Kane’s Donuts

I grew up in Saugus, going to Kane’s with my family. As an adult, and have since been diagnosed with Celiac disease. I cannot express how excited I was to learn that my childhood favorite had a safe doughnut for me. I found the location in downtown Boston had the gluten free option and made a bee line for it on my lunch break. I entered, saw all of the glorious product and spotted the old fashioned glazed gluten free doughnut. I was in heaven! Some celiac sufferers also have issues with Soy. I am one of those. I asked the man at the counter if there was soy in it and he said he’d check. He checked with the manager, Charles, who told me i would be better off not buying one because they don’t actually know what is in the doughnuts. I asked if they could find out (you see, I’m used to resistance to my disease so I have to be persistent). They told me that they could not. If I wanted to know I would need to call the Saugus store where they are made and ask for Maria. I asked them to. They said no. This made me very upset, what kind of customer service is that? I commented that if they offered a certain type of food product that serves a specific population with dietary restrictions they should have the ingredient list on hand as part of their due diligence in serving the gluten free community. The manager, Charles, spoke over me the entire time and argued with me that «Maria» won’t let them have the ingredients because «the family» is secretive about what is in their product. That’s all fine and good, but when you are losing sales because people with allergies/​restrictions cannot tell if a product is safe, is that what «Maria» or «the family» would want? I was ready to buy all of the gluten free doughnuts in the case and a dozen more for my family at home. Now I am so disgusted with the customer service that I will probably never come back. And when I informed the manger, Charles, of this, he said that he was doing what he was told. He certainly didn’t offer an apology or even try to make the situation right. In the end all I wanted was a doughnut from a place I have frequented for three decades and now I’m going to have to rely on one of the other gluten free locations that offer treats with a smile, not a scowl. The only bright moment was Jason, the cashier. Don’t let Charles ruin this wonderful employee. He was helpful and continued to do his job with a smile while Charles raised his voice to speak over me. You need more Jason and no Charles.
I never got to try the doughnuts but they sure looked good.

Delicious fluffy yeasty donuts! Staff is friendly, place is clean. No where to sit inside so we sat at a table in front with our toddler. Some guy not eating donuts decided to smoke his cancer stick next to us so we had to eat in the car or get covered by his «incense.» I’d put 5 stars but one is removed because they should have a no smoking sign out front so everyone can enjoy their food.

Donuts are amazing! Love it! People were very fiendly.

We grabbed donuts on our way out of Boston heading to NYC. The blueberry donut was outstanding! It wasn’t too sweet and was huge! My husband enjoyed the honey glazed… which they said was the most popular. It sits right between two Dunkin Donuts and I would pick Kane’s if I had to choose again. Try it!

We came here mainly for the gluten free donuts while on a long layover in Boston. I had the chocolate glazed and marmalade baklava donuts — both gluten free. I really loved both of the donuts! They weren’t the best gluten free donuts I’d ever had, but they were second best! And probably the best in Boston!
If you’re looking for gluten free donuts in Boston, definitely come here! They are cake donuts, not yeast donuts. But I’ve never found gluten free yeast donuts anywhere I’ve been yet. These will be sure to satisfy your donut craving!

We were in Boston for a few days and our hotel was right by Kane’s. I was very excited to try a new donut place. The first time we stopped in was very late in the day and they were sold out of almost all options. We came back the next morning and they were fully stocked. They had a lot of different options for raised donuts. Most of them seemed to be the same donut with different toppings though, which doesn’t really excite me. We prefer cake donuts and their selection was much more limited for those.
The chocolate honey glazed was a pretty good donut, but a bit dry for me. I’m not sure why they call it honey glaze, I didn’t taste honey at all. The blueberry donut did have good blueberry flavor, but was still a bit dry.
I’m not opposed to paying a lot for a good donut, but at $ 3.25 a donut I expect to be blown away. There are many options I would choose before Kane’s, including the Dunkin Donuts across the street.

Picture Homer Simpson in a dress and cardigan with that little dream bubble above his head with a pink frosted donut inside, and imagine him saying «mmmm donutssss»
Finished?
You have successfully pictured my first trip to Kane’s. It went just like that.
Delicious donuts. Fun toppings. Great flavor profiles. I ate the honey lemon one so fast that I’m pretty sure I tricked my body into not counting the calories. My gut didn’t even realize it had eaten something before I had finished. My a$$ picked up on it after the fact which was unfortunate, but well worth it.

Great local … like local local not chain local like DD. The flavours are perfect. The texture is excellent. Try the gluten-​free donuts even if you don’t need to eat gf. Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. A must try if you are in the neighborhood, a donut lover, or just visiting Boston.

A group of 6 of us walked over this morning from work and got there around 10. When we arrived there was no line, yet one of the employees behind the counter told us to move in closer because it was still the morning rush. The whole exchange was impersonal, a little rushed and not particularly friendly. The coffee was pretty meh, and I didn’t love the use of pet names when checking out. There was also no seating which was disappointing as we were hoping to sit down and enjoy our treats there, but it’s not a deal breaker. The above reasons are why they are losing a star.
That being said, the space was brightly lit and the donuts are beautifully displayed. And they are DELICIOUS. Anyone who says they’d pass it up for Dunkies is out of their minds. The Raised Chocolate Frosted was soft and pillowy, with just the right amount of frosting which was soft but not running all over the place. The price tag is a combination of how large they are + the city location. Worth the walk and the few bucks.

Incredible good donuts and they are large in size. they serve coffee, juices and water as well. Didn’t looked much around because as soon as I saw the pink frosted donut I knew I had to get it, although it was just another regular flavor. The texture of the donut and the frosting were just perfect. fluffy, velvety, almost juicy, it was very very good and I highly recommend it.

First thing I asked when I got in was what their specialty is at which point I was looked at with a blank stare and a bunch of «um“s. I started to get worried but I had heard good things so decided to stay the course. They ended up telling me that «everything is good» although the Maple Bacon doughnut is especially popular. I decided to go with one of those as well as a Chocolate Frosted one (to at least try a normal one and give the place a full trial). Total for two doughnuts? Over $ 6. Decided whatever, if they’re that good, I’m fine with the cost.
First issue was that I wish they told me that the Chocolate Frosted one is a cake doughnut. The frosting was actually good on it but the doughnut itself was very dry especially given the size of the thing — never thought I would say this but it was way too big. As for the Maple Bacon, it was average at best. Frosting was too sweet, the bacon wasn’t that great so it was just about average. I would pass this place and go to the Dunkin’ Donuts across the street. If you catch them at a good time the doughnuts will probably taste better than Kane’s.

These speciality donuts were a hit at the office this morning. Kudos to the gluten free options!
Quickly delivery through Post Mates. Josh loved the maple/​bacon and the glazed were a hit. The cinnamon could use a kick.

Disclaimer: My Kane’s experience is limited, but at some point I’ll update this review, if I head into their shop and find that they don’t live up to the 5 stars IRL
I work in the WeWork building down in South Boston, and one glorious morning, I walked into the office to find the friendly Community Manager handing out Kane’s donuts.
I stopped dead in my tracks– I have a love/​hate relationship with donuts. I love how sweet and tasty they are, but I hate the stomach ache and sugar crash I get mid-​morning after eating one. When I think about those things, I am suddenly able to pass up the average donut.
I looked over the table, and a saw a round, cream-​filled donut with chopped up chocolate and an S written in chocolate frosting on it’s chocolate frosting. «What’s that one?»
«Snickers!»
Uh yeah, that’s worth the sugar crash and stomach ache! Luckily I found a friend to split it with, so I didn’t develop the diabetes that day!
It was a damn good donut. Super rich and yummy, but some how not overly sweet, light and fluffy– exactly what I’d hoped it would be!

Summary: overrated, overpriced.
I think I can get my donut fix at dunkin next time
Heard a lot of great things about this place and have tried to go multiple times over different weekends. They didn’t have set weekend hours (unsure if they do now) for a while when they first opened.
Finally went once when it was open. Got the butter crunch donut that is generously slathered with toasted coconut. It was just okay… didn’t think it was worth the $ 3.25-$ 3.50 nor was it worth the calories. But it’s fried dough, so it’s not nasty…

***Review for a special order purchase only***
I’ve been going to the Saugus location of Kane’s since I was a wee little tyke. I love the donuts here and when I was perusing the new locations menu I noticed they had something which looked pretty awesome… A «Donut Cake». It’s just like a regular Kane’s donut but all gussied up and enormous.
I purchased the «Donut Cake» for a work baby shower I was throwing. When finding out the cake was $ 70 I was a little apprehensive but figured I’d splurge as my team loves Kane’s (as do I). I ordered a cake decorated for a baby shower which was to read «Congratulations John.» I paid over the phone, and they dropped it outside to my car for no extra charge. I should have looked at it when it was brought to the car but being on a busy street it wasn’t exactly the opportune time to open an enormous cake box. This thing really was as enormous. When arriving at the office, I noticed the spelling of congratulations incorrect on the slip on the top of the box and read «CongraDulations John». I slowly opened the box and found lop sided writing on top of the donut which read «Congatulaliono» and was accompanied by sugar flowers. I only had about 15 mins between when I realized it was spelled wrong and the actual party. I was mortified. As 30 of our co-​workers shuffled into the conference room each of them admired the cake and then made comments on the spelling. The guest of honor came and we sliced up the donut which did taste pretty good aside from the flower/​booty decorations which tasted like acrylic. I’m pretty sure those weren’t supposed to be eaten. I went to the website and there was no one to write to and a manager wasn’t available when I called. Pretty annoying!
If you’re going to charge $ 70 for a donut, at least double check to see if the word is spelled correctly!

I finally had the chance to stop by Kane’s during lunch time to try their dowich, and found that the dowich is no more!
Disappointment swept through my soul and a cloud of sadness settled upon me.
A pan of thick crust rectangular mushroom pizza sat on the counter just past their colorful line up of plump donuts. It looked good, but I’m not a mushroom gal.
The hibicus donut was a fat specimen, soft and tender inside, with a tasty sweet lavander glaze. The pistachio donut was the same with a green coat. The base of each was the same acceptably soft yeasted creation. The glaze not overly sweet, yet not ultimately super-​distinctive from one another to the taste.
Despite their super-​size, they didn’t stand out enough from Dunkins’ acceptable version to warrant the significantly higher price tag.

The strangest thing about Kane’s is that you walk into a really fun, donut-​forward storefront… and yet, it smells strongly of PIZZA as you come through the door.
Once you get past the oregano aroma, you see rows and rows of different types of fresh-​baked donuts. There are all sorts of flavors — they have the classics, mixed-​in with other specialty donuts such as hibiscus, pistachio, snickers, red velvet and caramel apple. While these are definitely high-​quality and HUGE donuts, I was a bit underwhelmed after trying a couple. Don’t get me wrong, all of them were good donuts — perfect texture, fresh, tasty — the flavors are not as exciting as they purport to be.
The pistachio and hibiscus donuts taste like well-​decorated glazed/​frosted donuts. The only pistachio flavor on the pistachio donut was the garnish of three little nuts. The red velvet tastes just like the standard chocolate cake donut, as does the caramel turtle (though it has some caramel and nuts sprinkled on top). The snickers is a chocolate glazed with snickers pieces and a caramel drizzle on top. All good, but the concept of variety and adventure is a little misleading…
My favorite «adventurous» donut was the caramel apple, though if you are a donut purist you will probably love many of the types they have to offer.
I do also like that there is plenty of outdoor seating so you can sit and sip an ice coffee on a nice day.
Buyer beware: donuts are $ 3.50 or $ 3.75 a pop, with no discount for buying in boxes of 6 or 12.

Best donuts in Boston? Nahhhh. That award goes to Union Square Donuts. But Kane’s will do, in a pinch. Key words — in a pinch.
I’m disappointed, because I was expecting a whole lot more. I tried the red velvet and turtle donuts. The donuts themselves were kind of dry. To be completely honest, they reminded me of Dunkin Donuts. Do I need to tell you that’s not a good thing?
Of the two, I preferred the turtle donut, and that’s probably because all of the caramel and chocolate and such that was drizzled on top saved the dryness somewhat. But again– that’s not a good thing.
Next up, Blackbird. Let’s see if they can take over the lead from Union Square in the Race for Andrea B’s Favorite Donut.

Holy moly — welcome to downtown’s very own donut heaven.
Went halfsies on a maple bacon and snickers with a coworker — both delicious, but maple bacon is the winner of this round. Surprisingly, the bacon is more than just decoration and you really get a true maple + bacon taste with every bite.
Warning: take caution when choosing to consume prior to work-​filled afternoon. May cause food coma. But I fully welcome that.

I know, I know. Doughnuts are the now fad food, like cupcakes, pork belly, foam & the like before it. But doughnuts are awesome & it is a welcomes fad that I hope sticks around. Many know the famed family owned Kane’s from Saugus which started in 1955 by the Delios family. This is their first for foray into Boston.
The location is ground level in Two International Place & you enter through the Santander ATM. Expect a line for the first few weeks. The line snakes through the modest store but the wait is well worth it. My eyes were drawn immediately to the maple bacon variety then the glazed & a gluten free for a friend. The staff are extremely friendly & efficiently will get you those tasty treats boxed up & out the door. It was nice to see Chef Paul Delios managing the line & personally expressing his gratitude for our patronage. They also serve local soda from Spindrift of Charlestown & coffee from Peet’s but no fear there is a Dunks directly across the street if you rather keep your caffeine fix local.
Let’s get down to the good sized doughnuts. The glazed was the first to be devoured & it was very fluffy, soft with a good amount of glaze to add the right sweetness to the mix. Maple bacon anything is my weakness. The doughnut base is a perfect base for the sweet maple spread but the most important element is the bacon. They use a savory & smokey variety that compliments the maple nicely. They were not overly heavy & finished quite nicely. After giving my friend the gluten free version she said it was dry but others gave it a very high compliment by saying that it didn’t even taste like a gluten free doughnut.
It is nice to have a good doughnut shop in the financial district & as weather gets warmer the folks at Kane’s will see more of my face. My belly is quite happy right now. I think I need to get a Boston crème tomorrow.
Day 2 Update:
Arrived at 12:57pm & I was not able to get my hands on a Boston crème but Chef Paul was still making Dowiches, which is exactly what you think it is. A less sweet doughnut with your choice of pulled pork, braised beef, lobster salad stuffed in between. So I was there & I was hungry so I grabbed a braised beef with cheese. It was a lovely marriage of dough & meat. Warm & tender, the beef was delicious & made my belly very surprised. Definitely recommend. I will try early again for that Boston crème. Wish me luck!!!
Day 3 Update: This is my 3^rd day in a row here mind you. My friends think I have a problem. I arrived at 8:34am & waiting a little over half an hour to get a half of a dozen sweet treats. As I was waiting in line a new batch was coming in & the old trays were being swapped out. An eagle eyed customer spotted a straggler in between on of the trays. Chef Paul rewarded this person’s keen sense with a free honey dipped. My goal today was a Boston crème & success was never so sweet.
I will be back but give myself a few days due to the 1000s of doughnut calories I have recently consumed. Welcome to Boston Kane’s!!! My belly thanks you.