WEST TOWN — A doughnut shop with booze-infused glazes — including a White Claw-flavored doughnut — is headed to the busy intersection of Grand and Ashland avenues in West Town.
DonutSlut will be joined by Passport, a soccer-themed sports pub serving international street food, at 1601 W. Grand Ave., a storefront that previously housed a currency exchange.
The Chicago Grand Neighbors Association, a group of neighborhood leaders, approved both projects in June. DonutSlut owner Blake Seitz said he expects to open by the end of this year.
“We’re excited to come to the area and [to] hopefully provide what the area, I feel, has been lacking,” Seitz said. “We’re just excited to come to the area and hopefully become everyone’e neighborhood stop for morning coffee and doughnuts.”
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DonutSlut was first introduced to neighbors in September 2018. Since then, both Donut Slut and Passport have worked with the neighbors association on “plans of operation:” legally binding documents that outline rules for new businesses.
Both plans were approved this summer.
The ground-level storefront was already zoned for commercial use and would permit a liquor store (or liquor-infused doughnuts) at the site.
The doughnuts themselves, however, are not exactly boozy once cooked, Seitz said.
The alcohol infused into the glazes cooks off; no one will eat a dozen doughnuts and feel drunk, Seitz said.
“It’s like vodka sauce in a linguine,” he said.
DonutSlut donuts will be made with organic ingredients and will include vegan options. Seitz, who has a background in hospitality and mixology, said he and his pastry chef have already received rave reviews during pop-ups.
Thus far, three popular flavors include:
- A peanut butter and jelly-flavored doughnut with a Chambord-infused raspberry glaze
- A roasted beet and lime-flavored doughnut with a Ketel One vodka-infused glaze and a pistachio crumble topping
- “The Claw,” a white chocolate doughnut with a Black Cherry-flavored White Claw-infused glaze
“This is going to be an ever-changing thing,” Seitz said. “We’ll work with the flavors of the season.”
DonutSlut plans to participate in a November doughnut festival in Fulton Market, Seitz said. In the meantime, follow DonutSlut on Instagram and Facebook for updates on pop-ups.
Eddie Leenheer, a co-owner of Passport, said further details about the restaurant will be announced later.
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