Who would have thought it would have taken driving out to Minneola (just outside of Orlando, Florida) to find a place that makes not only great fresh donuts but the best friend of drunks across the U.S., castle burgers? My bud Droolius convinced me that this 24-hour donut emporium was worth the 40-minute drive from my hotel at 10 PM.
What I’m saying is, when someone tells you they’re taking you to Donut King for some donuts and sliders, don’t fight it.
Donut King in Minneola
Before arriving, Droolius mentioned castle burgers (White Castle knockoff) during our brief phone conversation. I was skeptical. Would a shop that prides itself on selling freshly made donuts be able to pull off fantastic sliders, too?
The addition of sliders is one of those things that would motivate people to hit up Donut King when you’re on a 4 AM bender. It looks like a castle burger; it tastes like a slider, and gosh darn it, people worship it at 4 AM.
Donut King Flavors Talk
The plate-size chocolate donut caught my eye as soon as I walked in. However, I didn’t order it because I wouldn’t finish it, and the chocolate stuffed donut sounded like a better option.
The apple-stuffed donut was much better than the chocolate-stuffed one and reminded me of a fantastic baked apple pie with some hints of the old McDonald’s deep-fried apple pie thrown in for good measure.
The glazed donut was a thing of sheer beauty, but not like one of those Sweet 16s girls from MTV; there was substance behind this glaze.
What is the best donut I’ve ever had? I would say it’s very close and better than the green KK (that’s Krispy Kreme for those playing at home). The glaze seemed to have a very light hazelnut taste, which was nice. By the time I finished the glazed donut, it was 2 AM.
Strawberry Donut?
Droolius insisted that I try the strawberry, so I pinky-scooped some leftover topping from the box to discover it tasted like Mentos. I never tried the red velvet donut, but I figured I should include the picture since it does look so tasty.
Would I make the 40-minute drive again if I had to do it over? These donuts will stick in your head for a few days.
I didn’t even mention how incredibly cool the folks at Donut King were to put up with us for 3 hours, but I guess that’s life in the 24-hour donut business.
Donut King
208 S Hwy 27
Minneola, FL
(352) 243-4046
Website – https://thedonutking.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thedonutking_fl
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063787608704
Monday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Donut King in Winter Park
Donut King opened their second location in Winter Park a few years later. Marcela and I dropped in for a box of donuts and some castle burgers.
This time around, we were there earlier in the day, so the cabinet was full. The cinnamon rolls looked good, but we were sticking to donuts on this visit.
Just take a good look at these beauties.
If I had to pick a favorite from this box, the maple bacon was next level.
Donut King
3716 Howell Branch Road
Winter Park, FL
(321) 316-4817
Website – https://thedonutking.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thedonutking_fl
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063480764921
Monday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
Super article. Thanks for sharing! I concur – the drive is worth it.
Donut King is also in Leesburg – 708 S 14th St (open 5a-9p) expanding the donut kingdom across Central FL.