Monthly Feature
You never know where Natalie will end up. This month, she heads to Portland, Oregon!
Man oh man. I will try and capture the essence of this place with the correct words, but the first two terms that come to mind are ‘amazing’ and ‘flabbergasted’. The mecca to VooDoo began with my brother watching Food Network, and promptly planning it into his visit out to the West Coast. We figured that we wouldn’t encounter the long lines, as it was showcased on Food Network/Travel Channel. We figured we’d take our time with the menu, mull things over, order and sit down.
WRONG. It turned into a complete and utter meal, surrounded a bit by personal chaos rattling your brain as your eyes tried to soak in the menu of over, and your nose intoxicating the rest of your body with the sweet smell of sugar and flour. We pulled up to “VooDoo Doughnut Too”, a secondary location from the ever coveted original location (the original is closed due to construction). We immediately realized that this was not going to be an oridinary, run of the mill visit to a hunky dory doughnut shop. The building itself is painted bright pink, and the line wrapped along the back entrance, rounding the corner. Out back we noticed a few grills, and were perplexed at the idea, until we saw bacon going on the grill. Bacon? At a doughnut shop? Why yes, the lovely strips of bacon go directly on top of a maple frosting covered doughnut. Genius.
We waited in line, and finally took in the atmosphere. There were off the wall, random objects taped/pinned/glued onto the walls/ceilings/doors/windows; and the look was completed by random arcade games and a photo booth in the back of the shop. Our group was staring at the board, trying to decide what it is that we really wanted, reading over the menu like obssesive compulsive sugar addicts. We noticed that for $10, we could get the “VooDoo Dozen”, an option would include a dozen doughnuts, hand picked by the staff, at complete random. We decided to go from there, and make our way to the ‘seating’ area of the shop. I use that term loosely, as the entire store was one long line of people zigzagging, and there were maybe 10 seats for people to sit on.
My personal favorite was the Butterfinger one [I refuse to call it by it’s real name, Butterfingering], while other popular ones at the table being the Marshall Matters, Old Dirty Bastard and the Dirt Doughnut. We also purchased some of the more popular items, the original VooDoo Doll, and the Texas Challenge doughnut. While we didn’t participate in the challenge [you get your money back if you can finish the whole thing in 80 seconds], the giant doughnut was equivalent to 6; but was a fluffy haven every bite of the way. The VooDoo doll is filled with raspberry jelly topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake, and what makes the Doll unique is that the characteristics of every Doll is different.
My original intent was to experience VooDoo, have a doughnut [gluten intolerancy be damned] and hit a local lunch spot afterwards. In all honesty, I couldn’t really eat much the rest of the day, and even turned down the additional doughnuts we had brought home. The doughnuts didn’t give anyone else in the group stomach issues, and I’m pretty sure smelling sweet flour and sugar for almost 2 hours did a number on my senses. I just wasn’t feeling it and I am apparently a 90 year old with an evil stomach.
If you are making a trip to Portland, and you like doughnuts, you MUST go to VooDoo. Their doughnuts are soft, VERY fresh, just the right amount of sweet, and the relaxed atmosphere alone will have you kickin’ back in no time. Be advised though, there is plenty of stoner humor and perverse sayings/drawings throughout the shop. While it takes adult type knowledge to realize what you’re seeing, I wouldn’t necessarily be a fan of my kid seeing some of the stuff. All three VooDoo locations are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. While all 3 locations take cash only, they have ATMS available in each shop. I would highly advise checking out their online menu, to narrow down what it is you really want. Seeing a HUGE chalkboard in front of you can be intimidating, and we all agree that “having one of everything” at a doughnut shop probably isn’t socially acceptable. Though it should be… dammit.
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“The Magic is in the Hole….”
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The Voodoo Doll sounds delicious!
One day, I will go to Portland, and I will visit Voodoo…and it will be good.
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