Mel-O-Glaze Bakery & Donut Shop
4800 28th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55417
Mel-O-Glaze Bakery & Donut Shop Menu
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Address :
4800 28th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN, 55417 - Phone (612) 729-9316
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 6:00pm
- Mon : 6:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
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Nicole H.
The overall experience of this bakery was creepy!!!! I walked in after tying my dog up just outside the door and it took the lady a few minutes to wobble over to the counter... while the guy in back baking never turned his head to even say hello. She saw my Dog was tied up and said she could come in... As she had a small dog also so I let my Dog in and instantly my Dog found the cat that I was not fore warned about ( WITH CLAWS MIND YOU) and they got into a fight... My dog was scratched which led to instant swelling in her neck... The lady did not actually apologize but gave me a free dog treat so her place wasnt a bad experience for my dog.... WELL WHAT ABOUT ME. I didnt scream at the lady because she was already in a bad place having a walker and all but to say the least we payed $5.50 for what I thought was mediocre tasting baked goods and an awful experience all around. I ended up paying $150.00 to take my dog to the emergency vet! I will never go back again!
(1)Marge M.
Disorganized, rude. Had a Livingsocial coupon said to be worth $10 for 5 donuts and a beverage. Which was wrong, unless a cheap drink is $5. If you wanted milk, it was $1.50 extra. Donuts are a buck. Couldn't use coupon on anything but buck donuts. Ripoff, and the staff are very rude. I'll go a little further to Baker's Wife.
(1)Cara M.
Donuts were delicous, but the prices were pretty high.
(3)Troy S.
A top 3 donut in the Twin Cities! Delicious! Great glaze and chocolate coverage. You may need a toothbrush after!
(5)Kristin C.
I love donuts. I was looking for a donut on my way to an early-ish saturday morning event and decided to give Mel-O-Glaze a shot.... yuck. The donuts were way tooo sugary- bad high school graduation cake sugary. the shop itself was unappealing too. I like a good solid cup of coffee with my donuts. This was also lacking. it was a standard coffee pot (like i have for free at home) with crappy powdered creamer. I'll make the trek to Granny's in West StP!
(1)noppadol c.
On the plus side, the donuts were very good and fresh (Saturday morning). Unfortunately, it seemed as if the 2 people running the place were business newbies and I was their first customer, ever. I asked for a plate for my son to eat his donut on and the guy gave me a dirty, plate withcrumbs and a sticker and on it from goodwill. Take the stickers off you buy dishes and wash them first! They had no napkins out, although I saw some full-size napkins behind the counter. When I asked for a napkin, they went into the back brought some little dainty square napkins. Tea-time napkins don't work for sticky donuts. The place wasn't busy but the entire 30 minutes I was there they didn't clear any of the dirty dishes on the tables. They had some nice looking pizzas sitting on a tray...shouldn't the pizza be kept hot or cold, not sitting at room temperature? Some dude walked in with his dog which was licking everything in sight. Not sure the department of health would like these things. So even though the donuts were excellent, everything else was done so poorly, I have to give a bad review and never go back.
(1)Kristen C.
We lived just a few blocks away from Melo Glaze for six years. They, hands down, have the best glazed doughnuts in the Twin Cities. They are drenched in perfectly sweetened icing and soft and moist. We particularly loved getting there bright and early to get them warm and fresh. With that being said, other reviews hit the nail on the head with customer service/ambiance. There is no ambiance. It's grungy, poorly decorated - honestly it reminds me of a college dorm. A mismatch of odd furniture and sparse decoration. The staff, in general, are fine. Though there is one woman (I don't believe she works there anymore as I haven't seen her there for quite some time) that grabbed my doughnuts without gloves which annoyed me because who knows how dirty her hands were. Nonetheless, they are a gem and we will always go there to fulfill our doughnut cravings! On a side note, they are generous. I'm involved with local nonprofits and they have donated a couple times to different things - which I always like to see in a business.
(4)Rick J.
Like everyone has mentioned, the glazed donuts are pretty darn good. Heck, even mediocre donuts are worth three stars, I'd give these four and not five just because my favorite donut is a glazed old fashion. The owners are a bit eccentric, and the place has a bit weird vibe to it, but it's hard to go wrong with a bakers dozen of their glazed fat bullets. The rest of the fair there is nothing out of the ordinary compared to other bakeries.
(4)Diana E.
The peanut butter thing I had was WAY TOO sweet. The other donuts were ok, definitely not worth going out of my way for.
(2)Meghann F.
Yum! We finally stopped in last night on the way home and wanted to try the goods - we got there just before closing time - there was still a decent selection - although it definitely wasn't the morning! We tried some donut holes which were pretty great - and I'm not really that big on donuts! And then we got a sample of some deliciously gooey pecan caramel bar that is one of their new creations - amazing little pecan pins on cracker - wow! Got a fritter and a pecan bar to go - and since it was almost closing time we ended up w/ buy one get one free! Lots of sugary treats to bring home. Not sure why all the not so awesome reviews, everything we tried - i.e. fritters, donut holes and pecan bars were spectacular!
(4)Mark M.
I take no joy in giving them a low rating, but the fact is we went out of our way to try them and we were rewarded with blatantly stale donuts. Not a good reward for people who try to keep places like this running. I could have bought a better-quality product at Cub. Sorry...but with the glorious A Baker's Wife in the neighborhood you can guarantee I will never return.
(2)Nicole H.
The overall experience of this bakery was creepy!!!! I walked in after tying my dog up just outside the door and it took the lady a few minutes to wobble over to the counter... while the guy in back baking never turned his head to even say hello. She saw my Dog was tied up and said she could come in... As she had a small dog also so I let my Dog in and instantly my Dog found the cat that I was not fore warned about ( WITH CLAWS MIND YOU) and they got into a fight... My dog was scratched which led to instant swelling in her neck... The lady did not actually apologize but gave me a free dog treat so her place wasnt a bad experience for my dog.... WELL WHAT ABOUT ME. I didnt scream at the lady because she was already in a bad place having a walker and all but to say the least we payed $5.50 for what I thought was mediocre tasting baked goods and an awful experience all around. I ended up paying $150.00 to take my dog to the emergency vet! I will never go back again!
(1)Marge M.
Disorganized, rude. Had a Livingsocial coupon said to be worth $10 for 5 donuts and a beverage. Which was wrong, unless a cheap drink is $5. If you wanted milk, it was $1.50 extra. Donuts are a buck. Couldn't use coupon on anything but buck donuts. Ripoff, and the staff are very rude. I'll go a little further to Baker's Wife.
(1)Kristin C.
I love donuts. I was looking for a donut on my way to an early-ish saturday morning event and decided to give Mel-O-Glaze a shot.... yuck. The donuts were way tooo sugary- bad high school graduation cake sugary. the shop itself was unappealing too. I like a good solid cup of coffee with my donuts. This was also lacking. it was a standard coffee pot (like i have for free at home) with crappy powdered creamer. I'll make the trek to Granny's in West StP!
(1)Jo K.
I love donuts, but my tastes are simple. I don't need the fanciest, most beautifully decvorated, elaborately named donut on earth- just make it fluffy and tasty. This is why I love Mel-O-Glaze. From the exterior of the shop to the simple furnishings inside- it's all about the donuts. It's a very simple shop (which I dig) and the big racks of baked goods are the best decor you could ever want. The donuts are so fluffy and never feel too dense- but it's really the glaze that keeps me coming back. The glazed donuts have a lemon flavored glaze that is divine. It really lends itself to helping the donut feel light and fresh rather than a heavy lump of dough. Also awesome: the chocolate frosted with tons of sprinkles are another fave, the apple fritters are huge, DONUT HOLES (amazing), peanut butter bombs are overwhelming but they are aptly named. Another bonus- these donuts are super affordable. Definitely come here for no-fuss, good donuts.
(4)Sarah S.
I am NOT a donut fan so don't ask abt donuts but man their Pecan pies are the best!!!!They melt in the mouth!The owner is a fantastic lady love chit chatting with her!
(5)Adam S.
Just pain good, not-good-for-you doughnuts. There are many things to like about Mel-O-Glaze: free coffee, free doughnut hole, and ability to pay with a credit card. There is also plenty of space to hang-out. Their fritters are probably their best doughnuts. Oh . . . they really do understand that glazed doughnuts are supposed to be glazed! The biggest drawback to Mel-O-Glaze is the price. Two - three bucks per doughnut is pretty expensive - especially when I can go to a holiday and get two doughnuts for a $1. True, the quality is not the same, but Mel-O-Glaze can ding the wallet quickly if you plan on sampling.
(4)Heather W.
About 2 weeks ago I stopped in to get donuts for my coworkers on a Saturday morning. I've been to Mel-O-Glaze a few times previous and their donuts have always been delicious! On this occasion, I purchased a wide variety of donuts. The gentleman that was working was very helpful and made great recommendations. He even gave me a complimentary bag of donut holes "for the car ride"! I ate all of them. Right before I finalized my purchase the maple glazed bacon topped donuts came out...needless to say, I had to get one. IT WAS THE BEST DONUT I HAVE EVER HAD. It's been two weeks, and I can't stop thinking about that donut. I'm serious. Perfect donuts! Awesome service!
(5)James M.
Best donut holes EVER!!! Very friendly locally independently owned joint. They have a nice selection of donuts which are ALL to die for. Their cookies are really awesome too. Sugar cookies and icing. All kinds. Oh boy!!! Cookie and donut heaven.
(5)Jeanette J.
Best raised-glazed in town. Forget the other stuff.
(5)Wanda M.
I like Mel O Glaze donuts and I do not lie. MAGIC in your mouth. YOWZA! I have eaten several donuts from several places and this place has them all beat. The owner is very nice and this place has been in her family since 1961. TOP NOTCH!
(5)Bananie P.
SOOO, yes. The exterior, the interior miiiiight be a little scraggly and odd... BUT, if you can walk/bike down Minnehaha parkway in the spring with the smell of sugared donuts hanging in the air on the corner where little Mel-O-Glaze sits WITHOUT walking in to the bakery... you are a human of sterner stuff than I. One lucious mouth full of that oh so mellow glaze and you'll forget that the walls are a little shabby. It is quite possible that the blueberry turnovers from Mel-O-Glaze saved my relationship with the love of my life. In a repentant panic I stopped by to see that the blueberry turnover shelf was BARE. MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Luckily, they had just pulled nearly a dozen out of the magical Mel-O-Glaze oven and wrapped four them up for me to take away (about $6 dollaz). Flakey, buttery, sweet-sugar-topped-goodness. The blueberry are my favorite and I've yet to try the apple. Donuts are HEAVENLY! I've never had their savory offerings and will agree that sometimes the pizza looks a little cold and lonely. But the pastries are the star of the show here! Woo the man with fresh-baked delights and he'll take you into his lovin arms no matter how insanely female you may have been. The gal at the counter even wrote a little note on a napkin for me, "SHE'S SOOOOOO SORRY! Love, Mel-o-Glaze" Don't wanna do penance? Give your man a pastry.
(4)Kim W.
Love this place. Quirky and unique. Really good old fashioned donuts. Ignore the haters.
(4)Stacy G.
Soft glazed deliciousness that melts in your mouth?? Yes please. Best bakery in the Twin Cities... keepin it real old school style. If you haven't been to Mel-O-Glaze on a Saturday morning you haven't lived.
(4)Melanie L.
What a find...raised and cake donuts, chocolate and vanilla iced and a variety of toppings that include sprinkles and coconut. I haven't tried a fritter, but they did smell wonderful the other morning when I was in. The turnovers were wonderful and flaky and full of fruity goo, but I was greatly disappointed by the price of the donuts. A dozen donuts for $12??! Not in my book. Every good bakery I've been to offers some sort of special on a dozen, even if it's just a baker's dozen. I've been in twice now and as reviewed previously the decor is not inviting for any sort of stay. Also the customer service is hit and miss. A gentleman who waited on me was wonderfully chatty and knew quite a bit about the history of the place, but another time I was in a middle-aged Asian woman who offered little in the way of conversation or approachability if I had had a question. Still good enough to visit again.
(3)Joshua Z.
I am very serious about doughnuts. Like fried chicken, barbecue, and ice cream, this hot caloric death is not worth eating unless it's REALLY good. And these doughnuts are awesome. The size of a baby's head, both yeast and cake varieties are killer. Chocolate glaze is especially bittersweet and decadent. Makes Krispy Kremes appear both insubstantial and one dimensional. I've never had anything else on their menu, and never plan to. That would be like going to the best steakhouse ever and ordering chicken. They're expensive for donuts, but an eminently affordable luxury.
(5)Melissa C.
Melo Glaze has the best donuts in the South Minneapolis hood. Can't go wrong with an original glazed donut. P.S. The owners of this joint are interesting folk. :)
(4)John E.
Who needs coupons or freebees, this place is just has the best donuts and other bakery delights in the twin cities hands down. The days of a family owned and run bakery are numbered so just enjoy it while you still can. I have been a fan of this place for over 40 years. I have never found a better glazed donut then this place makes. Just give them a try for yourself and write your own opinion. Reminder to get there early if you stop by on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The fresher the better!
(5)Mike A.
Pretty limited selection. I would say the doughnuts are a cut above what you'd get at a supermarket but not fantastic. They all have a thick sugary glaze so be aware. I didn't think the play was unclean or that the service was unfriendly as previous reviewers had.
(3)Mark M.
I take no joy in giving them a low rating, but the fact is we went out of our way to try them and we were rewarded with blatantly stale donuts. Not a good reward for people who try to keep places like this running. I could have bought a better-quality product at Cub. Sorry...but with the glorious A Baker's Wife in the neighborhood you can guarantee I will never return.
(2)Mark D.
Update 9/20/2008: I returned to Mel-O-Glaze to compare their apple fritter with one that I picked up from another business. Hands-down, Mel-O-Glaze wins. Also, with the weather being much nicer today, the row of open patio doors made a huge difference of creating a much nicer atmosphere than on the rainy day when I first visited this place. The sandwich/food selection still was very bleak with flies walking over the uncovered items; ew. I'll visit again for the donuts (well, the ones that are in the covered display case at least ;). Original post: I've been looking for a good donut in the city for a while now. Yesterday, I started to explore in South Minneapolis some listings on Yelp. Today, I continued that exploration. A friend and I drove to this little bakery to try their fare. I ordered a donut, he ordered an apple fritter. We sat, ate and discussed our own reviews of the place. First, the food: The selection of items included a frosted donut, a cherry-filled donut, a lemon or Bavarian filled donut and some fritters. There were a selection of frosted cookies as well in various shapes and sizes; these did not look very appetizing however. The donut and apple fritter that we ordered were very moist, light and tasty. There seemed to be a lemon-flavor to the icing on both items, which had a slight impact on my enjoyment, as I was not expecting this. However, based on the overall taste and light, fluffy texture, I would certainly try again. Next, the atmosphere: The place has so much potential. Yet, it is not somewhere that I would probably go again other than to get something to go. The walls are stark white. It appears that something may have hung on the walls at some point, but those items have long since been torn down and the holes never filled up. Cobwebs were prevalent and track lighting lined the ceiling. For a donut/coffee shop, the atmosphere was dismal. I did love the fact that the front side of this place was lined with french doors, really opening the place up to the outside (where there were some tables), however, the interior really let me down. There was also a coffee counter in another room of the place with Torani syrups, however, it appeared abandoned and no one came to help us out. We didn't bother to ask, rather, we enjoyed our fresh baked goods and left. Final verdict? I gave the place a 3.5, my friend gave it a 2, hence, we've settled on a 3. Give the donuts a try, but don't expect to be wowed by the atmosphere. PS - This place has a sidewalk sign that advertises Pizza, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream. If I were the manager of marketing for this place, I would do away with this sign completely! First, there were four 2"x2" slices of pizza in the display (on a pan that was probably 3 feet by 2 feet in size). They looked cold and like they had been sitting there for some time. The two sandwiches in the display case didn't look much better. As for the coffee, well, see above. I can't speak for the ice cream. Maybe next summer I'll give it a try.
(3)Kari M.
The only reason I am writing is because I feel that 3 stars is WAYYYYYYY overrating the joint. Bad ambiance, mediocre food, a total waste of an incredible piece of commercial real estate, and clueless staff. The only thing it inspires in me is the desire to open a restaurant to replace Mel-O-Glaze. Oh wait a minute, the Baker's Wife is only 4 blocks away. Wahoooooo!
(1)Justin W.
The best glazed donuts in the Twin Cities. If you wake up with a sweet tooth (and you're near the Nokomis neighborhood in south Minneapolis), this is the place to go!
(5)Lisa B.
This place is what it is: a tiny little bakery that serves up KILLER donuts. Never in my life have I ordered a donut and had it still warm!!! The donuts are soft, sweet and just pure heaven. To those who complain, let's remember here.....it's a small neighborhood donut shop. If you're looking for something other than that well..... Go there. Have a donut. Have TWO. Sip coffee and have a great day!!
(5)Kim T.
This is not a fancy donut shop, so if you're looking for a place that's going to knock your socks off this won't be it. What it is, is a neighborhood shop where you can pick up a donut or two or dozen (hey, I won't judge) and either relax with some coffee or be on your way. The last time I was here, was with my brother, his dog and my boyfriend. Our purchase included a raspberry filled donut, one chocolate frosting with sprinkles, and a glazed donut + doggie biscuit. The donuts were light with a bit of a crisp to them when bitten into. There's a nice softness to these donuts that let's you know they were made fresh the day you bought them. I will say that due to it's size, I did find the chocolate frosting donut to be a bit too sweet by the end. However, my boyfriend had the raspberry filled donut and had no complaints and he isn't a sweets person. As for the doggie biscuit, it's a very respectable size that was devoured as quickly as possible with no crumbs in sight. If you're by Lake Nokomis with a sweet tooth, drop by and give them a try.
(4)Colleen B.
Considering how much fans of this place RAVE incessantly about it I was expecting a much better experience. The donuts are ok, there are much better to be found elsewhere, honestly. But I can say the cake I've had from here is outstanding -- just be careful when ordering a cake because you might find yourself disappointed like I did. In early June I ordered a simple layer cake with buttercream frosting for my birthday. A close friend had done the same this past winter successfully and the cake was delicious! However, when I placed my order I was not so lucky. The girl behind the counter assured me she could take the information and my phone number and talk to the baker to make sure the order got filled. Even though she was up front about not being very experienced with taking cake orders I trusted her and went ahead with everything. I even called back the next day to confirm that the order was submitted and I was assured (by the same girl I think, although I can't be 100% sure since it was over the phone) that the cake would be ready for pickup on time and that she had talked to the baker and relayed all my information. Two days later, I called again to just check in and I was assured by someone else that it would be ready for pickup the next day. I was glad to hear it since I ordered almost a week in advance! Then, on the morning I was supposed to pick my cake up I got a voice message from the bakery (a guy who sounded like he was very "mel-o" if you get my drift) saying that they didn't have my cake at all and they were "sorry for the inconvenience." Inconvenience??? Huh??? When I called back I couldn't get an answer despite repeated tries, but I was furious! Seriously? No birthday cake? They put me in a huge bind! The whole point of ordering a cake at Mel-O-Glaze was to patronize and promote a local business, to get a killer cake for my guests to enjoy and to avoid having to get a gross, generic, default cake or cupcakes at Target or Cub that are too sweet and boast no real flavor. So if you're going to brave ordering a cake from here, be sure to talk to the baker yourself in person, and to confirm things multiple times before you pay and/or go get your order -- and even then you might want to have a back-up plan. On the upside, through my experiencing this debacle I was lucky and found another local bakery who saved the day. They are very reliable and professional, and they make terrific cakes, donuts and pastry too, so they will be serving all my baking needs from now on. On the downside I don't think I'll chance doing any business with Mel-O-Glaze again since they have clearly lost my trust, but if you do decide to take the gamble, all I can say is good luck and I hope things work out better for you!
(1)Matt H.
Fantastic donuts. Large size, flaky glaze, excellent fillings. Some unique offerings, like the "bombs", large glazed pockets filled with fruit or chocolate. The bacon topped Bavarian Cream long-john is also excellent. Prices are higher than gas-station donuts, but these are also much better, and larger, than gas station donuts. The ambiance is a little weird, but the quality of the donuts more than offsets any issues there. I love donuts, and plan to come back here any time we're in the neighborhood.
(4)Brian H.
A very good raised donut. Sweet and moist, not bread like some raised donuts can be. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of lemon, and their glaze is lemon flavored. My wife lived it, said its the best glazed donut she's ever had, but it's not for me.
(3)Matt U.
We came by after trying a competitor down the street and wanting to be able to really say, "Place X is better". At the end of the day, this place was awesome a did a better job in the realm of baked sweets than some of the other spots in the area. We started with a sample of a donut hole which both I and my 2.5 year old appreciated. We decided that two donuts and two cookies were in order. We began with the peanut butter-banana-chocolate face donut. This may be the best donut since the beginning of time and may be the calorie dense item I've ever seen. The face on the outside a good start, but the inside filled with the aforementioned combo makes for what shall henceforth be known as bakery bliss. Seriously, this was incredible and may be a superfood - the sort of thing that would solve hunger problems if distributed widely. We then procured a cherry bomb and as it's name suggested, it is indeed a delicious weapon. The filling was good, but the real magic was occurring in the actual donut - it was straight up amazing! Soft, sweet and delicious - it's how I imagine a diabetic cloud tastes on a warm day. We also indulged in a couple angry bird cookies as they were colorful and a 2.5 year old does love colorful carbs! We made the mistake of keeping them until the following day at which time the fluffy cookie had been sucked dry of moisture and was rather hard. Moral of this story is that you should eat these the same day. They have complimentary coffee for all patrons and plenty of seating at which to enjoy your baked deliciousness. Based on the reviews my expectations were not super high, but after coming by, I'm hooked! This spot, along with another down the way, make for quite the intimidating and delicious bakers mile! Worth checking out and them coming back to again.
(5)Anna B.
I'm pregnant. My only major pregnancy craving thus far has been for Apple fritters. It went from a fleeting thought on a Wednesday to MUST EAT ONE NOW on Saturday. Darling hubby went to a few bakeries on his search and came home with the glorious, big as my face fritter. Soft and pillowy- filled with big chunks of apples, super sweet since its glazed in exorbitant amounts of sugary glaze. Grab a tall glass of OJ or big cup of coffee to offset the sweet... Then chow down! I've still got 5 months to go AND we're moving to the neighborhood...make way for the pregnant lady!!
(5)Lesli P.
Another strike out on finding my favorite donut shop in the Twin Cities. Got there late morning, and still had plenty of donut selections. Accepts credit cards, very convenient. Tried the free donut hole, which I'm glad because although light and fluffy, way too sweet for me, too much glaze. But that's the name of the joint after all. There was only one other patron in the place at the time and all of the tables were a mess. I found a cleaning cloth and cleaned up a table so my daughter and I could sit. She also felt the glazed raised donut was too sweet. I ordered a scrambled egg and cheese croissant. It was OK. Being so disappointed about the two donut shop trek and not a satisfying donut to be found wrecked my tastebuds. Daughter and I both agree that fresh donuts from Cub have surpassed any of the 5 donut shops we've been to so far. Sunrise is next on the list, I have high hopes!
(2)Micah C.
We stopped in here the other day for doughnuts. There wasn't a huge selection of pastries and doughnuts (there were a lot of Angry Bird cookies), but I recognize that if it's not a busy day, it doesn't make sense to bake a lot of desserts that won't sell. The gentleman at the counter (I got the impression he was the owner) was extremely friendly and very helpful. He offered us free coffee with our doughnuts and checked on us several times to see if we needed refills. He treated all customers that came in the same way - very well. The doughnut was sugar glazed, dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles - it was great! They were average priced. There is a lot of space inside and a few tables and couches. If the shop had a slightly more homey, stop-in-and-stay-awhile feel, I think more customers would stay and eat in. Then again, that may not be what the owner is looking for, just my bit of unsolicited advice. :)
(4)Erin G.
OMG. I went here with my kiddo because he wanted a donut (and so did I). He's a standard kid- likes frosted donuts with sprinkles. I like fancy donuts and am pickier. We went later in the afternoon, like maybe around 5, so there was less of a selection but there was still quite a bit. He got the donut holes and I was drawn to something called the Peanut Butter Bomb. Peanut butter is my weakness.... this thing was HUGE so I almost didn't get it, it was almost too big. I am so glad I did, it was HEAVEN in my mouth. I will definitely be back, and probably try to go earlier in the day so I can see what else they have!
(4)Nancy M.
I often drove by this bakery without a second glance until I happened to stop by on the way to work several months ago to pick-up some donuts. I always love it when the baker is also the person helping at the counter, which happens routinely I now know. The lady I spoke to that day informed me the donuts are twice dipped in a sweet, sugary glaze which is definitely not industry standard. The donuts are very sweet but let's face it, do you really want donuts that are not sweet? Personally, that's why I'm there. The donuts are light, yummy goodness as are the apple fritters. Both worthy of the carbohydrate splurge. A nice little neighborhood bakery that's pumping out great treats day in and day out.
(4)Sue S.
It has been on our radar for awhile now to try to find a good old doughnut shop that doesn't offer gourmet pastries and doesn't charge $3 a doughnut. If that's what you're after, Mel-O will fit the bill. This shop falls in the category of "it aint fancy, but it's pretty good." The shop itself is not the most welcoming -- honestly I'm not sure I'd feel super comfortable plunking down and eating my doughnuts there. But for takeout, it's perfect. The doughnuts themselves (plus other various pastries and baked things) are housed in a glass case. You simply tell them what you want and your order is packed up in a bag. There aren't a ton of options but the straight glazed and chocolate iced were enough for us. There are a few coolers with cold beverage options and I did spot a dispenser for coffee on the counter, but this is not the type of shop that's going to be making you a latte to go with your doughnut. The doughnuts themselves were fresh and really moist. The glaze and the chocolate icing literally flake as you bite, which results in a delicious kind of crunch to the outside of the doughnut and a shower of sugar falling on your shirt, on the ground, on the plate, etc. But this is a case where messy is good and the doughnuts were really tasty. We also thought we detected a slight lemony taste to the glaze, which we liked, though others might not. We saw a woman pulling a tray of doughnuts from the fryer while we were there -- a good sign of the freshness. Service wise, the guy that helped us was friendly enough. I was sorry to see that they weren't more busy. It was just us and one more customer at 8:30 on a Sunday morning. It was $6 even for half a dozen doughnuts -- $1 per basically. That's less than say Glam Doll but more than I'm used to paying in other cities for a doughnut. Still, I will happily pay that for my fix and a really pretty solid doughnut offering. We are happy to add Mel-O to our list of doughnut options.
(3)Sarah H.
I love Mel-O-Glaze! I like them for their raised glazed donuts, which are raised glazed perfection, and I love them for their assortment of miniature pastries (e.g. Mini eclairs that are about thumb sized, and heavenly). I'd give them five stars if the ambience were a little more inviting for hanging out, but it's great for to go orders.
(4)Jay S.
Went in on a Monday morning because someone was craving donuts and this is place is only about 1/2 a mile from where he lives. Nothing had prices, and we ended up spending a bit more than I was expecting. I was happy with the freshness and texture of the donut, but the flavor of the glaze seemed off/like a chemical-y/artificial lemon flavor. It was enough to totally turn both of us off. Sad because I was hoping to make this a usual place.
(2)Terence A.
First time going here. We ordered a glaze donut, fritter, eclair and cookie. The shortbread cookie was almost uneatable and we threw it away after 3 bites. But the rest, proper bakery items that should be rated, were great. The prices weren't bad. Less than glam doll, which has inferior donuts.
(3)Kristen C.
We lived just a few blocks away from Melo Glaze for six years. They, hands down, have the best glazed doughnuts in the Twin Cities. They are drenched in perfectly sweetened icing and soft and moist. We particularly loved getting there bright and early to get them warm and fresh. With that being said, other reviews hit the nail on the head with customer service/ambiance. There is no ambiance. It's grungy, poorly decorated - honestly it reminds me of a college dorm. A mismatch of odd furniture and sparse decoration. The staff, in general, are fine. Though there is one woman (I don't believe she works there anymore as I haven't seen her there for quite some time) that grabbed my doughnuts without gloves which annoyed me because who knows how dirty her hands were. Nonetheless, they are a gem and we will always go there to fulfill our doughnut cravings! On a side note, they are generous. I'm involved with local nonprofits and they have donated a couple times to different things - which I always like to see in a business.
(4)Rick J.
Like everyone has mentioned, the glazed donuts are pretty darn good. Heck, even mediocre donuts are worth three stars, I'd give these four and not five just because my favorite donut is a glazed old fashion. The owners are a bit eccentric, and the place has a bit weird vibe to it, but it's hard to go wrong with a bakers dozen of their glazed fat bullets. The rest of the fair there is nothing out of the ordinary compared to other bakeries.
(4)Diana E.
The peanut butter thing I had was WAY TOO sweet. The other donuts were ok, definitely not worth going out of my way for.
(2)Meghann F.
Yum! We finally stopped in last night on the way home and wanted to try the goods - we got there just before closing time - there was still a decent selection - although it definitely wasn't the morning! We tried some donut holes which were pretty great - and I'm not really that big on donuts! And then we got a sample of some deliciously gooey pecan caramel bar that is one of their new creations - amazing little pecan pins on cracker - wow! Got a fritter and a pecan bar to go - and since it was almost closing time we ended up w/ buy one get one free! Lots of sugary treats to bring home. Not sure why all the not so awesome reviews, everything we tried - i.e. fritters, donut holes and pecan bars were spectacular!
(4)Mary H.
The pastries at Mel-O-Glaze are very good, very large and pretty expensive. We have been going there for years. Their prices have steadily increased over the past five years. An medium sized apple fritter is now $2, a large cinnamon roll, (not the typical kind with cream cheese frosting- but the kind that looks more like a glazed donut, with swirls of cinnamon in it) are $3 each. It's funny that they're not as cheap as some places, because they're not using great quality ingredients in my opinion, there's no note about organic flour or sugar or anything. Monsanto drenched flour and sugar are notoriously cheap, so three bucks for a donut that isn't organic is kind of a lot, in my cheapskate opinion. The guy who owns it, (he seems to be there most of the time) is really nice and friendly. The place is not super welcoming to sit and eat your donuts there, a little dark and frumpy. Overall though- the donuts are well worth the cost and calorie splurge!
(4)Leah O.
Points for trying to warn me. When I told the woman behind the counter I wanted a Black and White cookie, she laughed nervously and said something to the effect of, "Well, it's not going to be as good as they are in New York!" Aye aye, dear counter lady, you spoke true, for your Black and White cookies are the wrecked dreams of farm kids when compared to the cakey lemon waft perfection of NY Black and Whites. Your cookie had the stale chew of cardboard and a suspiciously layered icing job that made me certain- Conspiracy Theories for Bakers 101- the icing had started to be noticeably off and someone had simply iced it again. Also, why do bakeries try to make eclairs when pastry is so obviously not in their wheelhouse? The eclairs here tasted like rolled up cold sogginess with cold Jell-o pudding filling. It's like me fundraising for a career but also doing some architecture on the side. That house ain't gonna stand, yo!
(2)Alex Q.
Really enjoyed the smiling face at the register at 6:30 in the morning, but the glazed donut was covered in a lemon glaze that I wasn't anticipating. Reasonably priced, but not what I was expecting.
(3)Natalie J.
Um, yum!! Everything we tried was delicious, especially the apple Danish. Happy mama, happy kids. Very kind and personable service
(5)John M.
Great local Donut shop. My two young boys and I go at least once a weekend. Sometimes just to get a angry bird cookie! Try a bomb in many flavors.
(5)Dan S.
I'll give Mel-O-Glaze four stars based on its donuts alone, because they're so delicious. If other aspects (ie customer service, aesthetic) were taken into account, it could be leaning towards three stars. When it comes to donuts, I tend to stick with apple fritters. I would call myself a connoisseur of fine fritters, but that would be a total lie -- I usually go the gas station/grocery store donut route. However, based upon the large amount of fritters I've consumed in my life, I still feel like I'm qualified enough to tell a good fritter from a bad one. Mel-O-Glaze definitely has a good fritter. With the exception of an occasional doughy center, their apple fritters are very, very tasty. It's a good thing their donuts are so good, because they really pick up the slack for ambiance and customer service. I'm not really as picky as that makes me sound, but the inside doesn't exactly make me want to sit down and stay a while. It's also a good thing that they have a startling alarm on the door, because I'm not sure that they would come out from the back otherwise. One thing I always wonder about is the coffee section of mel-o-glaze that looks like a deserted ghost town coffee bar area. I've never seen anyone getting coffee, but I also never go when it's busy. The inside and the less than stellar customer service don't really bother me. I just want to get in, get my fritter, and eat it as fast as possible anyway. Other positives are the reasonable prices and the size of the donuts. If you haven't been to Mel-O-Glaze, I'd encourage you to give it a shot.
(4)Codi C.
Happy Donut Friday to ME! Someone at our office was lovely enough to go the extra mile and spring for Mel-O-Glaze this fine morning. Our weekly donut Fridays, where we all take turns bringing them in, usually consist of Cub donuts. I think it's like $10 for a box of 50 or something. But on rare occasions some wonderful, caring soul steps up and brings in something extra special. This morning my simple, glazed donut was light and pillowy, not too sticky, but just sticky enough. And that was just the outside. the inside was moist and sweet, with each mouthful a world of flavor unto itself. I overhead at least one co-worker say theirs was the best donut they had ever had. I can only hope this starts an office trend..
(4)Sarah S.
I have a voracious sweet tooth... when I get a craving, the need for sweet can trump all. The maple twist doughnut at Mel-O-Glaze is one of the few things in life that can really, truly meet the high demands of my sweet tooth. If you're into maple doughnuts (and they are NOT for the faint-of-sweet-toothed) this is a great place to try. I haven't been early in the morning to see the full array of their treats, but when I've gone in the mid-afternoon there's still plenty to choose from. They've also got some unique types of bread which looked fabulous. They only take cards if you spend at least $5 - I got my maple twist amazingness, a huge peanut butter bar for the hubs, a dog treat to take home to my furry buddy and a soda for about $6. So the prices are quite good! Also, it appears their patio is pup-friendly which is excellent - and as I mentioned above, they sell fresh dog treats! I feel like if this place did a mini-makeover and got the coffee shop up and routinely running it might be a little more enticing to come and hang out and eat an unreasonable amount of doughnuts. They've got a great space. As it currently stands, this is more of a take-it-to-go place for me. It's close enough to lake Nokomis that you can legitimately have a doughnut-only picnic if you walk around the lake before your pig out. All-in-all, I'm kind of wavering between 3 and 4 stars on this place.
(4)Jonathan E.
I checked this place out awhile back after buying a Groupon for some pastries & coffee. It was a pretty good value and a buddy of mine who lives in the area swears by this place. I always find that scenarios like this are a perfect opportunity to try something new. Overall, the experience was ok. At the time, they had a lot of Christmas decorations which was rather festive. The space is pretty big for a bakery/coffee shop in case you want to sit and eat there. They have a pretty good selection and the prices are decent. Decent coffee. Decent pastries. Nothing terribly exciting, but good. There was a Bavarian cream turnover that was probably the best of the things I sampled--Id recommend that if you come across it. Id say that there are numerous places in the cities that have better pastries, but I certainly cant say anything bad about Mel-O-Glaze. It's been in the neighborhood for years and people love it--there is something to be said for comfort and consistency. If you are simply looking for amazing baked goods/pastries though, Id highly recommened Franklin Street Bakery, Patrick's, or Patisserie 46--all of which arent too far from here. Pros: Easy street parking, large dining space, good selection, decent prices (Groupons sometimes available) Cons: Not at the level of the better bakeries/pastry shops
(3)John C.
The glazed raised donuts are their main seller, and they are the BEST in the Twin Cities. If you take them home and heat on in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, they are just as good, if not better, than Krispy Kreme. They also have killer apple fritters, with the perfect crispiness and generous coating of their glaze. They have easy curbside parking right alongside the front door. The downside: The inside of the store is nothing for comfort and ambiance, but I get my bakery to go anyway so who cares? The drip coffee isn't that great either, and I had coffee grounds in my cup. These guys are also kinda expensive. 12 bucks got me 6 glazed raised and 2 apple fritters
(5)Katherine B.
Oh Mel-O-Glaze. I get you. I understand that I shouldn't expect a large selection if I show up on a weekday after 10. I know there might be a long line on a Saturday. I understand that I shouldn't expect fancy bathrooms at an independent store in the city. I feel totally comfortable on your couches and talking to your quirky staff and customers, but I get why some people might not. Who cares if there is another great bakery just blocks away? Not me. I've got room in my life for lots of donuts, especially the filled long johns with tangy cream. No super sweet grocery store crap. Oh and the fried cinnamon rolls that you'll zap for 15 seconds in the microwave? Perfection. Still, it would be nice if you had better coffee. And napkins.
(4)Krystal M.
The ladies who work here are even sweeter than their raised-glazed wares, I love them! They sell out fast though, so jockey up there. The only downer I've experienced was their pumpkin bars. The frosting was too buttery (and I am in the pro-butter camp) not cream-cheesy enough.
(5)Jim C.
Having been on a near mystical quest for the perfect apple fritter, I was compelled to check out Mel-O-Glaze this morning. I've devised my own ranking system specific to these fried delicacies--spanning from FritTerrible on one end to FritTerrific on the other. Mel-O-Glaze's version definitely skews toward the high end of the scale. On the plus side, the fired dough was relatively light and the sugared glaze was near-perfect. In addition, sizable chunks of real apple suggest there may be health benefits to Mel-O-Glaze fritter consumption (more study needed). The trade off is that the bigger the apples pieces, the more water is released during frying, which can lead to dreaded "fritter sog" (where the dough around the apple doesn't fry and remains, well, doughy). I did run into a few bites of minor sog, which were the only reason I can't push this to FritTerrific/5 Stars. That's said, it's the best I've had in town and will be happily back in the near future.
(4)Jesse G.
I came here on a Saturday morning (after realizing that A Baker's Wife does not accept credit/debit cards). The guy behind the counter offered me and my kid a free donut hole when we walked in. That was the only good thing about the place. The selection of donuts was very small. All the donuts are smothered way too much sugar glaze. I could tell even before tasting them that I would be disappointed. I got an apple fritter. A cinnamon roll, a raised donut and a cake donut. The cake donut was way too dry and crumbly. The apple fritter and cinnamon roll were indistinguishable from the massive amounts of glaze on them. The texture of the raised donut was good, but the glaze... I will never set foot in that place again.
(2)Nathan L.
I think its lemon. Not quite sure but I'm pretty sure its lemon in them there glazed. Although we were a little uncertain while eating them so we had to have almost 4 glazed donuts before we were pretty sure. I believe we are going to have to go back and do some more detective work. It is a great place but keep in mind this place has a slight twist of the soup nazi on staff and he would like you to be prompt with your order. He would look you straight in the eye and expected your order. He was cruising through the line as people were spouting off their orders like they had been rehearsing them in their heads all the way to the door. "2 glazed twists, 1 cherry bismark, 2 glazed, 1 apple fritter and a cinnamon roll. " Slide step to the left pay, say thank you, leave and eat until your tummy hurts.
(4)Nazgul W.
Stopped by after meaning to try it for a long time. Unfortunately my experience also involves a Groupon, and the guy behind the counter seemed a bit flustered by it. He was nice enough, but indicated in a very confusing way that some items were covered by the Groupon and some not. I tried to make sure I bought a fair amount of stuff because even though the Groupon was expired, it was worth $5. I got a fat chunk of some fresh Pumpkin bread and I have to say, it was absolutely delicious: moist and scrumptious. I want more of that. Also got some sugar cookies, which were good but not great, and some donuts that left me a little unimpressed. The experience here was a bit bizarre. There was a little dog running around and there didn't seem to be prices on anything. I saw no coffee or drinks available. I might have missed it in the haze that overtook me when I walked in, I dunno. Reading the reviews of the place beforehand, I was little tepid about coming in here at all. The first thing I encountered was a woman who seemingly works there. I said 'Hi' and she didn't say anything and walked away. What the...? I agree with some of the other reviews that the place could be improved by clearly marking everything in terms of price, and the service could be much better. Part of me never wants to return while another suspects this place warrants further exploration. A Baker's Wife is just down the street, but I would say check this place out as well, at least once. Or maybe twice. Perhaps after the second visit it's clear whether this place is a dud or a diamond in the rough.
(2)Lindsay C.
Sounds as if I had a similar experience as some Groupon purchasers. I saw this deal $5 for five donuts and pastries and a drink and thought "oh, that will be nice to treat my office some morning". Last week I did just that with very marginal results. I barely remember the donuts, just average, nothing special. Listed as having specialty coffees I was looking forward to a latte or espresso. I go in there, half of the shop is a coffee bar, but it's closed. I was told "we don't have any coffee but you can get a pop". I bought ten donuts and paid $5 outta pocket which means donuts are $1 each and the only thing my Groupon got me was a free pop that I didn't even want. Never again Mel-O..
(2)Jessica K.
Here's what I don't get, why go to the effort to offer a Groupon to bring in new customers only to give them a bad experience? Not only did they not create a new loyal customer, now I'm writing about my bad experience and it will be nearly impossible to win me back. I came in on a Tuesday at 8 a.m. with my Groupon for $20. Even though it was early they had very few donuts.The case was only about 1/3rd full and they weren't making any more. To top it off they had run out of coffee! So I scraped together $18 worth of glazed, cake and sprinkle donuts and got a bottled soda. Once in my car I pulled open the box and started to eat a plain cake donut - but I nearly cracked a tooth it was so dried out. It was seriously the worst donut I have ever eaten. While I was staring at how horrible the donut was, I noticed a dark spot, which I realized was a bug. Now, I'm not worried about eating a bug, but clearly this donut was made a long, long time ago. The glazed donuts were fresher - I think - or maybe the sugar coating preserved them? They looked like they were dipped twice in sugar there was so much glaze. Finally the shop itself was, well, not very inviting. The layout of the tables was random, the floor and paint all looked old, some of the cases were uneven, like they had been picked up at a junk yard, and the whole place just looked run down. Again, if you're going to offer a Groupon, you might want to freshen up the place, and for God's Sake, make sure the food is good.
(2)Molly E.
I so wanted to like this place. I'm a huge fan of A Baker's Wife, just down the road on 28th Ave., so I thought I would like it. I am giving this bakery two stars because I had one ok experience and one terrible one. I had the $20 Groupon, so I ordered a cake for my sister's birthday. It was seriously the best cake I have ever had. It wasn't fancy, just white cake with white frosting, but the cake was dense and moist and the frosting was not overly sweet. That cake was so good I decided to order cakes for my wedding reception. I called approximately 15 time to get in touch with someone (apparently the owner is the only one who will take cake orders and/or give you prices). I finally ordered the cakes and planned to pick them up the day before our reception. Well, in the midst of 100 other things, I ran to pick up my cakes. The man working there had no idea and didn't see my cakes so he called the owner. She was quite rude to me and made it seem like it was my fault (are you sure you confirmed the order? I don't think I ever talked to you etc). They did eventually find my order and said they would deliver it the next morning. Well, the cakes did come the next morning but they were not the right kind (I ordered white and she gave me marble). It's one thing to make a mistake and own up to it. It's another to blame it on the customer. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Karla S.
If you like donuts don't waste your time any place else. Tomorrow morning get in your car and drive directly to Mel-O-Glaze Bakery. Be ready to have a belly-altering experience and a long-lasting sugar high. Allow me to explain my passion behind this donut shop. One Monday morning I was picking an order up for some folks at the office. Sadly, I did not call ahead and had to wait while they packaged an order for another customer. Don't worry, I wasn't too sad; they gave me a glazed twist to enjoy while I waited. While the owner finished she explained the order she was prepping, beautiful fruit-filled pastries, were booked on a morning flight to London! These donuts travel, that's how good they are! After finishing, she glazed my donuts fresh, boxed them and sent me on my way. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery is a second generation, family-owned gem just off of lovely Lake Nokomis. Make sure to order ahead the day before for large groups. They'll even entertain custom orders, time permitting. If you're looking for a swanky shop in pristine condition with just the right music and coffee this is not it. They just make a damn good donut!
(4)Dan S.
I pushed off going to this place because of a few bad reviews, but I think the complaints are unwarranted. I didn't think the place was dirty and the guy at the counter was pretty nice to me. I tried the glazed donut with chocolate and the honey cinnamon roll. The roll was phenomenal. Probably one of the best donuts I've ever had. The glazed donut was OK. Both were more sugary than most donuts, particularly the glazed donut. The donut was $1 and the honey cinnamon roll was $1.50. Both were worth the price. The store looked comfortable, a few tables. They have an espresso machine, but I got the food to go. There was a newspaper on one table, but it was from Monday and I was there on a Saturday morning.
(4)Stephanie K.
Great donuts! They have a really nice selection of types and varieties of donuts and similar pastries. My favorite is the boston creme. The creme filling is not too sweet and they don't skimp on their fillings. I also really enjoyed the light and airy glazed donuts that weren't super sticky.
(4)Karen S.
4-stars for the apple fritters, glazed donuts and sugar cookies...all picked up to go. If you deviate from the above, you're on your own. Do NOT order coffee here, it's terrible. The atmosphere is weird and kind of un-inviting. The abandoned coffee cafe connected to it is depressing. The colorful metalic Christmas trees out front are just bizzare.
(4)Robert B.
I really wanted to love this place. I feel like your standard raised glazed donut is a pretty good barometer for a donut shop and I believe that is what this place is known for. I have a huge sweet tooth and the glaze was too sugary for me and I couldn't help but think I've had better donuts from Cub foods. Not much selection or anything unique to redeem themselves either. I would say this place was disappointing compared to the other donut shops in the Twin Cities and while appreciate the space to sit and enjoy the coffee and donut it was a bit dirty.
(2)Flummerie Junket L.
Bought a groupon and decided to use it which is how I found myself here. The donuts were ok and the apple fritter, as mentioned by other people were also good but the place needs new management or maybe a new owner.... I gave the place 2 stars because: 1) I walked in and was greeted by a little dog that peed on the carpet (think it's the owners dog) 2) Was greeted by a woman who was very nice but in dire need of a shower and a brush... Was she the baker? Would I find long strands of hair in my glaze? 3) There wasn't much in the case as far as donuts go- they looked old and I guess some of the stuff had 'already gone bad' so she wouldn't sell it to me. Cool that she was honest about it but why was it still in the case? 4) The only coffee I was offered was drip and it came in a Styrofoam cup with little creamers sitting on the table. Basically, bad church coffee. And what the hell are people still using Styrofoam for? Donuts should always be paired with good coffee. Period. 5) We bought a bunch of donuts and they were all thrown in a bag and not a box. Jammed in a bag :( JAMMED! 6) oh and the place had no napkins... so be prepared to lick. ...I dunno, I left there thinking, "well, that's unfortunate" I like to see small businesses doing really well for themselves and it's obvious why this one isn't. But like I said, the donut was good. Sweet, but good.
(2)Erik D.
Visited here at about noon on a Sunday in late January. The surroundings are not the reason to go here-- it's not about ambiance. There are places to sit and eat your doughnut, but the emphasis is more on "functional" than on "stylish". Which, honestly, is OK -- it's just a donut shop. The place does, however, SMELL amazing. In a donut shop, that's a good sign. I drove over from 42nd & Xerxes to get to Mel-O-Glaze and I was prepared to be disappointed, or to think the drive wasn't worth it. When I got there I looked over the selection and my partner had asked for glazed old-fashioneds -- I didn't see any. So I asked the lady if they had some and she said the magic phrase: "No, but I can make some." "OK!" was my response, and I waited around for a few minutes until she came back with five beautiful doughnuts. Once I got them home I poured myself a cup of coffee, and my partner, myself, and our housemate all dug in to the box of donuts. "Mmmmm!" was the response from all of us, while the dog longingly watched each bit go into our mouths. My partner said, "Those were pretty darn good!" which, from him (about donuts), is high praise. Ambiance, probably a C-. Doughnuts: A. Get them for take-out, but do try 'em. They're good!
(4)David P.
Mel-o-Glaze's donuts are a bit of a mixed bag. From occasionally stale to absolutely every kind of donut they have being sublime. It is hard to know what you are going to get. They've recently put in some efforts to upgrade the place. Big screen tv and new couch and chairs. It is a remarkable improvement and a much better use of what is really a great space. Despite the mixed bag - the donuts must be tried.
(3)Nicole N.
I read a ton of reviews before going anywhere. I can't lie. I'm a weirdo. Everyone seemed to love Mel-O-Glaze. Welp, one day I decided that I wanted to get my baby love some donuts and bring them to him before he even woke up. That was about 10 A.M. Dude sleeps laaaaate. So I drive there from the Stadium Village area... and proceed to get lost about 9,000 times. Eventually I find this pit. Seriously. It looked decent, but all the doors were open. There were flies EVERYWHERE. "Okay," I thought. "I can deal." Well, not only were there flies everywhere, but the old geezer that handed me my four donuts acted as if I was a burden. Eff off! I murmured. When I got home I was ultra-pissed. Not only was the place infested with nasty flies, but the guy working was a dick and the donuts were the same as the crap I buy at Cub... but without the hassle. Last time I trust reviews from magazines. I'll stick to Cub, thanks.
(2)Nicole P.
This place is filthy/ nasty. We stopped by on a summer afternoon on our way to Minnehaha Falls and got some cookies which were decent but nothing i couldn't get at Lund's bakery. They had Pizza samples out but I'm not going to eat something that is ice cold (grease had puddled and solidified on it already) and flies all over because the doors are open. great for breeze not great for bug sanitation. when i went to use the bathroom (way in the back) i walked by open doors to a kitchen/ storage area which was unbelievable disgusting! there was caked food on everything and there was a bucket of rain water drippings in the bathroom (today was sunny so how long was this stagnant water there?) The service was slow and we were the only ones in there the furniture looked like it came from dorm left overs. Not impressed, what a great location and potentially great building but it is not being utilized.
(1)Rachel G.
From their recent write-up in Midwest Living (page 51), I learned to try their Apple Fritter. Note, there is barely any apple...and a LOT of glaze. That being said, the texture was like moist Hallah with the perfect balance of Cinnamon. Bonus, I only paid $1.50! I may find an excuse to bike ride down in that area, just so I can get another.
(3)Marcy C.
This place is run down and disorganized. Nothing in the case was labeled and there were no prices on display. The cookies were 5 days old and the donuts are just okay. Don't waste your money on this place.
(2)Erik D.
Visited here at about noon on a Sunday in late January. The surroundings are not the reason to go here-- it's not about ambiance. There are places to sit and eat your doughnut, but the emphasis is more on "functional" than on "stylish". Which, honestly, is OK -- it's just a donut shop. The place does, however, SMELL amazing. In a donut shop, that's a good sign. I drove over from 42nd & Xerxes to get to Mel-O-Glaze and I was prepared to be disappointed, or to think the drive wasn't worth it. When I got there I looked over the selection and my partner had asked for glazed old-fashioneds -- I didn't see any. So I asked the lady if they had some and she said the magic phrase: "No, but I can make some." "OK!" was my response, and I waited around for a few minutes until she came back with five beautiful doughnuts. Once I got them home I poured myself a cup of coffee, and my partner, myself, and our housemate all dug in to the box of donuts. "Mmmmm!" was the response from all of us, while the dog longingly watched each bit go into our mouths. My partner said, "Those were pretty darn good!" which, from him (about donuts), is high praise. Ambiance, probably a C-. Doughnuts: A. Get them for take-out, but do try 'em. They're good!
(4)David P.
Mel-o-Glaze's donuts are a bit of a mixed bag. From occasionally stale to absolutely every kind of donut they have being sublime. It is hard to know what you are going to get. They've recently put in some efforts to upgrade the place. Big screen tv and new couch and chairs. It is a remarkable improvement and a much better use of what is really a great space. Despite the mixed bag - the donuts must be tried.
(3)Erin G.
OMG. I went here with my kiddo because he wanted a donut (and so did I). He's a standard kid- likes frosted donuts with sprinkles. I like fancy donuts and am pickier. We went later in the afternoon, like maybe around 5, so there was less of a selection but there was still quite a bit. He got the donut holes and I was drawn to something called the Peanut Butter Bomb. Peanut butter is my weakness.... this thing was HUGE so I almost didn't get it, it was almost too big. I am so glad I did, it was HEAVEN in my mouth. I will definitely be back, and probably try to go earlier in the day so I can see what else they have!
(4)Micah C.
We stopped in here the other day for doughnuts. There wasn't a huge selection of pastries and doughnuts (there were a lot of Angry Bird cookies), but I recognize that if it's not a busy day, it doesn't make sense to bake a lot of desserts that won't sell. The gentleman at the counter (I got the impression he was the owner) was extremely friendly and very helpful. He offered us free coffee with our doughnuts and checked on us several times to see if we needed refills. He treated all customers that came in the same way - very well. The doughnut was sugar glazed, dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles - it was great! They were average priced. There is a lot of space inside and a few tables and couches. If the shop had a slightly more homey, stop-in-and-stay-awhile feel, I think more customers would stay and eat in. Then again, that may not be what the owner is looking for, just my bit of unsolicited advice. :)
(4)Nancy M.
I often drove by this bakery without a second glance until I happened to stop by on the way to work several months ago to pick-up some donuts. I always love it when the baker is also the person helping at the counter, which happens routinely I now know. The lady I spoke to that day informed me the donuts are twice dipped in a sweet, sugary glaze which is definitely not industry standard. The donuts are very sweet but let's face it, do you really want donuts that are not sweet? Personally, that's why I'm there. The donuts are light, yummy goodness as are the apple fritters. Both worthy of the carbohydrate splurge. A nice little neighborhood bakery that's pumping out great treats day in and day out.
(4)Jo K.
I love donuts, but my tastes are simple. I don't need the fanciest, most beautifully decvorated, elaborately named donut on earth- just make it fluffy and tasty. This is why I love Mel-O-Glaze. From the exterior of the shop to the simple furnishings inside- it's all about the donuts. It's a very simple shop (which I dig) and the big racks of baked goods are the best decor you could ever want. The donuts are so fluffy and never feel too dense- but it's really the glaze that keeps me coming back. The glazed donuts have a lemon flavored glaze that is divine. It really lends itself to helping the donut feel light and fresh rather than a heavy lump of dough. Also awesome: the chocolate frosted with tons of sprinkles are another fave, the apple fritters are huge, DONUT HOLES (amazing), peanut butter bombs are overwhelming but they are aptly named. Another bonus- these donuts are super affordable. Definitely come here for no-fuss, good donuts.
(4)Heather W.
About 2 weeks ago I stopped in to get donuts for my coworkers on a Saturday morning. I've been to Mel-O-Glaze a few times previous and their donuts have always been delicious! On this occasion, I purchased a wide variety of donuts. The gentleman that was working was very helpful and made great recommendations. He even gave me a complimentary bag of donut holes "for the car ride"! I ate all of them. Right before I finalized my purchase the maple glazed bacon topped donuts came out...needless to say, I had to get one. IT WAS THE BEST DONUT I HAVE EVER HAD. It's been two weeks, and I can't stop thinking about that donut. I'm serious. Perfect donuts! Awesome service!
(5)James M.
Best donut holes EVER!!! Very friendly locally independently owned joint. They have a nice selection of donuts which are ALL to die for. Their cookies are really awesome too. Sugar cookies and icing. All kinds. Oh boy!!! Cookie and donut heaven.
(5)Terence A.
First time going here. We ordered a glaze donut, fritter, eclair and cookie. The shortbread cookie was almost uneatable and we threw it away after 3 bites. But the rest, proper bakery items that should be rated, were great. The prices weren't bad. Less than glam doll, which has inferior donuts.
(3)Mary H.
The pastries at Mel-O-Glaze are very good, very large and pretty expensive. We have been going there for years. Their prices have steadily increased over the past five years. An medium sized apple fritter is now $2, a large cinnamon roll, (not the typical kind with cream cheese frosting- but the kind that looks more like a glazed donut, with swirls of cinnamon in it) are $3 each. It's funny that they're not as cheap as some places, because they're not using great quality ingredients in my opinion, there's no note about organic flour or sugar or anything. Monsanto drenched flour and sugar are notoriously cheap, so three bucks for a donut that isn't organic is kind of a lot, in my cheapskate opinion. The guy who owns it, (he seems to be there most of the time) is really nice and friendly. The place is not super welcoming to sit and eat your donuts there, a little dark and frumpy. Overall though- the donuts are well worth the cost and calorie splurge!
(4)Leah O.
Points for trying to warn me. When I told the woman behind the counter I wanted a Black and White cookie, she laughed nervously and said something to the effect of, "Well, it's not going to be as good as they are in New York!" Aye aye, dear counter lady, you spoke true, for your Black and White cookies are the wrecked dreams of farm kids when compared to the cakey lemon waft perfection of NY Black and Whites. Your cookie had the stale chew of cardboard and a suspiciously layered icing job that made me certain- Conspiracy Theories for Bakers 101- the icing had started to be noticeably off and someone had simply iced it again. Also, why do bakeries try to make eclairs when pastry is so obviously not in their wheelhouse? The eclairs here tasted like rolled up cold sogginess with cold Jell-o pudding filling. It's like me fundraising for a career but also doing some architecture on the side. That house ain't gonna stand, yo!
(2)Alex Q.
Really enjoyed the smiling face at the register at 6:30 in the morning, but the glazed donut was covered in a lemon glaze that I wasn't anticipating. Reasonably priced, but not what I was expecting.
(3)Natalie J.
Um, yum!! Everything we tried was delicious, especially the apple Danish. Happy mama, happy kids. Very kind and personable service
(5)John M.
Great local Donut shop. My two young boys and I go at least once a weekend. Sometimes just to get a angry bird cookie! Try a bomb in many flavors.
(5)Kim T.
This is not a fancy donut shop, so if you're looking for a place that's going to knock your socks off this won't be it. What it is, is a neighborhood shop where you can pick up a donut or two or dozen (hey, I won't judge) and either relax with some coffee or be on your way. The last time I was here, was with my brother, his dog and my boyfriend. Our purchase included a raspberry filled donut, one chocolate frosting with sprinkles, and a glazed donut + doggie biscuit. The donuts were light with a bit of a crisp to them when bitten into. There's a nice softness to these donuts that let's you know they were made fresh the day you bought them. I will say that due to it's size, I did find the chocolate frosting donut to be a bit too sweet by the end. However, my boyfriend had the raspberry filled donut and had no complaints and he isn't a sweets person. As for the doggie biscuit, it's a very respectable size that was devoured as quickly as possible with no crumbs in sight. If you're by Lake Nokomis with a sweet tooth, drop by and give them a try.
(4)Colleen B.
Considering how much fans of this place RAVE incessantly about it I was expecting a much better experience. The donuts are ok, there are much better to be found elsewhere, honestly. But I can say the cake I've had from here is outstanding -- just be careful when ordering a cake because you might find yourself disappointed like I did. In early June I ordered a simple layer cake with buttercream frosting for my birthday. A close friend had done the same this past winter successfully and the cake was delicious! However, when I placed my order I was not so lucky. The girl behind the counter assured me she could take the information and my phone number and talk to the baker to make sure the order got filled. Even though she was up front about not being very experienced with taking cake orders I trusted her and went ahead with everything. I even called back the next day to confirm that the order was submitted and I was assured (by the same girl I think, although I can't be 100% sure since it was over the phone) that the cake would be ready for pickup on time and that she had talked to the baker and relayed all my information. Two days later, I called again to just check in and I was assured by someone else that it would be ready for pickup the next day. I was glad to hear it since I ordered almost a week in advance! Then, on the morning I was supposed to pick my cake up I got a voice message from the bakery (a guy who sounded like he was very "mel-o" if you get my drift) saying that they didn't have my cake at all and they were "sorry for the inconvenience." Inconvenience??? Huh??? When I called back I couldn't get an answer despite repeated tries, but I was furious! Seriously? No birthday cake? They put me in a huge bind! The whole point of ordering a cake at Mel-O-Glaze was to patronize and promote a local business, to get a killer cake for my guests to enjoy and to avoid having to get a gross, generic, default cake or cupcakes at Target or Cub that are too sweet and boast no real flavor. So if you're going to brave ordering a cake from here, be sure to talk to the baker yourself in person, and to confirm things multiple times before you pay and/or go get your order -- and even then you might want to have a back-up plan. On the upside, through my experiencing this debacle I was lucky and found another local bakery who saved the day. They are very reliable and professional, and they make terrific cakes, donuts and pastry too, so they will be serving all my baking needs from now on. On the downside I don't think I'll chance doing any business with Mel-O-Glaze again since they have clearly lost my trust, but if you do decide to take the gamble, all I can say is good luck and I hope things work out better for you!
(1)Lesli P.
Another strike out on finding my favorite donut shop in the Twin Cities. Got there late morning, and still had plenty of donut selections. Accepts credit cards, very convenient. Tried the free donut hole, which I'm glad because although light and fluffy, way too sweet for me, too much glaze. But that's the name of the joint after all. There was only one other patron in the place at the time and all of the tables were a mess. I found a cleaning cloth and cleaned up a table so my daughter and I could sit. She also felt the glazed raised donut was too sweet. I ordered a scrambled egg and cheese croissant. It was OK. Being so disappointed about the two donut shop trek and not a satisfying donut to be found wrecked my tastebuds. Daughter and I both agree that fresh donuts from Cub have surpassed any of the 5 donut shops we've been to so far. Sunrise is next on the list, I have high hopes!
(2)Matt U.
We came by after trying a competitor down the street and wanting to be able to really say, "Place X is better". At the end of the day, this place was awesome a did a better job in the realm of baked sweets than some of the other spots in the area. We started with a sample of a donut hole which both I and my 2.5 year old appreciated. We decided that two donuts and two cookies were in order. We began with the peanut butter-banana-chocolate face donut. This may be the best donut since the beginning of time and may be the calorie dense item I've ever seen. The face on the outside a good start, but the inside filled with the aforementioned combo makes for what shall henceforth be known as bakery bliss. Seriously, this was incredible and may be a superfood - the sort of thing that would solve hunger problems if distributed widely. We then procured a cherry bomb and as it's name suggested, it is indeed a delicious weapon. The filling was good, but the real magic was occurring in the actual donut - it was straight up amazing! Soft, sweet and delicious - it's how I imagine a diabetic cloud tastes on a warm day. We also indulged in a couple angry bird cookies as they were colorful and a 2.5 year old does love colorful carbs! We made the mistake of keeping them until the following day at which time the fluffy cookie had been sucked dry of moisture and was rather hard. Moral of this story is that you should eat these the same day. They have complimentary coffee for all patrons and plenty of seating at which to enjoy your baked deliciousness. Based on the reviews my expectations were not super high, but after coming by, I'm hooked! This spot, along with another down the way, make for quite the intimidating and delicious bakers mile! Worth checking out and them coming back to again.
(5)Anna B.
I'm pregnant. My only major pregnancy craving thus far has been for Apple fritters. It went from a fleeting thought on a Wednesday to MUST EAT ONE NOW on Saturday. Darling hubby went to a few bakeries on his search and came home with the glorious, big as my face fritter. Soft and pillowy- filled with big chunks of apples, super sweet since its glazed in exorbitant amounts of sugary glaze. Grab a tall glass of OJ or big cup of coffee to offset the sweet... Then chow down! I've still got 5 months to go AND we're moving to the neighborhood...make way for the pregnant lady!!
(5)Matt H.
Fantastic donuts. Large size, flaky glaze, excellent fillings. Some unique offerings, like the "bombs", large glazed pockets filled with fruit or chocolate. The bacon topped Bavarian Cream long-john is also excellent. Prices are higher than gas-station donuts, but these are also much better, and larger, than gas station donuts. The ambiance is a little weird, but the quality of the donuts more than offsets any issues there. I love donuts, and plan to come back here any time we're in the neighborhood.
(4)Brian H.
A very good raised donut. Sweet and moist, not bread like some raised donuts can be. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of lemon, and their glaze is lemon flavored. My wife lived it, said its the best glazed donut she's ever had, but it's not for me.
(3)Cara M.
Donuts were delicous, but the prices were pretty high.
(3)Troy S.
A top 3 donut in the Twin Cities! Delicious! Great glaze and chocolate coverage. You may need a toothbrush after!
(5)Sarah S.
I am NOT a donut fan so don't ask abt donuts but man their Pecan pies are the best!!!!They melt in the mouth!The owner is a fantastic lady love chit chatting with her!
(5)Adam S.
Just pain good, not-good-for-you doughnuts. There are many things to like about Mel-O-Glaze: free coffee, free doughnut hole, and ability to pay with a credit card. There is also plenty of space to hang-out. Their fritters are probably their best doughnuts. Oh . . . they really do understand that glazed doughnuts are supposed to be glazed! The biggest drawback to Mel-O-Glaze is the price. Two - three bucks per doughnut is pretty expensive - especially when I can go to a holiday and get two doughnuts for a $1. True, the quality is not the same, but Mel-O-Glaze can ding the wallet quickly if you plan on sampling.
(4)Sue S.
It has been on our radar for awhile now to try to find a good old doughnut shop that doesn't offer gourmet pastries and doesn't charge $3 a doughnut. If that's what you're after, Mel-O will fit the bill. This shop falls in the category of "it aint fancy, but it's pretty good." The shop itself is not the most welcoming -- honestly I'm not sure I'd feel super comfortable plunking down and eating my doughnuts there. But for takeout, it's perfect. The doughnuts themselves (plus other various pastries and baked things) are housed in a glass case. You simply tell them what you want and your order is packed up in a bag. There aren't a ton of options but the straight glazed and chocolate iced were enough for us. There are a few coolers with cold beverage options and I did spot a dispenser for coffee on the counter, but this is not the type of shop that's going to be making you a latte to go with your doughnut. The doughnuts themselves were fresh and really moist. The glaze and the chocolate icing literally flake as you bite, which results in a delicious kind of crunch to the outside of the doughnut and a shower of sugar falling on your shirt, on the ground, on the plate, etc. But this is a case where messy is good and the doughnuts were really tasty. We also thought we detected a slight lemony taste to the glaze, which we liked, though others might not. We saw a woman pulling a tray of doughnuts from the fryer while we were there -- a good sign of the freshness. Service wise, the guy that helped us was friendly enough. I was sorry to see that they weren't more busy. It was just us and one more customer at 8:30 on a Sunday morning. It was $6 even for half a dozen doughnuts -- $1 per basically. That's less than say Glam Doll but more than I'm used to paying in other cities for a doughnut. Still, I will happily pay that for my fix and a really pretty solid doughnut offering. We are happy to add Mel-O to our list of doughnut options.
(3)Sarah H.
I love Mel-O-Glaze! I like them for their raised glazed donuts, which are raised glazed perfection, and I love them for their assortment of miniature pastries (e.g. Mini eclairs that are about thumb sized, and heavenly). I'd give them five stars if the ambience were a little more inviting for hanging out, but it's great for to go orders.
(4)Jay S.
Went in on a Monday morning because someone was craving donuts and this is place is only about 1/2 a mile from where he lives. Nothing had prices, and we ended up spending a bit more than I was expecting. I was happy with the freshness and texture of the donut, but the flavor of the glaze seemed off/like a chemical-y/artificial lemon flavor. It was enough to totally turn both of us off. Sad because I was hoping to make this a usual place.
(2)Sarah S.
I have a voracious sweet tooth... when I get a craving, the need for sweet can trump all. The maple twist doughnut at Mel-O-Glaze is one of the few things in life that can really, truly meet the high demands of my sweet tooth. If you're into maple doughnuts (and they are NOT for the faint-of-sweet-toothed) this is a great place to try. I haven't been early in the morning to see the full array of their treats, but when I've gone in the mid-afternoon there's still plenty to choose from. They've also got some unique types of bread which looked fabulous. They only take cards if you spend at least $5 - I got my maple twist amazingness, a huge peanut butter bar for the hubs, a dog treat to take home to my furry buddy and a soda for about $6. So the prices are quite good! Also, it appears their patio is pup-friendly which is excellent - and as I mentioned above, they sell fresh dog treats! I feel like if this place did a mini-makeover and got the coffee shop up and routinely running it might be a little more enticing to come and hang out and eat an unreasonable amount of doughnuts. They've got a great space. As it currently stands, this is more of a take-it-to-go place for me. It's close enough to lake Nokomis that you can legitimately have a doughnut-only picnic if you walk around the lake before your pig out. All-in-all, I'm kind of wavering between 3 and 4 stars on this place.
(4)Jonathan E.
I checked this place out awhile back after buying a Groupon for some pastries & coffee. It was a pretty good value and a buddy of mine who lives in the area swears by this place. I always find that scenarios like this are a perfect opportunity to try something new. Overall, the experience was ok. At the time, they had a lot of Christmas decorations which was rather festive. The space is pretty big for a bakery/coffee shop in case you want to sit and eat there. They have a pretty good selection and the prices are decent. Decent coffee. Decent pastries. Nothing terribly exciting, but good. There was a Bavarian cream turnover that was probably the best of the things I sampled--Id recommend that if you come across it. Id say that there are numerous places in the cities that have better pastries, but I certainly cant say anything bad about Mel-O-Glaze. It's been in the neighborhood for years and people love it--there is something to be said for comfort and consistency. If you are simply looking for amazing baked goods/pastries though, Id highly recommened Franklin Street Bakery, Patrick's, or Patisserie 46--all of which arent too far from here. Pros: Easy street parking, large dining space, good selection, decent prices (Groupons sometimes available) Cons: Not at the level of the better bakeries/pastry shops
(3)John C.
The glazed raised donuts are their main seller, and they are the BEST in the Twin Cities. If you take them home and heat on in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, they are just as good, if not better, than Krispy Kreme. They also have killer apple fritters, with the perfect crispiness and generous coating of their glaze. They have easy curbside parking right alongside the front door. The downside: The inside of the store is nothing for comfort and ambiance, but I get my bakery to go anyway so who cares? The drip coffee isn't that great either, and I had coffee grounds in my cup. These guys are also kinda expensive. 12 bucks got me 6 glazed raised and 2 apple fritters
(5)Codi C.
Happy Donut Friday to ME! Someone at our office was lovely enough to go the extra mile and spring for Mel-O-Glaze this fine morning. Our weekly donut Fridays, where we all take turns bringing them in, usually consist of Cub donuts. I think it's like $10 for a box of 50 or something. But on rare occasions some wonderful, caring soul steps up and brings in something extra special. This morning my simple, glazed donut was light and pillowy, not too sticky, but just sticky enough. And that was just the outside. the inside was moist and sweet, with each mouthful a world of flavor unto itself. I overhead at least one co-worker say theirs was the best donut they had ever had. I can only hope this starts an office trend..
(4)Dan S.
I'll give Mel-O-Glaze four stars based on its donuts alone, because they're so delicious. If other aspects (ie customer service, aesthetic) were taken into account, it could be leaning towards three stars. When it comes to donuts, I tend to stick with apple fritters. I would call myself a connoisseur of fine fritters, but that would be a total lie -- I usually go the gas station/grocery store donut route. However, based upon the large amount of fritters I've consumed in my life, I still feel like I'm qualified enough to tell a good fritter from a bad one. Mel-O-Glaze definitely has a good fritter. With the exception of an occasional doughy center, their apple fritters are very, very tasty. It's a good thing their donuts are so good, because they really pick up the slack for ambiance and customer service. I'm not really as picky as that makes me sound, but the inside doesn't exactly make me want to sit down and stay a while. It's also a good thing that they have a startling alarm on the door, because I'm not sure that they would come out from the back otherwise. One thing I always wonder about is the coffee section of mel-o-glaze that looks like a deserted ghost town coffee bar area. I've never seen anyone getting coffee, but I also never go when it's busy. The inside and the less than stellar customer service don't really bother me. I just want to get in, get my fritter, and eat it as fast as possible anyway. Other positives are the reasonable prices and the size of the donuts. If you haven't been to Mel-O-Glaze, I'd encourage you to give it a shot.
(4)Katherine B.
Oh Mel-O-Glaze. I get you. I understand that I shouldn't expect a large selection if I show up on a weekday after 10. I know there might be a long line on a Saturday. I understand that I shouldn't expect fancy bathrooms at an independent store in the city. I feel totally comfortable on your couches and talking to your quirky staff and customers, but I get why some people might not. Who cares if there is another great bakery just blocks away? Not me. I've got room in my life for lots of donuts, especially the filled long johns with tangy cream. No super sweet grocery store crap. Oh and the fried cinnamon rolls that you'll zap for 15 seconds in the microwave? Perfection. Still, it would be nice if you had better coffee. And napkins.
(4)Krystal M.
The ladies who work here are even sweeter than their raised-glazed wares, I love them! They sell out fast though, so jockey up there. The only downer I've experienced was their pumpkin bars. The frosting was too buttery (and I am in the pro-butter camp) not cream-cheesy enough.
(5)Jim C.
Having been on a near mystical quest for the perfect apple fritter, I was compelled to check out Mel-O-Glaze this morning. I've devised my own ranking system specific to these fried delicacies--spanning from FritTerrible on one end to FritTerrific on the other. Mel-O-Glaze's version definitely skews toward the high end of the scale. On the plus side, the fired dough was relatively light and the sugared glaze was near-perfect. In addition, sizable chunks of real apple suggest there may be health benefits to Mel-O-Glaze fritter consumption (more study needed). The trade off is that the bigger the apples pieces, the more water is released during frying, which can lead to dreaded "fritter sog" (where the dough around the apple doesn't fry and remains, well, doughy). I did run into a few bites of minor sog, which were the only reason I can't push this to FritTerrific/5 Stars. That's said, it's the best I've had in town and will be happily back in the near future.
(4)Jesse G.
I came here on a Saturday morning (after realizing that A Baker's Wife does not accept credit/debit cards). The guy behind the counter offered me and my kid a free donut hole when we walked in. That was the only good thing about the place. The selection of donuts was very small. All the donuts are smothered way too much sugar glaze. I could tell even before tasting them that I would be disappointed. I got an apple fritter. A cinnamon roll, a raised donut and a cake donut. The cake donut was way too dry and crumbly. The apple fritter and cinnamon roll were indistinguishable from the massive amounts of glaze on them. The texture of the raised donut was good, but the glaze... I will never set foot in that place again.
(2)Nathan L.
I think its lemon. Not quite sure but I'm pretty sure its lemon in them there glazed. Although we were a little uncertain while eating them so we had to have almost 4 glazed donuts before we were pretty sure. I believe we are going to have to go back and do some more detective work. It is a great place but keep in mind this place has a slight twist of the soup nazi on staff and he would like you to be prompt with your order. He would look you straight in the eye and expected your order. He was cruising through the line as people were spouting off their orders like they had been rehearsing them in their heads all the way to the door. "2 glazed twists, 1 cherry bismark, 2 glazed, 1 apple fritter and a cinnamon roll. " Slide step to the left pay, say thank you, leave and eat until your tummy hurts.
(4)Nazgul W.
Stopped by after meaning to try it for a long time. Unfortunately my experience also involves a Groupon, and the guy behind the counter seemed a bit flustered by it. He was nice enough, but indicated in a very confusing way that some items were covered by the Groupon and some not. I tried to make sure I bought a fair amount of stuff because even though the Groupon was expired, it was worth $5. I got a fat chunk of some fresh Pumpkin bread and I have to say, it was absolutely delicious: moist and scrumptious. I want more of that. Also got some sugar cookies, which were good but not great, and some donuts that left me a little unimpressed. The experience here was a bit bizarre. There was a little dog running around and there didn't seem to be prices on anything. I saw no coffee or drinks available. I might have missed it in the haze that overtook me when I walked in, I dunno. Reading the reviews of the place beforehand, I was little tepid about coming in here at all. The first thing I encountered was a woman who seemingly works there. I said 'Hi' and she didn't say anything and walked away. What the...? I agree with some of the other reviews that the place could be improved by clearly marking everything in terms of price, and the service could be much better. Part of me never wants to return while another suspects this place warrants further exploration. A Baker's Wife is just down the street, but I would say check this place out as well, at least once. Or maybe twice. Perhaps after the second visit it's clear whether this place is a dud or a diamond in the rough.
(2)Lindsay C.
Sounds as if I had a similar experience as some Groupon purchasers. I saw this deal $5 for five donuts and pastries and a drink and thought "oh, that will be nice to treat my office some morning". Last week I did just that with very marginal results. I barely remember the donuts, just average, nothing special. Listed as having specialty coffees I was looking forward to a latte or espresso. I go in there, half of the shop is a coffee bar, but it's closed. I was told "we don't have any coffee but you can get a pop". I bought ten donuts and paid $5 outta pocket which means donuts are $1 each and the only thing my Groupon got me was a free pop that I didn't even want. Never again Mel-O..
(2)Jessica K.
Here's what I don't get, why go to the effort to offer a Groupon to bring in new customers only to give them a bad experience? Not only did they not create a new loyal customer, now I'm writing about my bad experience and it will be nearly impossible to win me back. I came in on a Tuesday at 8 a.m. with my Groupon for $20. Even though it was early they had very few donuts.The case was only about 1/3rd full and they weren't making any more. To top it off they had run out of coffee! So I scraped together $18 worth of glazed, cake and sprinkle donuts and got a bottled soda. Once in my car I pulled open the box and started to eat a plain cake donut - but I nearly cracked a tooth it was so dried out. It was seriously the worst donut I have ever eaten. While I was staring at how horrible the donut was, I noticed a dark spot, which I realized was a bug. Now, I'm not worried about eating a bug, but clearly this donut was made a long, long time ago. The glazed donuts were fresher - I think - or maybe the sugar coating preserved them? They looked like they were dipped twice in sugar there was so much glaze. Finally the shop itself was, well, not very inviting. The layout of the tables was random, the floor and paint all looked old, some of the cases were uneven, like they had been picked up at a junk yard, and the whole place just looked run down. Again, if you're going to offer a Groupon, you might want to freshen up the place, and for God's Sake, make sure the food is good.
(2)Molly E.
I so wanted to like this place. I'm a huge fan of A Baker's Wife, just down the road on 28th Ave., so I thought I would like it. I am giving this bakery two stars because I had one ok experience and one terrible one. I had the $20 Groupon, so I ordered a cake for my sister's birthday. It was seriously the best cake I have ever had. It wasn't fancy, just white cake with white frosting, but the cake was dense and moist and the frosting was not overly sweet. That cake was so good I decided to order cakes for my wedding reception. I called approximately 15 time to get in touch with someone (apparently the owner is the only one who will take cake orders and/or give you prices). I finally ordered the cakes and planned to pick them up the day before our reception. Well, in the midst of 100 other things, I ran to pick up my cakes. The man working there had no idea and didn't see my cakes so he called the owner. She was quite rude to me and made it seem like it was my fault (are you sure you confirmed the order? I don't think I ever talked to you etc). They did eventually find my order and said they would deliver it the next morning. Well, the cakes did come the next morning but they were not the right kind (I ordered white and she gave me marble). It's one thing to make a mistake and own up to it. It's another to blame it on the customer. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Justin W.
The best glazed donuts in the Twin Cities. If you wake up with a sweet tooth (and you're near the Nokomis neighborhood in south Minneapolis), this is the place to go!
(5)Melissa C.
Melo Glaze has the best donuts in the South Minneapolis hood. Can't go wrong with an original glazed donut. P.S. The owners of this joint are interesting folk. :)
(4)Nicole N.
I read a ton of reviews before going anywhere. I can't lie. I'm a weirdo. Everyone seemed to love Mel-O-Glaze. Welp, one day I decided that I wanted to get my baby love some donuts and bring them to him before he even woke up. That was about 10 A.M. Dude sleeps laaaaate. So I drive there from the Stadium Village area... and proceed to get lost about 9,000 times. Eventually I find this pit. Seriously. It looked decent, but all the doors were open. There were flies EVERYWHERE. "Okay," I thought. "I can deal." Well, not only were there flies everywhere, but the old geezer that handed me my four donuts acted as if I was a burden. Eff off! I murmured. When I got home I was ultra-pissed. Not only was the place infested with nasty flies, but the guy working was a dick and the donuts were the same as the crap I buy at Cub... but without the hassle. Last time I trust reviews from magazines. I'll stick to Cub, thanks.
(2)Nicole P.
This place is filthy/ nasty. We stopped by on a summer afternoon on our way to Minnehaha Falls and got some cookies which were decent but nothing i couldn't get at Lund's bakery. They had Pizza samples out but I'm not going to eat something that is ice cold (grease had puddled and solidified on it already) and flies all over because the doors are open. great for breeze not great for bug sanitation. when i went to use the bathroom (way in the back) i walked by open doors to a kitchen/ storage area which was unbelievable disgusting! there was caked food on everything and there was a bucket of rain water drippings in the bathroom (today was sunny so how long was this stagnant water there?) The service was slow and we were the only ones in there the furniture looked like it came from dorm left overs. Not impressed, what a great location and potentially great building but it is not being utilized.
(1)Rachel G.
From their recent write-up in Midwest Living (page 51), I learned to try their Apple Fritter. Note, there is barely any apple...and a LOT of glaze. That being said, the texture was like moist Hallah with the perfect balance of Cinnamon. Bonus, I only paid $1.50! I may find an excuse to bike ride down in that area, just so I can get another.
(3)Marcy C.
This place is run down and disorganized. Nothing in the case was labeled and there were no prices on display. The cookies were 5 days old and the donuts are just okay. Don't waste your money on this place.
(2)Jeanette J.
Best raised-glazed in town. Forget the other stuff.
(5)Wanda M.
I like Mel O Glaze donuts and I do not lie. MAGIC in your mouth. YOWZA! I have eaten several donuts from several places and this place has them all beat. The owner is very nice and this place has been in her family since 1961. TOP NOTCH!
(5)Bananie P.
SOOO, yes. The exterior, the interior miiiiight be a little scraggly and odd... BUT, if you can walk/bike down Minnehaha parkway in the spring with the smell of sugared donuts hanging in the air on the corner where little Mel-O-Glaze sits WITHOUT walking in to the bakery... you are a human of sterner stuff than I. One lucious mouth full of that oh so mellow glaze and you'll forget that the walls are a little shabby. It is quite possible that the blueberry turnovers from Mel-O-Glaze saved my relationship with the love of my life. In a repentant panic I stopped by to see that the blueberry turnover shelf was BARE. MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Luckily, they had just pulled nearly a dozen out of the magical Mel-O-Glaze oven and wrapped four them up for me to take away (about $6 dollaz). Flakey, buttery, sweet-sugar-topped-goodness. The blueberry are my favorite and I've yet to try the apple. Donuts are HEAVENLY! I've never had their savory offerings and will agree that sometimes the pizza looks a little cold and lonely. But the pastries are the star of the show here! Woo the man with fresh-baked delights and he'll take you into his lovin arms no matter how insanely female you may have been. The gal at the counter even wrote a little note on a napkin for me, "SHE'S SOOOOOO SORRY! Love, Mel-o-Glaze" Don't wanna do penance? Give your man a pastry.
(4)Kim W.
Love this place. Quirky and unique. Really good old fashioned donuts. Ignore the haters.
(4)Joshua Z.
I am very serious about doughnuts. Like fried chicken, barbecue, and ice cream, this hot caloric death is not worth eating unless it's REALLY good. And these doughnuts are awesome. The size of a baby's head, both yeast and cake varieties are killer. Chocolate glaze is especially bittersweet and decadent. Makes Krispy Kremes appear both insubstantial and one dimensional. I've never had anything else on their menu, and never plan to. That would be like going to the best steakhouse ever and ordering chicken. They're expensive for donuts, but an eminently affordable luxury.
(5)Stacy G.
Soft glazed deliciousness that melts in your mouth?? Yes please. Best bakery in the Twin Cities... keepin it real old school style. If you haven't been to Mel-O-Glaze on a Saturday morning you haven't lived.
(4)Melanie L.
What a find...raised and cake donuts, chocolate and vanilla iced and a variety of toppings that include sprinkles and coconut. I haven't tried a fritter, but they did smell wonderful the other morning when I was in. The turnovers were wonderful and flaky and full of fruity goo, but I was greatly disappointed by the price of the donuts. A dozen donuts for $12??! Not in my book. Every good bakery I've been to offers some sort of special on a dozen, even if it's just a baker's dozen. I've been in twice now and as reviewed previously the decor is not inviting for any sort of stay. Also the customer service is hit and miss. A gentleman who waited on me was wonderfully chatty and knew quite a bit about the history of the place, but another time I was in a middle-aged Asian woman who offered little in the way of conversation or approachability if I had had a question. Still good enough to visit again.
(3)Mark D.
Update 9/20/2008: I returned to Mel-O-Glaze to compare their apple fritter with one that I picked up from another business. Hands-down, Mel-O-Glaze wins. Also, with the weather being much nicer today, the row of open patio doors made a huge difference of creating a much nicer atmosphere than on the rainy day when I first visited this place. The sandwich/food selection still was very bleak with flies walking over the uncovered items; ew. I'll visit again for the donuts (well, the ones that are in the covered display case at least ;). Original post: I've been looking for a good donut in the city for a while now. Yesterday, I started to explore in South Minneapolis some listings on Yelp. Today, I continued that exploration. A friend and I drove to this little bakery to try their fare. I ordered a donut, he ordered an apple fritter. We sat, ate and discussed our own reviews of the place. First, the food: The selection of items included a frosted donut, a cherry-filled donut, a lemon or Bavarian filled donut and some fritters. There were a selection of frosted cookies as well in various shapes and sizes; these did not look very appetizing however. The donut and apple fritter that we ordered were very moist, light and tasty. There seemed to be a lemon-flavor to the icing on both items, which had a slight impact on my enjoyment, as I was not expecting this. However, based on the overall taste and light, fluffy texture, I would certainly try again. Next, the atmosphere: The place has so much potential. Yet, it is not somewhere that I would probably go again other than to get something to go. The walls are stark white. It appears that something may have hung on the walls at some point, but those items have long since been torn down and the holes never filled up. Cobwebs were prevalent and track lighting lined the ceiling. For a donut/coffee shop, the atmosphere was dismal. I did love the fact that the front side of this place was lined with french doors, really opening the place up to the outside (where there were some tables), however, the interior really let me down. There was also a coffee counter in another room of the place with Torani syrups, however, it appeared abandoned and no one came to help us out. We didn't bother to ask, rather, we enjoyed our fresh baked goods and left. Final verdict? I gave the place a 3.5, my friend gave it a 2, hence, we've settled on a 3. Give the donuts a try, but don't expect to be wowed by the atmosphere. PS - This place has a sidewalk sign that advertises Pizza, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream. If I were the manager of marketing for this place, I would do away with this sign completely! First, there were four 2"x2" slices of pizza in the display (on a pan that was probably 3 feet by 2 feet in size). They looked cold and like they had been sitting there for some time. The two sandwiches in the display case didn't look much better. As for the coffee, well, see above. I can't speak for the ice cream. Maybe next summer I'll give it a try.
(3)Karla S.
If you like donuts don't waste your time any place else. Tomorrow morning get in your car and drive directly to Mel-O-Glaze Bakery. Be ready to have a belly-altering experience and a long-lasting sugar high. Allow me to explain my passion behind this donut shop. One Monday morning I was picking an order up for some folks at the office. Sadly, I did not call ahead and had to wait while they packaged an order for another customer. Don't worry, I wasn't too sad; they gave me a glazed twist to enjoy while I waited. While the owner finished she explained the order she was prepping, beautiful fruit-filled pastries, were booked on a morning flight to London! These donuts travel, that's how good they are! After finishing, she glazed my donuts fresh, boxed them and sent me on my way. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery is a second generation, family-owned gem just off of lovely Lake Nokomis. Make sure to order ahead the day before for large groups. They'll even entertain custom orders, time permitting. If you're looking for a swanky shop in pristine condition with just the right music and coffee this is not it. They just make a damn good donut!
(4)Robert B.
I really wanted to love this place. I feel like your standard raised glazed donut is a pretty good barometer for a donut shop and I believe that is what this place is known for. I have a huge sweet tooth and the glaze was too sugary for me and I couldn't help but think I've had better donuts from Cub foods. Not much selection or anything unique to redeem themselves either. I would say this place was disappointing compared to the other donut shops in the Twin Cities and while appreciate the space to sit and enjoy the coffee and donut it was a bit dirty.
(2)Dan S.
I pushed off going to this place because of a few bad reviews, but I think the complaints are unwarranted. I didn't think the place was dirty and the guy at the counter was pretty nice to me. I tried the glazed donut with chocolate and the honey cinnamon roll. The roll was phenomenal. Probably one of the best donuts I've ever had. The glazed donut was OK. Both were more sugary than most donuts, particularly the glazed donut. The donut was $1 and the honey cinnamon roll was $1.50. Both were worth the price. The store looked comfortable, a few tables. They have an espresso machine, but I got the food to go. There was a newspaper on one table, but it was from Monday and I was there on a Saturday morning.
(4)Karen S.
4-stars for the apple fritters, glazed donuts and sugar cookies...all picked up to go. If you deviate from the above, you're on your own. Do NOT order coffee here, it's terrible. The atmosphere is weird and kind of un-inviting. The abandoned coffee cafe connected to it is depressing. The colorful metalic Christmas trees out front are just bizzare.
(4)Stephanie K.
Great donuts! They have a really nice selection of types and varieties of donuts and similar pastries. My favorite is the boston creme. The creme filling is not too sweet and they don't skimp on their fillings. I also really enjoyed the light and airy glazed donuts that weren't super sticky.
(4)Flummerie Junket L.
Bought a groupon and decided to use it which is how I found myself here. The donuts were ok and the apple fritter, as mentioned by other people were also good but the place needs new management or maybe a new owner.... I gave the place 2 stars because: 1) I walked in and was greeted by a little dog that peed on the carpet (think it's the owners dog) 2) Was greeted by a woman who was very nice but in dire need of a shower and a brush... Was she the baker? Would I find long strands of hair in my glaze? 3) There wasn't much in the case as far as donuts go- they looked old and I guess some of the stuff had 'already gone bad' so she wouldn't sell it to me. Cool that she was honest about it but why was it still in the case? 4) The only coffee I was offered was drip and it came in a Styrofoam cup with little creamers sitting on the table. Basically, bad church coffee. And what the hell are people still using Styrofoam for? Donuts should always be paired with good coffee. Period. 5) We bought a bunch of donuts and they were all thrown in a bag and not a box. Jammed in a bag :( JAMMED! 6) oh and the place had no napkins... so be prepared to lick. ...I dunno, I left there thinking, "well, that's unfortunate" I like to see small businesses doing really well for themselves and it's obvious why this one isn't. But like I said, the donut was good. Sweet, but good.
(2)Kari M.
The only reason I am writing is because I feel that 3 stars is WAYYYYYYY overrating the joint. Bad ambiance, mediocre food, a total waste of an incredible piece of commercial real estate, and clueless staff. The only thing it inspires in me is the desire to open a restaurant to replace Mel-O-Glaze. Oh wait a minute, the Baker's Wife is only 4 blocks away. Wahoooooo!
(1)John E.
Who needs coupons or freebees, this place is just has the best donuts and other bakery delights in the twin cities hands down. The days of a family owned and run bakery are numbered so just enjoy it while you still can. I have been a fan of this place for over 40 years. I have never found a better glazed donut then this place makes. Just give them a try for yourself and write your own opinion. Reminder to get there early if you stop by on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The fresher the better!
(5)Mike A.
Pretty limited selection. I would say the doughnuts are a cut above what you'd get at a supermarket but not fantastic. They all have a thick sugary glaze so be aware. I didn't think the play was unclean or that the service was unfriendly as previous reviewers had.
(3)noppadol c.
On the plus side, the donuts were very good and fresh (Saturday morning). Unfortunately, it seemed as if the 2 people running the place were business newbies and I was their first customer, ever. I asked for a plate for my son to eat his donut on and the guy gave me a dirty, plate withcrumbs and a sticker and on it from goodwill. Take the stickers off you buy dishes and wash them first! They had no napkins out, although I saw some full-size napkins behind the counter. When I asked for a napkin, they went into the back brought some little dainty square napkins. Tea-time napkins don't work for sticky donuts. The place wasn't busy but the entire 30 minutes I was there they didn't clear any of the dirty dishes on the tables. They had some nice looking pizzas sitting on a tray...shouldn't the pizza be kept hot or cold, not sitting at room temperature? Some dude walked in with his dog which was licking everything in sight. Not sure the department of health would like these things. So even though the donuts were excellent, everything else was done so poorly, I have to give a bad review and never go back.
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