0 Followers
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
Master Critic Review
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
8.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Sweet Treats Escapes
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee on Broadway is a high-volume Lakeview East cafe where Chicago-style craft donuts, seasonal specials, and strong coffee run from early morning through afternoon. Locals lean on it for everything from cereal-topped Biscoff pockets to old-fashioneds grabbed with a latte before commuting or walking the lakefront.
Must-Try Dishes:
Biscoff pocket donut, Pistachio old-fashioned, Pretzel-glazed donut
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A Chicago-born donut bar pairing maximalist flavors with serious daily volume.
Who should go: Donut completists and commuters wanting variety with their coffee.
When to visit: Early mornings for freshest trays and shorter donut lines.
What to order: Biscoff pocket, pistachio old-fashioned, pretzel-glazed ring.
Insider tip: Pre-order dozens online on weekends—popular flavors routinely sell out early.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Broadway and nearby side streets; spots are easier early mornings and tougher on weekends.
Dress code: Casual — coffee run attire is standard.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversational indoors, with brief rush spikes during morning lines.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — shop is busiest in the morning; expect a 10–20 minute line on weekend mornings.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, aside from brief mid-day coffee rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — most donuts are vegetarian-friendly, with many non-gelatin options.
Vegan options: Limited — offerings are occasional or seasonal; availability varies by day.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some flavors are labeled gluten-friendly, but cross-contact is possible due to shared preparation.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual, low-pressure coffee-and-walk style date; it’s more grab-and-go than sit-down conversational.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with first-come seating; tables turn quickly but can be scarce during weekend morning rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly with easy snack options; best for kids who can manage counter-service seating and brief lines.
Best For
Better for: High variety of specialty donuts, quick coffee stops, and morning grab-and-go treats with strong daily volume.
Skip if: You want a full brunch, extended table service, or dedicated vegan/gluten-free baking with strict separation.