. I'd go back, but not wait in the line (which I saw on Friday, and no.)

    (4)

  • Max H.

    We were prepared for a long wait on a Friday morning, but only waited about five minutes. We ordered a vanilla glazed, chocolate glazed and a buttermilk. We split the vanilla first, and it was amazing. Definitely our favorite. Next we split the buttermilk. It was very good. After those we didn't even attempt the chocolate- too full. I ate the chocolate after lunch and it was good, but not quite as good as vanilla. So, the vanilla glazed is the best- really one of the best doughnuts I've ever eaten. It is worth every bit of the $3.00.

    (5)

  • Dominic C.

    Doughnuts and ingredients have a level of quality and skill normally unseen in the doughnut world. I've never had a doughnut I did not like from the Vault. I won't bore you with any details already found in other reviews. You'd need to read a few advanced bread making and pastry book to understand what exactly they do, but they do it because it's delicious. In a world of hurry, somethings are best without the hurry. These doughnuts are not made in a hurry, you can't buy them in a hurry, and it is physically impossible to consume them in a hurry. Take out the ear buds, and pay attention to your neighbors in line. Strike up a conversation; you already have so much in common. You're all *perfectly sane* for waiting in line for a doughnut, and you're food and sweets fanatics. Trade food notes, dog grooming tips, or whatever else complete strangers converse over. Just enjoy the moment before you hurry away to work, or whatever else it is that you hurry to do.

    (5)

  • Wanda M.

    The line is worth the wait. I can and do eat three donuts when making this visit. The interior is so cute and classic. Staff is really nice even when you just stand there because you are in awe of the possibilities. I was last there in July and Mr. Bourdain was filming. This is a must visit place. Keep an eye on their twitter time-line as they keep you updated as to how many people are in line, how much they have left, and when they are sold out.

    (5)

  • Katie P.

    Obviously this place is good. The doughnuts are huge, soft, and extremely fluffy. The dollar coffee great and I love that they have been offering iced coffee for a dollar as well, now that summer has hit Chicago. The only downside to Doughnut Vault is the long line every day, but with how great it is, it's really no surprise. I did a full review on Doughnut Vault and it's interior here: kaper22.blogspot.com/201…

    (4)

  • Dave B.

    The Doughnut Vault makes the best doughnuts I've ever eaten. My wife and I split one of everything, and the highlights were the the chestnut, chocolate and ginger stack.

    (5)

  • Stefan L.

    Good donuts but be prepared to wait at least 20 mins.

    (4)

  • Gabriel B.

    I cannot say enough about this place other than get there early and often. The doughnuts are fantasticly awesome. If you are lucky enough to get some you will understand what I mean.

    (5)

  • Liz J.

    It was my birthday and I wanted to try the D-Vault (doesn't that sound a little raunchy?). The ladyfriend (scratch that -- the Lady Fiance now!) was just as eager for some pre-work fried dough, so we showed up early and were the first people in line. Then ladyfriend realized she didn't have cash, so we dashed to an ATM at the Merch Mart and dashed back and were third inline. I was beginning to think maybe the reports of hour-long waiting times were highly exagerrated, but then I noticed the line behind me beginning to snake around the corner. After a few, they opened for business. I got the buttermilk -- kind of too heavy and overly sweet for me, and based on it alone I'd award this place three stars -- and the chestnut, which was oh-my-god delicious. Lady Fiance got the chocolate and a ginger stack. The ginger stack was still warm (my two donuts weren't, which I was a bit disappointed about), although I would have liked a stronger ginger kick. Chocolate glazed was delicious. Also: dollar coffee. Awesome!

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    line was toooo long! get there really early!!!! and honestly very expensive for doughnuts. i don't think i will be back unless im in real need of those delicious cinnamon powdered donuts! people are friendly and cute little..... VERY LITTLE space!

    (3)

  • Josh E.

    I kind of agree with Dennis S. here - definitely quality donuts but is it worth the money and wait (and wait you do, on a weekend - 40 mins)? Not really. This is a classic example of the hype outweighs the product. I'd get them again if I'm in the area during the week (no wait time), but I'm not sticking out the line again on a Saturday.

    (3)

  • Paige M.

    nobody has better doughnuts. nobody.

    (5)

  • Seth B.

    Excellent donuts. Tried the old fashioned and the cinnamon (sp?) stack. Great Metropolis coffee too. For now only very limited hours, sell out quickly, cash only, can buy no more than six donuts at a time, and only one size of coffee. In short, the donut vault is an experience, but not quite practical yet. I have high hopes that this will expand to become a permanent business with regular hours, quick service, a larger space and multiple locations (or at least getting their donuts sold at other locations). It is great to see the humble donut come back with it's great combination of sugar AND fat - perhaps replacing that diabetes inducing treat the cupcake. For a more practical but still very excellent donut fix head to Dinkels 3329 N Lincoln.

    (4)

  • Jackie O.

    I've been here twice and the line went quickly both times. I really love the chocolate glazed and vanilla. After having these, I could never go to an average doughnut place again! The sweet bass system and cute decor also helps.

    (5)

  • J R.

    I walked up 10am on a Friday morning. Obviously missed the morning rush so my wait was only 15 mins. Well worth it and only $1 for coffee made it even better. The vanilla glaze is amazing as well as the pistachio glaze. $3 a doughnut normally would be a pass for me but since they are HUGE it was a good deal. Perfect glaze, flavor and the dough is awesome. I would go back again for sure. Remember CASH only.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    I finally tried this place out after seeing it listed as one of the best places in America for donuts. Honestly, not one bit impressed. The glazed donuts were more like a bread roll with frosting than an actual donut. The gingerbread stack is WAY too sugary and I had a bite of something that actually burned my tongue...a clove maybe? The old fashioned, while good, was small for the price. I also don't like the fact that the donuts are sort of hidden on racks behind the counter so you can't get a good look. Do-Rite Donuts is far superior in taste, variety and cost (about $5 less for a dozen). Do-Rite also doesn't have the ridiculous line outside AND they take credit/debit cards. I tried the Vault, but won't be back.

    (2)

  • Felix L.

    The Donut Vault is the first and ONLY donut place where I was forced to wait in line for almost 2 hours........for DONUTS!!! And if you think that you have to line up because there're 100 people inside the store and the crew had their hands full....was guess again!! the store is no bigger than 150 sqft..with 1 cash register on duty....That's why you have to wait ur turn for what seems like an eternity... The donuts though...were pretty delightful...despite getting in at 11am (we got there at 9.45am) we managed to try most of the flavors, aside from gingerbread stack and chocolate glaze.....they were all good..not too sweet, and just the right amount of fluffness.... Would I go back and try them again? I simply can't justify waiting in line for almost 2 hours at 9am for anything.....especially not for 6 pieces of donuts......if they get a bigger store.....get the line moving faster... live music at the sidewalk...some form of entertainment....anything that helps me pass the time...maybe I'll give it another go...until then....I'll savor those sweet memories when I have them donuts in my hands.....sweet .....tender....memories.....

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    Came here during a vacation to Chicago and all I have to say is: HOLY MOTHER this is good stuff. My friend and I shared a vanilla glaze and a chocolate, and we both agreed that these must have been made with fairy dust because there's no way a human made these treats. Some Yelpers were complaining about the fact that they're so yeasty... but that was what I loved about them. I prefer yeasty donuts over cake donuts, so if that's what you like then you're in luck. Some other Yelpers also demoted this blessed place because they lack options. "Waaahh there's no cream filled! Waah there's no pumpkin latte sprinked-covered bear claws!" Um, you guys, that's the beauty of this place! Its simplicity is the main attraction. Because they only serve for a couple hours a day, you know your doughnut is fresh. And because they only offer, like, five different flavors, you're not stuck behind some jerk wad trying to decide what to get. And you guys, if you're going to complain about the line then you probably shouldn't complain that it's cash only. Could you imagine how much longer you'd have to wait if they actually accepted credit cards? This place should be revered! Its donuts are by far the best I've ever eaten. It doesn't make food that ends up sitting on the shelves and thrown out at the end of the day. It serves the same flavors every day so you always know what you're going to get. Personally, this business model should be taught in classrooms. WELL DONE, The Doughnut Vault. Well done.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    It took 2 attempts to get donuts from this place. TWO ATTEMPTS!!! Naturally when one sees a giant line they feel compelled to see what all the buzz is about. A tiny little doughnut shop (so tiny all you do when you go in is pay, that's all the space there is). Here are some tips for getting doughnuts: 1. Get there early, like 8:30am on a Saturday. 2. Bring CASH as they are CASH ONLY They limit you to a half dozen, which is fine because I was able to get one of each :) 1. Chocolate was a tasty and sweet one (pretty sure chocolate is just a vanilla doughnut with chocolate icing added on top of the vanilla) 2. Vanilla was tasty and basic 3. Pistachio was different (I'm used to salty pistachio not sweet) 4. Old fashioned was good, but crunchy around the edges 5. Chestnut was by far my favorite :) 6. Gingerbread stack was 3 smaller donuts which were light on the gingerbread flavor and reminded me of just sugar coated donuts (I liked them more than I thought I would. The doughnuts were all good, and fairly large so I can see the price. Add that they are hand made and that adds to the deliciousness. My only complaint is that we didn't get warm ones which probably would have made them divine.

    (4)

  • Lindsay S.

    I have a feeling I would have given five stars, but we got there 30 min before they closed and the only doughnuts left were two and 2/3 gingerbread stacks. We bought the two stacks and the really nice woman working gave us the last remaining. They were delicious and fresh and 8 was not enough! I want to go back when all of the doughnut varieties are available. When we went there was no line probably because almost everything was gone, but it was great to be in and out so fast!

    (4)

  • Peter D.

    I was walking to a lunch meeting at Coco Pazzo when I rounded the corner on Franklin and smelled donuts. There, behind a European facade, was The Doughnut Vault. Tiny shop but what ambience. Donuts from 8 am till they run out. Cash only. Was I too late? Who carries cash? I started digging in my pocket for green stuff. I walked out with a vanilla donut that was begging me to spoil my lunch appetite. Without a doubt, this made my day. I love the donut vault. This place has to be seen to be believed. Brilliant idea and lovely folks. Very, very tasty donuts. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Becky C.

    The place was adorable. Really nice vibe/theme. Loved the doughnuts! Got two of each! Generally speaking I'm a bigger fan of yeast doughnuts (cuz they're soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy) than the cake ones (dense and very sweet). Don't think you can go wrong with any of the glazed ones, though, I love the chestnut flavor the most! Why only 4 stars instead of 5? Adored the big, poofy glazed doughnuts but thought the cake ones were "good" - the flavor is great but like I said not a fan of the dense, cakey texture. The long wait, of course, was a con. Surprisingly, street parking was readily available but at $3.00 an hour, I could've gotten 2 more doughnuts with that meter money! Since it was my first time there, the wait was well worth it nonetheless. It was a fun lil adventure on a Saturday morning. P.S. IT'S CASH ONLY!! IT'S CASH ONLY!! (Two people had to get out of line and dash to the nearest ATM because they either didn't know or forgot!)

    (4)

  • Jones' D.

    I thought the doughnuts were good, particularly the gingerbread stack. The lower rating stems from the wait and the price. Given the length of the wait and how much I spent on 8 doughnuts ($20), I expected to be knocked off my feet. As I mentioned, I thought they were good, but I've certainly had doughnuts that were just as good for less than a dollar. The person I went with even commented that she liked Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts better than the ones from here. In all, I might return...if I'm in the neighborhood...and there is no line...and the doughnuts are on sale.

    (3)

  • Candance T.

    Amazeballs! I went at 10:30 and there was no line, but they only had chocolate and vanilla left. Had vanilla - deliciously scrumptious sugary fluffiness (too much?) . Oh and only $1 for coffee, win. I adore how tiny it is, the parisian flare and personally I love the loud rap music. France is the worlds second largest producer of hip-hop behind the good ol' US of A, surprised? Hell some of my favorite MC's are French so for me the two don't clash. The girl working was super nice and the outdoor seating is a major plus. Will be back, a little earlier, to brave the lines for a ginger one.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    Best donuts I have ever had. Line moved fast and was well worth the short wait.

    (5)

  • Ray S.

    Have stopped by here many times when in the city - the doughnuts are always awesome. If you can deal with the line, and the quirky hallway queuing - you'd be hard pressed to find better doughnuts anywhere. Vanilla glazed are crack-esque, if you'll pardon the term, relative to their addictive qualities. I follow on twitter as the inventory dwindles daily, and look for "NO LINE" - always worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Ji K.

    Had I written this review a week ago, I would have given this place two stars. But I'm writing this review today, so I have now decided to give it four stars. Yes, I am a fickle individual. A WEEK AGO: After checking out the nearby Do-Rite Donuts, I absolutely had to check out its competition. So randomly at 10:15 a.m. on a Thursday, I decided to leave work and stop by the Vault (since I figured it was such an off time). I was completely wrong. There was a line of about 12 people ahead of me, so I had no choice but to wait. Why it took 35 minutes for me to finally get inside is beyond me-- but by the time I got in to what can only be referred to as a closet, there were only 7 cinnamon donuts left. Keep in mind that one cinnamon stack order comes with 3 donuts, so that means there were only two cinnamon stacks left + one random straggler. Since that was my only option, I bought one cinnamon stack (leaving only 4 donuts) and quickly exited, wishing the 15 new people standing outside the best of luck. Upon returning back to work and biting into the donut, I realized that it was good but I've pretty much had the same thing at nearby apple orchards where I've bought apple cider donuts. It was a complete waste of my time. TODAY: I wanted to hate the Doughnut Vault for it's weird hours (opening so late in the morning doesn't leave people much time to get donuts before work), it's claustrophobically small space, it's extremely limited supply of donuts, and it's lack of communication to those who might be waiting outside only to find that there are no donuts left . . . but, I knew I had to be fair. At the very least, I needed to judge them on their donuts, so I forced myself to wake up early this morning and get there around 8:20. To my surprise, there was no line, no anyone but me, the door was open, and there was the nice lady behind the counter ready to take my order. It was very eery. Long story short, I bought an old-fashioned, a glazed, and a chocolate glazed. The old-fashioned was very evidently different from its competitor's version-- and I have to say that, although it was still too sweet for my taste, it tasted lighter and fresher. The glazed seemed comparable to Do-Rite's, but if I were to choose, I'd say I like the texture of the Vault's a teensy bit better. So that's that. I cannot deny that they have great donuts, but I still will not come here unless it's 1) very early, 2) very cold, or 3) a super random weekday.

    (4)

  • D. K.

    Really yummy doughnuts. I'm not sure if it was the hype surrounding them all, or the fact that our hour-long wait made me SO hungry, but I left feeling very happy with my purchases. The best one was the chestnut. Sounds so unappetizing, but was delicious!

    (4)

  • Vericago C.

    Once upon a time... I lived in Europe and all the donuts I knew were mushy, tasteless and were sold by McDonalds. How disappointing. How sad. I swore I would never try donuts again. Last week I stopped by the Doughnut Vault because I was attracted to the design of the shop. To me it seemed that those guys are definitively in love with their profession. Less is more. So I decided to give donuts a second chance. What a sweet surprise! I turned euphoric and got addicted immediately. Thank you, Doughnut Vault.

    (5)

  • Tommy D.

    I have a job and cannot spend my mornings waiting in line for a freaking donut. Sorry.

    (1)

  • Michelle D.

    Ridiculously delish people. Let's be honest, this place is the cat's pajama's. I waited in line with my lovely co-workers as thoughts of savory sweets danced in our heads. Upon entering the vault, it was absolutely charming. The faux finished tiles and elegant chandelier welcomed us with warmth. Much to our delight - they were spinning some Dr. Dre and Bone Thugs in Harmony First of the Month- it was dance party USA for sure. Two thumbs way up for this Doughnut Vault.

    (4)

  • Laura A.

    I had a doctors appointment near by and had to fast to have some blood work done so i thought what better way to end a fast than to try that new doughnut place everyone is buzzing about? I got the buttermilk, the vanilla glazed and the chocolate glazed. The buttermilk: Crisp edges, somewhat dense cake consistency with a nice coat of icing. You can taste the buttermilk. The vanilla glazed: You can see specks of vanilla beans in the icing. The doughnut is airy but is still substantial (unlike most glazed doughnuts) The chocolate glazed: This is a vanilla glazed with a slathering of chocolate icing on top! MY FAVORITE! That said, although I am happy I got to try this place, I probably wont make that big of an effort to be back. The inconvenience of hours, wait time and quantity allowed are kinda not worth these yummy doughnuts for me.

    (4)

  • rads d.

    This was on our bucket list before we left Chicago. Got out from our home in Evanston at 745 am . Was in front of the vault at 820 am , no line. We went to a nearby Starbucks and was back by 840 am, coffee in hand, ready for the wait ,there were 7 people ahead of us. The wait was painless, since we had come prepared for it with coffee and our digital devices. They opened on time , with 100 people in line....and it was tweeted before they opened the doors. The line moved quickly and by 940 we were on our way back. Now for the donuts - they were really good, light and airy . We had one each of the old fashioned, chocolate, vanilla, chestnut, gingerbread stack and the special raspberry filled. We saved some for the next 2 days ,( resist the temptation to be greedy fatties)..both DH and I liked the chestnut , gingerbread.... . It's worth a visit ...there's paid parking on the street ...And cash only!

    (5)

  • Charles S.

    huge...HUGE doughnut aficionado, as in life is incomplete without doughnuts, whoever invented the doughnut is right up there with the inventor of air conditioning. IBeen to glazed and infused as well as Do-Rite, each is good in it's own way though I think Doughnut Vault is now my favorite. The texture of the doughnuts are so good, soft outside, followed by a softer inside. My description sucks, but it's just all-around...softness. Ginger bread snaps have a good crunch on the outside. Got there half an hour before it opened, line was about 7 people deep and as 9:30 (on a saturday) drew near, more and more people started to show up. Good thing we got there early. Without a doubt, going back.

    (5)

  • Leang E.

    My coworkers and I have a ridiculous sweet tooth, so we are always considering our options. After much talk, we finally decided to go for a doughnut run, and this was the decided upon spot. This little excursion was a bit confusing as we got a lost at the Merchandise Mart stop of the brown line, meaning we couldn't find the exit, but we managed to get to our destination. We left at about 9am, and got there maybe 20 minutes after, and there was maybe 3 or 4 people before us. I believe the outdoor area is larger than the inside area of the place. It basically looks like a small narrow hallway to a closet that has a tiered pullout shelf of doughnuts. It has a nice simple decor of the interior hallway inside a home with the small touches of a chalkboard posting the available doughnuts and items to purchase. I got a glazed chestnut and a gingerbread. The gingerbread comes as 3 small ones. We were giddy and excited all morning to try these, and we were a bit disappointed. I didn't find that the gingerbread tasted anything like ginger, and the chestnut glazed donut was good, but nothing about it all stood out for me. Maybe my expectations were just too high from all the hype. I don't see myself going out of my way for more of these. The prices range from $2-$3 for a donut, which is pricey for me considering I could get something just as good elsewhere. They do serve Metropolis coffee here for $1. I'm thinking the long lines are due to the size of the place, so as a data person, the size of the line is all relative considering the proportion of the place...and isn't necessarily and indicator of popularity and preferential taste.

    (3)

  • Kelly C.

    this is a review for the DONUTS, not the actual store-because I cheated fate and a co-worker brought some in today. Vanilla glazed-pretty good donut, decent size Chocolate glazed-again, good donut-flakey, sweet, delicious, and pretty big Pistachio-Very delicious, possibly at the top of the list for donuts. Caveat: THEY ARE DONUTS. You are really willing to wait an hour in line to be on-trend with the latest baked good? This whole thing has gone way, wayyyyyy too far. Buy a dollar donut somewhere else, enjoy it, and give your extra 2 dollars to a person in need. Then spend the next 45 minutes of your (now) free time evaluating how your life became so trivial and meaningless that you would be willing to do this to yourself. I mean, hell, I support that it's an independent business, and that it makes a decent-to-great product, and I would even buy a three dollar delicious donut if I could casually do so. However, I am not a rabid dog in search of donut (or cupcake, or macaron) carrion, so I guess I'll pass.

    (3)

  • Karen R.

    Have been hearing about Doughnut Vault Doughnuts for some time but live out of state. Had the opportunity to purchase some last week while visiting family in Evanston. At 10am, doughnuts purchased tasted old, glaze was so dry that it cracked off in the bag and tasted awful. Chocolate, vanilla and chestnut covered plus chocolate peppermint only choices available. Since I don't do peppermint in many things, purchased 2 of each of the others. All were at best only fair; the chestnut was medicinal tasting. They are large but at $3 each not a very good value when half went in the trash after 3 otherpersons tasted portions. Have experienced better donuts in several places in the Chicago area. Won't bother to go return. Sorry.

    (2)

  • Paul C.

    Finally got to try the much hyped Doughnut Vault thanks to a generous coworker bringing in a box for the office. Not having waited an hour or more in line, I feel I can give you a fair review of the food based on taste and not hype. These donuts are just OK. They're like a giant Krispy Kreme. Very sweet, pretty good, but no way are they worth $3. Seems like a lot of people are praising these donuts so hard to justify the long wait. These donuts are definitely tasty, but how far are you really willing to go for a donut? To me, they're not worth both the high price tag AND the long wait. Donuts are the latest fad, and it will be interesting to see what the future will hold for the Doughnut Vault once everyone moves on to the next fad. As it is, make a coworker wait in line, because no donut, not even these ones, are worth the wait.

    (2)

  • Dina I.

    Maybe the best the doughnuts in the city! Glad that there is a daily line because without it, I would be much too frequent of a visitor and 20 pounds heavier!

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    Waiting in line for the Doughnut Vault to open was actually really fun. Anyone who is willing to stand around for a piece of fried dough is bound to be good company. The inside of the Vault was surprising. Super cozy with exposed brick walls, a chandelier and club music. It was a like a 10am dance party for the six people who could actually fit inside. Unfortunately the doughnuts get a "meh" in my book. The vanilla glazed was too yeasty. The buttermilk, though it had good texture was much too sweet for my taste. I was also curious as to why the doughnuts were not warm. In general, there wasn't a "wow" factor to these doughnuts.

    (3)

  • Tamra P.

    Some of the best doughnuts I've had. Huge, warm, light, and oh so tasty. The selection isn't huge and the specials change, but whatever you end up with will be good. The place is small and at certain times the lines are long, but it's worth the wait. Coffee is only a buck, which is a plus. They close when they run out so get there early.

    (5)

  • Carter W.

    The donuts are absolutely delicious. I mark them down because they're a little overpriced and the coffee sucks.

    (3)

  • Samantha E.

    Can you say AMAZING?!?!? Chicago is in the middle of a donut boom but all other shops pale in comparison to The Doughnut Vault. I have been here so many times I can't keep count. Yes, that does mean I have been waiting outside the door at 7:55 hot, cold, sunshine, rain, or snow. Was it worth it, you ask? MOST DEFINITELY! Every single donut, may it be the daily special or one of their regulars, is absolutely perfect. The variety is amazing and it has become a habit for me to check their weekly schedule every Sunday. I will change my morning schedule and skip things to just make it out for those certain donuts. Totally worth any sort of wait or weather.

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    Dang, these doughnuts are good. What sucks is that sometimes they can be randomly out of doughnuts depending on the time of day. Not very good for groups, but it's a nice little spot.

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Today was the 2nd time i tried this place out and unfortunately, for the 2nd time in a row, they were sold out. The last time was around 12:15 on fri (open til 2). Today it was 1:00 on sat (open til 3). Its a shame that they dont answer their phones or keep better stock of donuts to keep with their posted hrs. The guy at front desk simply said "they have no idea when they'll sell out" when i asked him, on avg, when they sell out daily, weekend, or any other insight to prevent another wasted trip. He simply had no advice for getting there before they sell out. And why should he...since they clearly dont need the business. Too bad...i give up on this place. Just not worth it unless u work across the street. They're just donuts after all.

    (1)

  • Karla K.

    Yum! Come to Chicago must get donuts. Fresh, quaint, cult following donuts. Come stand in line and get a jelly donut! Got to go I'm next in line!

    (5)

  • Samantha J.

    I have yet to find a doughnut shop that can put together a buttermilk old fashioned quite like the vault can. Definitely worth the lines, arrive early if at all possible. Bring a friend so you can split doughnuts and try the specials without feeling like you're contributing to the obesity of the Midwest. Hands down my favorite doughnut shop in town.

    (5)

  • Reid G.

    Great but not five stars. Chestnut glazed - I found the flavor a bit too intrusive of the the rest of the doughnut. The chocolate glazed - a bit too burnt tasting for me. Also, I really prefer a much smaller doughnut so you can eat more than just one. Maybe I need to give the gingerbread stack a shot. Despite my personal preferences, these were outstanding doughnuts and perfectly fresh. I think I would've rated DV higher if I hadn't gone to Do-Rite first.

    (4)

  • Jon-Pierre B.

    Well I must say, I thought that I would come here and feel like I somehow floated into a Doughnut mecca......not so much. First, I don't know if that is by design or what, the place is literally a hole in the wall. Not that I'm superficial, but because there is almost no standing room inside the place, most customers have to wait outside....It gives the impression that they are in such demand that it must be good.......Well...I guess. At any rate, after waiting about 25-30 minutes in line, my wife and I made it in and we were able to choose from their selection of like 5 doughnuts.... no seriously, they only made like 5 types of doughnuts, if that.... well being the purist that I am I went for the one that most closely resembled glazed. It was a vanilla bean glaze, or something....and two others that I can't remember. When my wife and I got back to the car and tried our bounty, we were really disappointed. Though the actual doughnut itself had a nice texture and an extremely slight but noticeable buttery accent, the glaze itself was completely too overpowering! The glaze and dough should work together to create a flavor explosion in your mouth. All I wanted after this doughnut, instead of another, was a drink of water. I didn't even want to try the other two doughnuts I purchased. nearly $10 on 3 doughnuts I couldn't eat, whereas I could go to Old Fashioned Donuts and had an entire dozen of their AMAZING donuts for the same amount..... at any rate. My wife saved the day when she heard about Firecakes just around the corner.... much better doughnut, no wait at all and I had a doughnut ice cream sandwich! what's better than that?

    (2)

  • Ben Y.

    No, you're not going to get your krispy kreme or dunkin' donuts shit. This is that doughy, glazed, and sugary heaven goodness in the morning that will leave you ready to start the day. I can't help but emphasize the morning because that's how early you have to wake up in order to get this shit. They only make a limited amount for the day and they close as soon as they run out and they run out quite fucking fast. The Doughnut Vault inevitably lends itself to the most hipster environment with its old timey cashier register, vintage decor, and prize to originality. All of the qualities which work with this place. I've had a variety of doughnuts at this place but I suggest the classic buttermilk to give you that good old diabetes.

    (4)

  • Marisa L.

    Doughnut Vault was SO delicious and worth the wait. I bought half a dozen with the intention of "sharing with others" and ended up sampling all of the ones that I bought, and every single doughnut was delicious. And they're rather inexpensive for how good they are! Of all of the doughnuts I tried, the chestnut glazed was definitely the best. Light, fluffy, strong chestnut flavor, huge - nothing bad can be said about it. The only downside is that they only accept cash, and the wait is always a real thing.

    (4)

  • Caroline M.

    Not sure why I never visited when I lived in Chicago....Live and Learn. I arrived on a Tues morning and there was no line. I thought DV was closed because I expected a line wrapping around the corner after reading all these crazy reviews. But they were open and I asked for an assortment of their favorites. Omg--- doughnut Heaven!! Birthday Cake doughnuts? Apple cider doughnuts? Big puffy vanillla bean glazed? In L-O-V-E. :D

    (5)

  • Kelly R.

    I just visited the doughnut vault van that often sits on Adams and LaSalle in the morning and WOW. These doughnuts are crisp, not too sweet, and a little salty... absolutely divine! It was the morning of the Blackhawks rally and there were about 10 billion people around but the wonderful lady in the truck was very patient and incredibly kind. If you're taking a trip downtown or if you work in the loop, this truck is SO worth finding in the morning. Google Chicago Food Truck Finder and you'll come across a little map that tracks their location!!

    (5)

  • Kathryn C.

    Very underwhelmed! I believe the reason this store has such a reputation is because it has succeeded in creating a high demand for their donuts. However, this doesn't make them superior in any way. We waited almost an hour, paid 3 dollars, and I wasn't amazed. Not only was it not extraordinary, it was hardly average. I give this 2 stars because of the wait, the price, and the disappointed expectations. Money and time could be better spent elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Suzanne O.

    Someone in my family told me this was the voted the best donut place in the country, so of course I had to check it out while I was in town. Due to this acclaim, I had very high hopes, but unfortunately I was let down. While the donuts were good, I certainly wouldn't say they are the best I've ever had. I got the jelly donut of the day, pistachio donut, gingerbread stack and an old fashion. Out of all of these, the classic old fashion was my favorite. The gingerbread stack was just dry and almost tasted like it could be day old, and the pistachio donut tasted a little too yeasty. I'll be sticking to Do-rite Donuts in the future.

    (3)

  • Rob C.

    4.5 the mystique of a long line and a narrow hall for fresh made donuts adds to the allure. tried the chestnut glazed. I think they mastered the dough to glaze ratio which is key to reducing the sugar overload. fluffy and airy. also the donuts are massive -- Midwest sized. special this time pumpkin spice. not yet a donut plant nyc though

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    The Doughnut Vault was worth the wait! (Which was around the block when we left; we got there half an hour before it opened.) The chestnut glaze tastes like Christmas morning. The $1 iced coffee was great!

    (4)

  • Sheila K.

    Ok, I still can't figure out what the hype is about. Nonetheless, I have been here 3 times now. The first time, I had the Chestnut Glazed. I thought to myself, DAMN... this is the most expensive donut I've had! (Aside from the ones I had in Japan.) Size wise it is pretty huge, not quite a Texan donut, but big for a normal donut. I like that about the donut. Flavor wise also good. It capture the Chestnut. Now, I do follow their tumblr just to see the specials and I really wanted to check out the Pistachio Glazed. My second attempt, they were already sold out. I guess I came too late. Third Attempt...on a Saturday, I woke up to get there earlier than last. It was drizzling and there was quite a line. It actually took an hour. Was it worth the wait? I really did not have anything better to do and I was set on trying the Pistachio Glazed. I got it and we also got the Chocolate Glazed and Buttermilk Old Fashion. I am not really into the old fashion but I must say it was pretty good, not dry. I like the consistency of their yeast raised donuts. It is spongy yet elastic and has a lot of texture but also airy. You also get a good chew out of it. The Chocolate Glazed was good, not too sweet. Complaints: I wish the donut was warm. It doesn't give you that fresh baked goods aroma. I know that makes it hard with it being glazed and all. Also the pistachio glazed was a disappointment. I wasn't tasting any pistachio; to me it tasted like almond/marzipan flavored. In the future, I wouldn't wait in line. However, no line, then sure. The Dollar Coffee is pretty strong here, I could feel the acidity.

    (4)

  • Daniel F.

    I don't always get out of bed early, but when I do, I head to doughnut vault. Doughnuts are awesome, giant, soft and fresh. A changing doughnut of the day keeps it interesting and the coffee is the best $1 coffee I'VE ever had. Do yourself a favor and skip dunkin' and head to the vault

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Best donuts in the city, hands down. I've visited glazed and infused, stan's donuts, do-rite donuts, and firecakes. All have unique offerings and are awesome, but I think donut vault keeps it the simplest and best. Their yeast-raised donuts are massive, fluffy, and so soft and chewy. Their buttermilk old fashioned has a crispy outside and moist crumb on the inside. The music inside is always hip or funky, and the ambience is just so chill despite being such a small, narrow place you walk/order in. I went with some friends before they closed once and got a free birthday cake donut because there were only a few left! Their daily specials are always worth getting, I remember the strawberry old fashioned was insanely good. Props for their vault van which sells donuts around the city.

    (5)

  • J'Neane V.

    Delicious!! Just be ready to wait in line!

    (4)

  • Kevin Kyle V.

    They now accept credit cards y'all so wooo!!! Best doughnuts in Chicago!!!! And the whole U.S.!

    (5)

  • Jon O.

    This place has some great doughnuts. If you get their run of the mill ones they only cost $2 a pop and the specialty ones run a little more I think. They make their doughnuts fresh everyday and if there is a daily special you will want to get in there early before they run out. Be sure and check out their social media and you can periodically check the updates on what they have and what all is left.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    My wife and I were out and about and ran into the Doughnut Vault and thought "why not?" We weren't disappointed. We split a pistachio doughnut outside on the sidewalk and had to drop back in to purchase another! This time it was a buttermilk. They were both unbelievable. The pistachio was light and fresh with the right amount of nut flavor and the buttermilk had a bit of tang and the perfect texture and flavor. We talked with the guy behind the counter, who is a partner in the place, and he gave us the "Vault" story. I like to support places like this, and with the quality of the product, it's not difficult.

    (5)

  • Anne M.

    The old fashion is AMAZING! Perfectly made w wonderful after taste. A must for all who has not been there. They take CC now.

    (5)

  • Kristy F.

    Buttermilk old fashion-$2- soft but the glaze was too sweet. Vanilla glazed-$3- soft, chewy, nice gentle hint of vanilla Gingerbread stacks $3-- was ok, moist center but not an impressive flavor. Chocolate doughnut $3- soft with a subtle refreshing hint of chocolate. Bday cake- sugar, sugar, sugar...requires milk and a tummy rub. I'd skip it unless you like eating spoonfuls of sugar. Chestnut doughnut- barely a hint of chestnut, mostly tasted like a plain glazed. Overall: they serve a soft, freshly baked doughnut but I wouldn't say they are worth crawling out of bed early or waiting in a long line for. My favorites are the regular glazed flavors, choc and vanilla :) pricey but the size of each is easily 2 regular doughnuts so you get what you pay for. Thoroughly loved the shop though. Tiny, magical and precious ;P

    (3)

  • Frederic S.

    After seeing an expose on 'The Layover' with Anthony Bourdain, I decided I have have to try this place and see what the fuse is all about. On a late Sunday morning I packed up the fam and headed get me some doughnuts. Little did I know there was going to be a line out the door, but also the available amount of flavors and doughnuts would run out quickly. Fortunately for us, we were able to get a couple of their delicious tasty treats, with my daughter actually getting the last one. My recommendation is getting there early on the weekend and expect a line when you show up. Also, be sure to bring cash as they do not take credit cards and there are no ATMs. And if you're lucky enough to be around the financial district during the week then look for their foodtruck. Mind you it's not the prettiest ride, however, it's the doughnuts you're after and not the truck. This doughnut hunt was worth the chase. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Kari T.

    I love donuts, but thought these were just ok. Waaaaaayyy too hyped up and the line was crazy. The donuts just tasted like gobs of bread and didn't really have a lot of flavor. As bad as this sounds, Krispy Kremes for $1 each are much better!

    (2)

  • Meghan H.

    Yes. Doughnut Vault does live up to the hype. It is fantastic. It was this past Friday that I took the 6:01am train down to the Loop all so that I could make the trek up Canal St to reserve my spot in line at the Vault before their 8am opening. I came upon the shop around 7:30 when the line was just 5 people deep and then waited out that half hour in anxious anticipation of finally digging into these nationally-acclaimed concoctions. While I waited, I reflected on how the shop itself is so inconspicuously situated at the corner of Kinzie and Franklin - directly across the street from the Merchandise Mart. It's such a tiny place that you really have to be looking for it to notice it's there. That is unless you happen to walk by during opening hours and spot the notoriously long line that is affixed to this corner block. I found it strange that in all of my trips to the Merchandise Mart, I never once realized that the Doughnut Vault is literally right there. Weird. OK people! The line is moving!!! So once I made it up to the counter, I got one of each variety except the jelly filled :p which means I tried the gingerbread stack, all of the glazed: vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut, plus the buttermilk old fashioned, and the special of the day: the double chocolate yellow cake. The gingerbread, the old fashioned, and the three glazeds all make up the Vault's daily menu - so those are always available (until they sell out of course). What differs from day to day is the special of the day and the type of jelly in the jelly filled donut (it's grape on some days, strawberry on others, etc.) All of the daily specials are posted on their website and facebook page, which is handy. And If you follow/like them on facebook you'll also see that they post frequent updates throughout the morning of how many donuts they have left and of how long the line is Now all of the donuts were incredible. But the gingerbread and the buttermilk old fashioned were my favorites. The gingerbread stack that comes as 3 relatively smaller size donuts is very delicious. The cake donut rings are coated in a spiced sugar that is reminiscent of the flavors of fall - ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon...mmm. The dough is decidedly dense as a cake donut should be, but at the same time not too heavy. The buttermilk old fashioned was wonderful. The dough had the perfect crumb to it and was coated in a perfect amount of glaze. As other reviewers have noted and praised the Vault for - their old fashioned does not have that greasy or heavy quality as many old fashioneds do. It is successfully flavor-packed and dense at the same time that it is "light" by nature and texture. The glazeds were all similar in that they are a yeast-raised donut of the finest quality. The airiness of the dough was complimented wonderfully by the light coating of glaze on each donut. The chocolate in particular, surprised me with how much chocolaty flavor such a thin coating of glaze was able to provide. And I wasn't sure what flavor to expect from the chestnut donut, but it had a heavenly sweetness to it. The classic vanilla glazed donut was definitely delicious, so they have that staple mastered. The double chocolate yellow cake that was the special of the day was incredible as well. The cake donut had a wonderful flavor to it on its own, but the chocolate frosting portion took this donut to a new level. The frosting was intense because of how quality the chocolate tasted. It appeared to be a darker sort of chocolate and tasted so, but not in a bitter sense of lacking sugar. Waking up so early all for donuts, was definitely worth it. I'll certainly be back to sample all of their daily specials!!

    (5)

  • Elle C.

    One word, YUM. They have the best old fashioned buttermilk donughnuts!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    So delicious, however the location of there food truck is very rarely were they claim it will be. If it's supposed to be on Clark and Monroe expect to find it at Adams and Lasalle.

    (5)

  • Lan L.

    As a place voted "Best Doughnut in America," I expected to be blown away. Don't get me wrong, the doughnuts were very tasty, but it didn't warrant waiting 30 minutes for them. The line goes out the door, but once you enter the door, you see how small the place is and how close you are to the register. It is designed to look like a vault and the cashier rings you up on an old school register. We got the classic buttermilk and the gingerbread stack. The classic was very very tasty and moist. I didn't like the gingerbread stack too much. It had way too much cinnamon. It was $2 and $3, respectively. Cash only!

    (4)

  • Mina P.

    My new favorite donut shop. It's literally a hole in the wall but very cute! The glazed donuts just melt in your mouth and they are enormous. A little pricey at $3 a piece but definitely worth the price in my opinion! :) I went on a weekday late morning and the line was very short. I'll be back soon!

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    Creative without trying too hard, this place has the right touch - sweet and doughy goodness without being too over the top. The best damn old fashion I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    Doughnut Vault, you jerk. Why does your truck of awesomeness terrorize my mornings? A Chestnut Glazed doughnut, a coffee, A Tribe Called Quest. I mean seriously. Happy Friday indeed.

    (5)

  • Giovanni O.

    Very good doughnuts. We ordered the original and a chocolate glazed. The chocolate glazed was pretty good, I don't know if I would wait on line for it though. The Original, now that was worth making a line.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    Love these donuts! I'm a big glazed and traditional fan - these are top notch! Coffee is great and only a dollar! Makes a great morning to start off here

    (5)

  • Mika O.

    Had the gingerbread, old fashioned and birthday cake donut. Long line but worth the wait. Didn't really appreciate donuts till I came here

    (5)

  • Alan W.

    Excellent doughnuts! The original concept and original gourmet donut shop. Definitely for foodies. Amongst the several growing options this emerges as top 3. Beware cash only!! And long lines. We waited for an hour on Saturday morning. Cops out front giving tickets for people parked at meters.

    (4)

  • Maddie R.

    SO FREAKIN GOOD. Seriously I've never had doughnuts like this before. Not only are they huge, but they are so light and perfectly iced, it's amazing. We got the apricot filled, which was just oozing with filling; the pumpkin special, which had a nicely spiced cake with a lick-your-fingers good icing; the double chocolate, which was rich and chocolaty (YUM); and the buttermilk old fashioned, which was like heaven. Would love to come back and try their other flavors as well!!

    (5)

  • Naureen R.

    The Doughnut Vault is a cute, hole-in-the-wall place that perhaps every Chicagoan should experience once...maybe. But that's it...once may very well be more than enough. I do believe DV is overrated. It's definitely not always convenient to get doughnuts from here as the lines are long and usually they close welllll before noon. The service is fast, and again, the location is cute. I've had the pistachio and chestnut doughnuts and they really weren't anything to write home about. I've had doughnuts from quite a few places around the city, and this just seemed like it wasn't worth all the hype.

    (3)

  • Bobby A.

    Donuts are good but not great there is nothing really special here. There are much better options in the city such as Glazed and Infused, or Fire Cakes.

    (3)

  • Alex Z.

    Don't bother going here they sell out very early in the day so your just wasting your time going there

    (1)

  • Kunal N.

    So here's the thing about me, I can VERY easily taste the difference between processed doughnuts and truly authentic homemade doughnuts. That's why, save the occasional craving, I don't care much for Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts. However, this place has instilled in me a love for doughnuts that might surpass even my love for cupcakes (which is great, let me tell you.) My friend recommended this place to me when I told him that I was visiting Chicago and it turned out to be a couple of blocks from my hotel. My friends and I came here one morning for breakfast and there was no line (which, based on what I've read, is VERY lucky) and so we ordered immediately. As soon as we took the first bites, we were in heaven. We ordered probably one of everything that was available and despite the fact that we were full, we still wanted some more because they were THAT good. I highly recommend the buttermilk old-fashioned and the chestnut glazed for starters just to taste how unique, great, and different these doughnuts are from the normal processed kind. I wasn't crazy about their coffee but then again, I am picky and I don't know what I should expect for a $1 coffee. This place is a MUST-GO-TO if you are in downtown!

    (5)

  • Samantha C.

    I went there on a Thursday, got there at 8:30 and had to wait for 30 minutes. The wait was totally worth it and the cashier lady was super fast!! I got one of everything and the special that day was pistachio. My favorites were the double chocolate, hazelnut and gingerbread stack! The seasonal jelly was good too but was pretty jellyey. I wasn't as crazy about the pistachio, I thought it tasted kinda like soap. You could tell the chocolate glaze was with high quality chocolate and the vanilla used vanilla bean. I will defiantly be back next time I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Vivien H.

    I've only had two flavors of donuts from here but I absolutely love the Chestnut Glazed Donut (it's as big as my face) and the Blueberry Donut!! I heard they serve coffee from Bowtruss coffee which is an extra touch!

    (5)

  • David K.

    Accidents can be fun sometimes. No, I didn't crash the rental this weekend. I was cutting through to get back to The Loop and saw a line of people inexplicably waiting outside in the rain. Upon closer inspection I saw they were standing in front of a doughnut shop. My desparate need to not feel left out compelled me to circle the block and join the line. By the way, I didn't plan for my weekend very well and I only had on a t-shirt and jeans... in the cold, rainy weather. The line moved relatively quickly. I paid for an hour of parking as a precaution and probably only used 20 minutes. Service is quick and they make great use of a space the size of my mother's walk-in closet. Glad I accidentally detoured through here. I scored a box full of goodness before they ran out (and discovered this place before most of my Atlanta friends).

    (5)

  • Danny W.

    Come early for awesome doughnuts!! The Buttermilk Old Fashioned are euphoric and cause my to be euphoric too. The Gingerbread stack is also a must have. The glazed doughnuts are quite large but, for my money, are not as good as the previous two. The also have a daily special (Birthday Cake when I went = Yum :-d) and seasonal jelly doughnuts (Grape when I went, which despite being a member of the strawberry jelly camp, I thought were delicious).

    (5)

  • Andy R.

    I almost walked right by this little hole-in-the-wall doughnut shop, but I'm glad I didn't. This place has delicious doughnuts. You are initially greeted by an unassuming door with the menu painted on the wall of the building. Once inside, there is barely room for ten people. What they do have, though, are doughnuts. Their buttermilk old fashioned was crispy and perfectly glazed. I also had their chestnut, which was big and yeasty and a little more than I probably should have eaten. The prices were pretty reasonable for the quality of the doughnuts. In addition to their standard doughnuts, they have daily specials, which I didn't try unfortunately. They also have dollar coffee from the nearby Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, which is perfect for doughnuts. The service was quick and pleasant. The only drawback is that there is absolutely no indoor seating. No matter though, it just adds to the character of this tiny shop. Overall, it's one place I'd visit again.

    (5)

  • Itanni B.

    While in Chicago I was on a mission to find the best donut shop. I had heard a lot about this establishment and knew that once they sold out of their donuts, they would close for the day. I made it to their shop at 9:30am and they only had 3 donuts left. What they had left were cake coconut donuts. I was so disappointed. I do not like cake donuts or coconut. It was my last day in Chicago so I could not return the next day and try again.

    (3)

  • Johana M.

    I will never know how this doughnuts taste because I got there and they were 'sold out' by 10:30 am!!! So we went to Glaze :)

    (1)

  • Dominique F.

    Even though I live on the south side I would come here just for a $3 donut. Donuts are sooooooo freakin good.

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    Holy hell these people know what they are doing. I am ticked that I have to walk past this place on my way to the gym. Isn't it bad enough that I have to smell the chocolate from Blommers on Kinzie M-F? I stopped here around 11am on Black Friday and saw folks walking out with boxes of donuts. The panic set in. "What if they run out? What if I wait in line all this time and I don't get a donut? I just want one, not a dozen!" Then I started getting a pain in my chest - the same pain I get at work when I'm overwhelmed. I started to take deep breaths and in the end, I got a donut - thank.god. The world stood still with each bite. You have to close your eyes and the donut melts in your mouth. This is a must-do when you have time to stand in line.

    (5)

  • Jackson K.

    It's definitely a small, closet-sized joint that's easy to miss. But these are some serious doughnuts! We went on a Saturday late morning, and I suppose the crowds already got their fill as there was no line when we got there. We sampled their seasonal jelly-filled (orange marmalade), the buttermilk old-fashioned and the strawberry-glazed old-fashioned. The jelly filling was delicious and the doughnut was pretty good, but I think my fave was definitely the buttermilk old-fashioned. Even though we ate it a good 3-4 hours after purchase, it still kept it's moistness / chewiness without going stale. Definitely worth a visit for any sweets-lovers who happen to stop in Chi-town!

    (4)

  • Helen S.

    My friends and I did an impromptu, self directed donut tour in Chicago, which began when we received a free donut at the Publican for brunch and kept running into more donut-eries along the walk home. This was our second stop, and we split a chestnut donut. So good, amazingly light, maybe not chestnut-y in the least but that can be forgiven. My friend said he once bought 6 donuts from here and ate them all in the same morning...he's cray.

    (4)

  • Keerthana K.

    The hype is a factor that probably takes away from your experience. An outdoor hour wait no matter what time you get there? Cash only? Is it worth it? Maybe. Can't say definitely as I went once 8 months ago and haven't been back. The doughnuts are indisputably amazing. You will probably never again order Dunkin Donuts' donuts, as you will realize their product is hardly even a donut now that you've had the real thing.

    (4)

  • Joanna K.

    I hate waiting in lines... But it's kind of worth it for this place. I've been multiple times and have had the old fasioned, the gingerbread stack and a pineapple old fashioned. The gingerbread stack is now one of my favorite doughnuts. I don't know how they do it, but their doughnuts are very light and airy, and they don't leave that weird film in your mouth that some doughnuts do. They're simple and delicious. Also, they have pretty good coffee (hot or iced) for $1... Can beat that! FYI: They're cash only, so don't forget to hit up an ATM beforehand.

    (5)

  • Kirsten H.

    After seeing lines here nearly every time I passed by when they were open, I finally stood in it today and got some donuts. The donuts were very yummy (I got a nice little assortment of the traditional flavors as well as a seasonal strawberry jelly-filled one). The chestnut glazed (which I almost didn't get) and the buttermilk old fashioned were definitely my favorites. Maybe it was just my donut or my personal preference, but I thought that the jelly-filled was way too jelly-filled (jelly oozing everywhere and pretty overwhelming) and it also would have been nice to know the flavors in advance (information on their website was only through Saturday and I went on Sunday morning). That being said, I don't really understand all the hype and the line. I can think of many places in Chicago (Glazed and Infused, Do-Rite, Stan's, etc.) where I can walk right up, order, and be on my way with a donut at least equally as good without having to plan my day around their opening hours and waiting in line for 40 minutes. Oh and they definitely take credit cards--there was talk in the line of it being cash only but I was able to pay with one (and felt terrible for the family who was in line and left before getting a donut since another customer told them it was cash only)!

    (3)

  • Terry S.

    wow. great dounut even At 12:30 all they had left was 4 glazed donuts.. I had my mind set on a chocolat , but the glazed was outstanding... it felt like an illegal transaction,, the shop appeared to be a hallway...haha... anyway. 10 thumbs up

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    Love the donuts there. My favorite is the glazed chocolate and buttermilk old fashion. Took my parents there, they loved the donut but not the hour wait. Go back on a weekday when the line isn't at long.

    (4)

  • Seamus M.

    Best doughnuts I have had. Other places just don't seem worth the calories anymore. Their Vanilla Glaze has won awards but I typically like their Chocolate Glaze or Old Fashion. Now I just follow them on Facebook so I know their daily and if it's worth stopping by when I need a doughnut fix. Try to hit them early in the week on weekdays or during bad weather to avoid long lines. They are great but I am impatient/ADD and don't think it's worth some of the extremely long lines they have most weekends. Great coffee too!

    (5)

  • Julianne Z.

    This place is worth the wait in every sense. Yes, the lines are long, and yes, it can be cold. But it is part of the hype and experience to wait with your fellow donut lovers, for an amazing sweet treat! I got the gingerbread stack and the pineapple glazed, both which were so fresh and so delicious. I am not a fan of sweets usually, but I loved them so much! What I love most about this place, is that they are just trying to make great donuts and from their updated statuses to the special flavors that change every day, I would be so fat if I lived anywhere near this place!

    (5)

  • B.B. K.

    Best doughnuts anywhere in my humble opinion! These are doughnuts so worth weathering any type of Chicago temps outside to wait in that line. Fresh, quality ingredients, well crafted....super yumminess...all in one doughnut! These little bites of heaven beat Glazed and Infused doughnuts hands down! Including the customer service!

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    I may be in the minority but I really feel like these are the best doughnuts the city has to offer. I strongly prefer it to both Do Rite and Glazed & Infused, both of which always seem too heavy and too sweet. Doughnut Vault gets it right across the board - the Old Fashioned, the Gingerbread Stack, and the various glazed varieties are all great. Bonus points for allowing the purchase of only a partial Gingerbread Stack (which typically comes as a set of three) and for finally deciding to take credit cards. I love you, Doughnut Vault!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Decided to meet up with a friend here yesterday for what was voted "Best Doughnut in America." Got here right when they opened, and there was a bit of a line. The line moved at a moderate pace, which made it difficult in the Chicago cold - but once you're inside you realize that it's practically your turn! It's tiny in there, but very chic. The staff member working the counter was very efficient and super polite. And of course, the doughnuts were to die for. Can't vouch for "best doughnut in America," as I haven't had a taste of every doughnut in America, but I'd say it was worth it standing out in line in January on a Saturday morning. Just remember to have cash on hand, as they don't take plastic. And definitely go for the $1 coffee. It's the best $1 coffee I've had.

    (5)

  • Derrick T.

    Holy smokes... Literally the BEST doughnut I've ever had in my life thus far. Part of the reason may be because it's served fresh right as they come out, but even so, they've got their flavors and cooking process down pat... They aren't cheap ($3 a donut), but they are gigantic... think 1.5x the size of a Dunkin Donut, and faaaaaaaaaaar tastier. No wonder this place sells out of donuts so fast... by the time we got there at 9:30 (they open at 8:00), two of the flavors were already sold out! 1. Red velvet donut (rotating): Firm crisp outside yields to a soft airy inside. Cream cheese frosting offers a great balance. Very tasty. 2. Apricot filled donut: VERY tangy, and filled from the top in. While there's lot of filing, it's hard not to make a mess since you can't eat the donut from the filled spot. Again, very good donut, though I was hoping for something a bit sweeter and less tangy... 3. Vanilla glazed and chocolate glazed donut: Both of these were spectacular...soft and airy, generous glaze... it's like eating a cloud of sugary sweetness. Verdict: Seriously, the best doughnuts my wife and I have ever had in our lives so far. Next time we go, it will be 8:00 sharp...

    (5)

  • Aditi R.

    This place is so adorable. It actually looks like a vault and is gorgeously decorated even if it is a little hole in the wall. The service is great as well! I luckily walked in without a giant line snaking around the corner and got the following: 1. Vanilla Glazed Doughnut: $3 - sooo good (and it's a beast!). I had to eat it in 2 sittings. The glaze is absolutely perfect and the way it comes out, I almost don't want to eat it. The sweetness is perfect. 2. Classic Buttermilk Donut: $2 - perfect. Just perfect. Right about of doughiness, a bit of crispiness, and the perfect amount of sugar. 3. Coffee: $1 - perfect to wash it all down. Just make sure you have cash with you when you get here. Overall, I like this place much more than I liked Glazed and Infused (plus its an a much better value for money spent) And just in case you're not as lucky as I was, a decent amount of time.

    (5)

  • L. Danovia ..

    I knows my dough and these donuts did not live up to the hype in my book. I waited for 30+ mins and ordered about one of each so no one would be able to say, "you should have got the..." The vanilla tasted like lightly glazed bread. Maybe I went on a bad day...

    (1)

  • Nathan B.

    Just moved to Chicago. Wanted to check out all the donut shops downtown. This one was definitely on the list. Got up Saturday morning and headed out. The line went around the corner, which got me super excited. I thought, "Hey with this kind of line, it's GOT to be good, right?" Turns out the line was forming even before the place opened. 1 hour later, doors opened and it took my ~45 minutes to wind through the line and get to the front. Yes, this place has a really cool atmosphere. The decor is really great. It's in a really cool location, but sorry, behind everything the donuts are just ok. There are plenty of other gourmet donuts shops that make better donuts AND have a larger variety. Doughnut Vault = not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Janelle C.

    YUM! Purchased a buttermilk donut from the truck and it was worth every 200¢. The buttermilk cake melted in my mouth and the glaze was the perfect amount of sweetness.

    (4)

  • Victoria G.

    Simply delicious! Make sure you come early. They sell out quickly! The chocolate one is my favorite and the $1 coffee is good too.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    If you could only go to 1 place to eat in Chicago it must be The Doughnut Vault. First of all let's talk about the fact that they actually spell the word "doughnut" properly! That means it must be authentic :) But, seriously, it is THE BEST doughnut I have ever had in my life! I'm a huge fan of yeasted doughnuts over cake doughnuts, and their yeasted doughnuts are massive and delicious. I recommend the Chestnut yeasted doughnut and and old-fashioned. The old-fashioned was not dense, it was incredibly moist, it didn't dry out my mouth, it was absolute perfection! Whatever The Doughnut Vault is doing, they're doing it right. This better be your first stop upon arriving in Chicago. Also a helpful tip: get there when they open so you are guaranteed the doughnuts you want (the line get's pretty long, even on weekday mornings).

    (5)

  • Phill C.

    Mmmmm doughnut... You can never go wrong with a donut and they make 'em tasty! They were at a recent Dose Market and after waiting in a ridiculously long line, I got my hands on A donut. Yup, they were running low so it was limit one, but they were selling them for $2 each. I tried the Chestnut, which turned out to be a great pick. It was very moist, not too sweet, and had great roasted chestnut flavor. That was one tasty donut!

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    The short answer: the line is definitely not worth the result. I finally convinced myself to stand in line this morning to have a donut here at the Vault. The last time I went by, there were about 60 people in line (yes, we counted...you'll have time to play games like this while standing there), and our group decided that it wasn't worth the wait. Are the donuts tasty? Well, of course they are; the gingerbread stack might have been my favorite, but the old-fashioned and the vanilla bean glazed are also quite good. And the prices are about right for these gourmet donut shops that have apparently crushed Chicago in the last two years. But are the donuts good enough to justify standing in line for 35 minutes, like I did today? Hell no! What is really striking about Doughnut Vault is the operational efficiency (or lack thereof) of their operation. My line had about 40 people in it. Many of them were couples or groups. The Vault only sells five different types of donuts, plus a special each day. It's cash only. Why does it take so long to move people in and out of their standing-room-only entryway? You'll think about this a lot while you are there, because the line moves so slowly. When I finally did get inside, I could (sorta) see the culprit, and it is two-fold: first, the guy working the register was a really nice, semi-chatty guy. If they had someone working the counter who is better at turning over customers, I'm sure their business would be better (even today, a few people looked at the line and gave up before standing in it!). Second, totally the fault of the customers: given how small the menu is, the indecision of the customers is APPALLING. This is funnier because the semi-chatty guy yells out what the Vault is out of every few minutes, so it's not like you don't know what is available. With only four types of donuts left when he ordered, the guy in front of me today CHANGED HIS ORDER TWICE before settling on two glazed donuts and a coffee. I literally laughed as this was happening. You've been in line for almost 40 minutes, and you don't know what you want????? And most of my line today were locals; this would be frightening on a weekend during tourist season. I won't be back, because who has an hour to dedicate to buying donuts when you can stroll right in at Glazed & Infused/Do-Rite/Firecakes and spend that time eating? If you are hellbent on going, friends tell me that 10 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday might result in a short line, especially when it's cold. Note that these guys are not open on Sunday or Monday; the Monday thing is common in Chicago, but who thinks that food isn't a good idea on a Sunday (besides Chik-fil-A)???

    (3)

  • Lyndsey G.

    worth the wait everytime Also, GET THE COFFEE

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    Yummy! Fresh, unique, delicious!!!

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    Wow this place is amazing...super tiny, but amazing! When we arrived, there were 30 people in line. It must be good when there's a huge line like that! It was! My favorite doughnuts were the almond cake and vanilla bean. Oh my goodness! Simply the best flavor and texture ever! It's a tad pricey for doughnuts, but worth every penny! You MUST stop here! It made our day!

    (5)

  • Abdullah A.

    Ginger bread stack was delicious. Never had ginger bread doughnuts but was pleasantly surprised. Very cute little place in a cute neighborhood. Happy we stumbled upon it!

    (5)

  • Peter N.

    Have lived literally 5 minutes from here for 4 months and have didn't hear about it until 2 weeks ago. Decided to see what the craziness was about and go at 1030 am on a Saturday...rookie move. Line up was about 30 minutes at that point. Once inside, the place is maybe 15'x4'...so tiny. You get your donuts and coffee and get out. The buttermilk old fashioned is by far my favourite. Chestnut and vanilla glazed are close seconds. Wish the donuts were warm when we got them. They also serve bowtruss coffee which is really good as well.

    (4)

  • Wo w.

    This place seems extremely slow each time I'm there. It may be part of the cache, but plenty of other good don't spots in the city. Even driving to another neighborhood on a Sunday morning will likely get you better donuts faster.

    (3)

  • Romana Y.

    Delicious treats- the pistachio-coconut glaze is so good; the stacked gingerbread goes perfectly with their strong coffee; the chocolate glaze was good, but standard. Donut prices range from $2-4. Coffee is $1. Have cash on hand. The vault closes once their donut supply for the day has finished, so arrive early, especially if you're going for the daily donut specials; do expect a perpetually growing line. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait in line for the scrumptious treats. I was treated to these sweets after a long, and grueling, embryo exam. I'm not one to wait in line for any food, especially not donuts, but these were delicious enough to change my ways. As for waiting in line during rain/storms/snow... ya'll out yo' damn minds!!

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    I almost hate to post this because I don't want it to be more popular. The line can be long on those cold winter mornings, but it's worth it. I am not a fan of the donuts with tons of junk on them to make them "gourmet." I don't need bacon and maple syrup or bourbon infused items. That is why I really appreciate the chestnut glazed and the buttermilk at the Vault. They are simple, flavorful, and not overdone. I have enjoyed the other flavors I've tried as well, but when it's simple and I can savor every bite, I am more than satisfied.

    (5)

  • Roxanne A.

    I decided to stop by since their daily special was a strawberry shortcake old-fashioned ($2). Of the two small batch doughnut bakeries in the area, Doughnut Vault's old-fashioned donuts come out slightly ahead, since here they offer different old-fashioned varieties every day. Things to note: -it's cash only -non-old-fashioned donuts are $3 -they are closed on mondays -coffee is $1 -follow their twitter to see if they still have the donuts you want before you head over -their specials are on their website

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    LOVE their donuts, not much more to be said other than that. They are all good, the specials, the old fashioned, the pistachio is my daughters favorite. Priced right about 2 bucks per, have some.

    (4)

  • Dhruv P.

    Yea, your eyes don't deceive you. 2 stars. Two. Deux. Finally snagged a doughnut (or for the rubes like me, donut). GF got another one flavor. That's duo for us to salivate. Grabbed a coffee to counter the insane amount of sugar that would flow through out blood. Ran out the crowds. Spilled a little hot drink on hands. Snatched napkins, wiped mess, walked out door. Onto the corner, and sat on ground where outdoor seating was or could have been existent for Gilt Bar. Looked starringly at the doughnuts, couldn't believe our luck... took a slow bite and.... nothing. It wasn't mind-bending, it wasn't existential, it wasn't meta, it wasn't really anything but a good and voluminous doughnut. ... A few stars punched out for the pretentiousness of this endeavor. They limit supply to 300 doughnuts, make people follow their Twitter page (oh, 300 doughnuts, 75 people in line... now 100 doughnuts and 30 people in line... oh, looks like no doughnuts for you!) Yea, they build this (artificial) hype, and then let one person be able to buy 6 (sechs) doughnuts at one time???? How's that fair? And why would any one person need more than 1? Ein donut bietet zwei Mahlzeiten! What would your doctor and dentist say if they were at a party? Any more, and people, we have a obesity epidemic!

    (2)

  • Anuj S.

    This place is fun for a one-time deal. We did the whole waiting in line thing and I think part of the charm is the big wait until you get the goods. Also enjoyed sitting outside and munching on our treats. The line actually died down by the end of it. The doughnuts themselves were good. I wouldn't say they were the best ever and maybe all the build-up led to somewhat of a let-down. Not to say they were bad, though. We definitely enjoyed the doughnuts. Like I said, it was a fun one-time experience, but now that I've done it, I wouldn't necessarily do it again. Not going to rule out a craving in the future, though...

    (3)

  • J D.

    I finally had a chance to go here. Every time I wanted to go they were sold out of doughnuts. I got here early to try to beat the crowd. I was 3rd in line when the doors opened. The competitive side in me wanted to be first in line but there were two nice old ladies I front of me so I didn't mind so much. I couldn't wait to try the doughnuts. The lady in front of me actually ordered two dozen doughnuts. Seeing this unfold, I started to hyperventilate thinking there wouldn't be any left for me. Luckily they had a lot left. I bought the chestnut and vanilla glaze, the almond glazed (special for the day) and the old fashioned. All I was blown away by the chestnut glazed doughnut. I read in December that the chestnut glazed doughnut from here was the best in America. After eating it I can see why. It was incredible! The dough was so light and airy. It was glazed perfectly, and the sweetness was just right. The doughnut was on point! I loved it!!! The almond glazed was also fantastic as well as the vanilla glazed doughnut. I can't wait to try all the other flavors. The hype is real and I'm a fan for life! And yes...I like this place more than Glazed and Infused! My only wish is that the place is bigger. :-)

    (5)

  • Greg H.

    Best doughnut in Chicago rated by The Daily Meal.

    (5)

  • Amelia B.

    The doughnuts are fantastic, but I pretty much put a 10 minute wait on anything that's going to go straight to my hips. So your worst-kept secret is to check Twitter frequently during the morning hours. She'll start updating it 8am on weekdays and let you know the line, what's still in stock and what's sold out, etc. And good luck on Saturdays, unless you go during a huge rain or snow storm. But thanks to the Twitter gods, I've always gotten in and out super quick (and been saved of a trip when there are already 50+ people in line) But the pumpkin doughnut may be one of the best things I've ever tasted. And that says a lot. Now if only they would keep it year-round...

    (4)

  • James M.

    First, some intelligence - I drive by the Donut Vault on the way to work every day and check out the line most days. It seems like the lines are shorter than they were last year. Line looks longer on Friday mornings. Just had one person in front of me on Thursday morning @8:30. I've only stopped by a few times. The service is friendly. And $1 coffee is nice. What to order? Chestnut Glazed and their Blueberry donut - amazing. Better than Glazed and Infused. Strawberry oldfashioned and chocolate/vanilla - not bad, but not worth $3.

    (5)

  • Arlene L.

    Small and cute donut shop! The seating is all outside, so you can enjoy the donuts (soft and tasty, I had the gingerbread stack) in the nice summer sun!

    (5)

  • Ashley A.

    This place is all about hype. The limited amount of doughnuts is what gets the customers! I visited the Vault back in April. Waited in line for about an hour in 30 degree weather! The line was around the corner when I had gotten there and only grew larger. The shop is very small and probably allowed no more than 5 people at a time. Got an assortment of a dozen donuts. Nothing special besides the size of the donuts. The portions were humungous! Spent around $30 or so. Might be a little too sweet for my liking, though I did enjoy the jelly doughnut the best. The buttermilk old fashioned might as well have been glazed. The wait was worth the experience but not for the donuts! They weren't anything too spectacular.

    (3)

  • M H.

    They take credit card now!

    (5)

  • Valerie H.

    I am a HUGE FAN OF THESE DOUGHNUTS!!!! The best in town. I have tried all the other places, but nothing like these yeast donuts. My favorite is the Vanilla, it is fluffy inside and has the perfect glaze on top. They are VERY large. I love the decoration of this "vault" and like having a coffee when the table is out. I am not a huge fan their coffee, too dark for me (my friend loves it). I wish they would have a lighter option or hot water. The charm of this place is that it is not available always and you have to possibly wait in line to get them. If you know follow them in twitter you will know when to go w/o a line. Cash only!

    (5)

  • Corie Z.

    If I get to a business as soon as it opens and wait in line for 30 minutes - it better have what I want when I get up there. This was not the case at doughnut vault. Place opens at 9:30 and at 10am they're out of old-fashioned donuts - they ONLY thing I came for. I guess I just don't understand the hype. Place is in the middle of nowhere and the layout of the store makes me feel trapped in a creepy basement. When (and IF) you get to the counter the donuts are on trays of a pushcart. It's clear they do NOT make them here. If so they wouldn't run out after a half hour. There are so many other places in the area to get an awesome homemade donut and you don't have to wait in line or be disappointed when you get to the counter. The owners of doughnut vault apparently aren't business-savvy because they don't want to make money. I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Greg G.

    The gingerbread stacks are amazing. Tender, not too sweet, and cinnamon-y. My favorite - easy to see why others agree it's their favorite too :) Plus, they're made in a more manageable (and shareable) size than the other offerings. As for the Doughnut Vault itself, we got up extra-early on a weekday (I've heard weekends have even longer lines) specifically to look silly standing in line with people who look like they just woke up to well-dressed suits who were probably heading to work afterwards. If this wasn't free entertainment for us, it was for those walking or driving by. I suspect that some of us in line were there solely because they saw a line and thought, that must be cool. I digress. After waiting 30minutes in line, we enter the very small shop playing very unknown music. I'm pretty sure if someone recognized the song, the DV would have changed the song immediately. Water is provided, and a menu is posted on the wall. While we waited, we heard groans as some varieties were sold out or just sold out to the person in front of them (this is the reason I didn't get to try the old-fashioned). After reaching the [cool] register, you order your doughnuts, take them out, and begin feasting. I already raved about the gingerbread stacks - the other doughnuts I found to be not that great. Not only were they expensive time-consuming to acquire, but they frankly tasted like average doughnuts. Not well-mixed, somewhat oversweetened, average glaze. Huge, yes - but not worth it. If you do stop by or want to try, go for the gingerbread stacks - and maybe try the old-fashioned. Twitter might help in seeing what's left in real-time, in case you want to be sure your variety is in-stock. PS: We also tried the Doughtnut Vault at Dose Market, a monthly market at the River East Art Center. They featured very different flavors (ie: apple cider, lemon) - and surprisingly, I really liked every variety our group tried. It was like an entirely different shop than what I visited. Notably, there were a 3-doughnut limit for each person that quickly became a 1-doughnut limit. That was an awkward moment when the worker changed that right before my friend ordered. Their eyes met, he crossed out "3", wrote "1", and then pretended... I'm not sure what he pretended, but just be wary of the 1-doughnut limit. Picture: yelp.com/biz_photos/rV5_…

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    Talk about a unique donut shop, this place is a hidden gem in Chicago! But seriously, where's the kitchen? This place is TINY. I'm not much of a donut-eater, but I have to admit, the donuts here are pretty amazing. They're big, they're fluffy, they're delicious. Come early! They sell out fast. Oh and, be prepared to wait. :)

    (5)

  • J P.

    Let's be clear this place is over hyped. I like it don't get me wrong, but it is 3.5 star/4 star kind of place. The best is vanilla glazed doughnut. It is very, very good. Delicious. Not so- gingerbread stalks. Also, very limited options when it comes to filled doughnuts (at least on a days when I was there). This is a deal beaker for me. So in conclusion if you have time to wait around and you feel little risqué because you might not know what you will end up getting since by the time is your turn to buy all is left is gingerbread stalks, go for it. But for Fat Thursday (or Fat Tuesday) stick with Paczki ;).

    (4)

  • Jason H.

    I love this place.

    (5)

  • Jacob J.

    It's the kind of stuff baby angels make with clouds. What's that you say? the soft stuff. Fluff. Why $3 dollars for a friggin' donut. I say think about your typical Dunkin' donut. After that first bite what do you feel rolling around your tongue. Look at the bite you just took and realize the mild texture within. Now you look at a donut from the Vault and like thread count of bed sheets I ask you to think of fluff count. After a bite of these fluffy, soft donuts, take a look within. Massive amount of fluff. Not that marshmallow stuff, I'm talkin' that super soft stuff that makes chewing a treat. It's got just the right amount of glaze across it and it's perfect. I say pair it with a cup of Metropolis coffee at a dollar and your golden for the day. All three styles of donuts three dollars each and that's the whole menu. Interesting experience. The space is tiny and allows for approximately six or seven to stand in a straight line to wait within the entrance. No chance a person could budge. The lane is shared with a small cubbie filled with accoutrement's for coffee. If the line is any longer, you'll see them standing single file around the corner. Donuts are sold till they are sold out or the sign has been reversed to closed. Not a typical donut and worth the bookmark my doughnut fiends. Don't buy just one.

    (5)

  • Jai B.

    I AM NOT A BIG DONUT EATER. after leaving Green Street Smoked Meat, while waiting for Valet, we came across a very unassuming donut truck. We purchased a few donuts for dessert, one bite of the Buttermilk was perfect, but then we started to share and the LEMON AMAZING! Toasted almond Amazing. We didn't move and went back for a few more. I AM NOT A BIG DONUT EATER, I will be eating from here again. Can't wait for my morning coffee and one of these donuts. I'll follow them on twitter

    (5)

  • Alex N.

    Had vanilla glazed and pistachio glazed. Very big. Quite light and fluffy dough. Gingerbread stack was very good, and great for dipping in coffee.

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    The Doughnut Vault. It's one of those hole in the wall places you have to go to when visiting Chicago. Heck, if I lived in Chicago, I'd find myself here several times a week if calories and weight weren't an issue. It's small and unpretentious, a single blue door, a 8' menu painted on the wall besides the blue door, and a few seats outside the establishment are the only things that give this place away. Well, that and the long lines that can sometimes stretch around the whole block, down W Kinzie St. and all the way to N. Wells St. And with long lines, you have to figure they must be selling something good. If you want to be one of those fortunate ones to get their delicious doughnuts, please plan to arrive before the store even opens (especially on weekends) so that you can wait on line and raise your chances of scoring the doughnuts you've been wanting. Store hours are: Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 AM until everything is sold out Saturday: 9:30 AM until everything is sold out We arrived about 30-45 minutes before Doughnut Vault opened on a Saturday, and there was already a line of 40-50 that wrapped around the corner. But as soon as the place opened at 9:30 AM sharp, lines moved quick and we were lucky enough to get all the doughnuts that we wanted. Buttermilk Old Fashioned ($2.00) - A smaller donut, the buttermilk that was on top partially melted into the top quarter of the doughnut, which made for a creamy/buttery top, yet it still maintained a nice crispness. Delicious! Gingerbread Stack (3 small donuts for $3.00) - Crispy with a nice seasoning of gingerbread/cinnamon all around the outside. Ever so slightly airy but thick enough to make you feel like you're eating some substance. A solid doughnut that is sure to please, but the other doughnuts are the stars of the show. Chocolate ($3.00) - the doughnut was fully covered in a white semi-glaze and then topped with a chocolate glaze and chocolate sprinkles fashioned in a quasi-drizzled effect. This doughnut was huge, just like the other glazed doughnuts (Chestnut and Vanilla). With all that glaze I was afraid it was going to be too sweet, but it wasn't. It was neither too airy nor too thick, making for one of the most scrumptious and delicious donuts I've ever had. It's a must try!! Also keep an eye out on Twitter (@doughnutvault) for the doughnuts of the day which vary everyday. The day we went, Pistachio was being offered, consisting of a green glaze and then sprinkled with pistachio bits. Sometimes they can still have a good number of doughnuts left by noon on weekdays, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on Twitter to see what they have left. Almost any doughnut that you get here is sure to please. If you don't have the luxury of coming with a bunch of people to try all the doughnuts, I guarantee you'll be back again. I know I will!! But if your stay in Chicago is short, you can get several put in a nice brown box and indulge your inner gluttony.

    (5)

  • Emmy M.

    These are doughnuts of epic proportions. Go for the chocolate glazed. If the weather is nice and you're not in a hurry, head outside to the fire escape and eat your doughnuts there to make passersby jealous. I went at 10AM Friday morning on December 16th, and there was NO LINE! Very lucky. And dollar coffee? That's how much plain coffee should always cost, everywhere. *In Arnold Schwarzenneger voice*: "I VILL BE BAAHCK."

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    A buddy recommended the Doughnut Vault during my last visit to Chicago. A tiny window served large doughnuts and coffee only. Here's the catch. When the doughnuts sell out the shop closes. While I was waiting in-line, I was told that you almost always wait in-line and flavors change daily. You may not be able to enjoy the same doughnut flavor two days in a row. I had a chocolate doughnut with sprinkles. It was light, not dense and cake like. It was decent and I washed it down with a cup of coffee. The doughnut was about 5-6 inches in diameter. Obviously larger than most doughnuts. The price is larger than most shops too. $3 per doughnut. This place is worth the hype, but not the price

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    Mmm... Old fashion... gingerbread stack... classic vanilla glaze. all good! if you're really a fan of new and intriguing doughnuts, check their website before going. they have the updated specialty menu that changes everyday.

    (5)

  • Hong L.

    The locals know best. I randomly found this on yelp and made this a must on my list-of-to-eats-in-Chicago. This was Stop #1 out of a long list -of-to-eats and it set the tone of what we would encounter - A LONG LINE. Yes, on a Saturday, we got there around 8:30am thinking we were early and it wasn't set to open until 9:30am. Oh boy, by the time we got there, there was already a line around the block next to Gilt bar. We waited for 1.5 hours before we got to order. Everyone before us would order 1/2 dozen or a dozen donuts. Doughnut Vault keeps it simple: 1. Buttermilk (one of my favorites), 2. Gingerbread (not my favorite), 3. Glazed (Be warned. These are big but light and fluffy) - Chocolate, Vanilla, and Chestnut (The Chestnut was very tasty and the flavor wasn't overpowering) 4. Special - Ask about the special because they don't have it up! Only allowed 2 specials per person. The special when we were there was Carrot Cake donut. (small, heavy, and cakey) I enjoy this place because they keep the donuts simple and focus on the taste. I could do without the wait but from what I see - Chicago people are willing to wait for what they love.

    (5)

  • Laneka G.

    I saw the truck in front of the 600 w Chicago building one day. It looked interesting but I was going to keep on to work until I heard a tribe called quest coming from the van so I had to stop I went the triple chocolate. Tasty chocolate glaze over moist chocolate cake with chocolate sprinkles on top. I would eat there cake for breakfast again

    (4)

  • Bryan L.

    Best Donut in the universe? Maybe. Best donut out of a hole in the wall in downtown Chicago? Hells yes! The Buttermilk ring of win was the deal. $2 for one, coffee for dunking, and I was out for under $5 and loved every bite!

    (4)

  • Nicole W.

    Yes. This place is literally a hole in the wall. In which delicious, delicious doughnuts live. And $1 coffee. There is nothing to dislike. Unlike the rest of the world, I did not have to wait at all. I had the buttermilk donut. Best doughnut ever? Maybe not, but pretty close.

    (5)

  • Vanessa G.

    The Doughnut Vault is another unmissable Chicago experience. I've tried nearly all of the doughnut spots in the city, and while they're all impressive in their own right, The Doughnut Vault is my absolute favorite. Sure, their store location is small and awkward (I've stood in a 30-person line in the middle of February for a single doughnut), and their selection is slim, but the craft, taste and texture of their product is unmatched. I'd pick one of their subtly sweet, subtly nutty "chestnut doughnuts" over a bacon maple glazed at Glazed and Infused any day. If you're interested in trying the doughnuts, or want to take a friend or out-of-towner, I suggest going between the hours of 9AM and 11AM on a week day. Or at the crack of 8AM on a weekend. Saturdays after 8AM, especially during the summer, are an f-ing nightmare; sometimes they run out of doughnuts, and I don't know about you, but nothing makes me crazier than standing in a long line. And, naturally, you won't be able to find a place to sit to enjoy the delicious, inexpensive Bowtruss coffee you've presumably bought with your doughnuts on one of these busy days. So take my word for it, get an early start to your day if you're interested in trying these doughnuts. They're worth it. Cash only. Get coffee. $3 per doughnut.

    (5)

  • Carrie M.

    Totally not worth the wait. They are ok, huge and expensive. Swedish Bakery has the best chocolate cake donut.

    (2)

  • Candice M.

    Holy One Holer's ! These are the best cinnamon sugar donuts I've ever encountered: light tasting- not to too heavy or cake/cupcake like. I love them . And I hate them. 5 stars all the way.

    (5)

  • Rubin K.

    TOP 3 Doughnut Experiences of my life...and I've had a lot. Things to note: Get there b/c lines start forming. I know someone who waited 1.5 hours. Once they sell out, it's done. Cash only. Limited menu. They have the staples of vanilla, chocolate, chesnut, plus an old-fashioned, and a ginger stack which are 3 smaller, yet normal sized donuts. They also have seasonal donuts I think...when we went, we got the pumpkin. We got there around 10:15 and waited about a half hour. And it was worth every second. I was quite skeptical going into this place b/c from all the pictures they look like gourmet donuts, which if you follow my other donut reviews, you'll know I'm not a fan of. Plus, they looked very dense and hard and rigid. However, it is all an illusion. Thank goodness. They are just able to make their donuts picture perfect and flawless while still making the inside as fluffy as possible. By the time we got to the front, they sold out of the ginger stacks and old-fashioned, so we got 2 chocolate glazed, one vanilla, one chesnut, and 2 pumpkin donuts. These donuts were definitey the best thing I ever ate. The chocolate glaze was nice b/c it was more of a swirl so it wasn't as overpowering as an entire chocolate clump. The chessnut was similar to a maple bar, but a bit sweet. The vanilla was just perfection, and lucky for me, I was the one that ordered it. The pumpkin was really good too, but for me, the vanilla stole the show. We waited about a 1/2 hour, but even if it was 1.5 hours, I'd wait again.

    (5)

  • Richard P.

    Got some doughnuts at Doughnut Vault during my recent visit to Chicago. Last time I visited I was unable to get these doughnuts, so this time I made sure I was there when they opened. I'd say that while these doughnuts are good, they are pricey. They are a lot larger than normal doughnuts and quite light, but they're $3 each. I tried the vanilla, chestnut, chocolate glazed and the raspberry filled ones. They were good, but not special. The raspberry ones were the only ones to stand out, because they were filled with homemade raspberry preserves, not the normal jelly. In summary, good but expensive.

    (4)

  • Tiffany P.

    These are the best donuts I've ever had! I tried all the different types, and I think the vanilla glazed is definitely the best. Next would come the chocolate, then the old fashioned. I also tried the gingerbread, maple, and pistachio, but I think it's best to stick with the classics. I came on a Saturday morning, and got in line a half an hour before the Doughnut Vault opened. The line was wrapped around the block, but it moved quickly once they opened. It took about 25 minutes to get donuts once the line starting moving. It is very small inside; the fire safety limit must be 5 people. There's only one girl behind the counter but she is lightening fast! Overall great, worth the wait, 5 stars!!

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    Caught the donut vault food truck this morning. I enjoyed the pistachio donut, the coconut glazed was good too. Shared with co-workers, everybody liked the pistachio. Donuts are $2 each, great price!

    (4)

  • Alexander B.

    Definitely a cult place with some huge doughnuts and 1 dollar coffee. Be prepared to wait in a line))

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    I can't believe I have never written a review for this place. I went here a few years ago and I had the vanilla glazed which was good, but to me a vanilla glazed doughnut can be only so impressive. Fast forward to a month ago, now that I live in the city again I get out to doughnut vault earlier and have had the joy of trying their jelly doughnuts. Since jelly doughnuts are my favorite kind of doughnut and this is one of the only doughnut shops in Chicago that carries them this is definitely my favorite doughnut shop right now. All of the jelly doughnuts I've tried here are amazing: raspberry, apricot, grape. Amazing!!

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    My sister heard about this place a while ago, so we ended up coming here to pick up some donuts in the morning. The line starts growing early and the Doughnut Vault sells its goods until there's none left which means you should try to come before the shop opens. +` Gingerbread Stack - 4/5 Pretty solid cinnamon sugar exterior but I couldn't really taste the ginger +' Buttermilk Old Fashioned - 5/5 This was actually very airy despite being a cake donut +' Glazed Chestnut - 5/5 The chestnut flavor is a little light but it shines through! +' Glazed Chocolate - 4/5 Oddly enough, the chocolate flavor wasn't very strong +' Pistachio Donut - 4/5 I couldn't taste the Pistachio, but it was still a good cake donut +` PB&J Donut - 5/5 PB&J on a donut is a bit heavy but the flavors are clearly there The Doughnut Vault sells unique specialty donuts, and although they may cost a bit more than Dunkins, they're worth trying! Bring a friend & try 'em all!

    (5)

  • Niti B.

    So my weakness is for a amazing doughnut any time of the day...being a pastry chef that is the one thing I always crave. I hit up this long lined hot spot and was happy to see that the doughnuts are fresh and gigantic. I had the maple glazed doughnut and it was to my liking. I do have to say due to the size of the doughnut I was in sugar shock and had to save a portion for later. I do want to head back and try a cake doughnut at some point but for now I think it's a bit much for me. Definitely better than Dunkin, hands down. The space is super cramped and I feel very rushed to know what I want when there is another doughnut lover breathing down my neck right behind. You have to be a decisive lover of the fried creations and move along as the wait gets impatient. Once again pricey but expected for a doughnut the size of my face!

    (4)

  • Nan K.

    I'm a huge fan of donuts so I couldn't wait go here, but I was pretty disappointed. I guess it's just a matter of personal preference but I thought their donuts were too sweet and sugary. I went at around 10 am on a Tuesday so fortunately I didn't have to wait in line but I don't think it's worth waiting hours in line for! I remain a loyal fan of Firecakes.

    (3)

  • Salil G.

    Perfect HUGE doughnuts every single time. Well worth the 25 minute wait in the rain. Classic flavors and made with love. There are no better doughnuts anywhere.

    (5)

  • Helen K.

    Finally made the trek to Doughnut Vault on a Wednesday morning. Arrived around 15 minutes before they opened and there were just a few people in line ready to start off their day with some amazing donuts. The actual inside of the Vault holds maybe 4-5 people inside at the most so if you're claustrophobic it might be a tad bit difficult to endure but the line moved fairly quickly so you should be a-ok. Now on to the ordering. We ordered one of each flavor and on that particular day their special was the birthday cake. So there were 7 different kinds: chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, chestnut glazed, orange marmalade jelly filled, gingerbread stack, old fashioned, birthday cake. We ordered an additional chestnut glazed and birthday cake because we are fatties like that and obviously 7 donuts for 2 girls was not enough. Damage done = $24 for 9 donuts. Service was great. There is only one person manning the place and she was very helpful going over the different flavors and didn't rush us at all. The donuts were nicely packaged in a sturdy box with their cute logo stamped on the top. Now on to the eating. 9 donuts for 2 people. Don't worry we did not eat all 9 donuts. That would be dangerous. We started out with the chocolate glazed which was my favorite. It was so light and fluffy and soft. It was triple the size of a Krispy Kreme donut. We then tried the old fashioned which was good but we both decided we liked the yeast donuts vs the denser cakey donuts. The birthday cake was good but didn't get to enjoy it as much because we were so full. Did not get to try the remaining flavors as I conveniently left them at my friend's place. But I'm sure the other flavors would be just as good as the ones I tried. Brought back the chestnut glazed and birthday cake for the boyfriend and he scarfed them down. He seemed to really enjoy the chestnut glazed donut. They also held up really well considering I bought them in the morning and he ate them later on in the evening. All in all, would definitely go back for more donuts! Wished they sold a maple bacon donut. But will be checking out other donut places for that flavor.

    (5)

  • Mike G.

    The nearest donut spot to offset any effort at self control. Donut Vault was among the first and maintains the quality that keeps the lines circling around the block. The lines are a mixed blessing. Prevents me from stopping each time I walk by but always a gamble to see if my favored old fashioned is sold out or not. Waiting in line, we all complain about folks walking out with 2 or more dozen. The sheer nerve to leave us hungry. The only thing I noticed altered since first opening is the addition of background music. Very nice.

    (4)

  • Britt D.

    Confession #1: I have not been here in months. Confession #2: I moved away from Chicago last year, but these doughnuts still haunt my dreams. Buttermilk old fashioned, vanilla glazed, chocolate glazed, oh how I yearn for thee. So much I'm willing to stand in line in the rain for an hour, pay upwards of $4 PER doughnut, and gain 2 lbs. each time I indulge. But heaven almighty is it worth it!

    (5)

  • Llamar 2.

    Love the texture and size of their donuts! However, I found them to be overwhelmingly sweet. Their coffee is kinda awful. They also need to expand. This isn't New York City!

    (3)

  • Teresa T.

    I think it's time for me to accept that I am a doughnut eating convert. I also think I have Doughnut Vault to thank. Like I've said before...doughnuts aren't my preferred sweet tooth answer. But I'd heard great things about this place (and also how quickly they sell out) so I knew I had to eat some of these doughnuts. My first visit was Thursday at around 9AM. There was a small line (around 10 people) waiting outside the tiny shop. Got the chestnut, glazed and gingerbread stack along with a dollar coffee. The special of the day was blueberry glazed but we passed. The gingerbread stack was yummy but cake doughnuts aren't my favorite. I wish the spices had been more assertive but the sugary coatings were good. My definite favorite is the Chestnut glazed. These doughnuts are light, delicious pillows of heaven. The chestnut lent a nice almost fermented quality and I quickly ate my doughnut in glazed bliss. They are also pretty big but are so damn delicious and airy that you'll soon find yourself empty handed, sticky fingered, and cursing your glutton. Friday morning, we got there a bit later at around 9:30 AM and sadly the daily special was already gone (mocha glazed) but got a chestnut glazed and raspberry jelly filled. The jelly was a great tart counterpart to the doughnut. A solid jelly doughnut in my book. All the hype is true. Do yourself a favor and get there early to pick up your goods and then spend the rest of the day in a glorious caffeine/sugar buzz.

    (5)

  • Alice J.

    The store is really small but cute. I especially love the blue paint. There is no seating inside but a large communal table outside. I went on a weekday right around 8 am and the line wasn't bad but it moved kinda slowly. Total time took me about 30 min to get my donuts. I really liked the old fashioned donuts which had a great crispy edge and a really soft middle. I also liked the gingerbread stack which came with 3 smaller sized donuts. I was excited to try the glazed chestnut, but felt that the chestnut flavor was way too subtle. The middle also wasn't as soft as I expected. They're closed on Sun and Mon and cash only!

    (4)

  • Christina A.

    The best doughnuts anywhere! I was a huge sceptic. Wait in line for a doughnut? Are you crazy? But I have and will again. And again. They are so worth it. My biggest problem is not over ordering. I always get enough doughnuts for 6 people but it's just me and my husband. Thank goodness, most of the doughnuts taste just as good the next day.

    (5)

  • Vanessa S.

    I'm giving Doughnut Vault 2 stars because I live in Oakland, CA and while in Chicago, I really wanted to try out this place. I got here about 10:30am on Friday and they were already closed because they sold out! I was SO bummed! There was even a guy that was only a few seconds behind me, who said that he even walked for 40 MINUTES to try out this place too. I'm so sad I didn't get to try it.

    (2)

  • Erin B.

    They're made of crack. Seriously. So damn good. Doesn't get better than this, and honestly, worth the late. I've been fortunate that I go later (and yes, they're picked over and nothing is left), but it doesn't matter. They're so good. Pricey, but worth their weight in dough! (PS--CASH ONLY!)

    (5)

  • Dennis S.

    Sorry - totally overrated. Good donuts. I tried the old fashioned cake donut, the ginger donut, and the raised glazed donuts. All good. None outstanding. Overlay the no-weekend-hours, open only until they sell out, and the limited selection, and it's a the-emperor-has-no-clothes place. Simply no reason to make the effort to come here.

    (3)

  • Jimmy J.

    Doughnuts are amazing.....have to keep your eyes open for it though. If your not looking for it you will pass it right by.

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    Whoa...chocolate/pistachio special is amazing! Guy at the counter was super friendly and helpful. Arrived around 9:15 am on Saturday and waited about 35 minutes to get to the front of the line. Real friendly crowd outside. Great way to spend a nice Spring morning in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    Got here early on a Friday morning cause I knew about the long lines and once they're out of donuts, they are closed for the day. We bought a bunch of different kinds of donuts for family and these donuts were huge! We all shared pieces of the donuts cause they were so huge! Very yummy though and worth the trip from the suburbs :) I'd say my favorite was the almond, regular glazed and chestnut. The chestnut donut is awesome with coffee!! The vanilla was a bit too sweet for my taste, but still yummy. Definitely check this place out especially if you have a craving for a good donut!

    (4)

  • Erik D.

    This place was looming on me for quite some time until I finally went there a month ago. I had heard so much about it and finally had a day off work and stopped by. The donuts that day were fresh and amazing. The vanilla glazed is probably the best donut i've ever had. The old fashion the surprisingly very very good. I had the gingerbread stack and was kind of unimpressed by it. It was sort of hard, which turned me off as I had gotten there at opening. The cinnamon toast crunch honey bun was sort of terrible and I actually threw it out, which surprised me. I think it's been very hit of miss which leads me to say its definitely not worth the 45 minute wait. Going anytime after 10 would definitely be worth it every time.

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    A coworker got up nice and early to wait in line for these (and paid cash, since that's all they take). Some of these were amazing, while others were average. The almond ones were a bit more bitter than I would have liked, and the vanilla was a bit bland. The gingerbread stack was AMAZING, though. They tasted like the apple cider doughnuts you got as a kid at the apple orchard. They were all our favorites, so be sure to grab some if you decide to brave the line.

    (4)

  • Melissa F.

    Get here early! With cash! There's always a line and they close when they run out of doughnuts. The buttermilk doughnut is absolutely delicious. If you want a doughnut the size of your face, get the vanilla. The gingerbread one was just ok. Chocolate is always a winner. This place is aptly named. It's basically a cutely decorated closet. Seating outside if you're lucky. Come prepared to leave with at least half a dozen. Like I said, bring cash be aide they're cash only. You won't be sorry.

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    I've been meaning to get to The Doughnut Vault for a while now, but the line is always outrageously long on the weekends. When I walked past around 12:15 on Saturday, there was no line! I popped in and bought two doughnuts for $5. Since it was late, there were only three kinds of doughnuts left: chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, and coconut old fashioned. I bought a vanilla and a coconut. I truly enjoyed the vanilla. Not too sweet, very soft, and huge! The coconut had a nice flavor, but it was overly sweet. I wouldn't get the coconut again. I definitely wouldn't mind trying other flavors in the future, but I refuse to wait in such a long line just for doughnuts. I suspect that the selection is always pretty limited when you go at an off time.

    (4)

  • JoAnna L.

    Came here on a Thursday morning about 9am, there were about 5 people ahead of us in line and it was easy to find. The menu is painted on the front of the building, but if you follow them on Twitter, they post the specials for the day and also the # of doughnuts left before they sell out. I bought 2 large doughnuts, a vanilla-glazed and a pineapple special for $5 total. They were yumm! The PB & J special my friend got was also amazing. Remember to bring cash! I would totally come back again if visiting.

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    3.5 rounded up Got there at 9:10 on a Saturday with good weather. Our spot in line was around the corner and in front of bisazza mosaico. When the line started moving at 935, the line went all the way down to Chicago brass and it was 1030 before we got our donuts. the chocolate glazed was not all that we would not get again the chestnut glazed and the ginger stack was good we would get again next time we would try the buttermilk old fasihioned and maybe vanilla + ginger, chestnut and the special long wait for slightly above avg donuts

    (4)

  • Mary Ann C.

    OMG...This place is amazing! So, I have been wanting to go here for quite awhile (well, since they opened). I am a huge fan of Do-Rite, but Donut Vault is better! This place is, indeed, like a vault. It is TINY. There is one person working behind a register in something that is as large as some people's walk in closets. There was a long table for outdoor dining, since it is warm outside now. I tried the old fashioned, lemon old fashioned (donut of the day), and the jelly donut (grape). So...the buttermilk old fashioned was AMAZING. However, the jelly donut is probably the best donut I have ever tasted...completely stunning. I cannot wait to try another flavor. Yummm. There was a line when I arrived at 7:50. I actually had an appointment that was cancelled, so I came here on a whim (might be better to plan the trip). Street parking was easy. The line took about 10-15 minutes, and I was about 8 people back. It is cash only....Otherwise, I would have ordered more! Cash and spur of the moment planning limited my sampling to 3 kinds. Next time, I might get one of each option...NOT just for myself!! LOL. Enjoy!!!

    (5)

  • John R.

    Pretty good donuts, but the wait time is really stupid. Glazed and infused is where I'm at. And I know doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Britt C.

    Stop number one on a two stop doughnut binge. What a way to start. The line was to the corner of the street almost. The long line didn't even phase us, other than being worried that they might run out before we could make it to the front of the line. Once we finally stepped through the door way we saw the super cute chandelier and the throw back cash register and I was instantly in love. Super adorable. They may not have a huge assortment, but believe me they don't need to. I went with a raspberry donut, which I didn't realized was the seasonal jelly filled until I got it. These doughnuts are some serious business. They dough is amazing, my raspberry filling was great. I would love to go back and try some more, I would love to catch other "specials" or seasonal flavors. One of my friends, Keith R. ordered the chestnut which was one huge doughnut, and Melanie R. got a gingerbread stack that came with three smaller doughnuts. Everyone was happy to say the least. They also have $1 cups of coffee, incase you have to have some coffee with your doughnuts, but if you can hold out you might wanna make the trek to Ipsento...which we did after hitting up just one more doughnut shop!

    (4)

  • Tiffany L.

    I thought the hype would have died down in the middle of winter, but nope, still had to wait 50 minutes at 9:30 on a February Saturday morning. It was definitely worth doing once, as the doughnuts were definitely tasty. My fave was probably the Chestnut -- oh so fluffy and insanely large. Note that because these are quality doughnuts, they will be really dry the day after, even when the person you're waiting with just happens to own a vacuum sealer.

    (4)

  • Kristen W.

    A line of twenty-five people that stretches around the block is probably enough to send most normal people to Dunkin Donuts or somewhere faster. Not me, I wanted to see what all of the hype was about. The doughnuts were really tasty! My only compaint was I wish that there were more uniq\que options (Like at Doughnut Plant in NYC, the ALL TIME best place for doughnuts in the world, really) But I recommended getting a few to split so you can try more flavors.

    (4)

  • Mina I.

    In one word - Patience Location - 401 1/2 N. Franklin (Franklin and Kinzie) Food - I had read so much hype about the Doughnut Vault, I had to try it myself. To obtain a doughnut from the Doughnut Vault, you stand in a long line that weaves from Franklin onto Kinzie for minimum 45 minutes (my wait on a Saturday was 65 minutes). And when you finally are able to enter the vault, which can fit 5 people max, you can order a selection of doughnuts. When I finally got in the special birthday cake doughnut was sold out (mega FAIL), so I tried the chestnut and the chocolate glazed doughnuts. Beware, these doughnuts are giant. I truly believe that a normal sized human being should/can only have half a doughnut (unless feeling sick from overindulging in sugar is your thing). The doughnuts were special. Whether it was worth the wait is debatable, but I think everyone should have the Doughnut Vault at least once. Drink - You can get Metropolis Coffee here, which tasted great to me after my long uncaffeinated wait. Service - You really only interact with the cashier for about a minute. But, she was fast, so I was appreciative. It's cash only, so leave the plastic at home. Scene - So much of the experience is the wait. When you stand in line for that long, you are forced to become friendly with your neighboring fellow patrons (whether you want to or not). So, it became a very social, community experience. We learned about where our neighbors were from, what they liked and didn't like about living in the city and which doughnuts they were going to buy. Misanthropes, you've been warn. Occasion - I dragged my friend with me to stand in line for over an hour. She was not pleased. Find a patient person to go with. Price - $10 for 3 doughnuts and a coffee.

    (4)

  • Alexis B.

    So what, I may have cheated. I never actually stepped into this joint. YOU GUYS WERE CLOSED THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN TOWN! So I had my lovely Chicago friends stop in before my plane arrived and order me their favorites so I could try! It was damn worth it too, so sue me! You guys have the greatest Old Fashioned Donut that I've ever had! The birthday cake had a sweet pink frosting with vintage sprinkles, and a deep fried cake donut underneath. The chocolate donut wasn't my favorite, but it had great flavor and spongy textured dough. I'm sure if I actually went into this vault, I would have gone in a normal size and come out a fat ass kid.

    (5)

  • Z K.

    I have been hearing about this place for a couple of years, and while on my way to drop my kid off at daycare...I thought of treating myself to this place for BF. Well, after dropping my kid off and kissing his cute little cheek, I went to this place and before I did...had to take cash out since these guys only accept cash. Probably run by a Mafia or something, a donut Mafia named Paclioni from Danbury, CT. Anyways, I parked my Zoobaru and hit the inside of this place and it felt like I was inside a pizza oven. I ordered up Old Fashioned and couple for my wifey and got the buck coffee and liked the fact they had brown sugar cubes, etc....anyways, it tasted really good - coffee and donut. Although pricey, it does taste a bit better, or a lot better than DD. I have been to the Donut Planet in NY and I think that is better than this joint, however....when in Chicago, you do not give a shniz about NYC.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    So...after two visits I've decided that I could wait in live FOREVER just to get a doughnut here. I've tried the original, the gingerbread, vanilla, chocolate and (drum roll) birthday cake. All the doughnuts are soft and sweet and perfect but the birthday cake has to be the best doughnut I've ever tried in my life. I'm not lying...go try it. Always check their Facebook pages for updates on the lines (if any) and daily specials. The place is small and only accepts cash. You will probably have to wait in line but it's definitely worth it and plus the cashier is always so friendly.

    (5)

  • Kat S.

    Oh. my god. Do yourself a favor and go to The Doughnut Vault. Sure, the donuts are 3 dollars, but you know what? I don't care. Go there anyway. Do it. Now. Or tomorrow. Order anything, because it is all good. Okay. Glad we had this talk.

    (5)

  • Marilu C.

    i'm not much for sweets, but as a san diegan visiting friends in chicago, i knew i had to make food-stops that counted. this was one of them. i do love myself a good old-fashioned donut. there's just something about that consistency; it has a crusty bite to it. it's the only type of donut i'll actually eat. i was excited to try the buttermilk old-fashioned that this place is so famous for. it's no surprise after reading the reviews that this place sells out pretty quickly. expect a long line of early-risers. "i'll meet you there by 8. p.s. bring cash" was what my friend said. that means i have to leave my friend's house by 7:15, which means i have to wake up by 6:15. for donuts. they better taste like heaven... ...and they did. the buttermilk old-fashioned is the best i've ever tasted. if i ever get a chance to go back, i'll be buying a dozen of just those. i also purchased gingerbread stacks, each of the chocolate/vanilla/chestnut glazed, the strawberry old-fashioned (daily special and another tongue-tantalizer), and the grape jelly. on this very special morning, the doughnut vault was having a photoshoot with old-fashioneds and an extremely cute doughnut vault truck. it was lucky that i stuck around enjoying my doughnuts and the shop's $1 coffee with friends until the end of the photoshoot because those old-fashioned doughnuts from the shoot were on sale afterwards. i couldn't resist buying a triple chocolate old-fashioned, a special that isn't usually on sale. it was packed with chocolate flavor. i don't want to oversell it, but it was the. best. donut. ever (second to the buttermilk original)!

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    I am obsessed with homemade doughnuts, and its a shame that there are a million cupcakeries, and not more places making these deep fried delicacies. I had read that they sell out early at Doughnut Vault, we arrived one hr after they were open to a line waiting outside. I am not a fan of cake doughnuts, i prefer ones made with Yeast, which they sell at the Vault. They unfortunately were sold out of the chestnut, so i chose the vanilla doughnut. No joking this doughnut was almost the size of my head and probably almost 3 inches tall. This was a perfect example of a perfectly baked yeast doughtnut, glazed with just the right amount of vanilla icing. Overall if you want to go, go early and order a few, they are amazing.

    (5)

  • Lady B.

    My daughter and I had to try this place based on the reviews and well it was ok...we went on a weekday and the line was maybe 5 people deep which was nice but they didn't have much by the time we go there. We took the train into Chicago and then walked from OTC which is a little bit of a trek and by the time we got there our choices were limited (bummer). I didn't like the donut I had (too rich to enjoy) but my daughter liked hers.

    (3)

  • Niko F.

    This place is so overrated. Everyone talks about it as if it's far and away the best donut shop in Chicago. Here's why: Doughnut Vault limits its supply and makes you wait in a long line to make their product feel better than it really is. But if you try their donut when it's readily available, there's nothing special to it. In the end, these donuts are nothing special. If you want a legit great donut, go try Firecakes. If you want to act like you had an experience, go try Doughnut Vault. Up to you.

    (2)

  • Jay I.

    Ok, Today I am giving one more star. I think this doughtnut is, even though there is little competition in the doughnut business in Windy City, something special. Their gingerbread this time tasted really good (maybe I didn't appreciate it enough last time). Anyway, on weekdays, you will hardly wait. If you have a day off between Tues-Fri, go try it. Won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I am not sure how something can even be this good, but Doughnut Vault doughnuts are! I gave one to my room mate who is a typical girl and refuses sweets. She ate a tiny bite and then in three seconds flat devoured the whole thing--it was THAT good! I have this rule in Chicago that I don't wait in line for ANYTHING because comeon, we are in a big city and you can get duplicate of everything, somewhere else. But not Doughnut Vault. Their doughnuts are one of a kind and fantastic and totally worth waiting in line. 5 stars = worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jason V.

    The Doughnut Vault has the best doughnuts I have yet to taste. The key lies in the quality and simplicity: Doughnut Vault eschews the temptation to throw in some more exotic tastes or the inevitable maple syrup and bacon (e.g., 2Sparrows, were it is done decently, or Nightwood, where it is not), and instead returns a simple, albeit monstrously large, glazed doughnut with a thin layer of icing--hazelnut and chocolate were my favorite over vanilla--highlighted by an incredibly pillowy interior. Less impressive in my eyes were the Buttermilk Old Fashioned doughnut and the special of the day, the White Powdered Stack (which is actually a group of 3 regular sized doughnuts). The coffee, which I had iced, is also decent, but costs a dollar for quite a small cup. A wholly separate question is whether these doughnuts were worth lining up one hour before opening on Saturday over Memorial Day weekend to be sixth in line. It would be hard for any food stuff to attain that standard on a consistent basis, and these doughnuts, while divine, are not the exception. Still, The Doughnut Vault is well worth at least one visit for a taste of some truly remarkable doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Edgar D.

    I'm sorry but these donuts aren't good enough to wait over a half hour in line in freezing cold. I don't care how many James Beard awards or Zagat acknowledgements you have. If you can't take care of your customers, don't expect many to come back.

    (1)

  • Margaret G.

    Margaret had no plans for Saturday morning. As a girl she enjoyed a donut here and there after church and infrequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, her favorite being the boston creme. She tried a Krispy Kreme during their height in popularity. Margaret, however rarely indulged in donuts. It was one particular Friday night when Emily G suggested they wake up early and stand in line for this scrumptious treat. Initially Margaret had doubts about giving up the luxury of a lazy Saturday morning. But after biting into this gourmet treat, Margaret would forever add TDV to her rare donut run list. The patrons queued silently, one by one an hour before open. Margaret dressed smartly in gym shoes and yoga pants, shifted her weight side to side, leaned against the outdoor escape stairs, crossed her arms, played on her phone, and pet a four legged friend begging for flattery for close to an hour. The clock struck half past nine and the procession shuffled shoulder to shoulder into this glutinous chamber. Each patron faced with a major obstacle including what guilty pleasure to choose. Margaret graciously followed the advice of patron upward in the line. The kind stranger pointed towards the birthday cake, old fashioned, and vanilla glazed. The vanilla glazed was savored the following morning after a heat up in the microwave. Margaret and Emily G fraught with emotion after such anticipation let the old fashioned and birthday cake donut melt in their mouth. Both discovered the truth. This OF donut filled all crevices of donut taste buds. No other baked treat could compare. While Margaret is unlikely to join the regulars of dedicated TDV munchers, the Bow Truss coffee burned a yearning for its sensation and turned the Bow Truss coffee brewers into her next city excursion.

    (4)

  • Jeanie P.

    There was gaper's traffic as cars slowed down one Saturday morning to gawk at the line on a random corner in the West Loop. What could they possibly be waiting for at this hour in this cold? Doughnuts my friend, doughnuts. The main question of the newbies in the line was--- is this really worth it? The line moved slowly (about a 30 min wait from the corner). And all the huddled masses gave the stink-eye to those greedily walking away with 3+boxes (I mean c'mon really?) as the cold gnawed at our fingers. Finally the blue door was in sight! We got one of everything, and coffee is a dollar! My favorite was the old-fashioned buttermilk. It is more cake-like, and we devoured it. The other doughnuts were fluffy and a little overly sweet for me. I was a little bummed that they weren't even warm. Couldn't taste any chestnut in the chestnut, but the pistachio was nice. Gingerbread stack had some spicy warmth to it. So friends, was it worth it? Don't think I'll be waiting in that line again personally, but I can see how people crave it. Overall though, I think it's sorta lame how they only have a limited number daily and then they close-- it's like the diamond industry. Anyway I don't think my review will make that line any shorter anyway, so happy doughnut waiting!

    (3)

  • A T.

    I'm no longer in Chicago and I am so sad that I can't visit The Doughnut Vault regularly anymore. The gingerbread stacks are my favorite and are SO FREAKING GOOD. Yes the caps are necessary! Get there early cause they go until they run out. And the line is long usually but it goes pretty quick. If you "like" them on facebook you get updates as to what donuts are left and how many people are in line.

    (5)

  • Justine M.

    Can't say this review will be helpful since I only tried a donut and have not been to the actual location. I was given a donut when visiting an office - I believe it was a mocha coconut flavor - im not sure. Donuts are HUGE. They mentioned you have to go at certain times to avoid crowds. Come here if you want to buy a bunch of donuts for the office. And to share. Eating one would fill you up for the day!

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    This place is aptly named, since in it is some of the sweetest treasures of the city. These doughnuts are HUGE and delicious. The friend that tipped us off about this place must have a heart the size of one of the doughnuts, because she did not steer us wrong. All I can say is, GO. Get there early, though, because they normally don't last past 11am. Seriously. I normally don't recommend stalking, but I suggest it when your mission is to fill your belly and heart with jelly filled goodness. Follow them on Tumblr and Facebook for flavors of the day and the weekly deliciousness. They're even nice enough to update how long the line is and what varieties they have left. Noteworthy Points: Get the PB&J doughnut Cash only Nice service Pull up a chair and discuss the doughnut love with a fellow patron while sipping on some dollar coffee

    (4)

  • Molly P.

    Since we've arrived in Chicago, I've heard rumblings about The Doughnut Vault . Legend tells of warm doughnuts baked in limited supply and so tasty that people will line up around the block to get one (or 12) along with a $1 cup of coffee. So we knew we needed to make our way to the near North side to see and taste for ourselves. We each ordered a glazed doughnut from their daily rotating selection (pistachio for me, chocolate for the hubby), 2 old fashion buttermilk doughnuts, and coffee. Bringing our treats back outside we snatched up two chairs at the long rustic but chic picnic table out front. My pistachio doughnut was, simply put, divine. It was light and airy with a sticky, sweet mint green (color not flavor) glaze and topped with pistachio shavings. Somehow it stayed on this side of the "too sweet" line in spite of itself. Perhaps it was its pairing with the rich, dark, french press coffee that is served. We decided it was well worth the wait. The glazed doughnuts are 3-4 inches in diameter and at $3 per doughnut, they are definitely a splurge, both calorie and budget wise. But sometimes, you have to treat yourself, right? The Buttermilk old fashion doughnuts came with us as we offered up our seats to the waiting crowd. Later that afternoon, I'm pretty sure I moaned when I took my first bite. It was perfect. I'm generally more of a cake doughnut fan, and this was unlike any other cake doughnut I've had. There was a fantastic crust to protect the moist perfection that was inside. It was practically creamy! My mouth is watering as I remember its deliciousity. And, yes, it deserves a whole new word because of how incredible it tasted. The Doughnut Vault opens Tuesday - Friday at 8:30 and Saturday at 9:30. But get there early, because once the daily batch has been sold the doors close. And I can now attest, all the legends are true. These doughnuts are something special and undoubtedly worth the splurge.

    (5)

  • Anne M.

    A must for any doughnut enthusiast. After months of hearing good things and drooling over their website full of doughnut shots, I FINALLY ventured to the D.Vault last week. Yahoo! Me and my doughnut-accomplice were in line right around 8:30 - it wasn't as long as I've seen it before, but there were a good 15-20 people in front of us. But, the line moves at a decent pace, so it was not that bad. We were out of there about 15 minutes later. Inching along, inching along... finally we're at the pearly gates of doughnut heaven. People aren't kidding about the close quarters in here - space is tight! Single file line, be prepared with your order and adequate cash, and then shimmy out quickly. Good luck if you're getting coffee. I was just hoping I didn't drop anything, or spill my coffee on someone, or trip and ruin the goods. I dropped a $20 on a coffee and a variety of doughnuts for visitors and co-workers and got a mix of the old fashioned buttermilk and one of each of the normal glazed: vanilla, chocolate & hazelnut. The verdict: $2 Old fashioned buttermilk takes first prize. It was rich, velvety, dense on the inside, and sticky / crispy / crunchy on the outside. Perfect doughnut goodness. YUMMY. $3 Glazed were good too. Larger than the old fashioned, but also more airy. These were just a tad too sweet for me, but really good if you're craving a big fat bad-for-you doughnut. I wouldn't make this a regular stop for me because I'd turn into a blimp and go broke. However, once and a while, I'd love another good old fashioned. 'Twas very good indeed.

    (5)

  • Benjamin L.

    There's a lot of hype around this place and it lived up to it. I was a bit lazy and didn't make it there at open on friday (830) to avoid the line, but thankfully still made it in time for some doughnuts. I went on the Friday before Labor Day and got in line just before 930. There were only 4 total pistachio glazed doughnuts (daily special, rotates) left by the time I ordered (~15 mine line). I took the advice of other reviewers and pitched a pistachio glazed, as well as a buttermilk glazed old fashioned. In my opinion, both were outstanding, though my girlfriend strongly preferred the pistachio doughnut. One final note, the $3 glazed doughnuts are huge... Big enough to share. Will return! Would've given 4.5 stars.

    (4)

  • Jaime S.

    I guess I'm just not a doughnut person. I waited in line for 30 mins on a cold and rainy Friday, and while the gingerbread stack and vanilla glazed were good, they were not life altering. Great place if you like doughnuts, but if you're not obsessed, it's not going to change your mind.

    (3)

  • Bockri R.

    The dougnuts are great, but they will make you FAT! My favorites are the old fashioned, topped with anything or on its own. Yeah, they're good. But they will make you fat.

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    After all my donut experiences in various cities throughout the country, I just need to declare that doughnut vault is the absolute BEST of all time.

    (5)

  • I C.

    Went there this past Tuesday morning. The person behind the counter was perfectly friendly while he walked me through my choices. I decided on the Vanilla Glazed. The balance of vanilla and the sugariness of doughnut was perfect - not the slightest bit cloying in its sweetness. Yes, its $3 - but it was huge (the volume of two doughnuts, or bigger) and perfect with coffee. And for those of you saying, "This is all hype! I can get a few glazed doughnuts at Krispy Cream for less" Granted you can but can get one where you don't taste the chemicals probably used as dough conditioners and or leavening? No chemical after burn, a clean finish with each bite.

    (5)

  • Joanne W.

    "Meet me at the L at 8:00 AM on Saturday. We are going to the Doughnut Vault." How can you argue with such a request? Yes, it's Saturday...a day of sleeping in, taking it easy. I was not crazy about the idea of dragging my butt outta bed on a Saturday morning but somehow I knew it would be worth it. We waited less than an hour. Yes, this is what the world has come to. We wait in line for hours for doughnuts. But fear not, it WILL be the best doughnut you've ever had. I got a dozen. Chill out, they were not all for me. I shared them...barely. There was not a bad do-do in the bunch. The glazed were perfection. I was partial to the chestnut glazed. The gingerbread stack was delightful. The pineapple old fashioned almost made me drool but the favorite for me was the raspberry jelly filled. JACK POT. Now, it is a bit spendy for a dozen doughnuts. You are going to be spending about $36 for a dozen. Yes, you read that correctly. Keep in mind though, the doughnuts are the size of your head. I'm not kidding. They are HUGE. Would I make another trek downtown to hit up the DV? Damn right I would, except next time...I'm not sure I'll be sharing.

    (4)

  • Luke T.

    pretty spectacular!!! Got there a little late in the day and only had an old fashioned but it was great!

    (4)

  • Alison V.

    Way, way, way overhyped. After having monumental donuts at Voodoo Donuts in Portland, Tom Douglas' Dahlia donuts in Seattle, and treat from the Doughnut Plant in NYC, I was expecting so much more. I tried one of each. The best was the vanilla. Love that I can see the vanila bean in the glaze. The chocolate was disappointing. It was just a vanilla that had a secondary glaze of chocolate around the edges. The worst was the chestnut. It tasted like they used dry chestnuts that were reconstituted in a strong liquor. Very old-school tasting (not in a good way). The buttermilk old fashion was very, very ordinary. I would not be able to distinguish that donut from any other buttermilk that I have had. Similarly, the gingerbreads were nothing to get excited about. Based on so-so donuts and insanely high prices, I doubt I will be back. Plus, I realized after I left that I was overcharged a dollar... not so great. P.S. These will NOT hold until the next day. I didn't have room to eat the chocolate. I stored it overnight under a glass dome. It was really dry on the inside and gummy on the outside. So only buy what you can consume that day.

    (3)

  • Rachael F.

    I went on a Saturday morning and arrived at 8:50. I was 4th in line and once the place opened (at 9:30) everything moved pretty quickly. The crowd in line was really friendly and every person I spoke to was a die-hard fan. I am not a donut person myself but I thought it would be fun to try "America's best donut." And even with the wait it was definitely a lot of fun. The special that day was pistachio glaze and it was good- a lot like pistachio ice cream drizzled on a donut. I tried most of the every day flavors and they were pretty good and pretty huge. I think if donuts are your thing this place is great. If you don't normally die for donuts you may end up feeling like they weren't worth the wait. Also, since it was Saturday the line was huge and when I left it honestly seemed like some people in line wouldn't be getting donuts because the place closes when they run out. If you are serious about trying these donuts, especially the daily special, you should probably arrive sooner rather than later.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    Holy smokes, I dream of donuts after visiting this place. Hot damn they were good. We had: ginger bread short stack, glazed, almond old fashioned, and the apricot jelly filled doughnut. The glazed was our favorite, it was airy, flakey, and delicious. They were all good though!! It's a little pricey, but well worth it. We got there around 10:30am and by that time they were sold out of the chocolate glazed. Disappointing. Also, it's cash only!

    (5)

  • Josh V.

    Do one thing and do it bleepin' well! That seems to be DV's motto. They do doughnuts and only doughnuts, and only a few of those. They offer only a small selection of doughnuts. When I was there, 3 varieties with 3 choices of glazes for one of them (so that's really 5 varieties, you could say). You might sigh about waiting in line (15 or so minutes for me, on a Friday morning). You might grumble about the price ($10 for 4 doughnuts*, two of which were the "cheap" variety). You might get a bit claustrophobic being inside the store, which is smaller than some actual bank vaults. But then you'll take a bite, your irritation will melt away, your face will soften and you'll maybe--just maybe--moan a bit with delight. Because the doughnuts are amazing! The Buttermilk Old Fashioned melts in your mouth. The Gingerbread Stack (*which is three small donuts, so I technically bought 6 for $10, but they're sold as one unit) is light and flavorful and the Chocolate Glazed is huge and really damn tasty! (They also have good hot & iced coffee for $1 a cup.) This is not an every day indulgence for sure. But once or twice a month for a special treat? Abso-freakin-lutely! CASH ONLY!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    Screw making the doughnuts; it's time to *eat* the doughnuts! I like doughnuts, but I don't really crave them; personally I'm more of a bagel gal. However, the praise and hype surrounding Doughnut Vault had me intrigued enough to brave a potentially long line for some circular sinfulness. Thank goodness for smartphones! Not willing to be as badass as Melanie S and stand in line for an hour (rain or not); I planned my visit for a weekday. Going right at opening was key; I was able to get some work done from my phone and before I knew it I was sauntering off with my deep-fried treats. Doughnut Vault is tiny. It's size rivals my bedroom closet; which is nice for my closet, a bit cramped for a retail establishment. As such, it is adorably decked out with the bare essentials - a large mirror with the menu painted on it, water and cups, and a clerk behind an ornate, vintage-looking, gold cash register. There are three main doughnut choices - buttermilk, gingerbread stack, and glazed, which comes in vanilla, chestnut and chocolate. I went a little crazy, knowing I would have help polishing them off, and ordered a buttermilk, gingerbread, and two glazed (chocolate and chestnut). My favorite doughnuts were the glazed ones. They are perfect; light (tasting, not in calories but I like to pretend it's also true), and gigantic. I'd say it's a tie between which I preferred, the chocolate or the chestnut. I'd argue that if chocolate and chestnut had a glazed doughnut baby, it would be mind-blowing. The buttermilk and gingerbread were tied for second for my affections; good, but not worth standing in line for on their own. The gingerbread stack, three smaller doughnuts covered in cinnamon and sugar, reminded me of the doughnuts from the farmer's market in my hometown. A better version, but similar just the same; simple, tasty and light; I'd get these again. The buttermilk were good, but I don't know that they were standouts when compared to other bakeries' buttermilk doughnuts; however the freshness couldn't be beat. Bottom line, $11 for 4 doughnuts might sound a bit outrageous, but I thought they were worth it. I'm just not sure, I'd feel the same way if I had to wait more than 15-20 minutes for them. TIP: DV is cash only. Doughnuts are $2 or $3, and coffee is $1; prices include tax and they're open until they sell out.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    I've been hearing that the two best donut places are Do-Rite Donuts and the Doughnut Vault, so this morning, I waited in the cold for an hour to get Doughnut Vault donuts. The Good: The dough base for their regular donuts is extremely good, and the icing on all the donuts is flavorful. The jelly donut is really good, as is the icing on the chestnut, the old fashioned, and their coffee. I love the bowl of brown suger lumps! I'm a sucker for dropping three into my cup, putting one into my mouth, and beginning to drink using the one in my mouth to sweeten the fluid as the others are still dissolving in the cup. The Bad: The hours suck! I get up early, and I don't want to wait until their opening time to eat. By that time, I've already eaten once, studied for hours, and I may have even taken a nap. The ratio of dough to chocolate on the chocolate glazed results in a plain donut w/ a hint of chocolate. This is a letdown for a chocoholic like myself. You stand in line for an hour. Obviously, going to the Doughnut Vault is an event for people. The wait makes the experience better psychologically, so more power to them. The only except cash. Conclusion: I was going to give them 5-stars, for you can't mark one restaurant down a star because they happen to share a city with the best of their kind in the country (Do-Rite). But after I thought about it for a while, I realized that I really consider them to be a 4-star donut. Even if Do-Rite wasn't 0.6 miles away, these donuts would still just be exceptional and not extraordinary.

    (4)

  • Jake H.

    Gave the van another shot - friendlier person, and the chocolate was considerably better though still just a tad soggy, though I suspect I'm just catching them late in the "donut sale cycle" or some such thing. So, I still prefer their downtown competition but you won't go wrong trying 'em all and judging for yourself!

    (3)

  • Annie K.

    Seriously? 30 minute wait for THESE donuts? Not worth it. I was expecting amazing donuts with unique flavor, and what I got was just plain old donuts that you can find in a lot of little shops around LA... The chestnut glaze: It just tasted like glazed donuts, but with the tiniest hint of "something else" but I wouldn't say chestnut. Chocolate glaze: meh. A little dry if anything. Buttermilk: Nicely crisp on the outside. It's not that they were bad, they were just...donuts! They were airy and chewy, but seriously...I can find these anywhere back at home. Maybe Chicago has a more limited choice for donuts or something. All I know is, I felt like a dumbass after waking up early, standing in line for 30 minutes, and paying $3/donut. Uh...what just happened??

    (2)

  • H I.

    Giltbar, Bavette's, and the new Dillman's restaurants are all in my top ten restaurants to eat at in Chicago. I love their formula of serving up high quality, HIGH VALUE old school American fare. To me, the dining experience doesn't get much better. Donuts here are out of this world good. As soon as you bite into one, you know that you are experiencing a super fresh treat with the best ingredients around. I ordered the buttermilk, and one of each of the glazed donuts. They all blew me away, but the glazed ones were a bit heavy on the sugar.. A little too sweet for my liking. I think I will get more buttermilk and try the gingerbread stack next time (which won't be for a while as I do not want to start a dangerously unhealthy habit). Don't skip out on the coffee. I was surprise how good it was! Every sip had me saying in Ace Ventura's voice, "Yommaaaaay!"

    (4)

  • Jen W.

    If you don't mind standing in line and getting in that line early EVERY TIME you want a donut this is the place for you! The business model is NOT customer friendly. You will stand in line,... you may or may not get a donut after the wait.... definitely check the twitter feed for availability updates. After waiting in line to purchase these (great but not life changing) donuts on a handful of occasions and going up to Doughnut Vault on MANY MORE occasions to find that they are sold out, I have decided to stop patronizing a business that consistently wastes my time.

    (2)

  • Pam F.

    Three of us decided we were going to go downtown to try out some food places we had heard about. Because the reviews talked about the long lines, we got to The Doughnut Vault early. There was no one there. It was a beautiful day, so we sat outside and waited. The was still no line when it opened. The person working the counter (the owner?) was so nice. When he opened, he actually invited us inside and explained each doughnut. We were so overwhelmed, we did not realize the line forming behind us! My first choice, the chocolate glazed. First, the doughnut was HUGE!! Second, it was soooooo delicious. OMG!! So delicious. I bought three different varieties. Loved each of them. Of course I had to bring some home since they were so big, I could not eat more than one in one sitting. If you are in the area, stop in!! Get there early before the line and before they run out. They only sell until the batches they make are sold out!!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    So my co-worker asks me yesterday if we should pickup donuts for the office today. I say, "Donuts? Why yes! What a lovely idea! Have you heard of The Doughnut Vault? I've heard it's quite good. Why don't we give it a try?" "OK", she says, "I'll drive and you run in." Well, alrighty then! Problem... can't run in when there's a line of 20-25 people in front of you! Darn! Oh well, must wait. I was in line for about 30 minutes. Once it was finally my turn, I felt like jumping up and cheering. But, alas, I tried to be as quick as possible so as to not hold up the line unnecessarily. "I'll take a half-dozen, please. Two Buttermilk, two Vanilla Glazed, and two chocolate." I paid my $16 and went on my merry way. Once at the office, we opened up the box which - oddly enough - made that heavenly angel music sound. Wow! The glazed donuts were HUGE! Let me put it this way, I was able to cut each donut into six pieces! But... man! They were delicious! Turns out that I wasn't really a fan of the buttermilk which surprised me, but the glazed (both vanilla and chocolate) were phenomenal. They were sweet, but not overpowering... in my opinion. YUMMMMM! I will most certainly be back. I'll just have to strategize a time when the line is dwindling down. TIPS: Be ready to order when it's your turn. Do your research in advance. Avoid asking a million questions? Order, pay, & move out. Also, Doughnut Vault is CASH ONLY. The maximum order per person is one dozen doughnuts. They also sell $1 coffee. There is some metered parking around. Beware of the meter-police. She's anxiously waiting around the corner.

    (4)

  • Kathy K.

    One of the best things I've ever eaten in my life and I've eaten a LOT of different foods from around the world. I grew up eating glazed donuts from tons of different places but this is off the charts amazing. Hot, puffy, sweet, fried, goodness. Simple yet perfect. Everyone who is complaining about the price- It's $3 vs. $1 not $20 vs. $1 so get over it. It's a treat and not something you buy everyday, hopefully not or else I'd advise you to reevaluate your diet. If you can't afford an extra $2 for a treat once in a while then I'd advise you to reevaluate your finances. If you haven't gone and like donuts, go immediately!

    (5)

  • Olivia M.

    This place is fantastic when you're actually able to get your hands on a donut. I've been here a handful of times ~10 and they've been sold out all of 3 times. One time I was here and the people in front of me got the last ones and I considered buying theirs/and or just ripping the bag out of their hands. Self control! Thinking about this place makes me salivate. It's so good! I love especially their gingerbread.

    (4)

  • Adam M.

    Hands down the best donuts I have ever had. Someone brought them in at work and I fell in love. Before this I have never heard of the Donut Vault and was informed that they are highly sought after donuts. According to their website: The Doughnut Vault serves up piping-hot, fat and delicious doughnuts... Tuesdays-Friday starting at 8:30am until we run out. And Saturdays at 9:30am until we run out. I have yet to try to go to the Donut Vault but it seems like you have to get there early. I can't wait for my Donut Vault experience.

    (5)

  • Roxy A.

    so I live down the street from the Doughnut Vault & finally decided to see what all the hype was about this joint! The menu is pretty straight forward nice & simple. Old Fashioned $2 Gingerbread Stack (3 mini donuts) $3 Glazed (chestnut/pistachio; vanilla, chocolate) $3 FYI: CASH ONLY!!! So I tried the chocolate & old fashioned yesterday and wowzer the chocolate glazed donut was ginormous..but super tasty! Today I went back again & tried the gingerbread stack and some old fashioned donuts. The gingerbread was really yummy & had a nice lil spice to it. Yesterday I waited in line for about 15-20 mins. tops..today (yea my fatty self had to go back for more) I got lucky b/c there was no line!!! woo hoo!! Idk if I would wait 1 hour in line for these donuts, but nonetheless I think they do live up to the hype & were pretty damn good. Also it is a bit pricier than your average Dunkin Donut, but you can tell that theres some major TLC put into these donuts b/c they're made fresh. Also I love how they're always bumping underground hip hop when you finally do make your way inside the vault! =P

    (4)

  • Rebecca R.

    I have been trying to convince myself that getting up early on a saturday to wait in line for a doughnut was worth it. Let me tell you it is! I went on a Saturday. They opened at 9:30. I got there at 8:40ish and was the sixth in line. Once they open the line moves super fast. I got one of every flavor to share with my family and loved every one. They are huge and still good the next day. Though a bit pricey they are worth it. My total was $25 for a gingerbread stack, old-fashioned, raspberry jelly filled, chestnut glazed, 2 chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, and a pistachio.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    Osi V, the boys and I finally made a trip to the city to see if these doughnuts really were as AMAZE as everyone is making them out to be! We got to the line at 8:33 (they open at 8:30) and there was about 50 people already in line. After about an hour wait we finally made it inside while some super nice ladies watched the double wide parked outside! There is room for about 5 people inside, it is small, quaint and is exactly what I think a little place in Paris would feel like. LOVED the atmosphere...I mean it is so quaint yet Bone Thugs "For the Love of Money" was blaring...LOVE IT! =]] I ordered one of everything except for the gingerbread...and my favorite would have to be the vanilla bean glazed!! SOOOO good! You can taste the quality in that glaze and the doughnut was like a better version of a Krispy Kreme and much larger in size! I also LOVED the old fashioned (buttermilk) doughnut...it was by far the best of this type that has ever touched my lips...mmm mmmmm! The chestnut and the chocolate were good as well, but the chocolate was a little over the top for me. I will definitely be making another trip out for that vanilla and old fashioned! Y to the U to the M! *These are definitely tied with the Big Dat for the best doughnuts in the city! IMO.

    (5)

  • Marc T.

    Try the glaze dounuts there huge but so good and really sweet. Great with a cup of good coffee. You will love it!

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    My husband found this place about a year ago and I have never eaten so many doughnuts before. We always make sure to get some when we have out of town guests. I have waited in the line for close to two hours at one point but it is always worth it! I love love love the newest addition, the raspberry jelly doughnut.

    (5)

  • Jen B.

    It's a testament to my recent commitment to not being a total fat kid that I have only had Doughnut Vault ONCE ever despite the fact that it is less than a block from my office. Srsly. The glazed donut is so good you want to die. Literally. I think I cried a little in my office as ate it. Or half of it, I should say, because no one can eat an entire one of these gigantors. It's too rich. You're mouth/heart/face will explode if you even try. OMG. GMBD. FNDB. I'm making up acronyms, it's that effing good. Apparently lines form early and often to get at these beautiful babies so plan ahead. Maybe go on a rainy morning and get a sackful, and then sneak off to furtively devour these sinful creations. Just make sure to wipe the glaze from your cheek, lest you be judged by your jealous co-workers.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth B.

    I have never considered myself a doughnut person - they're either too dry or too dense or too sweet or too... Never worth the calories. Unfortunately for me, Doughnut Vault has changed that - my standard order is a $3 vanilla glazed with a $1 Metropolis coffee - pretty good deal at $4. The vanilla is light, not too sweet, nicely puffed with yeast, great vanilla flavor and a perfect amount of glaze over the top with flecks of vanilla bean. Really, I never thought I'd say I love doughnuts, but I love these doughnuts. The old-fashioned is also really good but I can only eat a few bites as it's a much more dense cake doughnut - love the buttermilk flavor. Follow @doughnutvault on Twitter to get updates on how many doughnuts are left and how many people are waiting in line - they usually open between 8-9am and are closed Su/Mo. Cash only. So worth it.

    (5)

  • Natasha A.

    Best Coffee Ever!!! The doughtnuts are huge and yumm, I tried the chocolate glaze and pineapple. The long lines are insane though!!

    (4)

  • Jeff K.

    Great all around doughnuts. No one can beat them in the area and aren't bad for the price considering the size. The line can be hit or miss, best to show up early.

    (4)

  • Kp Y.

    If you are going to eat just one donut (or 3 donuts so you can try all the flavors) do it here. I'm not sure I'd wait in that crazy long line on Saturday, but I strolled by on a Thursday about 10 am and there was no line and plenty of donuts. Moist without being greasy. A treat without being overly sweet. Perfect doughnut.

    (5)

  • Christine J.

    This place is overrated. I love love love the idea of a gourmet doughnut shop. I don't even care about the high $3 pricetag per doughnut or that the line is 90 minutes. But when the glazed doughnut is as bready as a sweet breakfast bun, I feel a little cheated. I like that their doughnuts are not overly sweet, and I actually really like their version of a cake doughnut. But I'm a glazed doughnut kind of girl, and it's just not there.

    (3)

  • r s.

    Decent and close but Dat Donut makes it look like amature hour

    (3)

  • Bel B.

    Yum Yum, they are so fresh, this is the best doughnut place in the states? If there is anither one, please someone tell me about it. :)

    (5)

  • Tim O.

    Doughnuts - we sampled a chocolate glazed, a vanilla glazed, a special mocha glazed, and the gingerbread stack - were very good. We - my wife, my five year old son, and I - love to find and sample the best food finds in every city we travel to. All three of us enjoy a good doughnut, so after hearing and reading about "The Vault" we were intrigued enough to wait in line for about thirty minutes on Saturday morning to indulge. The line moved slowly but we did meet some interesting people while listening to my son exclaim many times, "When will I have my doughnut?" There is an obvious buzz/hype surrounding this place, its location, and ( of course ) its doughnuts. The doughnuts are, as I previously mentioned, very good. Honestly though they are far from the best doughnuts I have ever sampled ( I think my "best doughnut nod" goes to a small town Indiana Lion's club or to my grandma Bess's home made frying pan doughnuts, and I am not one to glorify or over state the culinary accomplishments of a family member ). For one thing I found the glazed varieties to be too large and the vanilla glazed doughnut was almost gummy at times inside. I did enjoy more both the chocolate and mocha glazed, but I can not say they were "great" doughnuts. The gingerbread stack were, in my opinion, the best of group; but still just very good, not great. As other reviewers have stated "I don't understand the hype behind these doughnuts." I have no issue with the cost, the line, or the calories; I have simply had better doughnuts. I did enjoy the experience but "The Doughnut Vault" will not make my "must eat" check list when I next visit Chicago.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth M.

    First, and most importantly, let me point out that doughnut vault has a Twitter feed that they update every 20 minutes or so during the morning to let you know what's left and how long the line is (or whether there is a line). Definitely check this so you know what you're in for. I work a couple of blocks away and have often contemplated walking over, checked the Twitter feed around 8:30 or 9 and seen that they have lots of doughnuts and no line. However, something always came up and I never actually made it over there until today. I got there around 8:15, there was basically no line (maybe 3 people in front of me?) and they still had all the doughnuts left. I got: - a buttermilk old-fashioned glazed, - a gingerbread stack, - a blueberry glazed (the daily special) and - a blackberry jelly filled. I probably should have gotten a vanilla just to try it out, but decided even though I was sharing with a few people, I probably didn't need that much doughnut! Overall, these were decent doughnuts, but I certainly wouldn't wait in line for them. The buttermilk glazed was good and sort of reminded me of a cruller, flavor-wise. The gingerbread stack was also good, but basically just a cake doughnut with cinnamon-sugar on the outside (I didn't taste much ginger). I had really high hopes for the blueberry glazed, but the doughnut fell far short of my expectations. I imagined a blueberry doughnut with glaze (i.e. blueberries actually mixed into the doughnut batter and cooked, then coated with plain glaze), but it was actually just a plain doughnut with a blueberry-flavored glaze. The glaze was very sweet and just had a weird flavor - I can't even describe it, but it certainly didn't taste very blueberry. Also left a weird aftertaste in my mouth. Meh. The blackberry jelly filled was by far the most unique of the bunch - instead of being filled, as most jelly doughnuts are, with some super syrupy sugary "jelly" mess, this doughnut was actually filled with legit blackberry jelly, like what you'd put on a PB&J. The jelly was good, not too sweet, there was a lot of it, and the doughnut itself was soft and tasty. I might go back if they have the blackberry jelly filled again and try the vanilla or chestnut glazed, but definitely wouldn't make this a regular addition to my morning. My standard for comparison is a "legit" Krispy Kreme doughnut - at the store, hot off the assembly line, prior to 2008 when they were still frying everything in trans-fat-loaded oil - now THAT'S a fantastic doughnut. These don't come close.

    (3)

  • Wrigley F.

    yeah, it was worth it. it was worth the wait and lived up to the hype. it was worth $30 for a dozen. it was worth the 20 minute wait in line. the donut vault reminded me why i run marathons - to justify eating 2 ginormous donuts and not feel bad. i went around 9:15 on a wed. am and waited 15-20 minutes....not too bad. they had everything in stock and were just bringing out a fresh batch drool. i think the key is earlier in the week and a little after they open. we ordered vanilla frosted, chocolate frosted, gingerbread stacks, and buttermilk. the frosted ones were ginormous and awesome. the chocolate one had a strong chocolate flavor. it was a bit much for me, but for the chocolate fiends in my office, it was spot on. i loved the vanilla - just a hint of vanilla that accented the donut. the texture was soft and sweet. i loved the texture of the ginger bread stacks and at 3 per serving, its a good deal. the buttermilk were firmer and a nice contrast to the others. i need to brave the line on a sat for a carrot cake. homer simpson would be proud.

    (5)

  • Dennis L.

    dear people, this is what a FRESH donut is. the donuts are good dont get me wrong but definitely not worth the hour wait and $3 price tag. basically you are paying for a giant fresh donut. if there's no wait id recommend it.

    (3)

  • Edward M.

    it's hard for me not to be biased by the long wait(s) I endured. one on a friday morning when i got in line at 8:00 AM (which was already to the corner) and had to get out of line at 8:55 when i was right in front of the door because i HAD to get to a meeting. and the following morning when I got in line at 8:30 AM (halfway down the block) in the rain and finally got my donuts (doughnuts? whatever.) 2 hours later. all the while seeing people walking by with boxes from dunkin donuts, which is right down the street. it's tough, but let's see. no doubt the donuts here are great. but are they worth $3/donut ($2 for the old fashioned) and a couple hours of your morning/sleeping in (whoops)? if you put these donuts in a blind taste test, would they destroy the competition? questionable. on the other hand, probably the best $1 cup of coffee you'll find in chicago. and a good blasting of old school rap in the morning is a nice touch. one thing i did find missing and absolutely necessary for a donut place is a rich, concentrated donut aroma billowing out into the streets. but i guess maybe it'd be torture for those in line.

    (3)

  • Gerald M.

    They serve the best doughnuts I've ever had--they are expensive, but one doughnut is enough for two people to split. I've now tried each doughnut on the menu along with a couple of specials and have been consistently impressed. If you go on a weekday morning, there will not be a huge line. I've heard that the wait on weekends can be up to an hour, but I've always gone on weekdays and I have never waited more than 10 minutes.

    (5)

  • Darlene L.

    I am not a fan of donuts and eat healthy in the morning. However, all the publicity about this place and being in the neighborhood on a weekday morning allowed for a convenient visit. I got in line around 8:10 with 15 people ahead of me. Doors opened promptly at 8:30. By that time the line behind me snaked around the corner. Ordered the buttermilk and chestnut glazed. Split them with my husband as we both concluded that these were the best donuts we have ever eaten. They are just perfect in texture, sweetness, size. I did not feel like i had concrete in my stomach a few minutes later. This is as good as it gets for donuts and tastes better than morning oatmeal. Not bad to indulge once in a while.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Don't go if you don't have some time to wait in line. It's just a fact of life when it comes to certain places (e.g. Hot Dougs, Kumas, etc.) If it's a nice day you'll be surprised that the wait isn't so bad. You end up chating with folks in line around you. Occasionally someone will ask, "Are they really worth the wait?" My response..... Abso-freaking-lutely!

    (4)

  • Courtland H.

    Its a vault, filled with donuts. bring cash and hunger. No more to say

    (5)

  • Daniel A.

    Had their glazed cruller-type donuts. Even though they weren't fresh- they still tasted amazing and had a nice crispy outside and almost gooey inside. So good. I plan on going back often.

    (5)

  • Tina R.

    Amazing!! If you're willing to get up early (be there by 8:30am when they open) and wait in line for 20+ minutes. But well worth it for their glazed donuts, my favorite! Huge, like the size of my head huge, soft and fluffy. The icing is not too sweet or sticky, just perfect. The old fashioned buttermilk absolutely melts in your mouth and is fantastic. The gingerbread stack, 3 delicious donuts covered in cinnamon sugar. Cash only, so be prepared!

    (4)

  • Leigh An S.

    There really doesn't seem to be a slow time for this little hole in the wall, but let me tell you the wait is SO worth it! They have the best old fashioned doughnut I have ever had. With that being said, the rest of them (especially the chestnut!!) are just as good, with the exception of the Chocolate. That is the only one I am not a fan of...sadly I was expecting it to be an actual chocolate doughnut, instead it is a vanilla with a chocolate drizzle. Beware it is very easy to go a little crazy and want to buy up a whole box just for yourself! Pace yourself!! They are enormous! They offer a small cup of coffee, the perfect size for a doughnut for $1! With their friendly service it's hard not to love this place! Go and you wont regret it!

    (5)

  • B.D. K.

    Yo. Best glazed donuts ever had. Yeah, it's worth waiting an hour in line for...

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    DELICIOUS! My fav is the old fashioned.

    (5)

  • Jonathan P.

    Does this place need another review, probably not but they earned it from me. One of the best donuts I've ever had, and I didn't even mind the fact that it was $3 a donut. I ate a chestnut donut and it was delicious, I really don't even know what a chestnut is! Their chocolate donut has a layer of vanilla on it first and its just awesome. Well done, wish I didn't have to wait in line but I will continue to!

    (5)

  • Amy F.

    I love the concept of this doughnut place. Yum!! I recommend showing up early. This place sells out fast. We stopped by at about 10am on a weekday and they were nearly sold out. The only variety available was the vanilla glaze. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago. Also, order the drip coffee for only $1

    (4)

  • Shauna K.

    The line is crazy but worth it for the Old Fashioned!! If you like a little heat get the gingerbread stack. The glaced is good, but do all the flavors taste the same or is it just me? After waiting in the rain and finally getting in, listening to Wu Tang was a bounus. If your torn just go!!!!

    (4)

  • Adam M.

    Doughnut Stack = yes, Affordable cup of coffee = yes, Specialty doughnuts = yes.

    (4)

  • Stephanie K.

    we drove through almost 2 hrs of traffic (we, being my sister and i, live in the suburbs) but finally got there, only to remember that it was cash only. beating ourselves up we hurried to the nearest atm and returned hoping the doughnuts hadn't run out by then. and oh they did not. we decided to get one of each and everything was deeelish. the glazed doughnuts (vanilla, chocolate and chesnut) were phenomenal. The dough was yeasty and tender and oh my lord i felt like i was bitting into delicious pillowy clouds into my mouth. the doughnut vault is the epitome of hole in the wall. there is literally only enough room for standing and waiting in line. the price may seem steep but you get what you pay for-- greatly crafted doughnuts. you will never look at dunkin donuts the same.

    (5)

  • amanda g.

    these donuts are amazing. i haven't been inside. my lovely bf waited in line to get my coworkers and me a half dozen the other day. i could've eaten the entire box. we tried the glazed, the chocolate glazed, the old fashioned, and a cinnamon covered cake one. they were all amazing. i would highly recommend waiting in any length line for these delicious rings of dough. yum.

    (5)

  • Lyn B.

    On a morning when you have the patience to wake up early and/or stand in line for donuts, this is a great spot!! The donuts are fantastic... and huge! They are soft, tasty, and the wait was well worth it! The atmosphere once you get inside is so cool. It's this tiny little "shop" (if you can even call it that), and you feel like you are stepping back into the early 1900's - it is totally old school. The flavors vary each day, but it doesn't matter- everything is so good!

    (5)

  • Lyle W.

    2HR wait in line was thinking i was going to be blown away by the best doughnut ever and I was not. They are good but not worth the wait or the price....I like Glazed and infused a couple blocks away no line and are very good

    (1)

  • Johnnie F.

    All hype aside - it's worth *a* wait (but don't wait more than an hour or so) ... all that needs to be said is this: If you love doughnuts of any sort - you'll rate this 5 stars (service, quality everything) ... if you simply enjoy doughnuts and want 'em fresh with a surprise here and there (flavor of the day, etc.) then it's a solid 4 stars. If you're not a big doughnut fan but take 'em or leave 'em - then it'll be 3 stars or less due to the wait and hype. Me? I enjoy doughnuts and the chestnut flavor and carrot cake special were really, really good. Of course what made the experience for me (and if you'll read my reviews you'll see why) is the service... real special gal opened the door with a smile and thanked us for waiting ... then made sure I was able to get 2 of the carrot cake flavor even though she wasn't sure at that point how many she could give out per customer (she thought the word was 1/per - but she was going to let me by simply to err on the side of good customer service). Not only that she was easy on the eyes ... so who could ask for more (no, a pretty girl did not taint my review ... if the product were not good but service great I would have dropped probably to 2 stars). Anyway - if you're into doughnuts, try 'em out. If not, but you're wondering about all the hype ...I'm fairly sure you'll be disappointed - because in the end they are just doughnuts. Good ones though.

    (4)

  • Sherry G.

    Literally a hole in the wall, it is worth waiting in line (although not too bad now that the season is changing)!!! Make sure you hit up the atm as this place is cash only - tax is included in the prices so super easy to get in and out. Glazed doughnuts are $3, HUGE and DELICIOUS!!! Chocolate is my personal fav but the other two flavors are quite yummy as well (Vanilla and Chestnut). I'm by far a glazed fan but the buttermilk and the other type (escaping my memory, gingersomething) are very good as well. We get the doughnuts at work occassionally as a special treat and leave them out with a knife so everyone can get a sample platter. One co-worker decribed the glazed as like Krispy Kream only more devine :-)

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    This place is amazing! Been wanting to go here for a while and went this morning around 9:30. Only waited for about 10 minutes but these doughnuts are worth the wait! The vanilla doughnut is fantastic but you should try all of them because they are all very good. Never thought I would be so excited about a doughnut shop, but this place makes it happen. Great experience and will totally come back to get some more.

    (5)

  • Tiffany K.

    my review is for the buttermilk and ginger stack doughnuts only. overall both doughnuts were very delish. they melt in your mouth and aren't too sweet. buttermilk doughnut isn't as big (half the size) as the glazed ones. glazed are $3. buttermilk $2. ginger stack doughnuts are not too sweet but filled with so much flavor! there are 3 smaller than buttermilk doughnuts per ginger stack order. this doughnut goes PERFECT with coffee. ginger stack doughnuts are $3. i also had their coffee- which i did not like so much. I should've just stuck with their doughnuts but......... $1 for a cup of coffee..... who can say no to that? (my bf had each of the glazed doughnuts and told me they were too sweet. ) today, they opened at 8:30am, got there around 9am. before i left home, i read that there were 30 ppl in line and by the time we strolled our buns over, there were less than 10 ppl in line and we didn't not wait too long. the girl that takes your order is super sweet. :)

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Sweet heavenly deliciousness...I will pay $2-$3 for a doughnut if it tastes like this! Now I'm not exactly a fan of the sugary morning breakfast but I happened to be in the neighborhood and had heard so much about this place that I just had to check it out. Definitely worth the hype. The vanilla glazed and old fashioned are amazing (but huge, share with a friend). The coffee was fine and inexpensive ($1.00). The service was friendly and efficient.

    (4)

  • Devin G.

    finally ate one of these famed doughnuts and it measured up to the hype. a co worker brought them in to our office yesterday. wow. i had a vanilla glazed(im old school). it was the biggest doughnut ive ever had. easily only needed to eat half of it but put down the whole thing. looking forward to visiting the store although i hear the lines are consistently long on most mornings

    (4)

  • Heather B.

    I am not a local and happened upon this gem b/c of yelp*. Apparently this place is a news story, since there were reporters and photographers everywhere. I ran about 1 mile from my hotel to purchase these loops of glazed heaven. After seeing the size, i realized that I also must run back before I could savor these morsels of goodness (and then around the entire lake :-). They were delish. The gingerbread stack was my personal favorite. The flavor of a fresh grated ginger cookie, with the texture of a fluffy cake doughnut. I also had a bite of each of the glazed doughnuts (Chocolate, Chestnut, and Vanilla). All were awesome. The name is fitting for the size of the place. There is room for about 7-8 people single file once you get in the doors. I love how they printed the menu on a mirror and an antique register with the big pop up numbers. It is a smart and cozy use of a small space. Yelp hours indicate 0800-1130, however, I think they open when they are done cooking (closer to 9 today) and close when they are sold out. If you are a die-hard doughnut fan - these are worth the wait. If you aren't, they are still worth the wait....once!

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    This is a REALLY good doughnut joint. We waited in line for an hour and they had already run out of 1 flavor when we got inside. Doughnuts were really good and I'd wait again for them.. I'll leave this review at that; efficient, just like DNV operations!

    (5)

  • cynthia w.

    The doughnuts were pretty good! The glazed ones are huge and might warrant $3 a pop. The old fashioned were my favorite but not as large as the glazed. We also tried the chesnut and gingerbread stack. I did enjoy them, but I also went when there was no line. I really liked the old fashioned a lot. I'd go back for those.

    (4)

  • Jay L.

    This is a absolute needed stop for coffee and donuts. Bring cash, get there early and be prepared for a line that goes out the door.

    (5)

  • Jerry C.

    PHONE FIRST!!! THEY RUN OUT EARLY. Truthiness be told, I never ate a donut here. Everyone else gave them 4 or 5 so I did too...but I could not give five because they have a problem with supply and demand. I love a homemade donut but rarely eat donuts, because most donuts out there are nasty, defrosted, stale, chemistry sets. And also, because they're fried in fat for crying out loud. I wanted to treat myself on my bday since I was in the hood I made it a side trip. Got there 945ish and they were out. Wish I had called. But no prob, I went to their hand-made donut competitors across the expressway who were still, strangely enough, open for business at 10am. Will check DV out next August, but I will phone first. I only wrote this to tell everyone to PHONE FIRST before wasting their time driving and money parking.

    (4)

  • J F.

    This place doesn't live up to the hype. Doughnuts are as good as your colleague brings in from a local suburban bakery. He didn't worry about something getting 'sold out', wait 15minutes, have to deal with people thinking this joint was the most special place ever, get bumped around the small space, and pay cash only. I wouldn't make a special trip, though kids may like the extra large glazed doughnuts.

    (3)

  • Joshua K.

    I only live a block from this place, and it's so hard to resist going down there weekly! We usually try to reserve it for when guests are in town, that way we feel less guilty about the calories! Chestnut and the gingerbread stack are the best! Be prepared to go into a full fledged food-coma about an hour after eating them! My sister said "I don't even like doughnuts and I would eat there daily!" Dollar coffee too! No, it's not Folgers either! It's Metropolis! For $1! You can't buy anything in the city for $1! I would highly recommend stopping by and checking this place out! Check their facebook or twitter to find out what they have left, and don't forget it's closed on Sunday and Monday! You'll probably get the urge to dance while you're in there too! CASH ONLY!

    (5)

  • Irah H.

    i decide to do my morning walk n getting my doughnut for my motivation. since its quite a distance from my plc, i decide to try most of the flavours: the buttermilk, chocolate, vanilla, chestnut, and one of the special of the week. its worthed and my fave is the buttermilk old fashioned

    (4)

  • Jon C.

    we got there at 8:30 on a saturday and it opens at 9:30. we were 3rd in line. luckily it was a nice day out and we passed time pretty quickly. by 8:45, the line had built up almost around the building. we got 7 donuts, one of each kind. my personal favorites were the old fashion and the vanilla. however, after taking the first few bites, we thought to ourselves...'we just stood in line for an hour for these.' while the donuts were pretty good, i'm not sure the anticipation was worth it. after all, they're just donuts. $1 coffee is nice.

    (3)

  • Aivy N.

    Oh God. I don't know where to start. I don't know where to end. Like the continuous circle of a doughnut, my love of this place is never ending. I had the lucky chance of having a very wonderful friend hand deliver these to me since I am never able to make it there in the morning. And every single bite of each doughnut was so amazing. Gingerbread....it melts in your mouth. The hazelnut had this amazing coffee-infused taste to it. You cannot go wrong here. I shared a box with 5 others in my office, and there were definitely some doughnut-O faces. Get them if you can.

    (5)

  • Yvette F.

    My brother brought us a box this morning of glazed and chocolate glazed. They are soft and delicious with the right amount of glaze and huge. At $3 each, considering the size and quality, I think they are worth the cost. My brother was there at 8am with 7 people in front of him and by the time he left there were 30 other people in line. Definitely worth a try. Yum, yum, yum:)

    (4)

  • sejal s.

    I was famished from my bikram yoga class and needed a sugar fix so I strolled by this spot on my way to work. The wait was a bit long for breakfast on the run. However, the 20 minute wait was worth it, I had the gingerbread stack and iced coffee. I may end up in a viscious cycle of working out to burn off the donuts to justify a repeat visit.

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    Worth the hype! These doughnuts are delicious...I tried four different ones (glazed vanilla, glazed chocolate, ginger stack, and old fashioned). They were each tasty...my faves being glazed vanilla and old fashioned - I think because they actual "cake" is so moist and yeasty...it doesn't need any extra flavor. They aren't cheap ($2-3), but they are worth it...PLUS, they are filling...nothing like a Krispy or Dunkin where you eat two and would like a third. One is enough - rich, sweet, and fresh. Check this place out - you'll wait but it's worth it (also: I arrived at 9:00 on a Tuesday morning and I only waited for about 20 minutes. Plus, the service was friendly, funny, and kind.

    (5)

  • Remi V.

    The BEST doughnuts i've ever eaten!!!! Totally worth the wait in line.....my favorite is all of them:)

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    The only going for this place is the ambiance. I've had far better doughnuts for a fraction of the price.

    (3)

  • Alexandra M.

    I haven't actually been to the Donughnut Vault, but I have eaten their heavenly doughnuts thanks to a good friend who shared the splendor. I'm from the South originally where Krispy Kreme is king, so the best compliment that I can give these doughnuts is to say- Krispy Who? Once the rain clears up- I'm definitely standing in line for this goodness.

    (5)

  • Kerri L.

    Got there at 9 am and the line was at the corner. Not too bad, I thought! Doors opened just a few minutes after 9:30 am and the line moved slowly. After getting to the door and inside, it's clear that this place was not really built for speed/efficiency. That is not say that the girl behind the counter was not fast though! Lightening fast, so I guess it would be safe to say that the lag falls on the customers and not her. As it was my first time there, the fiance and I decided to get one of each to try everything out! Gingerbread stack was good, the buttermillk old fashioned was wonderful, and the glazed donuts were really good too (very light/airy, reminded me of a croissant). HOWEVER! The glazed chocolate doughnut with sprinkles was...UGH. Practically flavorless and any flavor it did have just reminded me of eating cocoa powder...plain. Should I visit The DV again I will definitely stick with the buttermilk old fashioned and plain glazed doughnut! Also, while I didn't have any coffee I applaud the $1 price on the coffee! I'd recommend trying this place out, at least once!

    (3)

  • Angela Y.

    It's just a doughnut. It's not worth the price. The glaze is bigger than most but all in all. There isn't anything special about this doughnut. krispy Kreme is way better.

    (2)

  • JulesD W.

    AMAZING!!! Totally worth waiting in line for an hour. My favorite was the Vanilla glazed, but all of them are delicious. You also can't beat coffee for a $1. A really cool thing this place does, is make twitter updates on how long the line is, as well as, what flavors they have leftover.

    (5)

  • Pete L.

    To say that I was more than eager to wait in line to spend $3.00 for a donut would be like saying i enjoy a good Pele kick to my ball pouch but given its location to my vocation, I waited for twenty+ minutes to enjoy these savories. Prior to my visit, I thought I was the only person that pounded Southernplayalistic at 8 am but apparently, the Donut Vault also has an ear for the classics. The set up is simple, it's a tiny hallway and they limit your purchase to 6 donuts ranging from $2-$3 each and serve 3 varieties of glazed (vanilla, chocolate, chestnut) as well as a gingerbread and buttermilk option. They also serve French press coffee for $1 that is that fishscale. Vying to never wait in line again, I tried the buttermilk, chestnut glazed and gingerbread. All were still warm from the oven and taste would rival the likes of a Schwa, Alinea or NEXT chocolate soufflé. Door opened at 8:45, line was twenty deep by 8:20 and they supposedly only sell 350 donuts total so bring your abacus if you are at the tail end to do the necessary calculations.

    (4)

  • C H.

    These are the best doughnuts in the world, and I don't care how long you have to wait in line.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    I am addicted to these things. They are like crack. I have yet to try an old fashioned. I am not able to get there early enough. But the chocolate and the vanilla....especially the chocolate...OMG!!

    (5)

  • Miss O.

    yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum. i die for the old fashioned and gingerbread stack. i would die a happy and morbidly obese person if i had this everyday. loved the girl at the counter super friendly and happy. the tiny place was very cutely decorated with an old fashioned cash register. i have to say i'd pass on the glazed doughnuts. i like to leave that up to the expert crispy creme. lines are long so be prepared to wait!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth D.

    considering i would normally say that i HATE doughnuts, this place is really stellar. even though there's a line and you're probably up earlier than you'd like standing on it, the amazing doughnuts and consistently pleasant (and fast!) girl working behind the counter will put a smile on your face. try the daily specials, or if they're sold out - go with a gingerbread stack.

    (5)

  • donna y.

    loved the chocolate almond glaze. best of both worlds!! I'm so glad there is a line... otherwise I'd be here more than I should be.

    (5)

  • Debra R.

    i'm not even a huge doughnut person but this place is REDIC!!!!!! definitely worth waiting in line. do it do it do it. i dream of these doughnuts and will certainly be back.

    (5)

  • Molly M.

    The chestnut glaze is phenomenal. Pick up a dozen of these on your way to work and your coworkers will love you. Need to get there early though

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    II arrived this morning around 8:10 to find a line of about 30 people waiting in the rain - none of us really knowing when we might expect to finally be let inside. This was the second day -in a row- that both the rather rotund gentlemen in front of me and the pregnant woman behind me had waited for doughnuts. I figured that between a couple of cherubic chubbies and a preggo (who obviously aren't the types to stand in the rain for half an hour if they can avoid it), I was in the midst of fried-pastry experts; these doughnuts *had* to be worth the wait. Deciding to brave the rain and an unknown wait time, I emailed the office and let them know that I would be running late because I had an important appointment with sugar-coated deep-fried dough. I received a response that this was no big deal so long as I brought them (and by "them," I mean, "my boss") a couple of samples as well. Once the doors finally opened, right around 8:30, it took another 15-20 minutes to get my order of 1 old-fashioned, 2 ginger bread stacks, and one each of the glazed. Total investment: 35ish minutes, and $17 dollars, for 6 doughnuts. Upon arrival at the office, the vultures had already assembled at the front and were waiting for me. I felt a previously unknown solidarity with my sisters when I realized that my dough-bosom was being ogled by my coworkers... "Guys... my face... yeah... it's up here... guys? ... are you even listening to me?... UGH!" Anyway... The group verdict was that the glazed doughnuts were, in fact, among the best doughnuts that any of us had ever had (and I especially heart the chestnut). The gingerbread and old fashioned, "meh," they were adequate but nothing exciting. I think the price point was actually ok, given the size of the doughnuts; it works out to $4 for a cup of coffee and 3 normal-sized doughnuts. The thing that I found *REALLY* frustrating was that they don't have a set opening time. Doughnuts are, traditionally, breakfast food. Having an opening, "somewhere between 8 and 9," doesn't really fly for me, especially on a week day. Really guys, the doughnuts take the same amount of time to make every day, so figure it out and commit to an opening time - you know, like every other business out there. Twittering that you'll be open in 15 minutes - when you already have people who have been queued up for 10 minutes - is acceptable for a food truck, but brick and mortar? Eff that. To sum up, 5 stars for the glazed, 3 for the gingerbread and old fashioned, and 1 star for reliability. Overall though, I give it a 4. One final note... I saw the parking police issuing parking tickets to people parked on the street, so remember to feed your meters.

    (4)

  • Jonathan E.

    We ordered one of everything. No specials this Tuesday. The buttermilk are the best. Obviously this place has this mystique about it...cash, random and tiny location, and a line...and I would go back to get a buttermilk doughnut. However, we only waited 10 minutes and I cant imagine waiting longer than that.

    (4)

  • Nikki L.

    best vanilla glazed doughnut of my life.

    (5)

  • Courtney L.

    AMAZING! Skip the gingerbread stack, but make sure to get an old fashioned and a chocolate glazed.

    (5)

  • Fahad A.

    hugely OVERRATED. It was delish though!

    (4)

  • Melisa K.

    This is the place to go in Chicago! The donuts are huge and unbelievably delicious! The gingerbread stack reminded us of cider donuts and the chocolate glazed is too die for. Forget ever eating another type of donut again. The lines are LONG, but they move quick. Cash only and a hot or iced coffee for $1 is the way to go. We tried the buttermilk, gingerbread, vanilla and chocolate glazed. All a perfect 10! Make the trip! $2 or $3 per donut is reasonable given the size and quality. These are not mass produced. They are too eat and savor and not eat again until dinner.

    (5)

  • Matt B.

    Glazed are huge and delicious, best old fashion I've ever had, and the $1 french press metropolis coffee is killer. Worth the wait for sure!

    (5)

  • Brian G.

    To be honest I do not understand the HYPE. They are oversized, overpriced Krispy Creme doughnuts. Everyone kept talking about how great this place is and now I just laugh after visiting, however kudos to the owner of Gilt, he is a pure genius, 700 doughnuts sold during the week, 900 on the weekends, nice hedge to the bar business! WAY TO GO, take advatage of the trend seekers. People in the line are the typical people you would see standing outside the line at a club. Watiting in line for an hour to get coffee and a doughnut?? , which you soon find out is not that good! It is just like waiting to get into Enclave which charges a ton for a drink/cover charge then you leave and realize the place sucks, unless you get laid. The only thing you get after you leaving doughnut vault is a lighter wallet, a fat a-s, and not that great of an experience as a whole. My predicition, the long lines will be getting smaller soon, the buzz will wear off very quickly. To the great reviewers, I think you are all morons to be honest, sorry.

    (2)

  • Brian R.

    I bought into the hype and waited in line for an hour, I did not think it was worth it. I love doughnuts - like one of my favorite foods - and these were fine, some were good, but over-all not worth it. First of all, opening at 9:30 on a Saturday morning - when you sell doughnuts - is dumb. I suspect that it has as much to do with creating faux hype than anything else. (What would be the other explanation, lazy baker?) The carrot cake special sounded amazing; the doughnut was good, but the cream cheese frosting was only fair. It tasted like normal doughnut icing - I would not have known it was cream cheese based but for being told. They do caked doughnuts better than risen, but sell mostly risen. I like caked better, so I am biased. We tried all the risen and they were fine, but nothing to wait in line for. The risen chocolate is glazed with some chocolate on top; much more glazed than chocolate. I would love to see them do a caked chocolate because the softness of their caked varieties were quite good. Finally, $30 for a dozen doughnuts is kind of obnoxious when at a good bakery it would be like $12 bucks. If you love doughnuts, try Roser's on North ave. - caked and risen, old school, affordable.

    (3)

  • diane m.

    It takes A LOT to make me want to stand in the rain for 40 minutes. I was really unsure as to whether the hype equalled the product, but in this case, it did! Worth the wait! I suggest getting there before 8, otherwise the line snakes around the corner and the wait is up to an hour, if they don't run out! The glazed Vanilla, Chocolate and Chestnut are my favorites (personal opinion of course). Chestnut was a hint of maple, mostly vanilla undertone. Vanilla and Chocolate were as expected but for $3.00 you are getting a donut about twice the size of most in other donut stores so it isn't as outrageous as it sounds. The texture was light, spongey, a little chewy and a whole lot of flavor melting in your mouth. Definitely one of the top 3 donuts I have ever had. Only one in NYC at Dean & DeLuca is better. The Buttermilk donut is a bit more cakey with a crisper crust but still tender and delicious in something similar to a sourdough bread type flavor. The coffee is very smooth and rich and well deserved for only $1 after waiting in that line!

    (5)

  • Elyse L.

    This place was completely worth the wait. Frankly, I don't know how anyone could give them less than 10 stars because everything we tried was absolute donut perfection! Better to get there early as a line forms quickly and once they sell out that's it for the day. We got there 15 minutes before they opened and were the second people in line. By the time they unlocked the door the line was halfway around the block. It's extremely small inside (only enough room for about 4 people) so know what you want ahead of time to keep the line moving. Check their webpage for the menu and don't forgot to follow them on Twitter for their daily specials. They are now offering a special jelly donut of the day too. The specials when we went were a key lime pie old fashioned and a blackberry donut. We went for the classics and ordered two buttermilk old fashioned, one glazed vanilla, one glazed chocolate, the gingerbread stack, and one of the key lime pie donuts. The total came to around $17. For being as delicious as they are I feel the price is reasonable. They also have coffee for only $1 everyday. These were the best donuts I have ever had. That buttermilk old fashioned made my eyes roll into the back of my head! The vanilla glazed was as big as my face and had flecks of real vanilla beans in the glaze. Dreamy! The gingerbread stack was another winner and had the sort of cake like texture that made them perfect to dunk into our coffee. We tried our best but between us couldn't finish everything. I can't wait to see what their special flavors will be next time we are in town!

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    I liked this place. Had wanted to go for some time and kept missing that "secret window" when they actually still have doughnuts left to sell. Stopped in on labor day about 30 mins after they opened and they only had 3 kinds of doughnuts left. A bummer to say the least. That said, they were each very very good. Walked away thinking there are a million doughnut shops all over this city and we may have missed something that makes THIS one so special. Guess we should have gotten there before they opened to find out what the other options were. Maybe next time?

    (3)

  • Craig B.

    A Vault of delicious doughnut wafting through the air hits you when you turn the corner only to find that the Pied Piper of yeast cakes has already claimed it's first victims. As we wait in the rain, we slowly make our way to the prize. We select the buttermilk old fashioned, the chestnut glazed, and today's special, strawberry filled. The old fashioned is everything you remember from your childhood Saturday morning trip to the bakery. The glazed is a new twist on an old friend. But sadly that's where the party ends. The strawberry filled was like bitting into a gem and having a whole jar of Smuckers strawberry preserves over power you. Way,way too much filling. I will be back, but I know what I like, and it's not Smuckers!

    (4)

  • David B.

    How cool! A hole in the wall (no pun intended) donut place with an interesting twist. They sell old fashioned donuts; buttermilk (classic) vanilla, chocolate, CHESTNUT, and $1 coffees. The donuts are expensive but a novelty purchase. Inside was a single friendly girl working the old fashioned register. Downside was due to the single employee came the long wait. 20-25 minutes for donuts is alot of time regardless of the quality. I wouldn't say it's a must do but if you're around definitely check it out. The chestnut glazed should be illegal in 50 states.

    (4)

  • Krystal E.

    While I was expecting a gourmet doughnut place, these did not disappoint. If you're someone who likes a traditional doughnut, Doughnut Vault does it right. The buttermilk was absolutely heavenly; I would suggest trying this over anything. Both the vanilla bean glazed and chocolate were huge and fluffy. As everyone else said, get here when they open as a long line does form. Here's to hoping they have the pistachio next time I'm in town!

    (4)

  • Steve A.

    I'm not sure this place is actually as big as the average vault! But clearly they're doing something right, when there's a half hour line outside on a cold Sunday morning. I'm a big fan of old fashioned buttermilk donuts, and although we tried a sampling of everything those were certainly my favorites. I felt they were comparable to Stan's, my long time benchmark from Westwood Village California, and now at two spots in Chicago. However they don't have the nice crust you find at Do-Rite's, which I'd have to dub the winner in that category. Still, a very fine donut.

    (4)

  • Lynsey H.

    Disappointed. Possibly I was naive and went too late in the day (10:45 on a Thursday), but in my opinion there were no decent flavors. We got what they had (buttermilk glazed, pecan glazed & old fashioned). There were no filled donuts or special flavors. What I did taste, I wasn't too keen on and just had a taste of each & left the rest of the donut. My advice would be stick to Glazed & Infused further down the road.

    (3)

  • Vy T.

    I love doughnuts, so I was so excited to try this place. Maybe I'm missing something... I got the chestnut glazed, a jelly filled and an old fashioned. The jelly filled was probably my favorite,. They really stuff their doughnuts here! The glazed and old fashioned were good, but didn't blow me away. The prices here are really good though.

    (3)

  • Alma C.

    Mission Impossible 6: Deadly Donut Deluge happens at The Doughnut Vault every morning (seriously, you have to get there really early or they sell out). Mission Commander: Good morning Alma C. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves capturing your pick of the diet destroyers designated "BAD" (booty amplifying donuts). You may select any one team member that you choose, and only one, because BAD causes even the healthiest of grubbers to turn to the Dark Side. As always, should any of your team get caught stealing bites or gaining excessive muffin tops, Mission Command will disavow all knowledge of your actions. And, Alma C., the next time you go on a donut crawl, would you be so kind as to let us know where and when you're going so you can pick us up a baker's dozen. This message will self destruct in 5 seconds. Alma C: If I let you know when I go on a donut crawl, you'll go rogue too. Plus, I don't share. MI6: DDD Strategy: Wake up at the crack of dawn, grab my team sidekick, fight traffic to get to 401 1/2 N. Franklin Street before it opens. Park. Pay meter more than you think (Digression: gosh darn obscenely efficient meter maids and broke ass City of Chicago contracting out their meter licenses to a for-profit foreign entity). Mid-Mission - Survey the line. Try not to throw eye daggers or intimidate the people ahead of the line to not get all the donuts. Contemplate Bowtruss Coffee on the side. Get one of everything, at least. Buy sufficient number of donuts to prevent sidekick from stealing all of any one donut without getting a taste. Eat all the donuts designated for personal use mission sustenance. Especially the classic buttermilk and fluffy chestnut OMG THE CHESTNUT. SO BIG. SO FLUFFY. Try not to choke. Try to stay away from Mission Command's baker's dozen. Alma C: Mission Accomplished, Mission Commander. Time to get your donuts... I'm absconding with your portion of the take.... Mission Commander: You, you BASTARD! Alma C.: I warned you that I don't share. BTW. please treat my sidekick for blissed out overconsumption and possible diabetic shock. She said it was worth it though. She also wants to be reassigned for a redo MI7: DDD to go back for more Buttermilk and Vanilla Bean. Over and out. Really. Get your own.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey C.

    The battle for Chicago restaurant dynasty supremacy between Paul Kahan and Brendan Sodikoff is subjectively fascinating, but if my wife had a vote for the best of the best, it just might go to doughnut vault. She'll actively seek out the truck on a random weekday morning, and I experienced this firsthand last week when she suggested making the terrifying morning rush hour trip to River North to Doughnut Vault's brick and mortar adjacent to Gilt Bar. 15 stressful pedestrian and taxi dodging minutes later, and there we were, in all doughnuts' grandeur. It's my first check-in, despite experiencing many a vault's doughnut that magically appeared at home upon entrance. The brick and mortar is ridiculously small, and you basically squeeze in and hope the person ordering doesn't take forever at a half (wink and a gun to the lady who had no idea what she was ordering for her office and ended up hauling out four boxes). Yes, the buttermilk old-fashioned is ridiculously good. Yes, some of the doughnuts are the size of two fists balled into one. Yes, you can order the whole spread to sample and pay whatever it costs in the end. Yes, their doughnuts are amazeballs sans a ball in the center (unless you get the jelly-filled or doughnut holes, natch.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Since I don't live or work in the city, I'm never there early enough to check out all the botique donut shops around Chicago. They're usually either sold out or the donuts aren't that fresh anymore by the time I could get there. I happened to be staying in a hotel downtown one Friday and I finally got my chance to wake up early the next day and see what all the hype is about. I really wanted to love this place, I really did. It pains me to give anything Brendan Sodikoff touches less than 5 stars, but I just didn't think there was anything special about these donuts. I was shocked that so many people would get up early on a Saturday morning and wait that long for these donuts. Don't get me wrong, they didn't taste bad, but I didn't think they were worlds apart from even chains like Krispy Kreme or Dunkin. I don't even have high standards. I personally could enjoy a hot, freshly made donut even if it was from the grocery. They open at 9:30 on Saturdays and I got there around 9:45ish. By that time the line was already wrapped around the corner onto Kinzie. I have no clue why the line was moving so slow. I understand the place is small but it's not like they're being made to order. They only have coffee and then like 5 different kinds of donuts. Even if there's only one person working the register why does it take so long to throw a couple donuts in a box and move on to the next customer? I was pretty stubborn and decided that since I went all the way out there I'd just tough it out. About an hour later I finally made it to the door. Slowest line ever. Nevertheless I was excited about finally getting my hands on a fresh craft donut. They were already sold out of the gingerbread stack. I ended up ordering the special of the day (White chocolate), a few of the buttermilk old fashioned donuts, and then one of each kind of the glazed donuts (vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut). The old fashioned was pretty dense and had a light glaze on the outside. It was moist and there wasn't a huge amount of frosting on top to distract from the good flavor of the donut itself. It was $2, which is pretty reasonable, and overall I liked it. The glazed donuts were massive, which you would think is a good thing, but I thought it was way too dough-y. The glaze to dough ratio in each bite was way off for me. Some people may like it that way, but I like sweeter style donuts. It was almost like I was eating plain bread. While the chestnut did have a unique flavor I haven't really tasted anywhere else, the vanilla and chocolate ones honestly just tasted like regular donuts to me. They didn't blow me away. I don't think I'll ever wait that long for a donut again. I've waited in some long lines for food like at Hot Doug's or Franklin BBQ, but I just don't think these donuts are worth that much time. Maybe that hour long wait affected the freshness or maybe I had too high expectations coming in, but I was kinda disappointed from the first bite.

    (3)

  • Stefanie A.

    We live so close but just never got here- FINALLY made our way here today with our doughnut craving in tow. Got here (Sunday) around 11:30 and luckily there was no line- yay! When you step inside it's literally just a small space with a counter. Didn't realize that their selection is limited.....only had three options when we arrived and only one sounded worth the money. So we got a blueberry crumble and a chestnut glazed. Both were ok- I've had much better doughnuts at Stan's. And at least a place like Stan's has lots of options. Sorry doughnut vault, but we won't be back when the craving calls again...

    (3)

  • Kathleen S.

    I usually don't eat doughnuts.. but when I do ... I expect them to be as fluffy and not-so-sweet like these found here! Another hole-in-the-wall place in Chicago where you open the door, look to your left and the counter is right there along with all the doughnuts next to the man at the counter. I tried their Chestnut glazed doughnut (they had vanilla and chocolate as well when I was here) and it was heaven! For $3, it was a great start to the morning. They have assorted jelly-filled doughnuts available that vary by day, as well as their usual gingerbread stack and old-fashioned doughnut all the time. If you want something to drink, they sell Bow Truss coffee here! No seating space; only room to grab-n-go. Come early or ASAP before they run out and close!

    (5)

  • Rachael S.

    Tried the pistachio, almond, and regular glazed (all cake donuts). While all were good, almond was my favorite. Hubby preferred the regular glazed. While I prefer a good fluffy old fashioned glazed donut, these were some of the best cake donuts I've tried. Perhaps a bit too sweet for my liking (they definitely load up on the glaze - all of them were saturated with glaze; so if that's your cup of tea, you'll love these suckers!). Sugar rushed up this morning, guessing I'm going to be experiencing a blood sugar crash in not too long ;)

    (4)

  • Julie M.

    I was determined to make it to Chicago's most esteemed doughnut establishment, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Therefore, on a early Sunday morning, I hauled my suitcases and a giant tupperware container with me and prepared to wait in line for 45 minutes, in order to try these supposed delectable items. Well, I have to say after trying every single flavor Doughnut Vault has to offer, I really regretting wasting all that effort acquiring these treats. Even the buttermilk old fashioned (which is my favorite doughnut these days) was not that great. The yeast doughnuts are just huge. That's really the only allure. The glaze is fine. It's not overwhelmingly flavorful. Honestly, Dough in NYC is probably better and I don't even like it very much. I don't get it. Go to DO-RITE. SO MUCH BETTER. The old fashioned doughnuts there are ORGASMIC.

    (3)

  • Pete C.

    The chestnut glazed was really good! I got 1 of each kind of donut for that day and all were really good but the chestnut glazed would be the donut I go back for.

    (5)

  • Bakchun K.

    I bookmarked a handful of donut places looking to get fat. This place is really a hole in the wall. I heard a person waiting on line indicate the restaurant carved out a little store and it was this donut shop. Don't be fooled by the lines. Inside the store can fit about a 6 person line then everyone else goes outside. The line goes rather slow because people are taking their time deciding what they want and there is one cashier so it's one person at a time. Outside are a few tables, it's a good place to bike to, eat your donut to gain the calories back, then bike back. When you enter, to the right is free water, to the left is the donuts. They have a lot of variety but I decided to take the old fashioned buttermilk donut. I thought it was ok, not that special, the texture is a bit thick, quite doughy. Credit cards accepted.

    (3)

  • Connie X.

    Don't think it lives up to the hype. All the donuts were cakey, old-fashioned donuts during my trip. We got the triple chocolate, pistachio, peach, coconut, roasted almond, and lemon poppy seed. They were just alright. They do the fruit ones, like lemon poppy and peach, well, and the tang of the fruits balances well with the sweetness. But I could not taste the pistachio or coconut at all, and the triple chocolate was underwhelming. Perhaps their yeast doughnuts are more flavorful, but at 2.25 a doughnut, I really expect better.

    (3)

  • Ivy Z.

    My favorite doughnut shop in all of Chicago - and trust me there are so, so, so, so, many doughnut shops in Chicago. This is a must try. But something to keep in mind is that they will really sell out FAST. I mean even by 10am, sometimes they're out of doughnuts. Make this an important stop of yours during breakfast hours so you can secure the best options. They have a food truck that doesn't usually sell out as much, you just have to figure out where it is. You have to get old fashioned doughnuts when you're here. They are perfectly crispy and soft and fresh. The glaze is the right amount of sweet. My absolute favorites are just their buttermilk, lemon poppyseed, and the pistachio. You really can't go wrong and I plan on trying the rest of the menu. Keep in mind the yeast doughnuts are pretty much as big as your face. But you have to try a cake doughnut when you're here! They're also only about $2/doughnut. This is HUGE in a city where doughnuts can cost up to $5.

    (5)

  • Sharon C.

    I ordered one of everything, which I think is the way to go if you want a sampler of donuts. Here, in order, is what I liked: 1. Buttermilk old-fashioned - both crunchy and moist. FLAWLESS. 2. Vanilla glazed 3. Gingerbread stack 4. White Chocolate Softy 5. Birthday Cake Doughnut Holes 6. Chocolate Glazed - not that great 7. Chestnut Glazed - actually bad If I ever go again, I will get a half-dozen buttermilk old-fashioned donuts and call it a day. A really, really good day.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    I'm a Cleveland native who stopped in here on a recent trip to Chicago... because my doughnut-obsessed friend woke me up early begging to go. I was skeptical about waiting in a long line early in the morning, in a drizzle, for a doughnut - but after taking a bite of their buttermilk old-fashioned glazed, it was worth it! A fantastic take on a classic that never goes out of style. It was a bit crunchy on the outside, with a wonderfully soft, fluffy inside. I'm salivating just thinking about it. I tried her vanilla glazed and chocolate glazed, which were bigger and fluffier. The vanilla was pretty good, but I wasn't as big a fan of the chocolate. Definitely go for the buttermilk old fashioned!! This little hole in the wall (literally, it's a small vestibule-like space, hence the line out the door) is worth a visit. While it doesn't have a late variety like larger gourmet shops, it takes traditional to another level. Yum!

    (4)

  • Terry L.

    This is some really good sh*t! Like on some Homer Simpson and Big Belly cop good sh*t! I remember finding out about this place quite some time ago and drooling over the creations and the thought of just holding one of these doughnuts so OBVIOUSLY upon me reaching Chicago... I had to have one, no correction, SOME! Many may not know but this establishment/brand is not just rated the best in Chicago but last year was noted by Food and Wine/Americas Best to be the best doughnuts overall in the US! By even reading other reviews you'll see that there is usually a line around the block to get these babies (no matter the weather)... In my case it wasn't too bad. There was a little line but seemed to be moving at a steady pace. The location is small, small, small so do not expect to be seated... Get your selections and get out! It literally is a line to a cashier and that's it. They do offer complimentary water once you get in. The Doughnuts... I opted to get the Vanilla Glazed and Chestnut which are both yeast based meaning that (1) they are pillow soft (2) there huge in size and will require multiple bites and (3) the glaze is crispy and oh so sweet, trust me and don't pass these up! I also had the Sour Dough which was great and the Birthday cake bites which had sprinkles all over it (very cute)! Overall, I was very pleased and could easily see this being my addiction, I was a tad bit disappointed in the available selections, for example, I wanted the Birthday Cake Doughnut and not bites, I also wanted to try the Double Yellow Cake and other specialty type doughnuts but was informed by the cashier that those selections are usually held by the Doughnut Vaults Food Truck which of course is off site. The cashier recommended that I look on there Twitter feed for daily locations. Now had I known this I would have went to the truck instead, however with this being there prime and well known location for tourists and locals alike, I would have expected the same selections available in house (mind you I came 30 minutes after opening)... Hopefully they rethink this business structure! I will most def be checking them out again when I return to Chicago and will be looking up the trucks location!

    (4)

  • Sara B.

    They have the best doughnuts in the U.S Trust me when I say, you're missing a whole new experience if you have not been here. Follow them in Twitter to know if the doughnuts were sold out

    (5)

  • Lauren F.

    It's Doughnut Vault so, duh, they're amazing! Get there before they open, especially on the weekends, to avoid the ridiculously long line - but if you do end up arriving to a line, trust me - they're worth it. The special Eggnog Old Fashioned is my fall/winter favorite and the Buttermilk Old Fashioned and Chestnut Glazed are my standard go-tos. They also have rotating daily specials so I would definitely add a special to your box while you're there. No longer cash only, they DO take credit cards now.

    (5)

  • Blake B.

    I'm a doughnut fan and The Doughnut Vault is one of the best I've had. I got there early since I read they can sell out fast and I'd recommend you do so. When I got there before it opened there was already a line. It's such a tiny location but the woman working there was super friendly and even gave my son a doughnut hole which he devoured. Some of the doughnuts are the size of your head but so good you need to eat it all. If you're a doughnut fan you need to check this place out!

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    I came on at around 8:30 AM on a Friday, and the line was already bumping! I expected this as the doughnut vault experience, so I didn't mind at all waiting 30 minutes on a sunny morning for some fresh doughnuts! The exterior is artsy, and the interior is very small. With that being said, they know the product is that good so there is no need for superfluous decor. I ordered two chestnut, one chocolate, one birthday cake special, and two buttermilk doughnuts for my girlfriend and me before a road trip, with coffee. The doughnuts were clearly the highlight! It is as if the sugar is a condiment to the dough. I wasn't really looking forward to today's special, but I could tell it is way better than other traditional franchises. Even my girlfriend, who has repeatedly been a doughnut hater, admitted that these were pretty good. Enough said! I really want to go again and try some other specials like salted caramel, pistachio, blueberry......

    (5)

  • Kat L.

    Never have I had a Homer Simpson moment until I've encountered these raspberry jelly donuts! And I'm not big on donuts! This spot has room for -maybe- 10 people to wait in line. It's honestly like waiting in a closet, without visual aids or a menu to tantalize you until you get to the front of the store. I was hoping to nab one of the epic PB & J, but it wasn't on the menu the day I went. They have some regulars, and some specials of the day. Everything was a win, surprisingly. These donuts will change your mind, if you weren't a believer.

    (5)

  • Adriana K.

    Love love love! My co-worker brought me here on my first trip to Chicago (it's right around the corner from the Mart) and I went every morning that I was there. This small shop fits like two or three people and consists of a tiny hallway like room with a chandelier which ends at a counter. I've heard that they sell out of their fresh baked donuts by 10am each day... and as well they should. Take a look here and drool: doughnutvault.com/doughn… The donuts are fan-tastic! I am absolutely a fan. I cannot truly express how good they are. They took baking donuts to an art form and each is a delicious work of art. They offer special varieties that change each day.. but keep the standards. I tried several different options, but everything was good and oh so fresh. They also serve coffee. I miss these donuts :) I wonder if they can mail them to LA.

    (5)

  • Arlene G.

    these are the biggest donuts ever!! chocolate, glazed & old fashioned are my faves! i introduced this place to my girl & now she wants to go every damn week! lol maybe once a month!

    (4)

  • Francis F.

    Went here there was no line had a smaller selection of donuts must be the time and considering how small the place is. There were some donuts I really liked but cant say id keep going here for 3 dollar donuts...

    (3)

  • Mad I.

    My loyalty is being tested! I love my firecake baby, butterscotch praline but holy ISH! The jelly filled apricot here was TO DIE FOR!!! Their yeast donuts are where it is at!! We had: Ginger stack: not anything out of the ordinary Old Fashioned: good, but took up space that could have been used for.... Jelly Filled: BEST DONUT EVER!!! and Glazed: Oh man!! This thing is huge and amazing!! Disclaimer: DO NOT SAVE FOR LATER IN THE DAY OR TOMORROW....yeasty goodness will be compromised. **Try not to get too pissed when EVERYONE comes out with two boxes and you are freakin about getting you some ;)

    (5)

  • Angela W.

    Apparently this is the best place to get donuts in Chicago, and it didn't disappoint! I got a box of six donuts - glazed chocolate, vanilla, and chestnut; birthday cake, old fashioned, and a pumpkin special they had for October. My favorite was the glazed chestnut. Even though I'm a HUGE chocolate fan, I thought the glazed chestnut was just done so much better! There was a perfectly subtle but sweet chestnut flavor to it, and I wish I had gotten more of those. My boyfriend liked this one as well. Prices are not bad (from $2 to $3) considering how ginormous the donuts are. The glazed ones are easily two to three times the size of the ones at dunkin.

    (4)

  • Boon K.

    So I have been wanting to try this place forever and either they are sold out by the time I think about it or the line is super long. I finally made it on a Monday morning and only 6 people in front of me, which gave me some time to think about what I want to order. I order a glazed, chocolate, old fashion, and birthday( their special for the day) and of course shared this with my hubby. All were very old, but I think my favorite was the simple glazed donut. Just like everyone noted, the dough is very very light and airy, not chewy but perfectly sweeten with a tang that is just perfect. the glazed is not overly sweet and not overly coated. I am not an old fashion fan but this one probably my favorite old fashion I ever had. It is very light and yet I like to crust that it has to it and the not so dry cakey donut.

    (4)

  • Tina L.

    I just tried their special, salted caramel old fashioned. OMG it's FABULOUS. If this is the special on the day that you are there, MAKE SURE TO GET AT LEAST A DOZEN. If you can't finish it within a day or two, plan ahead and freeze them! Take one out when you want it, thaw it, and enjoy! It's still just as delicious!

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Best doughnuts in Chicago. Of course when your product is this good, there is demand and they limit the supply. They're only open until they sell out so go during the week if you can. Saturdays always have a monstrous line. The have 5 basic flavors (buttermilk (my favorite), ginger stacks, and 3 types of glazed (chocolate, vanilla, and hazelnut). They usually have a 6th "special" doughnut which is announced on their website every week. Worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Jacob G.

    The Doughnut Vault has the best doughnuts that I've ever had. They're so good. If you go, get there early because they usually run out of doughnuts pretty quickly.

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    Oh Doughnut Vault, what is all the hype about? Everyone who has tried you told me that you offer the best doughnuts in the Chicagoland area, so I had to go try you for myself. I forced myself to roll out of my nice warm bed to head over to pay you a visit. I arrived around 10:30 am on a Wednesday morning. To my surprise, there wasn't a line. Whee..... hurray for me! But don't be alarm if you do see a line out the door because once you enter through the baby blue door, you'll notice how small the interior of the vault is. There isn't enough room for more than 5-6 people. The decor is cute and vintage looking, they even have an old fashion cash register to ring up your purchase (Yes, they do accept credit cards). Since I forced myself to go, I knew I couldn't just get one doughnut. I decided to try the following: Peanut Butter and Jelly ($3): this massive doughnut is jelly filled with peanut butter glaze and topped off with chopped peanuts. The actual doughnut had the right amount of denseness while still chewy. The flavor of the doughnut was spot on to a PB&J sandwich and I enjoyed the extra crunch from the peanuts, but it was a tad too sweet for me. Chestnut Glaze ($3): the texture of the doughnut was enjoyable (the same as the PB&J), but I'm not much of a chestnut lover so I didn't enjoy this doughnut much. My sister, on the other hand, loved this doughnut. She said it had the perfect amount of chestnut flavor. Chocolate Glaze ($3): again, this had the same consistency of the PB&J doughnut which you already know I'm a fan of. This doughnut is for those chocolate lovers. It had a great texture with the right amount of chocolate goodness. Salted Caramel Old Fashion ($2): caramel infused old fashion with salt sprinkled on top. This is definitely for the sweet and salty lovers. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this at all. The caramel was overwhelming which made the doughnut way too sweet. Buttermilk Old Fashion ($2): by far the best darn old fashion doughnut I have tried in a while. It had a great dense texture while still soft. If you want to try one doughnut, I definitely would recommend you to start off with this. I know you must be thinking...how could I have eaten all these doughnuts by myself? I didn't! I shared these with my friends. I now understand why Doughnut Vault has so much hype. The texture of the doughnuts alone gives it a huge advantage. If you haven't tried out Doughnut Vault yet, then what are you waiting for? It definitely won't disappoint!

    (5)

  • Dawnica V.

    Loved the buttermilk old fashioned, and the store itself is adorable. Barely large enough for a single file line and the cashier has a tiny little nook just big enough to ring up your purchase. You can't work there if you're claustrophobic!

    (4)

  • Erik M.

    This is place is SUPER small and easy to miss so keep your eyes out, but man are the doughnuts amazing. Like everyone else I definitely recommend the Chestnut doughnut...can't go wrong. Oh and the $1 coffee is pretty clutch.

    (5)

  • Jenny F.

    This is not the best donut I have had in my lifetime, but it's pretty darn terrific! The day that I went, I waited for 45 minutes, which was fine since I had the day off from being a mommy. Because, it was such a wait, I decided to order a half a dozen mix of their flavor offerings of the day - chocolate, chestnut and buttermilk. The portion is huge--makes up for the $3.50/piece it costs my pocketbook. I think the buttermilk is their bread and butter. They could very well have the best in town! Glazey, crunchy-soft melt in your mouth experience! It was one of those where I dreaded the last bite.... I think if you are a donut aficionado, you must make this joint a stop on your journey to find the donut of all donuts!

    (4)

  • Nishan P.

    So I have this friend who stood in line for over an hour in the rain without an umbrella and got me some DV doughnuts. The glazed ones were perfect. Chestnut, chocolate and vanilla. With a melt-in-your-mouth consistency they had just the right sweetness and subtle hints of flavor. The gingerbread stack and the buttermilk old fashioned were not as exceptional. The old fashioned was a tad too sweet and the gingerbread tasted average. The glazed DV doughnuts are where it's at. They're all kinds of awesome. But you know what's even more awesome? Having a friend like Melanie S. Minus one star for making my dear friend have to stand in line for over an hour in the rain without an umbrella ...

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Wow... It's funny to be finishing up some of my reviews now considering I haven't really indulged in being a foodie instead choosing to eat much, much healthier. Anyways, I did wait on a Friday and the wait wasn't too bad. I got a dozen doughnuts and they were all good with the gingerbread stacks being my absolute favorite. Are they worth the premium price? I would say maybe/maybe not depending if I really want doughnuts. Overall, I was quite pleased with this place and eventually when craving doughnuts will probably come back. Hopefully, the line has gotten shorter than in the beginning...

    (4)

  • Christine M.

    YUM YUM YUM YUM!!! who knew I could like doughnuts so much! Got here at 9:15 on a Saturday. I figured I would get there early to be one of the first ones (they don't open until 9:30 on Saturdays). Well, by the time I got there the line was already wrapped around the corner! Apparently people were lining before 9... The line went by fast though and it was so worth it! I got one of everything. It was all good but the Gingerbread stacks were the most amazing things I have eaten in a while! I seriously shoved all three in my mouth at once and I would do it again. Cash only place!

    (5)

  • Daniel C.

    i barely ever eat donuts without chocolate however after waiting in line forever (CASH ONLY) that's all that was left. old fashioned. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS! I was very surprised that I liked it as much as I did because I am a chocoholic! The next time I went I got the chocolate on chocolate and it was AS AMAZING AS A DONUT CAN BE. I got the special of the day mocha glazed with toasted almond and it was just ok but anything would have been JUST OK after that CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE!

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    Just to be clear: I *like* doughnuts, I do not *love* doughnuts. They don't make my eyes roll back in my head, nor do the skies part when I eat one. I wasn't one of those people that thought the opening of Krispy Kreme in the Chicago area was the second coming of Christ. I typically prefer my confections in the form of pie or cupcakes. So what exactly prompted me to stand in line for an hour (the better part of it in the rain, sans umbrella) for doughnuts this past Friday? Well, I'm not even sure myself (cue the Led Zeppelin song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgAFoyIgskY). I really did want to try the Doughnut Vault (eventually), but with the constant write ups and buzz surrounding it, I didn't know if there would ever be a time without enduring a crazy line that could ultimately end up with me being disappointed if they ran out of doughnuts. I decided that since last Friday was sort of a holiday and that many people would have the day off (but sadly not me), that perhaps the line wouldn't be as bad. The fact that it would be a slow day at work and my boss was to be out of the office (so if I was a little bit late for work no one would know) made me take the plunge. I arrived at just before 8, and the line had already started forming. Fortunately, there were "only" 20 or so people ahead of me, but unfortunately it started to drizzle and I didn't have an umbrella. I managed to pass the time in line commiserating with some friendly folks in line. We all wondered aloud if we were crazy to be waiting in line, but our collective team spirit carried us through. We all talked of our favorite foods and restaurants and pretty soon I was at the front of the line. It's amazing how fast time goes by when I'm talking about my favorite passion (food). I opted to purchase a half dozen and selected two buttermilk old-fashioned, the gingerbread stack, as well as one each of the glazed (chestnut, vanilla, chocolate). There were way too many for me to eat on my own so being the sweetheart that I am, I shared them with a couple of friends who were only too happy to take them off my hands. They were all pretty delicious. Huge, fluffy pillows of sweetness. I didn't think the gingerbread was all that gingery, but the rest were quite good, even the next day. I think the chocolate glazed was my favorite, and it was evident they used high-quality chocolate. While I thoroughly enjoyed my doughnuts, I am afraid to say that my experience at the Doughnut Vault was a "one and out" situation. There are certain things I will wait in line for, but doughnuts just aren't one of them. I went. I waited in line. I tried them all. If you're a huge doughnut lover, then definitely give DV a try, but for my time (and money), once was enough. Having said that, if anyone else is willing to brave the line, feel free to pick me up a chocolate glazed, willya?

    (4)

  • FoodLover Z.

    The donuts are good, don't get me wrong. But are they worth the hype and 30+ minute wait in the cold? Absolutely not. And what is up with the daily special running out within an hour of the store opening. I mean, just make a few given that this is a daily occurrence. I feel like this place thrives on the hype, and the limited availability and long wait times are tools they use to create the hype. I'll give them a 5-star rating the day they find a good way to reduce the ridiculous wait times.

    (3)

  • Duke C.

    Waiting about an hour for a donut? What? Yea, that's exactly what we did. We went on a Saturday morning around 10am, hoping to grab a quick bite and a cup of coffee before we saw that the line wrapped towards the front of the Gilt Bar. Half the people were probably visiting from out of town like us and apparently everybody had the same idea as us. The offerings are very simple. You have the glazed in 3 flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and chestnut), old fashioned, ginger stack, and even specials. On that day, they didn't have the chestnut but they did have a pistachio glazed and a carrot cake. I decided to go with the classics and got a chocolate glazed and an old fashioned. The first thing you see is exactly how big the glazed donuts are! They are seriously huge, closer in size to an apple fritter! It is super fluffy, and with the chocolate glazed, there's a layer of sugar glaze first, then chocolate, as well as chocolate sprinkles. Every delicious bite is a sugar rush to the extreme, so if you're not into super sweet things, then watch out! The old fashioned is exactly what it is, an old fashioned. Crunchy exterior with a sugar glaze on the outside, you really can't go wrong. I was able to try a bit of the pistachio and yes you can definitely taste the pistachio, and I like the little touch of coconut they sprinkle on top. Definitely take advantage of the $1 coffee. Dark French-pressed coffee! The place is extremely small, and truly like a vault. I hear on some days that the line can easily be a 1hr-2hr wait, but by the time we got our donuts, the line has shortened considerably. If you sit outside the small table, you can even ask for water to help wash down your donuts. Cash only! Donuts are $3 a piece. A little expensive but nowadays, people pay $3-4 for a cupcake already and I like donuts more than cupcakes :P I've had a lot of gourmet donuts in different cities and where does the Doughnut Vault rank? Pretty damn high! Top Pot is still the best for me, but Doughnut Vault, with its unique styles and flavors, I'm totally digging it.

    (4)

  • Janet E.

    We arrived on a Saturday around 10:50am and the line was not too bad, about 20 people ahead of us. We probably waited 20 minutes before putting in our order. (The place closes at 11:30am or when they sell out...) We tried the ginger bread stacks, buttermilk old fashion, and chocolate glazed donuts (the largest of the three). The ginger bread stacks were my favorite. They tasted like sugar donuts. The buttermilk old fashion was my second favorite, and the chocolate glazed my last favorite. I think the chocolate glazed donut was too sweet for me (and I usually LOVE sweet stuff). All the donuts were lightly fried and had good fluffiness and consistency. Three donuts and two coffees were only $10. So glad we came!

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    If you wait in line for two hours, with the possibility of being turned away, please re-evaluate your life.

    (1)

  • Tom X.

    All this hype for donuts I thought for sure it would be a huge letdown so I really wasn't expecting a whole lot. After an hour-long wait on a Saturday morning, we finally got the highly sought-after donuts. They only had vanilla and chocolate left by this time but we were happy that at least they haven't completely run out. Having watched people bring out boxes of donuts for an hour and taunting us with it as they ate them right in front of the store in full view of those still waiting in line, I was happy to finally have gotten some for myself. The donuts themselves were great, but are they worthy of the hour long wait? I don't know, if it's a lazy Saturday morning, then why not. If it was a busy weekday, then I would have to say nope, definitely not worth the wait. So if you have time on your hands and don't mind waiting for some great donuts, this place would be a great goto spot. The $1 coffee they offer goes very well with the donuts. Bottom line: at $3 a pop for a donut, you would expect great donuts, and that's exactly what you'll get at The Doughnut Vault.

    (4)

  • Chaz A.

    Before today, Brendan Sodikoff was already in my top 5 favorite restaurateurs and after today he has narrowed himself down to the Top 3, the others being Paul Kahan and the Boka Group.. And, I won't say who he surpassed. So, they opened today. Luckily, I'm on spring break so i got to go the first day.... (WOOT!), and I was blaring J Dilla's "Donuts" in the car on the way there just to get in the doughnut mood. But enough about Dilla, Let's get to the doughnuts, 'cuz that's the reason you came to the review, right? Chestnut Glazed - 47 Chestnuts = 1 donut. And, surprisingly the chestnut isn't overpowering at all. It's a very faint hint of beautifully fresh chestnuts and the most perfectly yeasty doughnut you've ever tasted. And, I am a cake doughnut person but this was the best doughnut I've ever had. Buttermilk Old Fashioned - This one didn't WOW me as much as the Chestnut, but it's an unfair comparison because this doughnut is still INSANELY kickass. Sugary, rich, delicious. Yum. All in all, you can't go wrong. Go here. $3 for a doughnut may sound like a lot, because Dunkin is 99 cents. But, allow me to put it this way, the dougnut is 9,000 times better and it's as big as your head. They're very large. And, they have Metropolis Coffee for just a buck. FAIR WARNING: CASH ONLY, TAX INCLUDED IN PRICES. MENU Buttermilk Old Fashioned ...... $2.00 Gingerbread Stack ...... $3.00 Glazed (Chestnut, Vanilla, Chocolate) ..... $3.00 Half-Calorie Doughnut (just a half a doughnut) ..... $3.00 Dollar Coffee (Francois' Favorite) ..... $1.00 PS, The place is also super small, and they close when they run out.

    (5)

  • James B.

    The donuts are among the best, but I can't justify waiting in a line for them more than once in awhile. When I went, I got nine donuts (they had seven varieties, I think), and went through almost all of them in two days. Among the "normal" varieties, the old fashioned was best, and the short stack of gingerbread donuts was good. Sadly, the best donut I had was a double-chocolate frosted yellow cake donut. I say sadly because this was the daily special, so I won't be able to get it any time I want, even though I felt it was head and shoulders above every other one I had.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    After a decent lunch at Theory in River North, we set about to find this mysterious donut place near our office that is causing long lines. It's pretty easy to miss and is closer to Kinzie on Franklin with a nice, light blue mural. The place is tiny and was closed already, so my colleague volunteered to line up this morning to snag a few samples. We purchased the buttermilk and also the ginger donuts and while they were fresher than most donuts you'll find in Chicago, we really couldn't find anything exceptional about the taste other than that. This isn't meant to say that they're bad tasting... just that they weren't as earth-shattering as we'd hoped as it's not easy finding a very good donut in Chicago for some reason. The buttermilk tasted slightly fresher than your Dunkin version, with less sugary icing for sure. The ginger didn't have nearly enough ginger zest for our tastes and the granulated sugar coating could have been nixed. The same goes for the buttermilk donut. I tasted just a smidge of buttermilk but I've definitely had more buttermilky tasting baked goods before (grew up in Mississippi eating homemade buttermilk biscuits). It would be great if they offered a "Buttermilk Pro" donut that has about 5 times the buttermilk flavor and 80% less the sugary glaze. MMMm! just thinking about it! :) If they decide to have more reasonable hours, we could see stopping by every now and again as they're close in proximity... but we simply can't see lining up for these first thing in the morning again. --- UPDATE: This is just to give credit where credit's due and to inform fellow donut lovers about something nearby that might tickle their fancy. Yesterday we had lunch at nearby English Bar on LaSalle just north of Kinzie and to our surprise, they offered to substitute their apple pie with freshly-made donut balls that came with a cup of warm dipping chocolate. Now THIS is the gourmet taste I expected to get from The Doughnut Vault! The donut balls were very warm, just likely cooked and the dipping chocolate was sweet, but not over the top. All too often, baked goods are loaded with sugar but not these. We tasted more of the spices and the texture was perfectly soft, yet slightly crisp on the outside. A new favorite! UPDATE 2: Have you tried the beignets at Grand Lux? It'd been a couple years since I'd eaten there and that last meal was horrendous, worse than bad frozen tv dinners but THIS.. these beignets are amazing! First of all, they seem to want to give you about 7 or 8 tenns ball-sized fritters and they come to the table very hot. There's lot of powdered sugar, but you could just stop there and be happy. But they go on to offer 3 different dipping sauces... a rich dark chocolate, a tangy raspberry and I forgot the last one. Do NOT order more than one dessert with these and maybe should eat a small dinner. They're that substantial and delicious.

    (3)

  • Katrina H.

    MMM MMM MM Good and yes you can GO BROKE!! for 1 Dozen doughnuts you may pay upwards of $36 but this isn't a place to go every single day or you will become broke$$ .. The doughnuts are HUGE and fluffy and they just melt in your mouth! ... They have specials in addition to the doughnuts that they serve daily however I REFUSE To stand in line for 1 hour to get them. Yesterday I got in line and said "Forget it" Went into the merchandise mart for paint samples.. walked around to drool over all of the houseware Lux and came back only to see the woman behind me just leaving.. AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE if you can get in under waiting 10 minutes.. you've scored!

    (4)

  • Will V.

    I was skeptical when my friend Dave asked if I wanted to walk over to The Doughnut Vault on Saturday morning. It's more than a mile from my place, and I'd heard about the long lines. But I really didn't have anything else going on that morning, and I hadn't had a doughnut in months. The line was around the corner on Kinzie! I coudln't believe it, but we got in line. If I was with anyone less determined to have fresh doughnuts that morning, I surely would have given up and headed for brunch nearby. My friend brought his dog Frankie with him, and Frankie was the life of the party, getting compliments and pets. Finally we got near the door, and I watched Frankie while Dave went inside to fetch our doughnuts. He was in there several minutes, and while he was inside, I saw a tweet from @doughnutvault saying they only had seven doughnuts left, and I started to panic, thinking our trip would meet with failure at the very last minute. Dave stepped outside mere seconds after the tweet, with a box and two coffees. Success! Unfortunately, quite a few people left without doughnuts that day. Cue the fail horn. We found a nice spot overlooking the river, to eat our doughnuts and drink our coffee. The coffee was great. The doughnuts? In a word, heaven. You'll never have another Dunkin' Donut (look, they're not even spelled correctly) after a successful visit to The Doughnut Vault. We tried each of the doughnuts they had available that morning. My favorite was the pistachio doughnut. It was huge, yet light and fluffy with plenty of pistachio flavor. Heavenly!

    (5)

  • Osiris V.

    I've heard the ravings, so I thought, eh why not check it out. Ange and I headed out on a Friday morning, bright and early, you know now what they say, you snooze you lose. I really think that applies to this place since they sell out in about 2 hours after they open. Anywho, we got there around 8:30 am and there was about 50 doughnut hungry peeps waiting around. My first thought was, man these donuts better blow my f**king mind away!! lol About an hour passed and we finally made it to the front of the line. I got seven donuts. 2 Vanilla Glazed and 2 Chocolate Glazed. Yeast donuts, I thouhgt they were cake donuts. My bad. Perfect with a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. =] I heard theirs was dookey so I didn't get any. To be honest I really didn't dig the vanilla glaze but the Chocolate glaze was was fab. 2 old fashioned donuts (Buttermilk). I thought this was pretty amazing. Again perfect pairing for any cup of joe. 1 Ginger Bread stack (Cake). I was surprised when I bit into this donut. I didn't think I was going to like it but wow, I LOVED them. The only bad thing about these is that they're hard as a rock the next day. Waa waa. Would I stand in line for more $3 donuts...probably not in the near future but if I'm around during the two hour period and they have some left, I'd def stop in.

    (4)

  • Farrah D.

    It's hard to get up early on a Saturday, but grab a buddy and experience Vault line. We got there 30 min before they opened and there were 100 people in line. They sold out of the special right before we got there, but had plenty of everything else left. One Saturday we were just walking around the neighborhood, and noticed they were still open at 11:30am--there was no line, we totally got lucky. I've now officially had the vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, and old fashioned. The glazed are huge, almost couldn't finish mine. The old fashioned is regular size, as are a few others. I loved them all, and even more delicious after the long line, I think.

    (4)

  • Allan M.

    It's not bad, but there's no doubt either that the average rating for this place is still WELL over what it should be. (somewhere around 3 to 3.5 would be a lot more appropriate) The chestnut and the buttermilk are about the only donuts I liked, chocolate wasn't bad(but not great), and the rest are average(gingerbread, vanilla). I wouldn't be surprised if the pistachio was also decent, but I don't know when I'll get around to returning here and trying that. I do like that their donuts are slightly bigger than the size of Dunkin Donuts, and comparable in size to some of the better donut shops I've visited in Chicago. My biggest disappointment, even more than their prices(it wouldn't hurt them to knock somewhere around 50 cents to $1 off their donut prices, IMHO), are that(and this is as much as I check their Twitter and Tumblr accounts from time to time) is that they don't appear to offer any creme or custard-filled donuts, nor do they have cake donuts. Which ensures I'll more likely head to other places that actually offer this option(i.e. Bridgeport Bakery, Old Fashioned Donuts, etc.). I will give this place props for marketing themselves so well on Twitter and Tumblr(and probably better than any other business in Chicago), but that only goes so far when I realize this place could be better than it currently is. The cashier who regularly works here(every day? at least she was here the few times I went here) is very friendly. And I mean for Donut Vault, DO NOT be afraid to stir up the pot, and serve some of the classics that other donut shops regularly serve(i.e. apple fritters, custard or cake donuts, etc.). Enough with writing about this place much more. If you seriously have the chance to go to another place serving donuts(i.e. Bridgeport Bakery, Dinkel's, Dat Donut*, Old Fashioned Donuts), I would pick those over DV. It's decent to try Donut Vault once if you happen to be near here on a morning it's open(better if you go in the middle of the week, and preferably no later than 11am if you want to ensure none of the donuts are sold out), but I wouldn't travel hundreds of miles out of your way just to try DV. And of course, it's cash only. *- means I still need to eventually get there, but I believe the reviews and word of mouth I've heard about them.

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    These are the best doughnuts in the world, without hesitation, question, or argument. The basic selection of doughnuts that the vault offers on a daily basis - three varieties of their glazed raised doughnuts, the buttermilk old fashioned, the gingerbread stack, and their seasonal jelly - demonstrates the beauty and genius of what they've got going on. They're not spreading themselves too thin. They're relying on the quality of their product to distinguish themselves, rather than developing ludicrous flavors to satisfy culinary trends (I'm looking at you, bacon doughnuts!). They are controlling the quality of their doughnuts by making a limited number each day and not allowing them to sit for hours and hours and hours, ensuring that each customer is purchasing and consuming fresh, delicious doughnuts as close to their peak freshness as possible. If you are visiting the vault for the first time, I highly recommend getting a box with one of everything and a few old fashioned, just because. The raised yeast doughnuts, absurdly large at first glance, are the finest anywhere. They are light, slightly chewy, and abundantly delicious. The vanilla glaze is a no-brainer, and forms a sweet, fragile crust around the ample surface of the pastry. The chocolate glaze is a bit stronger, a more prominent flavor, and encases the doughnut in an almost candy-like shell. The chestnut glaze is a unique flavor, best enjoyed with a cup of coffee. If you ask the girl behind the counter, this is her favorite, but I will maintain that it is an acquired taste - loved and hated by many. The gingerbread stack - 3 small gingerbread cake doughnuts, covered in cinnamon and sugar - is a choice to make only if you arrive at the vault within the first 30 minutes of business. This is a fragile and delicate beast, but perhaps the most rewarding. See, the gingerbread doughnut has the shortest shelf-life of all of the vault's offerings. It must be consumed at the time of purchase. The shell of the doughnut will be slightly crispy. The inside will be soft and moist. The ginger flavor will be subtle. If you wait, the inside will stiffen and the magic will be lost. The jelly doughnuts - basically the vanilla glazed stuffed with a seasonal jelly flavor - is the most absurdly sweet thing on the menu. I should actually stop ordering it, but they keep offering different varieties that demand sampling. Of all of the seasonal jelly offerings, the finest one has been the Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly that they served last spring. If they bring it back, get in line! The buttermilk old fashioned doughnut is flawless. It is a masterpiece and remains one of the finest confections I have ever consumed in my 30 years of gluttonous life. I must also take a moment to discuss the specials. Generally, the vault will offer a daily special doughnut. On most days, they are simply offering a specialty glaze poured over their raised yeast doughnuts or their old fashioned. In my experience, these work better on the raised doughnuts. The blueberry raised, for example, is superior to the blueberry old fashioned. Other raised specials to look out for include the pistachio and the toasted almond - they're amazing. That is not to say that the old fashioned specials are bad, on the contrary, the coconut old fashioned is just about the finest doughnut to ever be served, as is the horchata old fashioned, which is a rare and delicious special. The specials that you wanna look out for, however, are the cake specials. Most commonly, the vault will serve their birthday cake doughnut, which is a perfectly moist cake doughnut with sprinkles inside and out, coated in a thin glaze. A little less common is the double chocolate yellow cake, which is essentially the same doughnut covered in chocolate. The vault doesn't do a standard cake doughnut on a daily basis, but if you are planning a trip to the vault, I recommend going on a day where they are serving one of these two as the special. It's almost like they're doing themselves a disservice by not featuring some of their finest accomplishments every day. Recently, I had the pleasure of sampling their new red velvet doughnut, which is the finest red velvet anything I have ever had. It is a rare treat to enjoy the product of a true master craftsman in any field, not just the culinary arts. I honestly believe these doughnuts are the best in the world, and the people responsible are true geniuses. I mean, one might say, "who cares, they're just doughnuts," which they are, I guess. They're just sweet fried treats. But I mean, how often are you going to get something that is the best in the world?

    (5)

  • Randy L.

    Built into the side of the Gilt Bar...they actually share the same entryway for the kitchen. The lines get long fast, make sure to get there by 8 otherwise your gonna have a 20 or more minute wait. They offer Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Vanilla Glazed, Chocolate (chocolate dipped/sprinkled vanilla glaze), Ginger Bread, and Chestnut with Toasted Coconut. I had one of each :) The chestnut was the best follow by the Gingerbread Stack (comes in 3's), then the its a tie between the old fashion and glazed. The donuts are a bit pricey but they are definitely worth a try or splurge every now and then.

    (4)

  • Loren S.

    Best doughnuts in Chicago! (Compared to Do-Rite, Glazed & Infused, and Firecakes, that is.)

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    What an amazing old doughnut shop. Expect to wait 30-40 minutes for doughnuts, but it's well worth it. You feel you are part of an elite group if you walk away with a box of doughnuts. They update every few minutes on Twitter to let everyone know how many doughnuts are left so you are not waiting for nothing. My only irritation has nothing to do with the place, but more or less to do with the people that stand in line. One woman came out of the shop when they had less than two dozen doughnuts left. She stopped, turned around and said "they don't have many in there, just to let you guys know." As she walked away with THREE boxes of doughnuts. Thanks tubs. Thanks for letting everyone know after you bought half the supplies. I've encountered some people like this the few times I've been. Get there a half hour early! Really good coffee, too!

    (4)

  • Allison T.

    I arrived at the Vault far too late for any reasonable selection at 11 AM. I half expected a line still snaking around the corner or worse, the chance they were all sold out. Luck happened to be on my side that fine morning and I was able to snag 1 of the last 4 buttermilk glazed cake doughnuts with no line at all. I happily sat down outside to savor my prize. Feeling a tad let down that I only had the buttermilk instead of the famed chestnut doughnut and the fact that this was my last morning in Chicago, I wasn't really expecting much. I was wrong. The doughnut wasn't piping hot fresh, but after one bite I was in love! The texture of the dough and the glaze was just PERFECT. You can always tell how good a sushi chef is by his tamago and the buttermilk is the same for The Doughnut Vault. The next time I find myself in Chicago, I won't make the mistake of showing up too late. I expect to be there prepared at 7 AM (an hour before they open) to have my pick of these heavenly clouds of dough and order at least one of everything. Doughnuts this good are the reason I switched to jeggings!

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Simple and delicious! 4 general choices and coffee....perfect for the girl that gets overwhelmed by choices, lol. I loved the gingerbread stack and would highly recommend getting them. We sat outside at their family style wood table and gobbled up the deliciousness. This place was recommended by my cousin and without a doubt it's a fave for us.

    (5)

  • Cathy B.

    Mother effers...These doughnuts made me wait in the cold for 1 hour and 15 minutes! I felt a teeny bit guilty because I dragged my boyfriend out with me at 9AM in this crappy cold weather... BUT....when I had a taste of this gooey soft delicious donuts, I was like UM HOLY MOLY. I really don't like doughnuts, in fact I hate doughnuts. But I was like OGOSH waiting in line in the freaking cold actually wasn't that bad for these delicious yummy doughnuts! Although the wait was dreadful, I made a cool new friend in line, ate some fattening to die for doughnuts with my daily Starbucks, and experienced something new (IE; waiting over an hour for just doughnuts). Cost is definitely not too expensive - $2-$3 dollars per donut depending on what kind you get and they also have $1 coffee. I loved the layout of the place inside. I thought once you get in, there would be winding hallways and more waiting but once you get in that door, you are seriously near glory! They have this cute old fashion cash register they use but they also play old school rap which I thought was hilarious. Literally, this place IS a vault. Check this place out whether you are a doughnut lover or hater (like me).

    (4)

  • Sean D.

    I had no expectations of the Doughnut Vault upon our excursion to Chicago, and I still don't know how I rightly feel about my experience. I am from St Louis where amazing doughnut shops abound, and you can find top notch doughnuts in almost every neighborhood. Suffice to say I was unimpressed off the bat by being greeted with a line out the door. I have no patience, period. We got there as soon as they opened and waited in line for an hour. An hour later at the counter you've got 7 choices. Old Fashion, Gingerbread Stack, Vanilla, Chocolate and Chestnut Glazed, Lemon Poppy Seed Old Fashion and Raspberry Jelly Filled. We got one of each, except the regular old fashion which was sold out, within an hour! I'm automatically thinking this place isn't making enough doughnuts to meet there demand and everyone waiting in line still. So the pros: Lemon Poppy Seed was possibly the best doughnut I've ever had. Tasted like a slice of lemon meringue pie. Amazingly flavorful. That's it. Cons: long line, long wait. The yeast glazed donuts were big, too big, they were unmanageable. Nothing special, you can get doughnuts like these at pretty much any doughnut shop back home. $3 a doughnut? That's a gallon of gas back home. This place was fine, and I give credit that one doughnut was exceptionally good, but the rest were pretty much average. I don't feel the need to ever return. And wait in line. For a doughnut.

    (3)

  • Barry C.

    A little pricey per donut, but totally worth it! The donuts are huge!! :) They sell donuts until they're sold out for the day!!

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    Believe the hype. I don't even like doughnuts, but these doughnuts are really really good. There is always a line wrapping around the corner, so if you're in a hurry this is not the place for you. On a leisurely Saturday morning though, I'd recommend you give it a try. My husband and I ordered 3 doughnuts to share-- chocolate glazed, chestnut glazed, and a raspberry jelly filled. All completely delicious. Follow them on Twitter for real time updates on their daily specials and what they have left in stock-- a great idea if you're waiting in line or contemplating doing so!

    (5)

  • Zarine A.

    DONUTS. I love yeast donuts and these were amazing. I had the plain vanilla glaze but also tried some of the chestnut glaze, and both were excellent, doughy, large, and delicious. I love this place. The "vault" look is fun, too. Best for warmer weather, though, because the only seating options are outside. Or you can go to the merchandise mart across the street and find a place to sit, which I have also done. Cash-only.

    (5)

  • C C.

    These are the best of the downtown type doughnut shops. Doughnut Vault's are better than Do-Rite's,which are very, very good. Way better than Glazed and Confused. The chocolate glazed has vanilla and chocolate glaze streaks, which look a bit disappointing, but are fantastic, thanks to the high quality chocolate flavor-- you wouldn't want more chocolate- so light and perfect, but they run out of them real early. Not to worry- they're all good. Being out of the chocolate forced me to try the chestnut and the pumpkin- Best buttermilk doughnuts in the country- yum, yum, yum! Bring cash- about $3 each, but you get 3 of some of the cake doughnuts.

    (5)

  • Mickey A.

    Mom and Dad A. approve. This from parents who come from the land of Krispy Kreme (chain) and Southern Maid (local) donuts (or doughnuts, ah ha). On my way back from lunch, I stopped by to see if they (a) were still open, and (b) if so, had donuts left since it was opening day.* If (b) was the case, to find out what time they open the next day. Still with me? I missed the crowd, thankfully, because I was able to snag an old-fashioned buttermilk and a vanilla glazed donut for a total of $5. A little more than I'd pay for a donut, so I was hoping the taste would make up for it. It did. The glazed was big and doughy. It was still fresh and oh, so yum. The old fashioned was so-so to me, but I'm willing to give it another shot. My dad seemed to enjoy it. He wanted to know where it was to get some more during his stay. Speaking of location...If you walk by Merchandise Mart along the Kinzie side (past Kinzie Chop House, Red 7 Salon, and Shamrock, etc.) and turn right at Franklin, the door is just feet from the corner. Look for the stairs (leading to what, I'm not sure) and the Vault door is to the left. I would say you can't miss it, but I did and its big ass sign. Shhhh...Perhaps, you'll see a line as well since the place is teeny but cute. The also offer $1 coffee. How awesome is that? ----- *According to the UrbanDaddy daily newsletter, Twitter, and the employee working that day, the place is open until they run out. They will also be closed Sundays and Mondays, at least for now...I think.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    I have this habit of waking up at 7 on weekends. It's terrible. Now, it's good because I can be productive, but I'd honestly rather have the sleep. So, since the farmers market isn't open yet, I decided to treck on down to Doughtnut Vault last saturday. I got there at 8:45, and the line was around the block already. Lots of self-deprecating humor in the line. 90 minutes later - yes, I waited 90 minutes for donuts - I bought 2 each of vanilla, chestnut, and pistachio. Things I did in those 90 minutes: Watched Arrested Development. Played NBA Jam. Caught up on the news. We really live in the future. Well, when AT&T 3G allows, at least. I walked up to a friends place in the Gold Coast - preempting the calories - and we tried bits of each. These things are massive. Size of a child's head massive. Yet they're not heavy at all - surprisingly light. Out of the three flavors, I liked chestnut the best, but all three were very good. Worth over an hour wait? No, they're donuts.

    (4)

  • Julie S.

    I was in town for a friend's birthday and knew I had to get doughnuts from this joint as her treat. She has tried to go so many times, but keeps missing it. They sell out fast! ...or she goes to work late. ;) I got an assortment of jelly, chocolate, vanilla and gingerbread. I loved the blackberry jelly and LOVED the gingerbread! We thought the chocolate and vanilla were pretty darn tasty too though. They were a little more expensive than, say, a DD, but they were ginormous. Not one of us finished an entire doughnut on our own. The line went really fast and Julie could not have been any nicer if she tried. Super pleasant and efficient. Adorable little space, if really tiny. * Reminder to self that a crystal chandelier can literally go anywhere and make it look amazing. There were rumors circulating amongst the waiters that there may be another location opening in a non-Chicago location. Lucky folks! I wish it was here in MN.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    This place has a lot of very positive reviews. Allow me to explain, with a quote from Friday, the best Ice Cube movie ever: "It's the principle of the thing, Smokey!" I'm a baked/fried dough junkie, and have been for most of my 33 years of life. As evidence, my BMI is not healthy. I've experienced all kinds, from many different makers, across several nations, on multiple continents. I just don't get what the hype is with this place. Yeah, the donuts are good. I'd even say really good. But, for $3 each, I was expecting a LOT more than what I got. Sorry guys, but a Dunkin donut is 0.89. The Donut Vault's donuts are much better, but not 3x the price better. A simple, classic, raised donut should never be $3. I don't care what's on it, what mill the flour came from, how fresh it is, and whether it was made by hand. It's $3. There's just no excuse. I think I might be able to say I've now experienced worse price gouging than the $3 tiny tacos at Bigstar. I ride by TDV on my commute every morning to work, and finally stopped, after passing it nearly everyday for 3+ years, due to the lack of a line. I just don't see the hype. I'd take bakery items from almost any of the Latino bakeries in town before I'd take one from here. There's no quality difference, and I'd be able to get, um, about 5 items for $3. I will disclaim once again that I think TDV's donuts are great, they are. They really are. But not for $3.

    (2)

  • Justin P.

    Well considering I just swallowed some Doughnut Vault this might be a little of a biased review. Yes, there is going to be a line. Yes, its outside. So yes, you're going to be cold (Chicago has a way of making people cold). But seriously once you get what might be the best Doughnuts in the city, who really cares. On today's adventure I got an Old Fashioned, one of each Glazed flavor (Vanilla, Chocolate, Chestnut), a Pistachio (the special), and a Raspberry filled. All were amazing, huge and definitely worth the money. My honest advice is to get there early, dress warmly, and get excited you are in for a real treat!

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    This morning, I found myself in the most peculiar of situations; I'd just ran 5 miles, it was slightly after 8:00, I didn't have work, and it was raining. A perfect storm for catching a rare no-line opportunity at The Doughnut Vault. Special today was chocolate and pistachio drizzle ($3); let me tell you, this thing was absolutely orgasmic. Crispy on the outside, soft and heavenly on the inside, glazed with decadent but not overwhelmingly sweet or copious chocolate and pistachio icing. This is probably my #1 favorite dessert indulgence in Chicago right now. Glazed chestnut ($3) is similar, except with more subtle (yet comparably delicious) chestnut glaze. Not exactly sure why this is a regular offering, but I'm glad nonetheless! The old fashioned doughnuts (tried both the stack ($3) and the regular old fashioned ($2)) are delicious and crumbly, but a little too buttery for my personal taste. I dunno if I'd be as ecstatic about the D-vault if I'd been caught in the usual 1 hour line, but as it stands, this place is unbeatable for a hedonistic treat. If you find yourself unoccupied at 8 on a rainy morning, you'd be a fool if you didn't make the trip!

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    UPDATED REVIEW Noon: I just found a short curly black hair on a donut I bought for my boyfriend. Sad face. ORIGINAL REVIEW 9AM: If you arrive at 8AM you can get a good spot in line. You'll probably be about the 15th person. I wasn't upset by the $3 per donut price b/c: a. $3 for a meal is not expensive b. these donuts are HUGE, like the size of a large bagel (width and length). c. This is a trend food like how cupcakes were/are. So of course they'd be sold at a premium. I would be upset if they were any more than $3. The donut: I've tried the Chocolate Glaze and the Ginger Stack. They are both amazingly soft and slightly crispy on some parts. I preferred the Ginger Stack because although the Chocolate Glaze is delicious with the first couple bites, I had a stomach ache after I ate the whole thing. It's kind of overwhelming, both in size and sweetness. BUT...it is very tasty, especially fresh. For donut lovers, you'll probably LOVE the Donut Vault. For everyone else, try the Donut Vault once for the experience. Would I personally go back? No. I'm NOT a donut lover. I'm just a donut liker. I had a stomach ache from sugar/fat overload and I really don't think a donut is worth the hassle/wait. I'd rather sleep in. NOTE: Cash only.

    (3)

  • Lannie L.

    Visiting Chicago and this was our 1st stop 2 days in a row. It was that good. Both days arrived around 9 am (Th and Fri). No wait. Donuts as big as my face and so delicious. I brought a donut back to Boston with me and still good 2 days later (with the help of a microwave.) I got the chocolate glazed both times. Yum for a severe sweet-tooth like myself.

    (5)

  • Kathleen I.

    They have a food truck that sits on Clark St in the mornings. I stopped by one morning out of curiousity and for $2 bought this double chocolate sprinkle thing. I cannot even express the amazingness of this doughnut.

    (5)

  • Teri Y.

    I have three words to say: Believe the hype. Oh wait, I actually have more than three words to say. Go run 3 miles after eating the big fat, fluffy, airy, and sweet doughnut. That was what I did. I ran the sugar guilt off. Doughnut Vault ftw! p/s: I guess I was lucky for only ending up standing in line for 45 mins(!) since other people waited in line for about 1 1/2 hours?

    (4)

  • Jessica J.

    I LOVE doughnuts, but I'm convinced that even if I didn't I would be in love with this place. The chestnut glazed and buttermilk old fashioned are favorites, as are the pumpkin (ridiculous) and blueberry old fashioned (so so ridiculously good). The latter two are flavors that are daily specials here and there, and there are a ton of other rotating special flavors (there's always a daily special and a daily jelly-filled). The wait can get crazy, but that's what Twitter is for :) Follow closely, and you'll know exactly when to go to get the flavor(s) you want. Adorable teensy place, out of this world doughnuts.

    (5)

  • Gary C.

    Let's gooooooooooooooooooooooo. Holy crap. Story: I was on a doughnut hunt. This was stop number one on my adventure. The wifey-to-be and I woke up one weekday morning and drove from the North Pole to downtown to wait in line for what we hoped to be the best doughnuts we've ever eaten. Little did we know what would happen next... The line wasn't terrible. Quite manageable, really. Maybe because it was mid-week. Maybe it was the time of day (around 830AM). Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was the Spaghetti Monster making my Doughnut Vault experience the best ever. Whatever it was, it was AWESOME. The storefront(?) is really small, that's part of the reason why there's always a line out the door; six people can fit inside comfortably. I peaked over the counter as I chatted with the sweet gal at the old-school register. What did I see? Doughnuts. Racks on racks of doughnuts. And yes, that "hallway" of doughnuts looks very much like a vault. "Half dozen." That's what I said to the gal at itsy-bitsy counter as I bobbed my head to the awesome tunes playing from an iPod. But a half dozen of what? Doughnuts, for sure, but what kind? My motto? K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple, Stupid. So we did, ordering a pair of three kinds of doughnuts: buttermilk old fashioned, vanilla glazed, and chocolate glazed. "Self-control. Don't open the box yet. You can do it" I said to myself as I walked to the car. At this point, the fiancee was contemplating marrying a guy that talks to himself...about doughnuts. I can't believe I made it to the car without opening the box. We ate these bad boys in the car (not all of them, though, because this was stop number one on a doughnut trip). Opinions? Just one: get off your arse and get to The Doughnut Vault because you are missing out on life as you read this. We tried all three before making our way to stop numero two. I'm pretty sure I ate part of the box, too, in part because I saw a sprinkled doughnut on it. And yes, the cardboard box also tasted delicious. And they lived happily ever after. The end.

    (5)

  • Judy L.

    Lines may be long, service is fast and friendly. Donuts are on point. Coffee, burning hot and strong. I am in love!

    (5)

  • Emily Z.

    Doughnut Vault is the best at what it is if not only because there are no others like it. How do you right more than 500 words about a eatery that is less than 500sq feet (I know nothing about square feet so hopefully this is accurate) 1) Glazed donuts are $3 each, cash only, so come prepared. The glazed are where its at, huge and fluffy. My favorite was the chestnut but its an adventure so best to get one of each and share with some friends who will definitely owe you for your sacrifice! 2) Weekday got in line 1st at 8am, 8:25 there were about 5 people 8:35 when I left probably 20. 3) No room to stand inside even when the doors open so dress for the weather. Though it is only a block from the Merchandise Mart stop. A must try. Enjoy

    (5)

  • Jim W.

    Simply the best doughnuts you can find. The only negative I've read was the wait. There's areason for the long lines, IT'S WORTH IT !!!! My favorite would have to be pistachio Congratulations, Chef Patrick...

    (5)

  • Kelsey K.

    These are all fresh and delicious and totally worth the wait. My favorite is the gingerbread stack... It's 3 gingerbread donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar and full of deliciousness!! You will get a sugar high though, so beware of the crash!

    (5)

  • Leilani W.

    Since moving to Chicago from L.A. four years ago I've been complaining loudly to anyone that would listen that the windy city lacks a doughnut scene. Yes, we are bursting with cupcakes. We even have amazing pie (thanks Hoosier Mama). But where were the doughnuts?? And no I don't count Dunkin' Donuts. After weeks of teasing us with pictures of delicious looking doughnuts on their tumblr, The Doughnut Vault mercifully opened today! It did not disappoint. I opted for the glazed chestnut, a yeast (raised) doughnut. It was light, fluffy, fresh and HUGE. To get the idea of the size, it is about 3 times the size of the average doughnut, hence the higher price. The gingerbread stack is their version of the cake doughnut; there are three smaller doughnuts to an order.They are everything a cake doughnut ought to be-- chewy, airy and lightly dusted with sugar. Well done. Hopefully they're still around come Christmas. The space is TINY so don't expect to eat your doughnuts there, I ate mine at the tables outside the nearby Merchandise Mart. Remember, cash only! Also, they do not have set hours. You'll have to check on twitter to see what time they open, they also close when they run out of doughnuts that day. I chatted with the girl at the register and she said they'd like open around 8 or 9AM each day.

    (4)

  • Aurore L.

    "But where is everyone?" That's what I wanted to ask my friend when I arrived, half limping, at the Vault this morning (my left foot was particularly angry with me for reasons that it didn't care to explain). It was a glorified desert. Yes - I am bragging to all of you gluttons who couldn't wait to sink your hungry chompers in a ring of yeasted/caked dough. Sometimes being slow is rewarding. Look at the turtle! It won the race! And I won the donut war! Hurray! (PS - inside tip: Tuesday is their slower day, and they open as soon as donuts are ready, sometimes even before 8 am. Oh no, please, don't mention it) Armed with my $3 (I am always short on cash), I chose a big, fat glazed chestnut donut that I was picturing devoured along with a very large coffee inside the neighboring Merchandise Mart. My partner in sugary crime opted for the same AND an old-fashioned (greedy!). We left the closet (more so than a vault, isn't it?) and proceeding to the best part, tasting. The consistency was nice and chewy, almost fluffy but satisfying and perfect with my hot cup of joe. I have to admit though that I was not overwhelmed with chestnut flavors. My taste buds might have been on strike today (they are French, after all). I was a big fan of the cakey old-fashioned, and would order it again. As I would order anything else, actually. To be totally honest, I don't know what an excellent donut is supposed to be like compared to just a plain regular good donut. I am not that proficient yet. I just know that DV does a nice job and provides a perfect sugar rush when needed at 8 am. I am still limping, by the way, if you were wondering.

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    Writing this based on donuts that someone brought into the office today. From reading reviews, it appears that they charge $3 per donut (and I assume a "stack" is more than one donut). Considering that my first thoughts were "WOW this is an exceptional donut" and "this thing is three times the size / stomach-filling-factor of a DD", I don't think $3 per is all that bad. Admittedly if I'd found out they were $2 each they'd get 5 stars, so $3 per isn't what I'd call affordable. However, as an every-once-in-a-while treat, not too bad. They're some of the best donuts I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Pari P.

    If a store's hours are 8:30am to "until we run out," then you know that you are in for a real treat. From their website, there is definitely a craze for these old fashioned doughnuts. I decided to see what all the hype was about and check out The Doughnut Vault today. It's 10:00am on a Wednesday and the weather is cold and drizzling. The odds are in my favor to miss the crowds. There were no lines but unfortunately, all of the chestnut doughnuts were sold out. I was kind of hoping for one of their specialty doughnuts but I settled with one of their classics for my first time. I'm not a doughnut fan but this was good. The massive and oversized vanilla glazed doughnut was simple and delicious. The dough had a soft and chewy consistency that I wasn't expecting. It was different than the normal dense and boring or incredibly light with no substance doughnuts that you get elsewhere. I can see what the craze was all about. I see why people are going out of their way and driving from the suburbs here.It isn't the kind of doughnut that melts in your mouth but rather it's the kind that you can really sink your teeth into and feel like you're eating something other than just sugar. Call it doughnut with substance, this is not your ordinary doughnut. The people at The Doughnut Vault do indeed have something special that is more than just a hype.

    (4)

  • Erik H.

    The glazed donuts are enormous, which is good because I'm pretty hungry after waiting in line for an hour. The fiancee and I tried the menu regulars: Vanilla Glazed Chestnut Glazed Chocolate Glazed Old Fashioned Gingerbread Stack The vanilla & chestnut glazed donuts were my two favorites; the chewy, yeasty inside of these bad boys was covered in an outside of sticky, sweet-but-not-too-sweet glaze that must have been crafted of sugar and angel laughter. So good. The chocolate glazed unfortunately didn't generate the same hyperbolic reaction, but it was still good. The old fashioned was my second favorite. It had the right amount of bite and a hint of citrus to give it a truly unique taste. As for the gingerbread stack, I can see why it sells even in the middle of April. As a bonus, the old fashioned and the gingerbread stood the test of time and were still good after a day (the glazed not so much). Just a little sumthin sumthin to keep in mind if you're taking a dozen home, which how could you not?

    (5)

  • Ricky R.

    Amazing doughnuts here. There might be a line cause its tiny inside (only one customer at a time) but the doughnuts here are made with the best things ever, including a lot of love. These are the best doughnuts I have ever put in my mouth. They're big, warm and absolutely dangerously delicious. I want one every morning, everyday for the rest of my life. And they're right near my favorite building in Chicago, The Merchandise Mart, they are literally right behind it. Go here, but, please, bring me some.

    (5)

  • Dex Y.

    If you infer the awesomeness of Doughnut Vault based on the hype surrounding it, and assign 100 points to that, the actual greatness of their donuts is about 85. With that said, this place lives up to the hype. Apparently Doughnut Vault has almost gained legendary status among many Chicagoans and even tourists, and it gives Chicago a good name. So I got my first box of goodies after a 1.5-hr wait on a Saturday. The sun was relentless. The line was ridiculously long. Thankfully, the donuts were ridiculously great! After reaching the lovely desk of the cashier, I ordered these without hesitation: Blueberry Old-fashioned Ginger bread stack Buttermilk Chocolate-glazed Chestnut-glazed None of these disappointed. The soft dough felt like cotton and kind of melted in my mouth. Everything was richly flavorful but not heavy. Simply dreamy. If I have to die of hyperglycemia to save the earth, I will choose Doughnut Vault. On a side note, I'm pretty sure the cashier's math skills rank in the top 1% in this country. She greeted me, grabbed the donuts as I ordered, pack'em, and worked out the total within 15 seconds. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Caitlyn M.

    THE best donuts I've ever had. Hands down. And I'm not really a donut person. When I walk by this place I always hope they are sold out so I can spare myself the calories. I've been here 4 or 5 times and it's literally like heaven on the first bite. Any of the cake donuts are phenomenal, I had a birthday cake flavor once that was out of this world. I am glad I don't live in River North or I would be buying bigger jeans!

    (5)

  • Melanie B.

    As part of our new morning ritual instituted for us by the original Loop Brown line shutdown, we've been walking the 4 or so miles to work. This means that we get to the Loop starving and convinced we deserve a treat. Out of the three donut joints we frequent, I think Donut Vault is my favorite. They stick mostly to the classics, but do they ever deliver on them! If the chocolate old fashioned is available, get one: so crunchy and soft and chocolatey all at once. The glazed donuts are the size of tires and worth every calorie, and they made me realize chestnut absolutely should be a flavor we see more often. Be prepared to be annoyed at your co-donuteers. The vault is, well, a vault, and there's room for like 6 people at a time. This means 10 people will be trying to squeeze in. They are the worst. Try to control your anger because these are so worth your trouble.

    (5)

  • Ha Be N.

    Definitely a gourmet doughtnut! I loved the old fashion doughnut and make sure to call before going as they do run out.

    (4)

  • Stephen C.

    Great place, I love the Mocha, Pistashio and Almond glazed. the coconut old fashion is also good. I wish they had a boston creme like Do-Rite has. The only negative is that the line can be very long.

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    This places offers delights that are definitely better than your average donut. My girlfriend and I came here 2 mornings in a row while on vacation in Chicago. We tried the raspberry jelly, the chestnut glaze, the vanilla glaze, and the old fashioned. The donuts are a bit on the pricey side, but are all large, fluffy, and yummy. My girlfriend kept raving about them in between bites. The coffee, which tasted like a dark roast, is only $1 a cup. It's flavorful and complements the donuts really nicely. The place looks really cool from outside with its bright blue door and tall signage. The inside is tiny--basically a hallway--so be ready to quickly take your business outside after you get your goods. The girl behind the counter was very helpful and sweet as she rung up customers on her snazzy gold vintage register. You can check updates of specials on their official tumblr, but make sure to check their Facebook page for live updates every morning. They can start running out of flavors really quickly and even run out completely by 10:30am.

    (4)

  • Peter D.

    Been twice since Saturday. I highly recommend the iced coffee or just plain, black coffee first and foremost. I know right, why not recommend the donuts first? I've only had the gingerbread stack and the old fashioned and I really like both of these. I don't see myself ever getting a glazed just because they are too massive. Beware of long lines and make sure to get there anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes before they open if you want to get a doughnut on a Saturday or any weekday morning. The line dies down after 9:30am on weekdays. I don't think I'll be back during the rest of my two weeks here in Chicago but this place is definitely the best shop for fried dough in the city. Dough in Brooklyn is still my favorite.

    (4)

  • Stephen S.

    If you look at my recent Yelp reviews you'll notice a flurry of doughnut posts as I've been hitting up several of the established heavy rollers (get it, doughnuts, rolls?) to determine my favorite doughnut in the city. If you're up on the scene, you'd know that doughnut vault has to be a serious contender. What made this trip a little more tricky, however, was the rotating specials calendar. Doughnut Vault has a few basic daily offerings as well as a special doughnut of the day and a seasonal jelly filled. I stalked the calendar for weeks and narrowed down to a few selections that I wanted to try in order to ensure my trip to Doughnut Vault was well spent. This particular week the stars aligned and Birthday Cake was the special for the day of my doughnut excursion. In the end, I sampled the Birthday Cake, Vanilla and Chestnut Glazed, and Gingerbread Shortstack. I'll have to say, my devotion to the Birthday Cake doughnut to draw me to the Doughnut Vault was not worth it as I thought this was the weakest of the doughnuts. The crumbly, cakey, doughnut was good but I thought that the cake doughnut was much better expressed in the smaller form factor of the Gingerbread doughnuts rather than the larger Birthday Cake doughnut. I loved, however, the soft, fluffy, yeasty, glazed doughnuts, which fortunately are available daily. If I were to make a return trip to the doughnut vault I think I'd eye that specials calendar for a special glazed of a flavor that enticed me. However, I really liked the Doughnut Vault, wouldn't say it's the best in Chicago, but I like it a lot more than some of the fancy doughnut places I've come across in other cities.

    (4)

  • Alyssa P.

    So I read about this place last week while clicking around Yelp for places to try out in Chicago... and I couldn't wait to stop here for breakfast. When i arrived on Tuesday morning at 9 there was already a line 15 deep. While some people were in and out, others ordered a dozen donuts and kept the line from moving. I made it into the tiny shop after about 30 minutes. The girl behind the counter was super friendly and rang me out quickly. I ordered a stack and a vanilla frosted. Both were incredible!! These donuts are right up there with the ones I ate in California a couple years back ( yelp.com/biz/sweet-o-don… ) Both have left me wanting more.. and both have made it impossible for me to ever have another Dunkin Donut or similar variety. If you've got the time pleasssse go to The Doughnut Vault. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ngan D.

    Cute concept! People seem to love it. We went on a Friday morning at around 10Am and there was a short line out the door. At around $3 a donut though, I thought they were expensive and not worth it. We tried every single one including the pistachio donut. On taste - I think crispy cremes donuts when they come hot out of the fryer are tastier! My friend says the donuts tasted better the second day. I'll have to take her word for it. Also, they don't take cash.

    (3)

  • Rick C.

    These donuts will bring people together. Not the donuts themselves, but the wait. As every minute ticks by, and more people walk out with boxes of donuts you can feel the mob mentality kicking in. "How long have we been waiting here" "Did they tweet how many are left" "I know that lady didn't just walk out with 5 boxes" We got in line around 9 on a Friday morning and waited about an hour. After we walked out, there were probably about 20 left with about 60 people behind us. You can tell these are good, quality donuts. Well made and quite large. Will I wait an hour for these again? Probably not, but I enjoyed what I tried. I probably prefer the ones at Dat donut, but they're totally different beasts and that drive is too far for me. I'd recommend this place to those willing to deal with the anxiety about possibly missing out after waiting in line for an hour. The donuts are quite good.

    (4)

  • Anna V.

    GOD. are you serious? Really? Apparently yes. Doughnut Vault exists as a little outcropping of Gilt Bar and is the only one of the Sodikoff series to be open in the mornings. I am not much of a sweets person. I don't really care about dessert and I almost never crave baked goods (though there are a handful of exceptions). Even though I have a rare soft spot for yeasty dunkinesque donuts, the double glaze a la krispy kreme is usually overkill - and I do think the Vault's vanilla glaze was excessive for me. The one type of donut I like is apple cider donuts - cakey, soft, spicy, and covered in cinnamon sugar. THESE GINGERBREAD DONUTS ARE A SIN. They are fantastic. They do taste like gingerbread, but only faintly. Luxury breakfast. The hours suck. Still worth trying.

    (4)

  • Char Y.

    finally completed my doughnut journey in chicago! i waited in line for 1 1/2 hour in the freezing cold and got one of each doughnuts, and they were absolutely delicious! best out of all the doughnut places i tried in chicago.

    (4)

  • Mark K.

    Very good doughnuts. Are they worth the trouble of getting them? I'm leaning to "no". Here's why: - Open too late in the morning. Most bakeries open around 7 or earlier, so people can get things for breakfast before work. By 8:30 everyone is already in the office, but even if you start at 9 and think you can grab something from here and show up here at 8:30, you'll be either late or hungry because: - The Line. It reminded me of the old country in the late 80's and early 90's. And not in a good way. I showed up for the open at 8:30 and got my stuff at 9. And The Line was even bigger by then. And you have to mostly wait outside, which might be an issue in Chicago in the (normal) winter. - The selection is pretty thin. I guess it makes the line go faster since there is no waffling between decisions, but you can try all the varieties in one visit and where is the fun in that? Again, the doughnuts are good, I especially like the old-fashioned. But I'll probably go to Do-Rite next time.

    (3)

  • Carrie S.

    I had a serious donut craving last week, only made worse by a thread about donuts on one of my other sites. It came down to going to Dunkin Donuts and being okay with meeting my donut craving or going to Doughnut Vault to finally experience their creations. After following the Doughnut Vault on Twitter for months, I finally had an opportunity to stand in line for some delicious doughnuts I dreamed about on a Friday morning. Soon after my meeting, I raced over to the Brown Line and hopped on to stand in line for donuts. Luckily, my wait for donuts wasn't that long. There was a bit of a wait as more chestnut donuts were being brought up. I picked a chocolate glazed and a buttermilk for my first foray into their donuts. My hunger got the best of me as I waited for the Purple Line train to pull up, so I bit into one of my donuts: chocolate glazed. The donut is an interesting mix of yeast and cake based. It's pillowy, but has amazing structure. I ended up nursing this donut most of the morning with some milk. By the end of the day, my buttermilk donut was calling to me. I thought about saving it and sharing it with my husband, but that didn't happen. Instead, it was my afternoon snack. The buttermilk donut blew me away. This is the buttermilk donut of my dreams. It's perfect with a dense milky cake and a nice crunch on the outside. This is the donut I want all of the time now when the donut cravings strike me. Overall, my first visit to Doughnut Vault was a successful one with my two picks. I'd go back for the buttermilk donut any day because I know others just won't compare to that one.

    (4)

  • Kenneth Y.

    A little small mom and pop shop that reminds you that some of the great finds in the vast city of chicago can be hidden in such a confined and cute little shop.

    (4)

  • Suzy D.

    We came here on Saturday morning and waited for an hour in the rain. The line was long and moved very slowly, but we figured it was okay since we'd be having amazing donuts. We ordered the buttermilk, ginger stack, vanilla, chocolate, and chestnut. We really enjoyed the buttermilk and the ginger. I felt like the glazed donuts were really huge and the texture was good, but they did not blow me away. Overall, the donuts are good, but for me it was not worth standing in line for an hour...in the rain. However, donuts are not one of my favorite things. If you're a donut person, this might be a dream come true for you.

    (3)

  • Mariah V.

    As if I needed to go to Doughnut Vault the morning after going to Maude's and Au Cheval... but these doughnuts were awesome. A doughnut shop built into the side of Gilt Bar - random but genius. The inside is small, but more reminiscent of Maude's than Gilt with the blue color scheme and brick walls. In true Sodikoff fashion, they managed to even work a chandelier into this tiny place. I came on around 9am on a Friday morning and the line was maybe 6 people long. Getting in was really quick, and the girl working was able to serve people really quickly. I bought the gingerbread stack, vanilla, chestnut, buttermilk old fashioned and the special of the day, pistachio. The old fashioned was perfect - a little smaller than the glazed donuts, dense on the inside and a little crunchy on the outside. The vanilla, chestnut and pistachio were super yeasty, light and humongous. Gingerbread doughnuts are more cake-y, and come in a stack of three. I wouldn't wait over an hour on a Saturday, but I'd definitely pop in on a weekday morning from time to time. It's cash only, though. Also thank you Brendan Sodikoff for spelling it "doughnut," because I really hate donuts.

    (4)

  • Jane K.

    Gave this place a try because a friend had recommended I come and I was so glad I did. Came 10 minutes past 8 am and there was still a good number of people in line. The special of the day was the blueberry old fashioned but being I was in town for only a few days I splurged and also purchased the chestnut glazed and the raspberry filled doughnut. All the doughnuts were warm, soft and not too overly sweet which was pretty surprising as most doughnuts I've eaten are usually baked with way too much sugar. The cup of coffee (iced or hot) for a dollar was also a plus. I also wanted to try the gingerbread stack and vanilla glazed but forced myself to limit the number of doughnuts I purchased that day. The cashier was very nice and spent time in giving me some recommendations even though there were quite a few people behind me in line. I didn't feel rushed while making my decisions. And even though it was pretty crowded there was ample seating in front of the store so I was able to sit and enjoy my doughnuts outside. I definitely would fly back to Chicago for another visit to the Doughnut Vault.

    (5)

  • Carmen B.

    Similar to many, I had a great experience here! Wonderful buttermilk cake doughnut, also tried the gingerbread stack. A few notes from the super nice gal at the counter... Demand has increased during the week, they will usually sell out by 11ish. I arrived at 1030, the pistachio was sold out and there were few core flavors left. You can also follow on twitter and FB for updates. If you are doughnut lover and are willing to stand in line on Saturday, these will inform your decision. I would definitely return DURING THE WEEK! Great staff and the product is very good.

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    oh mah god delicious sweetness melting in your mouth im not sure if i loved the donuts because i've been on a diet and havent had a donut since forever ago or if the place is just amazing, or both.... but i ended up buying 3 more to take home after the first two.. :3 the pistachio donut is amazing and you can definitely taste the hint of that pistachio flavor as you om nom nom on it. i also had the original buttermilk which was also yummy, but that pistachio donut... so good. i'd definitely would come again to try the other special flavors. i just wish the donuts were warm, which would've made them 129312039x yummier. i could totally just imagine that donut glaze melting in my mouth in the bitter cold weather. too bad it wasn't as romantic as it could've been. also, there was barely a line when i went in the morning. people were getting in and out pretty quickly. i think the longer lines are usually during saturdays when people don't have to go to work in the morning? anyways, 4.5/5 for not so warm, yet dericious donuts. coulda been 5/5 if it was served hot :'( EDIT: OMG SO I BOUGHT SOME TO TAKE HOME AND I JUST ATE EM ALL.. AND NEW FAVORITE FLAVOR: CHESTNUT. it's like an orgasm in your mouth. it tastes so goooood. very strong, rich flavor, just the way i love my donuts whereas the pistachio one is a bit more subtle. gingerbread stack is good too if you're a fan of gingerbread. not as sweet as the glazed donuts, but it's definitely got the gingerbreaddy kick to it. buttermilk was good too, but doesn't shine compared to the glazed ones in my opinion, probably because i just have a really strong sweet tooth. overall, i tend to like the sweetest and heaviest flavors, which ended up being the chestnut one. but i'd recommend the pistachio one for people who aren't reaaally crazy about sweets but still want that sweet love in your mouth. i will be back.

    (5)

  • Pauline H.

    5 stars for gingerbread stacks! it's kind of like a churro- but better' 4.9 stars for vanilla old-fashioned the original donuts aren't as amazing and a little bit greasy. :/

    (5)

  • Thomas S.

    After hearing much about the Donut Vault, I had to give it a try. The donuts are tasty, but not exceptional. There's some mystery surrounding the place (odd location, cash only, limited hours) that enhance its appeal. The owners market themselves as too cool to market themselves, I suppose. The donuts are no better than what you'd find at a decent, non chain, local bakery. Much of the praise I suspect is from those too embarrassed to say they wasted the morning waiting in line. This is similar to people who spend 3 days getting to Ayers Rock; then upon seeing it, say, "Huh?" When they return home the trek gets lots of praise because it's uncomfortable admitting so much vacation time was wasted. Too harse?

    (2)

  • Swati B.

    Super yummy. Went on my birthday for a birthday cake donut..pretty good stuff...waited about 10 minutes which is not bad at all...maybe because it was january...the coffee is a bit dark and strong but not bad. A bit on the pricey side..but definitely the best donuts i've had in a long time just wish they had been piping hot ps these donuts are HUGE (the gingerbread stack is damn good!) they have a facebook page and a twitter acct that tells you how many people in line and how much stock they have left...pretty cool, just sucks they dont reply back to you if you ask them a question. CASH ONLY ps no where to sit and eat! take it and GO!

    (4)

  • Joyce C.

    Let me preface by saying that these are not my favorite doughnuts. They are pretty good, though. I do appreciate the fact that these are handmade/ handstamped and that they are fluffy and light and use quality ingredients. But the wait and the hours really suck. We waited an hour for 8 donuts. 2 chocolate glazed, 2 vanilla glazed, 2 raspberry jelly and 2 buttermilk on a chilly Friday morning. We got there a half hour after they opened with 30 people in front of us and almost exactly an hour later we are literally hoping that they didn't run out. Thankfully they didn't and they were seriously gigantic (a half dozen comes in a box that looks like it would fit a dozen other puny "donuts" from somewhere else). The vanilla glaze was good but I thought it had a little too much glaze, and the buttermilk suffered the same fate. The chocolate glazed I thought actually needed more glaze. The raspberry jelly donuts though, really great. Tangy filling with just a simple granulated sugar topping, yum! I'd say if you're in a doughnutty kinda mood and you have an hour to waste, you should come waste it here. But, get here early or you'll be cussing out the other patrons as they walk out with full boxes and you're left empty-handed!!

    (4)

  • Lavon K.

    Unhinge your jaw and get ready for the best donut you've ever tasted. I had the chocolate and chestnut. The chocolate donut took me to a happy place and the chestnut donut took me to heaven. Simply delicious. Their coffee was also very good. It's strong so it's pairs nicely with the sweet donuts. Be prepared to wait for probably at least 30 minutes and be assured the cashier is working as fast as she can. She's no slacker. This place is super cute and looking forward to going again.

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Doughnut Vault is without a doubt the coolest doughnuterie you will ever enter. decorations are spartan but baller, same as the doughnuts~ they really do have the best old fashioned in the city, though my favorite was probably the chestnut. only drawbacks to this place are the limited hours and variety/quantity of flavors available daily.

    (4)

  • Glen W.

    Good doughnuts, yes. Worth waiting in the cold for hours? Not even close. Skip it.

    (3)

  • Eric T.

    Huge Doughnuts. Great Taste. Great Price. Entirely Worth it! I just wish they were open more hours of the day. They open and stay open until they run out of doughnuts. I have often missed them because I don't have the time to stand in their long lines or because they run out. But this is entirely worth it. Try their doughnuts!

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    The gingerbread stack completely changed my perception of doughnuts. These are fluffy inside with a crisp exterior and not even a trace of the filmy oil that usually coats poorly made specimens. Most importantly, there was plenty of gingerbread and cinnamon goodness! Other doughnuts I'd recommend ordering: pineapple glaze and any of the jam/preserves filled varieties. I'd definitely recommend this establishment; small batch quality and freshness win out every time. As for price, I'd say the price is more than fair - its on par with any cupcake bakery around and worth every penny. The minor inconvenience of waking up early to queue for the privilege of eating them is worth it.

    (4)

  • Rachelle B.

    Several weeks ago The Doughnut Vault opened up around the corner from my office and Chicago has never been the same since. All I keep hearing people talk about is "OMG did you hear about this new doughnut place!??!" Especially River North people. While the actual Doughnut Vault location is teeny tiny, the lines are not. They're very LOOOOONG. Like 100+ people long. Like wait for an hour long. And, as you know the weather these past weeks has been anything but good. So, why would people wait in line in the cold and rain so long for a doughnut? Well, the doughnuts are homemade in small batches, using high-quality ingredients, fresh every day. The Doughnut Vault makes about 300 - 350 doughnuts and they sell out in just a couple hours. They open up between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., Tuesday - Saturday. You have to check their Twitter to see exactly when they're opening.. or just go out there and get in line early. There's always a line before they even open. On Twitter you can also see what flavors are left and when they're sold out for the day. And they're really active on their Tumbler site. They post foodie porn photos, give tidbits about doughnuts, and answer people's questions. So, homemade, small, fresh batches and active social media... it's the key to a doughnut frenzy. In my office we couldn't stop talking about The Doughnut Vault and trying the doughnuts. Finally last Friday, my coworker stood in line. For a long time. For an hour. In the rain. When it was 40 degrees outside. The maximum number of doughnuts you can get is 6. He got 6. It was $17! My coworker knows that I've been wanting to they the doughnuts so he gave me my pick. I chose chocolate glazed. These are not small doughnuts. The chocolate glazed was actually twice glazed, once with a vanilla/sugar layer and then chocolate on the top of that and some chocolate sprinkles mixed in as well. The inside of the doughnut was soft and fluffy and the outside had just enough crispness from the fry and the glaze. These doughnuts were dang good. To tell the truth, though, i can't remember the last time I ate a doughnut.. so I'm no connoisseur... but yeh.. omg.. Delicious. Especially since I didn't have to wait the hour in the rain!

    (4)

  • Jon S.

    On a Saturday morning this past December, my fiancé and I braved the cold for these donuts (it was her idea). Among the others waiting before the place opened was a man in his car with his two pre-teen children in the backseat. They were both shivering and one of them wrote on the window "it is cold." It was cute so I promised not to call social services... Anyway, these donuts are great. I prefer the gingerbread stack and the old fashioned over the raised donuts (whose frosting is intensely sweet ... I could feel cavities developing in my teeth when I bit into the donuts). Even so, she and I were able to finish a dozen donuts in a 24h span and then got tested for Type II diabetes. Nonetheless, we will be back.

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Yes, they are really expensive for donuts, but they're ginormous and delicious. I've tried them all and they're all amazing. Tip: check out their twitter feed before you go later in the morning. They post periodic updates on how many/what kind of donuts they have left.

    (4)

  • Erica G.

    Chicagoans are all about good food so I had to give the city's best doughnuts a try. We got there at 9:45am Saturday morning and after standing outside in below freezing temperatures for 1 1/2 hours we finally made it inside. This place is an in and out joint, with enough space for a 4 foot counter, one worker taking orders, boxing and operating the register and maybe 5 people in line. It's literally as long as the hallway to my bathroom, and I live in a studio. After you get the doughnuts there is no place to sit down and eat. You either have to go back where you came from or run and find a starbucks like we did to thaw out and taste what we frost our butts off for all morning! The doughnuts are larger than life and different than the average "glaze" but it wasn't anything spectacular. Maybe I'm just not than into donuts... All in all, it was a fun experience and the specials are funky and different if I could've been there 30 min prior I probably could've gotten my hands on one. I'll probably go again, but will wait until the summer when it's not bitter cold.

    (3)

  • Amigo L.

    I tried couple flavors here and love them all.

    (4)

  • Stacey K.

    After moving away from Chicago, I came back for a visit and I finally got to try Doughnut Vault. First, I'd like to say I love that they post updates on Facebook. I would have never stopped by the shop if it weren't for those updates. Second, when I walked into the little shop I saw an old friend. Turns out he makes the doughnuts, so I knew they would be tasty. Now, to the doughnuts. When I got there, they had vanilla glazed and buttermilk left. So I got two of each (to share with some other people). They were so tasty!! The buttermilk, was cakey, but still surprisingly light. Now, I'm not a big fan of thick glaze, but the amount of icing on the doughnut was actually extremely well done. The glaze itself was not too sweet and the doughnut itself had enough texture that they complimented each other so well. I can't wait to go back to Doughnut Vault!

    (4)

  • Anne A.

    Wowzers these doughnuts are so delicious they will blow your mind away. I had the chocolate glazed with sprinkles and it was literally to die for and I'm not even that big of a doughnut fan (I prefer cupcakes instead). I hear usually there is a line, but I went at 10 am on a Thursday, and no line. Beware, they close when they run out, which was about an hour after I arrived. Bonus- you can get a coffee for only a dollar. Really good coffee too, and I'm very critical of my cup o joe.

    (4)

  • Blythe Z.

    This place is so much fun. It's located on the Corner of Guilt Bar - look for the blue door. I have been twice and I love the sweet treats. They are pricey, but totally worth it.... it's not you average Doughnut. The inside is so pretty - looks like a glamorous time warp with a crystal chandelier and a retro cash register. The coffee is cheap - and the mocha doughnut was my favorite. My husband really like the vanilla & Ginger stack. I say, run don't walk here... and then plan to work out later!

    (5)

  • Scott A.

    In what will surely be the immortal words of Homer Simpson... "mmmm donuts". The Doughnut Vault is a must try and sure winner if you're looking to impress the boss or set the right tone at a morning meeting. Unlikely your audience will ever have seen such donut sights as the ginormous glazed donut behemoths that Doughnut Vault serves up. The vanilla was my favorite with vanilla beans you can see in the glaze. I didn't try the vanilla/chocolate but it looked impressive as well. The toasted pistachio I thought was perhaps a bit too subtle in pistachio flavor for pistachio lovers and I probably would have preferred the pistachios placed in the glaze to be less finely ground. The buttermilk old fashioned and gingerbread stack donuts will be much more familiar in terms of size and looks. While these latter two I found to be excellent, I'm not sure they lived up to the Doughnut Vault hype of being the "best" though certainly others will disagree as I saw first hand. All-in-all, I struggled with whether to give five or four stars. I wasn't sure if I was wooed as much as by my first warm Krispy Kreme, variety on any given day is limited, and is the fact they are hard to get good or bad? At the same time even with all the forthcoming hype I found the vanilla glaze to be amazing, the quaint store itself is without question the coolest donut shop I've ever had the pleasure of stepping into, and without even taking your first bite you will have a feeling of specialness just for managing to actually have perhaps one of the most sought after and hard to get donuts (go early) in all of Chicago in hand. Does life get better than this? Four or five stars... One thing is for certain, you should definitely experience The Doughnut Vault at least one.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    The best doughnuts in Chicago. Big, super airy and fluffy for the glazed...just amazing overall. Depending on the day, you can still get doughnuts into the early afternoon, but all bets are off for Saturday. What more can I say? If you have some time in the morning to kill (and doing so in the nice weather is highly recommended), stop by the DV and pick up a box, you won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Diana P.

    I was never a doughnut person, until I had my first date with this place. It's nit just hype, they really know what they're doing and they are doing doughnuts to perfection. Literally, the buttermilk will melt in your mouth and leave you speechless. Who knew a doughbut could do so much good. I tried all they had and would not recommend the stackables. One of the glazed doughnuts could easily be shared with 2-3, however, you may not want to after you try. Buttermilk are by far my favorite (& a fav of many) but those are smaller. Adorable place, come early and on a week day and you won't wait long at all. Both times I went at around 830 and went right up to order. Okay, will continue dreaming of my next date at the Vault...

    (5)

  • Diz C.

    Maybe u are thinkin what i used to before coming here. How good can a damn doughnut be? 50+people lines? After hearing the hype forever- i notice a tweet: "NO LINE!" So i figure i'll finally find out what the big deal is. i order one vanilla glazed, & one old fashioned, & head toward work. i reach into the bag & tear off a bite of the vanilla glazed. & instantly it all becomes clear. The insane lines, the "holy hell man, u havent tried doughnut vault YET?!" comments from friends. I don't know how ya make something as simple as a doughnut, THIS DAMN GOOD! it was soft, the glaze wasnt that almost fake, plastic-ish crunchy type glaze like@ most spots, but perfect. im POSITIVE even unglazed, these things would be amazing. How does one seriously convey how great a doughnut is?!? i don't know their secret- but trust the reviews, & the word of mouth, & check this spot out if you can. they truly ARE wonderful.

    (5)

  • Erica I.

    I was hoping by now the line wouldn't be so long on a Saturday! But I was wrong. I waited around 30 minutes for my doughnuts, and it was worth it. BUT the price wasn't really worth it. $3.00 for 1 vanilla, chocolate or chestnut, and they are really huge, but if you're like me and get 1 of each (5 total) so you can try them all out, it'll cost ya $14!! In my little hometown of Indiana, you can get a 1/2 dozen for $5, and they are just as tasty. Ok enough about me being cheap. The vanilla was my favorite, and then the chocolate (which is just pretty much the same thing with chocolate on top), and the other 3 (chestnut, buttermilk, and gingerbread) were tied for 3rd place. I would love to come back and grab a vanilla doughnut if I'm in the area, but I made a special trip to try these today, so it's not very likely.

    (3)

  • Kari F.

    Best place to indulge on the most delicious melt-in-your-mouth over-sized piece of doughnut heaven. Just wish for a nice day cuz you will wait in line outside. I can't give 5 stars because on my last visit they gypped me on one doughnut that I paid for. I didn't do a count before I left and had to split with someone that didn't get a full one. Tragic for something so delicious.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Tasty Treats While I cannot say waiting for doughnuts is an encourage-able activity. I would propose you spend the time to: 1. Find this place 2. Order one of each 3. Do not share with anyone Quirky space, great doughnuts and I love the Dayton, OH cash register!

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    I was waiting in line this morning, then I realized how dumb it was to wait in a line for doughnuts. I walked over to Glazed and Infused on Fulton street, the doughnuts were just as good. Best part? No line, and no worries of "running out". I guess some people must like waiting in line.

    (2)

  • Amanda P.

    Was here for the first time on a cold January morning. After that visit, I woke up a week later craving it. So, so good. Everything is delicious here. Go. You will wait in line. But who cares? The answer is no one. JUST DO IT.

    (5)

  • Ben C.

    Ok, let me first state that I hate waiting in lines. Whether it's for a club, food, coffee, drinks, whatever....I don't like it and avoid the places/hours where this is an issue. Yes, there is a mighty long line if you find yourself on Franklin early Saturday morning waiting for Donut Vault donuts. I got dragged there by my lovely girl and all the while I complained, she assured me it was worth it. After 40 minutes and an empty Starbucks cup, I was over it. And that's when we entered the Vault. We ordered three (3) donuts between the two (2) of us and wow...freaking amazing donuts. And who cares if the donuts aren't the best in the world? Part of the experience is waiting...if you could just walk up there and buy these gems, I guarantee you they wouldn't taste as good. Suffer in line and you shall be rewarded. Oh, and donuts aren't easy to make. Do a little online research and you'll discover that making good, homemade donuts is an involved process and the Donut Vault is doing a tasty job. Enjoy. Oh, and $$$$ because these are a little expensive for donuts. But whatever.

    (5)

  • A J.

    -My boss is, on occasion, a raging a-hole. -He'll sometimes realize when he's pulled some major a-holeish moves. -A few weeks ago he tried to redeem himself by way of The Doughnut Vault. -And stood in line, in the rain, for 25+ min, for some fried dough g

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    My daughter has effused incessantly about this spot and brought some by. Ilive nearby and have sern the lines and hoped it wasn't just more social media enabled crowd sourcing. I was wrong. An entire generation raised on Dunkin Donuts who haven't been exposed to quality unless they pay excessive cost fuel the hype at this and the other "gourmet" donut shops. I'm too old to play that game...

    (2)

  • afro d.

    i have made many trips since my first visit.. always the same. that s a great thing. quality has not changed. yummy as ever. girl behind the counter very quick with wonderful customer service. this place is a trek for me since im in the northern suburbs,

    (4)

  • Taryn T.

    I don't even want to THINK about how many calories I just consumed by inhaling this hubcap-sized chocolate glazed doughnut. But I have no regrets. My hour-long run tonight will be well worth it. I must've gotten ridiculously lucky with timing - I walked right in at 11:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, and there was no line and every single flavor in stock. How could I not take advantage of this key opportunity to pop my Doughnut Vault cherry? And what an unforgettable experience it was. Can't wait to go back for more!

    (5)

  • Lisa A.

    I like big doughnuts and I cannot lie. So big and &1 coffee. What else do I need to say? Well the doughnuts are $3 a piece so I guess $1 coffee is just to make us feel happier about buying the most expensive cheap doughnuts ever. Lines can be long but, check twitter for doughnut stats. One time I was just a few shy of being the last group in line and saw people get rejected. It was actually really sad to see people get sent home without doughnuts. So mean.

    (4)

  • Luke D.

    Hype kills. I have to think that most of the 5 star reviews are from people trying to justify a long wait for donuts. The buttermilk donuts here are really good and everything else is just average. I know that donuts are trendy, so everyone is falling all over each other to praise $3 donuts to seem "in the know," but the reality is that most people could not discern a vanilla donut from the DV from a vanilla glazed from DD in a blind test. Dat Donut and Bridgeport Bakery wipe the floor with this place, but most of the yuppies waiting in line at DV are too scared to drive to Chatham or Bridgeport to give it a chance. Sad that people would rather waste an hour in line for $3 donuts than take a trip to the South Side to buy a better product for a fraction of the cost. In that regard, I give the Vault 5 stars for marketing. On a related note, you have to question the judgment of people who jump on food trends. It used to that cupcakes were AHMAZZZING, but now they're trash and donuts are awesome. I mean, just look at some of these DV reviews where people say they are abandoning cupcakes for donuts. Why not just eat the foods you like instead of the foods that bloggers tell you are cool?

    (3)

  • Tom J.

    I went here last Saturday morning, they open at 9:30 so we showed up at about 9:00 because we had heard there would be a line. At 9:00am there was already a considerable line. Over an hour later we finally got to the front, and the prize....the opportunity to pay $18 for 6 donuts. Thanks. Yes the donuts were good but I'm reviewing the whole experience here. If you enjoy waiting in line for over an hour in 80+ degree temperatures on a Saturday morning when you should really still be in bed then this is for you... and as one other reviewer mentioned, I cant stand in line for 45 minutes on a weekday, I have a job! Good donuts but no donut is worth an hour + wait.

    (2)

  • Carolyn L.

    I can't really add anything that other Yelpers haven't written. But I do want to say that these donuts (sorry, doughnuts) are like biting into flavored clouds. They are so soft, fresh, and GIGANTIC! I bought a dozen for my office (thank God they lifted the 6 only rule!) and we devoured them. I will definitely keep this place in mind whenever I need a special treat to pick up my spirits. The line is getting shorter these days too so I only had to wait about 15 minutes.

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    I love DONUTS! OK really I love pretty much anything that is sweet. So I haven't actually been to this place my coworkers went and picked me up a donut. HMMM...$3.00 for a donut seems kinda expensive but I'll pay to try something new and especially since its sweet. I got a chocolate glazed donut which was the size of my head so I can't really say that the price is that unreasonable. Not sure if I'll actually go and buy some more donuts but why not try and buy a $3.00 donut.

    (4)

  • Jeff R.

    I finally got to taste a doughnut from the "vault." There's not much to describe - it's a walk up window that serves three kinds of doughnuts and coffee. It's an early morning gig and the line gets quite long on saturdays. Once inventory is gone they stop selling and you're out of luck. The real question is, are they worth it? I'm not a fan of waiting in line for anything, especially food, but you definitely can't find doughnuts like these anywhere in the city. We tried all three kinds - gingerbread stack, buttermilk old fashioned and glazed. The gingerbread stack of 3 was delicious and small enough that you didn't feel too guilty. The buttermilk old fashioned was my least favorite since it seems heavier on the sugar and less on the dough. Our favorites by far were the glazed. These are not your normal glazed doughnuts. Think car tire size. And the doughy middle is more like cake than doughnut, super soft and squishy. I prefer the classic vanilla glaze but the chestnut is also quite good. None of us are huge chocolate fans anyway so we'll let the doughnut fanatics eat that one. If you're a big doughnut fan you must try these. If you appreciate amazing sweet baked goods you must try these. I recommend a mid week stop to avoid the crowds and line and I highly suggest walking home afterwards (they're likely to fill you up for a while). Chicago is lucky to have cool and delicious new take on an old American tradition.

    (5)

  • Mahsa T.

    My lovely, lovely (did I mention she's lovely?) friend stood in line for about an hour one morning and got us a box of these fantastic doughnuts. So I got to try it without suffering in line and I'd have to say they are almost worth it. I agree with the other reviewers that the regular glazed doughnuts are ooey, gooey, flakey, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Chocolate and coconut doughnuts were also excellent, other flavors were not all that great. I myself would not stand in line for these but if you love doughnuts, you might want to try these once.

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    Holy Balls of Dough Batman! We arrived at 9:45 and waited for an hour in a line that stretched around the block before finally stepping up to the counter in this tiny space. With a sampling of cake and raised creations in hand we scurried back out the door to examine the contents of our cardboard box, adorned simply with a charming rubber stamp. We feasted our eyes on unbelievably big, fluffy raised and tender moist cake doughnuts for mere seconds before literally feasting. Right there on the street half of these beauties were devoured, one by one. How does the Doughnut Vault produce such fantastic treats without the slightest hit of the grease they were surely fried in? Must be magic. I've just added a new place to my "Must Visit While in Chicago" list. It's a good thing I'll only get to the windy city about twice a year...

    (5)

  • Jace K.

    I don't understand the hype behind these donuts. I think I am missing a vital link that makes everyone else loves these donuts. I really like donuts and I do like the donuts at the Donut Vault, but they don't seem particularly special and definitely not enough to warrant the price. We got the chocolate glazed and the normal glazed. The chocolate glazed had a very nice glaze- it was sweet and balanced. Not overly sugary like the cheap donuts, but a rich flavor was present. The normal glazed was -eh- Both donuts were large and had layers of flakiness. If you are a coffee drinker, I would imagine part of the joy would be that the donut wouldn't finish before your first beverage and it has a dense flavor. Perhaps, I should have gotten the buttermilk donut. I would give 3 stars for the average donut, but dropped it for the price.

    (2)

  • Rob E.

    5+ stars for taste. 5 stars for the customer service personnel and the tweet updates. Less than 5 stars for the wait, the short availability time and running out of product - all three of which are kind of by design with their model. But still, if you wait in line for 30 minutes for a doughnut, you should be able to get it.

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    Very good fresh doughnuts!! BUT to me, not worth standing in line for hours for...I'll make my own doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Marisa V.

    I will preface this by saying I am in agreement with every person who loves these doughnuts. They are delicious and fresh and wonderful. I also love the quaint little (emphasis on little) shop and the fact that they play hip hop gangster rap despite its French-inspired charm. That said, Yelp is not just about reviewing food - but about reviewing the overall business experience. I'm posting 3 stars to help level out the important consideration of what one must do to get said popular doughnuts. They open whenever they want, so you can show up at 8:30 and be waiting 15 minutes while they take their time. Not cool; it's a business, so they should be punctual. The lines are so absurdly long that even though I love the doughnuts, I dread the idea of going back. I got a life to live, people - I can't be out there waiting for the sun to shine, even if it's in the name of delicious calories. MY REQUEST is that they at least try to make the effort to kick up courtesy a notch and also bring some efficiency to it as a courtesy to the customers waiting for so long. Have someone out there selling the $1 French press cups of coffee to the people waiting in the cold. Or hell, give out the damn $1 cup of coffee for free. Or make it a small cup that would only be 50 cents - just show some love to the loyalists who are spreading the buzz about you across the city. As for the long line, ever been through the drive thru at Portillo's? They've got two lines and people standing out there to expedite the orders. Have a doughnut vault person sport a headset and get out to that line and get some orders. Go in order of who's in line - ask for a name - stick that name on a pre-ordered fresh box and by the time they are inside, they don't need to ask the chick to poke around for doughnuts off the tray. Maybe there are kinks to work out but I am sure it can be done somehow. I believe in you, DV peeps! Make it work! :)

    (3)

  • Zaneta W.

    I LOVE DOUGHNUTS!!!!! Third time's a charm! Tried coming here twice before I finally got my hands on these delicious doughnutssss. First time I wasn't aware of how fast they sold out, go there at 11:30 only to find out they were closed. I knew better the 2nd time, but unfortunately made the mistake of going there on a Saturday at 9 pm and didn't want to wait in line with the chance I wouldn't get the flavors I wanted (it was all the way around the block). 3rd try (I said if it didn't work on the 3rd try I could never come back) I went there on a Wednesday morning at 8:30, waited 30 minutes and got 6 donuts. SUCCESS :) - Chestnut & Vanilla - tied for my favorites; they're not as rich as the chocolate and have the perfect amount of glaze - DELICIOUS - Chocolate - really good, but also really rich and I could only eat a couple bites before my mouth went into sugar overload - Old fashioned - really good as well; i've always been more of a yeast doughnut person rather than cake, but these were awesome as well I thought that once I got my doughnut vault fix, I would be content, but it just made me want to go back there every morning. I wish I lived across the street (but my body would probably hate me if I did). Overall, wonderful treats. Thank you doughnut vault for filling the doughnut void in Chicago, b/c dunkin sucks and YOU ROCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

    (5)

  • Jaimie C.

    Yay for doughnuts! I was not a believer in the doughnut and typically do not partake when the typical "dunkin" variety is brought in but a friend of mine thought it'd be a great way to send off a co-worker on working remotely. So we decided to arrive by 8:15 to get our spot in line. I am so glad we did. First, let me start with the adorable "400 1/2" address. When you see the inside, it really is a 1/2 or potentially a 1/8. But sits on the side of the Guilt Bar. But you can't miss the becoming famous blue door, doughnut description/prices sign, cute little seating area and of course the line! As we arrive, we see the WGN truck and camera crew setting up. They interviewed those waiting and asked.... how long would you wait inline for a doughnut? Since my friend and I had not had these delicious round cakes (oh yes, I said cake, because that's how amazing they tasted to me, but I'll get to that) before, we said 20 mins tops. We were like 20th in line. The line moves quickly and we probably were there about 20-25 mins before we were able to get our hands on those amazing cakes, I mean doughnuts. Once you make it inside the smaller waiting area, you can't miss the old school hip hop blaring from the speakers, the subway tiles, old school chandelier and cash only cash register. We opt'd for a dozen that had a little bit of everything. The glaze doughnuts are really large but covered in goodness, the old fashioned are fresh and light and we had the brown sugar stack....my favorite. I recommend going early, getting a spot in line because you don't want to limit yourself to just one type of doughnut....or be sad you missed out on getting a bit of everything they have to offer. Bring a friend or get your favorite coffee on the way so the wait doesn't seem so long. It's worth it. They have made me a fan of the doughnut....who knew! Crispy creme watch out.

    (5)

  • Barb S.

    I learned about the Doughnut Vault from an employee at my health club (they really look out for your health there!). After reading about the long lines and unpredictable opening time, I arrived at 7:20 and was first in line. The Vault finally opened at 8:30 at which time the line had snaked around the block. Which apparently underlies the unpredictable opening time. I don't believe that they open the door until the line is an acceptable, buzz worthy length. I base this conclusion on the fact that on two separate occasions, an employee peered out at the line from a side door. The first time, the line was still confined to Franklin. When he re-appeared 20 minutes later, the line had grown to the point where it wound around Kinzie. Shortly thereafter, the door opened. I naively thought that since I was first in line that I would be able to sample all their varieties. However, the ginger stack wasn't ready yet. I wonder if this is an attempt to garner repeat business. Note to owners: the way to promote repeat business is to respect your customers by posting and adhering to regular hours and to have all items available when the doors open. For cryin' out loud, the Studio 54 business model couldn't sustain its namesake. And they had the advantage of celebrities and cocaine! It's not gonna work for a doughnut shop! I'd have given them only one star, but I have to admit that the doughnuts were very good. The chocolate glazed doughnut in particular was phenomenal. It tasted as if it had a custard filling. I honestly don't know how they achieved that. But are the doughnuts worth standing in line on a chilly, rainy day for 70 minutes? For my money, the answer is a resounding no. You can get doughnuts that are just as good, with a greater variety, and none of the attitude from Spunky Dunkers (Palatine), Honey Fluff (Countryside), and Dunk (Melrose Park).

    (2)

  • Jeannine H.

    Okay I was downtown running an errand on a cold, rainy, dreary morning near the Merchandise Mart and I remembered...DOUGHNUT VAULT!! Now to be clear...I love me some baked goods BUT I hate ridiculously long lines, overhyped places, and any Chicago institution that draws random hipsters, tourists or other lookie-lous. One of my friends had hipped me to the fact that a rainy day was the best day to go and she was right the line only had 3 people ahead of me at abuot 9:30am (good thing too cause as much as I hate lines this review would have seriously suffered if I had to wait in a long line). But enough with the pleasantries...on to the dounuts. For Scientific purposes I simply ordered one of each BTW I caution against that...those are some Big A$$ doughnuts and it was way too much for 1 or 2 people to eat. The coffee also was excellent Old fashioned - OMG...my clear favorite, tender cakey, sweet, light...everything a doughnut should be in short the PERFECT doughnut Gingerbread stack - 3 smaller doughnuts moist, soft, decent spice...but nothing to write home about Vanilla Glazed - large moist, doughy, yeasty very tasty a tad too sweet for me Pistachio Glazed - my second favorite...excellent flavor and crunch from the pistachio contrasted nicely with the soft pillowy doughnut and was a good balance to the sweet glaze Chocolate Glazed - had both the vanilla glaze AND chocolate frosting and sprinkles...as good as this doughnut was it was so sweet my teeth began to hurt after eating the third bite and I gave it to a friend who is a serious sweet fiend and he loved it. So all in all pretty good doughnuts that come close to the hype (assuming you don't spend all morning waiting for them). My actual review is more like a 3.5 stars but you can't do that half star thingie on Yelp.

    (4)

  • Corin C.

    Donut Vault, I love you, I hate you, I want you, I need you! I hate you for always being so busy that the line is over an hour and I refuse to wait in any line - ever! Luckily, I have a friend who didn't mind waiting in line so I got to try your treats. I also hate you because I can't resist you! You're like an old lover who I'm obsessing about over and over again and I can't get you out of my head. I love you for your little clouds of pastry heaven. These are not donuts, they are orgasmic little puffy mounds of deliciousness. I want you especially with a nice cup of your french pressed coffee and I need you on a Sunday morning when you're NOT OPEN! DV, I need to see you in person so I can see the beauty of your trays. I need to smell your aroma and fragrance and I need to taste you and bite into you. The buttermilk and chestnut donuts were like nothing I've ever had and it's about time Chicago got some quality donuts. I would never call these donuts just because they cannot be in the same caliber or category as any of those donut shops that are on every corner. These are special! I must give myself a pat on the back because when a chef pal and I were talking two years ago about this stupid cupcake trend that was taking over, I said the next thing to hit would be the quality donut. C'mon, DV isn't that enough for a VIP card so I can enter your velvet ropes without waiting in a crazy line? Ohhhh, I'm just half kidding. Maybe one day I won't be so stubborn and I'll wait in line for you just like all your other lovers do. DV, I need you right now but I will put you out of my mind until I either break down and see you early in the morning sans line or have a friend reach out to you and secretly give me some of your sugary delights.

    (5)

  • B C.

    The tricky thing about the Donut Vault is that it opens at 8:30, which makes it tough to get through the long line and to work by 9:00. We arrived at 7:30, putting us right at the front, the third group served that morning. All the donuts we ordered - pistachio, chocolate, and buttermilk - were rich in flavor, freshly baked, and pretty big. I was a little skeptical of the Vault's popularity at first, thinking it was the latest loop-office-worker-fad, a cutesy way to cheer up colleagues with a boxed dozen (and water cooler conversation fodder) but now I can honestly say the donuts are delicious. Still though, I don't think I'm willing to wait an hour in line again. It's definitely a checkmark off the to-do restaurant list, one time visit type of deal.

    (3)

  • aldrich b.

    Doughnut's were awesome....huge and tasty. Not a big selection, but the quality is top notch. A bit pricey($2-3 per doughnut)....but these are like twice the size of normal doughnuts. Some seating outside, but it is literally just a walkup to the register and order type of place. Cup of coffee for $1 too.

    (4)

  • Hamster P.

    I was getting a hair cut at Red7 and saw a line so I thought I'd get in line too ..not sure what it was for. Line took an hour! and by the time I got to the door they were out of everything except the gingerbread stack. So you really can't go wrong with fresh donuts and of course hey were delicious. But I have to take two stars down for the unpredictable business hours and ridiculous line for something as fast as handing out donuts. Summary: The donuts were good but not 1 hour wait in the morning good.

    (3)

  • Liza S.

    I am rating this a 4 since FI and I are in a disagreement about how good these donuts are. I say a solid 4.5, but we'll get to that... Woke up early on Thursday with a slight hangover and ventured out in the cold (still in my jammies) to retrieve some of these cult donuts for my FI and I to enjoy in bed. No, he did not stir until I got back. Got the better end of the deal, in my opinion:) Arrived at 9 and there were only about 10 people in line and all donuts were available. I couldn't decide so I got one of each kind: chocolate, vanilla, buttermilk oldfashioned, chestnut, coconut and gingerbread stacks. Balanced the box and 2 coffees precariously and walked the 8 blocks back to our hotel, depositing them all on the bed. My favorites? Definately the gingerbread stacks or the chocolate although I found them all to be wonderful. The stacks were crisp on the outside but warm and doughy in the middle. Coated with a crystalline crust of sugar, they melted on my taste buds. The chocolate was delicately glazed and fluffly. So many places over do the glaze ratio! The doughnuts are enormous and although FI would have rated them a 3.5, I still found him snacking on the remnants the next few days when he thought I wasn't looking.

    (4)

  • Dennis J.

    Are you serious about the dough in your doughnuts? Do you crave intense, indulgent glazes? If so, put on your waiting shoes and get in line nice and early. I was up on Saturday because my wife had to work at 7AM and decided to (try to) get some doughnuts. I walked here from University Village, hoping to burn off at least enough to offset one donut (though, once I saw how large the glazed donuts were, that was soon forgotten). By the time I got there at 8:10, there was already a line 20 or so deep. By the time they opened at 9:15, there were at least 100 people there! I got the chocolate glazed (indulgent, like the beautiful baby of a dark chocolate bar and pleasantly plump ball of dough), chestnut glazed (interesting maple-y flavor, probably wouldn't get it again though), old fashioned (this was good, but maybe my tastebuds were overloaded from the chocolate glazed). They also handed out free gingerbread donuts which were lighter and had a great texture but not enough to win over someone who doesn't care for that flavor in general. Any of the glazed donuts are extremely doughy (though light), just keep that in mind if you're expecting something like Krispy Kreme. Now, would I go through all the hoops of trying this again? Probably not. Like Hot Doug's (well, without the great working class pathos), I want what they're selling but not enough to build portions of my day around it.

    (3)

  • Demetrio P.

    Two words...Yummy Doughnuts! Tried the Old Fashioned, Chocolate Glazed, and Vanilla Glazed doughnuts and all were so good! Prices are pretty steep for a fried doughnut, $3/each, but they are slightly bigger in size than the average doughnut and the quality is there. So it's worth it. Overall, good doughnut, good service, slightly higher but worth it price. Just a note, it's Cash Only there! Not sure why, but whatever...

    (4)

  • Richie D.

    Cupcakes and frozen yogurt were the treat of yesterday. While doughnuts were "the food hit of the century of progress" during the 1934 Chicago's Worlds Fair, I announce that they have made a come back. No, I don't mean doughnuts of mass production that you would find at Krispy Kremes or Dunkin Donuts...Heck, DD can't even spell doughnuts correctly! I'm talking about fresh DOUGHnuts baked in small batches each morning. And when I say small batches, that's just what it is. Here's my story: --Last week: "Oooh new doughnut joint in town. Looks super cute from the photos." [Added The Doughnut Vault to my Yelp "To Try" bookmarks.] --This week: "Must have doughnuts!" (While working on homework trying to keep my priorities in mind.) --This morning: "We open around 8:45 today! Start the line!," shouted my iPhone's Facebook app as I scrolled through my updates in a morning daze. THIS was my chance! No school, no work, just doughnut time! I networked with my friend Patricia and shot over to the Vault arriving at 9:15 am. Being that it was a Thursday, the line was only to the cross street of Kinzie. A harsh (had to be non-Yelper) comes out nagging, "There's only 3 shelves left! You will all get some, whereas the rest of you (as she places her arm in front of my friend and I) probably will be out of luck." Even worse, she walked away with 2 dozen in her arms. I kept stepping one foot at a time...right...left...right...left...thinking about how much I hope those doughnuts give her jelly rolls and kept my eyes on the aged painted brick menu and baby blue door with my order in mind. The bakery's aroma sweets didn't help the wait. I had to no longer gossip with my friend to prevent slobbering. We eventually entered the door and saw a glimpse of Parisian paradise. Various old-fashioned mirrors on the walls with a glistening chandelier above the fancy stainless steel coffee pot and vintage (still working!) cash register showing single digits for the number of green bank notes you owe. Worker: "We just ran out of the Buttermilk Old Fashioned." I remained optimistic that something, anything would remain on the stacks... I had arrived at last. The employee was super sweet and jamming to the rap music that was blasting and a bit out of place (it'd be better if it were French rap at least. Oooh it exists.). Before I knew it, I had my hands on a brown baggie of a Cinnamon Stack (3 Cinnamon doughnuts) for $3 (whereas the Old Fashioned are $2 a piece and Glazed are $3 each). Maaaaan, I bit into one and could taste the fresh cinnamon (not that canned spice crap) with a soft interior and crispy hole. Doughnut heaven! The DV blog states, "Some speculators even believed that you can tell the state of the economy by the size of doughnut holes. When doughnut holes are large, times are tough and vice-versa." Well obviously the economy is improving since the doughnut holes are about the size of a nickel and the lines go down blocks. They have it all under control...keep a low supply and high demand. I'll be back and am driven to have one of your specialty doughnuts soon enough, Chef François!

    (5)

  • Nate P.

    My wife and I stopped here this morning.... Ridiculously long line....check Ridiculously long wait....check Ridiculously good doughnuts...CHECKMATE We arrived at about 8:15 and there was already a long line wrapping around the side of the store. After the doors opened it took a good half hour to get in. I mean, c'mon, let's be honest, the wait is bordering on egregious, but hey, I had to see what the fuss was about. The fact that it was a glorious, sunny morning and we were being showered with the oh, so sweet smell of freshly made doughnuts made the wait much more bearable. If it was a cold, 20 degree day, I would have said, 'f it.' As for the doughnuts: We got one of each and I personally had the chocolate glazed and the buttermilk. Both were absolutely out of this world. The flavors in the buttermilk doughnut were beyond anything I've ever had and I can report that four hours later I am still enjoying the pleasant, doughnut flavored burps that continue to surface every now and then. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Someone below says that the Doughnut Plant in NYC is much better. Definitely disagree. I'm not saying Doughnut Plant is worse, I'm just saying this place is easily equally as good. If it's a nice morning and you have some time to spare, do yourself a favor and check this place out.

    (5)

  • Mandy P.

    Two rare things happened today. 1. I was afraid I would be mugged for the box of doughnuts I carried with me through Streeterville to get to work. 2. Something actually lived up to it's hype. I am more than satisfied with paying $3 for one of those big @ss doughnuts. Doughnut Vault: You turned this admitted cupcake fanatic into a believer.

    (5)

  • Niki C.

    After walking past here on several occasions, we finally stopped in today after getting a tweet that they were open. The line wasn't bad at all --- only a few feet out the door & a few minutes. I kept getting tweets - chocolate was out. Now gingerbread or something was out. Now only vanillas left! (which was fine - I was going to order the vanilla anways) 7 left when we got to the front of the line & I could feel the stares on our backs. Were we going to order them all?! Were we going to be the ones to disappoint the people behind us? Nope. One for me, one for him. At $3 a pop, I still think they're too expensive. I mean seriously. $3. for A doughnut. But while I can't say it was worth every cent, I can say it was divine. A fluffier, poofier, non-greasy version of Krispy Kreme. Yum. Our doughnuts were gone before we sat back down at our desks, a block away. We'll be back, but not every day or every time. These puffed breakfast treats are too rich (money-wise) for my taste. PS: CASH ONLY

    (5)

  • Sean D.

    Get the coffee with the vanilla donut and you are looking at less. The Vanilla doughnuts are the best in my opinion, everything else is okay. But I'll be going back for coffee and the vanilla.

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    Waited an hour in the hot sun in middle of July. Unfortunately, not worth the hype, people! Yes, the dough was better in texture and taste than most, even slightly better than Krispy Kreme, but too sugary, too expensive, too not worth standing in a line. Do it only if you are a tourist who wants to say been there, done that!

    (3)

  • Jason C.

    Yes, I am a sucker for waiting in line an hour for these devilishly delicious doughnuts (I'm assuming the 3 that I ate in one sitting probably made up my entire ideal caloric intake for the day). But hey, I have sweet teeth. Yes, you read that right. The bad: the long line, sporadic opening hours - their website said between 8-9am but I believe this has recently changed to a hard 8:30am time, so at least doughnut fiends (guilty as charged) have a definitive time to get their fix in. The good: They're ALL good and the french press coffee for $1 ain't too shabby either. Since you're more than likely to wait in line, even for a little bit, my suggestion would be to get all three kinds (old-fashioned buttermilk, gingerbread stack, glazed - chestnut, vanilla, chocolate) and snack on them throughout the day. Ok ok, I guess you can share them too. Oh and if you're claustrophobic, brace yourself when you get inside. It's called Doughnut VAULT for a reason. Don't forget to bring cash.

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    This place is not unlike your trendy cupcake bakery of choice circa 2008: the goods are hella delicious, but at the end of the day it's still just a donut. This review is based solely on the donuts themselves: not the hype, the crazy lines (avoided this), etc. I had both the chestnut and the chocolate glazed. Both were Amazing; both were soft, doughy, and had that slight yeasty taste that a donut should have. The chocolate glaze kind of reminded me slightly of Yoo-hoo, but I didn't consider that a bad thing. The chestnut was the winner though; it's flavor had a certain je ne sais quoi about it. It's supposed to be (chest)nutty, but is that a hint of maple and/or mocha in there? Good stuff. Now for the Pro Tip: tell the boss you have a Dr.'s appointment, and get to Donut Vault around 10am on a Tuesday. There will maybe 5 people ahead of you, and you'll be able to pick out your donut of choice without everything being sold out.. Sorry, DV, it's sad but true: outstanding product, but would not feel it was worth the serious line-time. If you like waiting in crazy lines for food that's worth it, by all means, try that little burger place out on W. Belmont.

    (4)

  • Jaleesa S.

    Woke up @ 7am to beat the line (mission accomplished) ..only to purchase a mediocre donut. Had the chestnut glaze and the featured birthday cake. The chestnut wasn't bad at all but not worth the $3..and the birthday cake tasted like sugar..just sugar. I'll take Dunkin Donuts' blueberry cake at a fraction of the cost before I go back to this place.Overall they're okay donuts definitely not good enough to write home about

    (3)

  • Ellen M.

    A cute (read: TINY), grab-and go-doughnut shop around the corner from Gilt Bar. They have a walk up window in addition to a very small indoor counter area. The glazed vanilla (raised) doughnut was delicious - light, fluffy and GIANT. As mentioned in previous reviews, it is about 3x the size of a normal doughnut. You could see real specks of vanilla bean in the delicious, sugary glaze. And I ate it all...quickly. They also had chocolate and chestnut glazed, but were already out when I was there at noon. The buttermilk (cake) doughnut looked great as well, but I had a hard time justifying getting 2 doughnuts to eat by myself. Maybe next time with a friend. Cash only, with no formal hours. Check on twitter to see when they open and get there early -- they close when they run out of doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Natalie H.

    Previously on the Doughnut Vault diaries... Before I could not give 5 stars because it lacked a definite opening time. Well, mad props to DV for working out the previous kinks. Now with an 8:30 weekday, 9:30 weekend opening, plus doling out once again, the most awesome pillowy, sugary flavorfest ever to grace my lips, you have earned those 5 stars. I still had to line up at 7:50 on Saturday, but at least I knew when the golden gates would welcome me inside its sweet, sumptuous folds. In truth, I may not have tried for doughnuts again if some sick, twisted pastry temptress had not announced prior that Toasted Coconut Cream was going to be a special on Saturday. Oh Doughnut Vault, you make it so easy to be so naughty. I am convinced that anything tire-shaped that Brendan Sodikoff touches will turn to pure gold - the edible kind. The BEST kind. I'm talking about Coconut Cream-filled doughnuts. This smooth, luscious nectar-laden confection was bigger than a fist, too thick to really fit in my mouth (that's wut she said), and sweeter than the look on Bobbie Flay's face when he loses a throwdown. The fat pillowy doughnut was sliced and then stuffed with the dense, smooth, buttery tropical cream, and then topped with shredded, lightly browned toasted coconut. For those who think the other doughnuts are too thick and doughy, this doughnut has the perfect filling to dough ratio down to a science. I laughed. I cried. I walked away looking like Stay Puft Marshmallow man just had a * really * good time with my mouth. Doughnut Vault, keep those flavors coming. Black Forest, Bruleed banana, Meyer Lemon pound cake, Sweet potato/pumpkin pie, and Maple Apple Bacon/Dark chocolate bacon would be some flavor combinations I would gladly trade my firstborn for. And all the extra sleep I would miss every Saturday.

    (5)

  • Duncan S.

    Eww, hydrogenated oil, pic shows it on the first page of their website with their pic of shortening, ....healthier to get a glazed donut at dunkin donuts. Who knew...And $18 for a half dozen...yikes

    (1)

  • M J.

    What an expensive treat! Thick, fresh, cake shaped into a doughnut. Had the chocolate and buttermilk. Buttermilk was awesome, the chocolate smaller than the buttermilk - not sure why. 2 doughnuts = $5. Plan on spending about $3 a doughnut. I'm sure if you have one of these for breakfast, it would carry you through lunch. The line phenomenon is intriguing. Luckily, no one was in line when I stopped by -- WINNING! They are very active with social media - Twitter. I had to wait about 2 minutes for Lady to count her inventory and post it on Twitter. Yes - she counted each type of doughnut and posted. Would've made sense for another person to do that, but i guess only 1 human being at a time can fit behind the counter. I tried, I liked, I'll be back.. when i get a raise. Meanwhile, i'll mooch off others at work that buy 6 at a time.

    (4)

  • Bil G.

    Line up early, friends, it's worth it. I'm particular about donuts. I know donuts. I AM donuts. They are a part of me. This place has a lot of hype going for it right now, and rarely will I say this, but it's worth the hype. In fact, this place probably doesn't have ENOUGH hype, because it's that awesome. It's worth paying $3 for a single donut. They are huge, firstly. One donut is a square meal. Secondly, they are amazing. Like, shoot-a-man-into-space amazing. These are the best donuts within about 2,000 miles. Probably even more. Furthermore, the low price of the coffee balances the high price of the donuts, and the coffee is pretty high quality. Best bet: weekday morning (good weather morning if you can manage it), show up by 8 AM, wait in line, make some friends, buy the glazed of your choice. Old-fashioned ones are also amazing. Brown Line commuters, you have the best shot, this joint is right off the Merch Mart stop.

    (5)

  • Ted P.

    The good: Everything they sell is tasty. Everything. The bad: 1) Waiting - even when I was first in line, it's still a wait.. Rainy days seem to be better (no surprise). 2) Price - the doughnuts come at a premium price. Ultimately, the price and the wait were worth it - the doughnuts were fresh (and most still hot) and all were hands-down the best doughnuts I've ever had.

    (4)

  • kelly c.

    Cash only, will open around 10a and stay open until they're sold out. Effing amazing, adorable donuts. And the tiny vault is like walking into France. I love you guys already, after one visit. Dipped fluffy donuts are $3 - chocolate, vanilla or chestnut. Old fashions are $2. Coffee's a buck. Right around the corner from Gilt Bar. What's not to love? Lay down, cupcakes, the donut revolution has arrived.

    (5)

  • Eliza S.

    Waited in the insane line for an hour on a Saturday morning. Needless to say, it lives up to the hype. I ordered the vanilla glazed and birthday cake-both of which were pretty much the best doughnuts I have ever tasted, and I'm not exaggerating. The inside of the place is really cool. I was wondering why there were only 1-2 people going inside at a time when someone would come out, it's because it's super tiny and has one little counter, which definitely adds a unique vibe to this place. Moral of the story, I will wait in this line every weekend if that's what it takes to have this deliciousness.

    (5)

  • Josh C.

    Awesome doughnuts, get there early and avoid Saturday if you can. You buy them individually, there is no dozen or half dozen pricing and they are expensive (about $3 each). It's also cash only! Get your coffee elsewhere, know what you want and keep the line moving!

    (5)

  • Virginia T.

    On a mild Saturday morning we waited about 45min to order. We got there about 10am, 30 minutes after they opened. When we got in line, it snaked around the block. It was kinda fun talking to the other people waiting on line. The line moved slower than we thought it would, though- be warned. The Doughnut Vault is a very, very, very, very small place. There is one person working-fills your order, takes your payment. There is a line of maybe 10 people that extends from the counter and that is it. They added a nice enclosure around the door to help out in the winter months. Their regular menu is: glazed (chestnut, vanilla, chocolate); gingerbread stacks; buttermilk old fashioned; plus a rotating special (this day was pistachio but they ran out before we got in there.) The glazed doughnuts were bigger than I thought they would be. They are most certainly big enough to split. The chocolate ones are just vanilla glazed with added chocolate glaze. All of them had a substantial amount of glaze. They were pillowy and had great texture. The chestnut was my favorite glazed doughnut. The gingerbread stack had good flavor and cakey texture, not too sweet. They (3) were sugar coated. I loved the crispy bits on the buttermilk old fashioned doughnuts, especially since the middles were so soft and creamy. The buttermilk old fashioned were probably my favorite overall. I'd love to try some of the specials sometime. They also have Metropolis coffee for $1. One size. For one gingerbread stack, 2 buttermilk old fashioned, 2 vanilla, 1 chocolate and 1 chestnut glazed with a coffee was $20. The counter employee was friendly, too. I think it was worth the wait. I will be back. CASH ONLY.

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    This place is ridiculous, was in line for 1.5 hours expecting to be wowed...obviously the line causes the hype. The donuts were nothing out of the ordinary and way overpriced. I could have gotten better donuts at Krispy Kreme. I bought 1 of every flavor they had to offer and was not impressed at all. The frosting on every donut was thin and crumbles off each time you a bite so you just end up with plain donut and a lap full of frosting crumbs. The jelly donuts were mundane and tasted like welches fruit jam from a squeeze bottle. These people are charging $3.00 for a donut! Are they on drugs? I rather go to Molly's cupcake and spend that money on something that tastes so much better. Of course these people make only 300 donuts a day and have only have one person boxing and ringing you up. They make a crapload of money selling overpriced donuts and keeps a line formed outside so people will think they're special. Don't be fooled by the artificial hype....not worth the wait or the money.

    (1)

  • Ashley L.

    They open at 8 am and had to get there by 7:30 to stand in line. Thinking these must be amazing if we are standing in line for them. Once they opened, the lined moved slow. It was uncomfortly tight squeeze. Once up to the counter, the girl was friendly telling us what flavors they had. We got one of each and were on our way. First thing I noticed was they were cold. They tasted like they were made the night before. The yeast donuts were airy and melted in your mouth. The cake donuts were off on texture. Overall I thought it was average. Not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Seema A.

    Great product, work on the service. I went here the day they opened to get a nice treat for my coworkers. They say they open at 8:30a - they didn't until at least 9:10a. Nice treat, yes. Enough? No! They only allow you to get 6 per person. If I had known that earlier, I would have brought more coworkers!! The crowd pleaser was the glazed at $3 each. The old fashion was unique - but more like a sweeter cake doughnut. Also, if you are expecting a receipt - don't. They don't even have the ability to do so. They should work on the business aspects of running the place. Especially when you wait in line for 45 mins. You want to be fully satisfied with the experience. Also, CASH ONLY! If you have to run to an ATM, go across the street to the merchandise mart (which is where I ran while my friend held our place in line) ;)

    (4)

  • Christine F.

    I feel so hip, now I can review this place. I didn't want to deal with that pain in the ass line, so I haven't tried them until now. A co-worker brought some in for us today, and I got to sample several types. Good stuff. I had a vanilla glazed and an old fashioned (well, one or two bites of each....I'm not that much of a glutton). The vanilla glazed was fluffy and pillow-y inside, and it had a sweet glaze on the outside. It was pretty good. However, I liked the old fashioned more, which had a rougher outside and was covered in sweet baby jesus glaze. All in all, it was pretty good but it wasn't as good as Top Pot in Seattle. I wouldn't stand in an excessively long line for these donuts, but once the hype simmers down I might make the trip out to the store itself.

    (4)

  • Tony S.

    Is the place worth the hype? Is it worth waiting over an hour for a doughnut? I'm not entirely sure. The doughnuts are wonderful and some of the best I've ever had. But don't come waiting for hot doughnuts. This certainly isn't Krispy Kreme with the 'Hot' sign. My biggest beef is the layout of the place. It's almost like going to a speakeasy to get some illicit contraband. The place is that small and your willingness to wait is the secret knock. Also, they could have one person serving and one taking the cash to speed things up. Bottom line: if you are a die-hard doughnut fan this place is worth a visit. You can decide if another visit is worth the hassle.

    (3)

  • Amanda R.

    My 3 stars should really be 3.5, as I really do quite enjoy this place. The donuts are a solid indulgent breakfast option; they just didn't blow me away the way I wanted them to. That said, I'll definitely be back. But I'll probably go to Dunkin for a cream or jelly filled more often. I walked right up to the counter for my donut on a rainy morning without any wait in line (there was no line!), so if you're an infrequent visitor, I'd say to plan for slightly off weather in order to avoid the wait. I do have to wonder if the walk to work in the cold caused my donut to cool. If I had eaten it while warm would I have been in love? If I discover they're served warm and waiting to eat was a mistake, I will definitely update this review.

    (3)

  • Mary M.

    The old-fashioned doughnut is the best. The glazed doughnuts are ehhhh (definitely have had better). The glazed and jelly doughnuts are huge but it doesn't really make up for the quality. I personally liked the gingerbread stack and crave them from time to time, but people I have went with did not like them very much. Honestly, this place is just all hype. Just by making their hours so short, it makes the place seem exclusive. My first time, I waited on a Saturday morning for 1.5 hours. The wait was not worth it. The doughnuts are not bad but for the price and poor customer service it is not worth the bother. By poor customer service I mean that there is only 1 cashier/register, long lines, cash only, poor hours, and the doughnut you waited for might not even be available when you get to the front. I hate raining on the parade because I was really excited about the idea of a great doughnut shop, but don't waste your time!

    (3)

  • Rapeepat C.

    Went there at 8am on a saturday morning (because I read on their blog that they open around 8am-9am). The line was already at the corner where I stood there jiggling from the cool breeze. 45 minutes passed, the store hasn't opened! Not that I'm complaining. They did say it was going to be anytime between 8-9. So don't be giving them low star points just cos the long wait and unpredictable open time. Donut points for their ginger stacks freebies they hand out for us. It really kept us waiting ^^. Reassuring that the store will open in about 30 mins was like "awww....damm..." Finally the store open!! Quick tip, you can only get 6 donuts max per person! CASH ONLY. So if you go alone, pick wisely. To me, the donuts were still great the next day if you just nuke them for 15 secs in microwave. Third day tho, not so great... The glazed donuts are HUGE!!! But it's so light and fluffy. Think dunkin donut that was puffed up on yeast steroids! It's like...almost as big as my face! (realistically, it's like a size of a cd?) Chocolate glazed was the bomb! I totally recommend this.

    (5)

  • Chad N.

    We waited in line for about 1-1/2 hours. I expected fresh, warm, moist doughnuts with the glaze still dripping. Instead, we paid $3.00 for a glazed doughnut with chocolate glazing and $3.00 for a old-fashioned doughnut plus $1.00 for coffee. What we tasted seemed to be no different than I Krispy-Kreme doughnu, except higher priced. The doughnuts were not even warm, but they were somewhat moist.

    (2)

  • Brian T.

    Now that I'm an old man, every bite tastes like deep-fried guilt. I picture all the extra situps and pushups and cardio I should be doing to burn off these calories and I weep. My tears drip all over the dozen doughnuts exploding out of my cargo short pockets and I have no choice but to eat them, too. Nobody wants to eat doughnuts with tears on them....nobody but me. Here's a tip: get here late. It's a roll of the dice. You may end up empty-handed & they probably won't have the flavor you want but you'll avoid the line...

    (5)

  • Buggin O.

    Overpriced doughut sold out of a closet. $3 for one doughnut?!?! Can't understand the daily long lines. Not worth your dough, even with the dollar coffee special.

    (2)

  • Zsiberian N.

    Loved everything about it except coffee, need to give it another try.

    (4)

  • Reyna P.

    I arrived a little after 9 am (30 minutes before opening) on a Saturday morning. There was a line around the corner. That was expected. Ended up having to wait until a little after 10:30 to order. That was expected. But when I finally got my doughnuts, I expected to bite into rich deliciousness at least a notch or ten notches above Dunkin Donuts. Honestly, if I hadn't stood in line for over an hour and didn't know where the doughnuts were from, I would not have been able to tell the difference. It wasn't warm, it wasn't moist, it was just okay. I probably won't be going back just because it ate an hour and a half of my life I will never get back, but if I did, I would probably stand in line an hour before it opened and hope to get some fresh doughnuts to see if they taste any different.

    (3)

  • Shane T.

    tasty fresh donuts and strong coffee:D if this doesnt wake you up then the chest rattling music might help

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    Damn you donut vault.... why must you have opened 1 block from my doorstep?! And 4 months before my wedding? I'd better have my tux taken out now.... OK... these donuts are delicious. I was skeptical while standing in line, thinking to myself, "why the heck am I standing in line for a donut? how good can it be? Why isn't it warmer out here? Why is it starting to drizzle on my head??" The answer (to the second question), my fellow yelpers, is absolutely sublime. Beware the line, the 6 donut per person limit, and the early sell out (I got there at 930 and they were out of gingerbread and chocolate). But YUM-O!

    (5)

  • Aaron G.

    Do NOT go to this place on Saturday unless you want to wait in line for about an half hour or longer. I went again on a Tuesday and the lines was about a ten minute wait. The donuts are really good. The Old Fashioned doughnut is $2 not bad because Dunkin Donuts charges about a $1 for theirs. If you are a donut fan and would like to try something new it's definitely worth checking out.

    (4)

  • Erica W.

    Delicious doughnuts (the best I've had outside of Italy!), good $1 coffee, and a very cool building. We tried the mocha doughnuts and can't wait to try the other flavors.

    (5)

  • Deez N.

    Dont get me wrong, I thought the donuts were really good. But with all the hype (1 hr wait in line) and the price, i guess its really hard for a donut to meet those expectations. Tried all 3 different types of glazed, the gingerbread stacks, the jelly, and the buttermilk. I love buttermilk donuts, and these were solid. Actually, everything is solid here. Chestnut was my favorite glazed. The stacks were very good too. I just had a hard time paying $30+ for not even a dozen. And also waiting in line for close to an hour (so add another 3-5 bux for parking meter). I will say tho, the cash register lady was awesome and her spunkiness and friendliness definitely add to the experience of buying donuts here. Sounds stupid, I know, but shes pretty awesome. All in all, happy I tried em, and theyre very good, however, I dont think I could wait for em again. Its one of those things where if im in the area, and im craving something sweet and theres no line, ill prolly grab one.

    (3)

  • Laura K.

    Add me to the "Don't Believe The Hype" group. Went here this past Saturday and waited on a ridiculous line. I don't mind waiting if it's worth it but sadly, this was not the case. I feel part of the hype stems from their ultra short operating hours. I cannot believe this place is only open for two hours on Saturdays. By the time it was our turn, we got the last three buttermilk old fashioneds and a gingerbread stack. They were sold out of the regular and chocolate glazed and while I wouldn't have minded trying them, I was really there to try the buttermilk. I think my boyfriend said a silent prayer of thanks that there were some of them left. I felt bad for the people behind us...they would yell out when something sold out but the only people who could hear were maybe the first 10-15 people in line. They should keep the rest of the line informed as well. The verdict is they were good, not great. My favorite doughnuts in the world are at Doughnut Plant in NYC and this place just doesn't reach that level of greatness. I enjoyed them but were they worth waiting for? Hell no. I should have walked over to Xoco to have churros and chocolate instead. So if you go by and the line is small, I say go for it. They were tastier than your average doughnut but I'm sure there are a number of places in Chicago where the doughnuts are just as good or better without the wait.

    (3)

  • Emily R.

    Like a boss I dropped in at 10:45 and found ZERO patrons in line. I was in and out with two glazed lovelies in less than 5 minutes. Yes, they are as good as everyone says. In fact, they are better. They'd even be worth the wait if there were one....

    (5)

  • Allison V.

    We stopped in here before a short road trip. They have a simple menu which makes things move along pretty good. The donuts are big and fluffy. The only ones left were the Chestnut Glazed and the Vanilla Glazed donuts. Coffee is a buck and if you like cream and sugar, that is provided at a side table. It is a tight squeeze in here, but cozy all at the same time. I am not a huge donut fan, but these were super tasty. I really wanted to try the gingerbread stack, but that will have to wait for another time. They must be good because they were sold out of them. I think this a great place and I look forward to trying their other flavors. Coffee was okay. Bike parking on the street.

    (4)

  • Karen G.

    Huge. Delicious. Vanilla. Glazed. Fluffy. Doughnuts. The place is as big as my closet, but the glazed doughnuts are as big as my face. The closet is beautifully decorated there is a small seating area right outside. My friend and I went on a rainy Thursday morning so there was no wait, but a constant flow of people getting the giant donuts. 3 bucks for a glazed doughnut and only a dollar for coffee! I got the vanilla glazed and I was wonderful. A perfectly not too thin, not too thick, layer of sugary sweetness. The ratio of doughnut to glaze was divine. My friend got the chocolate glazed, which is the vanilla glazed with a chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles on top. I could have done without the sprinkles but it was still tasty. I prefer the vanilla though. I really wanted another after I devoured my first, but my love handles thought better of it. Maybe tomorrow. Which, we did. Doughnut Vault, take two! I got the same vanilla glazed doughnut and it was just as good as when I first tasted that delightfully sweet sugar. Love.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    Driving along the street that borders the north side of the merchandise mart, you dont expect to see much save a few toy dogs, a bicyclist or a C-class... Then emerges a line that wraps around the block and I am suddenly aroused. The next 2 times I drive past the entrance all i see is a little sign... "SOLD OUT" I am going to see what this is about so i get up early Monday morning and march down to Kinzie and Franklin at 9am and there's the 'sold out' sign... turns out They're closed Mondays. Take 4, Tuesday morning. Donut Heaven. I don't remember the wait time or the price because i am still day dreaming about the luscious chocolate that seems to drip off this fluffy and airy delight. Old Fashioned? New Hotness... I had no idea donuts could taste like this. Thanks Julie. I can't get enough.

    (5)

  • Scott X.

    Worth the wait. While waiting in line on a Saturday morning, I was told the lines are even longer on weekdays. Get there early, because they close when they are sold out (between 11-12). Also, bring cash! (no credit cards)

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    The hype is bigger than the bite. Spent many a morning trying to get my baby and myself out of the house in time to get a doughnut from The Doughnut Vault. When we finally made it, we stood in line for 15 minutes and got one of every flavor that was left: vanilla, chocolate, chestnut, grape-jelly filled, birthday cake and old fashioned (which was my favorite. Honestly, it was overpriced and underwhelming. The doughnuts were good, but not worth $3 a piece and definitely not worth the extra effort and anxiety it takes to get there before they run out (or run out of the flavor you wanted.) They even had this awful, loud metal music with lots of curse words playing while we were in the shop--that was a little disenchanting, especially with baby. Anyway, not worth all the hype in my opinion. I prefer a doughnut shop that is open until a set time--like Glazed and Infused (which is also pricey, but more worth it if you ask me) or Firecakes (same story.)

    (2)

  • Lauren W.

    While on my way to brunch Saturday morning, I walked right past The Doughnut Vault. Imagine my surprise when the line was less than ten people long as opposed to the half-block I am used to seeing. Holy lucky! I dug into my purse and was surprised to find a $20 left over from the night before. It seemed that this doughnut was meant to be! By another stroke of ridiculous luck, I ended up with the last doughnut. The only choice left was chocolate glazed and it was DELICIOUS! Big, fluffy, glazed and chocolatey. Heaven. And $1 coffee? Even better. I'll willingly wait in the future. Cupcakes, move over! I'm a convert.

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    Question: Is it worth getting up super early on a Saturday to be in line 40 minutes before they open to get a donut? Answer: YES, if we're talking about The Doughnut Vault and their AMAZING vanilla glazed donuts!!!!!! Heaven. I also tried the pumpkin, gingerbread stack, chocolate glazed, honey bun, and buttermilk....all very good but I loveddddd the vanilla glazed.

    (5)

  • Ted W.

    I tried this place because of all the hype surrounding it. As I waited in line for over an hour, I thought several times about giving it a maximum of three stars maximum because of the ridiculous wait. I kept wondering why they would have more people working and why the line was moving so slow. When you get inside though, you realize how small the place is and that they really move as fast as the can. I still don't understand why they don't cook more donuts as they run out though. I got in line at about 8:30 and when I got to the counter at 9:30, 4 of the 7 donuts were sold out. It looked like there were about 30 donuts left, so I feel bad for the 30 or so people in line that wouldn't be getting any, which I guess is a common occurrence. The donuts themselves are really good. And I thought when I heard they were $3 each, that seemed like a lot, but they really are big, so it doesn't seem that bad, especially given the location. So given it is kind of difficult to rate this place. Donuts alone, I would give it a five, but how could I give a five to somewhere I said I would never go back too. I will never go back there though to wait in an hour line for a donut, no matter how good they were. My time is too valuable. However, if they were to expand, open another location, or when the hype dies down, I will certainly go back to try one of the kinds they sold out of when I went. If you really want to try them, my advice is to come to terms with the fact you are going to wait in line for an hour and get there at 7:30 and be toward the front of the line when they open to get the full selection. If you get there at 8:30 (like I did) you wait the same amount of time and don't necessarily get the ones you want.

    (3)

  • Ryan L.

    This place is pretty cool. We waited in line for over an hour while we kept getting twitter updates on how many donuts were left. A half dozen per person is the max and that is what everyone was getting. My favorite is the chocolate. It is by far the best and is possibly the best donut I've ever had. The rest are just average. The coffee was not good. Definitely pass on the coffee. Person behind the counter was super cool. Overall review: Would definitely come back and would get a half dozen max. We got a dozen and 2 coffee's which was $36 bones. Ouch!!! Chocolate was amazing. The rest ok. I really like the look of the place from the outside. And the fact that is has a Harry Potter 1/2 or 3/4 address is hilarious. Very cool place.

    (4)

  • Bob W.

    Not worth the wait or the price. They only offer fairly standard donut flavors but not exceptionally good ones, especially at three dollars a pop and a thirty minute line. The chestnut glazed came highly recommended but it has almost no chestnut flavor worth mentioning. I would go to Do-Rite Donuts since I have never seen a thirty minute line there, the options are more diverse and the donuts are just as good if not better.

    (3)

  • Joe E.

    The Doughnut Vault is probably one of the best doughnut places in Chicago. They open early in the morning and sell doughnuts until they run out. It does vary from day to do... especially depending on weather and if it is a weekday or weekend. Sometimes I stand outside and wait for half an hour and other times I walk right in. I suggest arriving 15 minutes or more before they open and be one of the first in line. This way you will get your choice from all the doughnuts they offer. Whatever you decide, just be sure to buy one of each type that is available.. this way you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :8:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No

The Doughnut Vault

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