When someone tells you they’re taking you to Donut King for some donuts and sliders, don’t fight it.
Who would have thought it would have taken driving out to Minneola (208 South Highway 27, just outside of Orlando) to find a place that makes not only crazy good 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.
Before arriving, Droolius also snuck in a Castle Burgers mention 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 endear to hit up Donut King if 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 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.
Best donut I’ve ever had? I would say 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.
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 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 in Minneola
Donut King in Winter Park
Donut King opened their second location at 3716 Howell Branch Rd #1701 in Winter Park a few years later.
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.