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New York City’s Best Doughnut
Reason enough to take the G train
Photo: theeatenpath, via Flickr
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“The best doughnut? That’s Peter Pan doughnuts in Brooklyn. It’s a Polish bakery. We shot nearby once for 30 Rock. It’s a white-cream-filled powdered doughnut. And I really believe, when I first tried it, if I had a penis, I would put it in this doughnut. I finally understand what you guys are thinking about and what motivates you guys.”—Tina Fey, April 2010 Esquire
I lied. In the headline, I said “Best Doughnut,” leading you to believe that there’s only one singular best baked treat. Truth is, there’s a whole bakery that provides the best doughnut in roughly 20 different varieties. It doesn’t matter which one you try, if you go to Peter Pan Bakery, you’re getting the best doughnut in New York City.
Located off the Nassau Ave. stop on the G train, Peter Pan Bakery (727 Manhattan Ave.) is in the middle of a particularly Polish section of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Many of the signs in the area are in both Polish and English, and there’s even one drugstore that still sells leeches, something I’ve yet to see in a Duane Reade. When you exit the train, you’ll see a Dunkin Donuts, but please, continue walking. Brooklyn doesn’t run on Dunkin; it runs on Peter Pan.
The store’s interior looks like it hasn’t been updated since the ’50s, there’s absolutely no thrill (or “flair”) and even the Polish waitresses wear green and pink retro dresses. The prices haven’t changed much either, as a single doughnut costs .90 with a dozen going for $9.99 (the bakery’s cash only). They’re also served fresh and are generally gigantic. Look at this thing:
Maybe you can’t tell the size from the photo, or maybe you’re distracted by the idea of a red velvet doughnut. I don’t blame you. But if that’s not drool-inducing enough, how’s about this?
Yup, a red velvet ice cream sandwich, only available during the summer months. Meaning, NOW. In the Esquire quote, Tina Fey mentions the “white-cream-filled powdered doughnut,” which is what I usually get instead of a cake on my birthday. At my request. They’re that sinfully delicious. Even on Yelp, where people love to complain, Peter Pan only has four two-stars or less reviews out of a possible 158.
It sucks taking the G train (I lived off it for a year), but it’s worth the trip just for a single bite of NYC’s best doughnut at Peter Pan Bakery.
(Thank you to the fabulous Blondie and Brownie and their Flickr page for the photos)