MUNSTER, INDIANA- Parlor Doughnuts released a limited-time holiday menu at their Munster location earlier this month to bring in holiday cheer – and sales. 

 As the holidays roll around, most businesses create themed advertisements, menus, products, and more. After so many coffee runs, the same peppermint mocha starts to become boring. This is what Parlor Doughnuts has changed for the better. They have created a holiday menu that is unique and fun while still deliciously incorporating those familiar, nostalgic flavors. Offering a new variety of their standard menu, Parlor Doughnuts brings the cold-weather flavors we all crave in recognizable forms. The holiday menu includes doughnuts such as “Holiday Custard” and “White Christmas,” as well as their “Glad Tidings” coffee and more.

 The holiday doughnut collection puts a spin on some of the shop’s traditional doughnuts, such as “Carnival” and “Original Glazed.” The holiday custard doughnut that I tried was similar to their “Sandy Beach” doughnut. While many holiday items on other local menus tend to be overly sweet, this doughnut was not. The outside was crispy, with a pillowy interior. The entire doughnut was coated with cinnamon sugar, which nicely tied all the flavors together. The star of the show, though, was the custard. It was tangy and rich, with a cinnamon eggnog flavoring. The filling wasn’t overly done; it was well spread throughout and just filled enough for maximum flavor benefits. The only downside to this doughnut was that it wasn’t sweet enough. All of the separate components were nicely balanced, but the piece lacked an overall sweetness factor. However, this doughnut was still delicious. While this one is tailored to a specific audience with a certain kind of taste, many of their doughnuts are classic and appeal to everyone. 

The restaurant itself smells fresh, with a subtle sweet smell that isn’t overwhelming to the customer. When coffee is brewed, an energizing scent of freshly pressed coffee fills the room. The overall atmosphere was clean and put together. However, it was early in the morning, so there were no other customers. There was soft Christmas music playing and a peaceful quiet, a beautiful way to wake up and start your day. The restaurant had gleaming floors, shiny tables, and walls painted white to perfect the spotless look. The workers used tongs to gather rather than gloves, a good way to reduce waste and still serve food without touching it. 

Overall, having a doughnut from Parlor Doughnuts was a wonderful experience. From the clean, positive atmosphere to the small batch doughnuts that remain fresh, there isn’t a moment to wish for a different experience. Even if eggnog doughnuts aren’t your thing, there are so many different options to choose from, as well as foods and drinks. You can stop by their Munster location at 8130 Calumet Avenue. I highly recommend Parlor Doughnuts if you haven’t tried it already.