Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Start Your Morning at Rocket Donuts

by Joanna Nesbit7/18/2008 4:48:12 PM

Get a fresh donut and a friendly smile from Rocket Donuts employees Lilly (left) and Midori.

Sometimes on a Saturday morning, there’s no better way to start the day than with a doughnut (or a donut, as it’s also spelled). So my kids think. Their favorite doughnut haunt is Rocket Donuts. Personally, I prefer toast and eggs for breakfast (and Old Town Café is tantalizingly close), but one recent morning I agreed to take Leah and a friend of hers out to breakfast at Rocket. We weren’t disappointed.

On this rainy morning, Rocket is downright cozy. A well-lit display case greets us with all manner of doughnuts: maple bars, cake doughnuts (with sprinkles, without, with frosting, without), fritters, twists, and more. Rocket’s doughnuts are all homemade, served fresh and often still warm. Meanwhile, the espresso machine, which once belonged to Seattle coffee guru David Schomer, is at work on someone’s latté, the coffee pot is waiting to fill your mug with Rocket’s own blend of organic, fair-trade coffee, and the place is buzzing with a crowd of what looks to me like regulars. Not sure what Rocket’s regulars look like, but it’s clear this place is popular. Cliché as it sounds, we even run into a group of police officers—except they’re limiting themselves to coffee (for more on cops and doughnuts, check out Rocket’s website to read the rap. It’s pretty funny).

Rocket Donuts has a wide selection of fresh doughnuts to choose from.

Leah and her buddy have a hard time choosing, but in the end size wins out. Leah chooses a cinnamon roll and her buddy gets an apple fritter (these are truly noteworthy), and we head to the adjacent room to a table right under Gort, the bigger than life-sized robot from The Day the Earth Stood Still. Rocket’s sci-fi memorabilia is everywhere and entertaining for all ages. On the walls, painted a cozy dark red, you’ll find authentic movie posters for movies such as Journey to the Center of the Earth. High up in each corner, alien heads look down on patrons from their perches. A television screen above our table plays an old B-grade monster movie. The girls enjoy it all, gazing at the posters and a painted rocket on the wall as they munch their pastries. I sip coffee and resolve to bring my son next time for his own sci-fi experience.

Come see Gort at Rocket Donuts!

Why science fiction? Rocket’s goal with its doughnut shop is to hearken back to the bygone era of the 50s and 60s when homemade doughnuts were available in every town. A time when 25 cents got you into a matinee double feature at the local cinema, often low-budget potboilers featuring hokey monsters. As far as I’m concerned, Rocket has succeeded. The place is friendly and personal, like a local place should be, the doughnuts are great, and the tribute to bygone days is a reminder of what chain restaurants can’t offer.

To learn more about Rocket, visit their extensive website to read about the origins of doughnuts, learn about the birthday parties they now offer, and check out the caloric content of doughnuts, coffee details, and more.

Rocket Donuts is located at 306 West Holly Street, on the corner of Holly and Bay Streets. Hours are Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM -4 PM, Saturday/Sunday 8 AM-4 PM. Phone: (360) 671-6111.

A Note About the Author: Joanna Nesbit

Joanna Nesbit is a home-based freelance writer. She thinks she can write and parent at the same time. She and her husband, Curt, are developing new interests through their two kids, including chess, Girl Scouts, soccer, and horses. In her limited spare time, she enjoys reading, running, and good beer.