Stumptown Vegans

Times Visited: Too Many To Count
Times Consumed Elsewhere: Many!

The talented bakers at Sweetpea recently started giving Voodoo Donuts a run for their money. The Sweetpea donuts are yeasted and delicate, while Voodoo’s are cakey. Both, however, are fried, frosted and vegan, so bring it on!

When you find yourself downtown after a show and craving a sweet, the freshest and sweetest satisfaction can be found at Voodoo Donuts on SW 3rd. Just off of West Burnside among bars galore, Voodoo is now open nearly round the clock. They’ve been making vegan donuts several years now, and they’ve gotten even better! Years ago I thought the donuts were actually too cakey, though the topping were usually flat out fun.

These days, there are both chocolate and yellow cake donuts. We’re happy to announce that the yellow donuts no longer have that overwhelming banana vibe to them, which they used to be guilty of. Our poor banana hating friends! Voodoo’s frosting fixings have also expanded, with classic chic-o-stick, sprinkles, nuts, coconut and ‘oreo’ topped are all still there. Today you could be in the mood for chocolate glazed with nuts, and tomorrow for plain glazed - the choice is yours and the donuts are awaiting. I appreciate that there is finally a vegan chocolate donut, but the two I’ve tried have been noticeably denser than the yellow. But give them time! Awesome vegan donuts require evolution.

The ‘oreo’ topped donut pictured below was certifiably delicious, don’t get me wrong, but the frosting was extremely sticky and called for a something to drink with it. My favorite is the maple glazed. It’s a simple yellow donut with a perfectly thin layer of maple glaze. On my most recent to-go visit, I walked out with fresh donuts in less than 5 minutes. It was early evening, Voodoo was empty and I had a sweet tooth satisfied with my first bite. There was also a full box of day old vegan donuts on the counter for $5! Somehow I passed, but I’ve had the day olds before, and would have picked them up if I had a reason. They’re easily worth the half price they’re typically sold for, so cheap vegans be on the look out.

While the non-vegan donuts have fun names, like the Grape Ape and Triple Chocolate Penetration, the vegans are simply displayed on a plate marked ‘VEGAN’. This is seen in the rotating display case. The shop itself does custom orders, so maybe they could do a vegan Cock-n-Balls (filled with creme of course) donut or vegan tempeh bacon topped donut for that special someone in your life, or well, me.

Voodoo is always on my ‘must go’ list for out of towners, whether vegan or not. It’s cheap, quick and has plenty of novelty appeal. They are entirely locally owned and operated, and working round the clock on classic and new donuts, which they now sell TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY! The Voodoo establishment itself is small, and heart-warmingly grungy, with a bench against the wall and a couple mini tables. There is a also a bar to lean against outside on SW 3rd. They also serve coffee, but that’s it, and what else do you need with a freaking donut?

You can get your vegan donut fix for $1.50+ and your sugar rush on before work and after. You can also have them cater your on-site quickie marriage, with packages starting at $175 for 10 attendees. It’s nice to know that if your employer or family buys donuts, they can actually get a vegan one for you. Large orders can even be delivered if arranged in advance. Fresh Voo Doo donuts are found around Portland at various coffeeshops such as Backspace, New Seasons and coops around Portland.

There are regular events such as shows with bands playing in their teeny tiny upstairs at ‘Club Doughnut’ - definitely something worth seeing happen, if only while you squeeze in past the madness to buy a donut at midnight. Show up for Swahili lessons, eating contests, weddings and the annual Cockfest, where you fit as many donuts as you can….you know!

Lastly, there official talk of a new Voodoo shop opening in the near future! Thanks for creatively thinking of us vegans, Voodoo.

Mmmm, donut.

Maple glazed and and ‘oreo’ topped donuts

Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Address: 22 SW 3rd Ave Portland OR
Open 24 hours a day!