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Dat Donut
Master Critic Review
Dat Donut
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
The Lakeview outpost of South Side classic Dat Donut brings hand-cut rings, fritters, and the oversized Big Dat donut to a compact counter steps from the Wellington Brown Line. The focus is squarely on warm, straightforward donuts and coffee rather than cafe frills, effectively turning it into a grab-and-go morning ritual for nearby residents and hospital staff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Dat giant glazed donut, Apple fritter, Strawberry or pineapple glazed donut
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: North-side counter of a 1990s South Side donut institution famous for giant rings.
Who should go: Early risers craving classic, oversized donuts near the Brown Line.
When to visit: Morning hours for freshest batches before popular trays deplete.
What to order: Big Dat glazed, apple fritter, rotating strawberry or pineapple ring.
Insider tip: Bring friends to split a Big Dat—one donut easily feeds several people.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along nearby corridors; spots are easiest early mornings, tighter after 9am on weekends.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are (athleisure, scrubs, and everyday wear are all common).
Noise level: Low to moderate — small counter space with steady foot traffic and to-go orders, but conversation is easy.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a morning and daytime stop; no typical evening rush.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, aside from brief order lines during commuter hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — most cake and yeast donuts are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited — recipes are traditional and generally not vegan; availability may vary by rotation.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free donuts or separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual coffee-and-donut meetup than a sit-down date — think quick morning stop or walk-and-talk.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is limited and most visits are grab-and-go, so plan to take donuts to-go if stools are full.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — great for quick donut runs with kids; limited seating and a compact space mean brief visits work best for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Classic, oversized glazed donuts and fritters served warm with fast, no-frills convenience near the train.
Skip if: You’re looking for latte art, café seating, or specialty/vegan or gluten-free pastry programs.