Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins

I’m a donut lover!

When you’ve got a two year old fresh off of a five hour jaunt from the Bronx Zoo, comfort is needed in the form of cream, vanilla — flavored, that is frozen. Said ice cream is then placed on a cone made out of a hard pastry. The two year old is given this combination and is contented, if not a bit sticky from this process.
So went on an afternoon jaunt to this DD /​BR with my best friend and her two year old daughter. (The Bronx Zoo ice cream just wasn’t cutting it… because Mommy wanted something more than vanilla, chocolate, or Dippin’ Dots for herself! Can’t blame her…)
Selection was extremely mediocre. The staff behind the counter looked like they were having the time of their lives*. After asking for a kid’s sized scoop of Chocolate Chip ice cream for myself, in a cup, my order was repeated back to me as, «Small Chocolate Chip… wait, did you want a sugar cone or a waffle cone?» Once again: «No, I said kid’s sized… in a cup.» I got a slightly quizzical look but I did receive my order correctly in the end, at least. My friend got a «Mango Smoothie», which, according to her, was not very mango-​y. (Then again, I’d never expect anything from BR to actually taste like a real mango…)
I probably would have been better off ordering a Strawberry Coolatta from the DD side of the store, in retrospect.
Ehhh. The ice cream did it’s job at least. Happy two year old!
* — do I even need to bother saying that I’m being sarcastic? Maybe? I’ll do it anyways. Ta daaaa!

Good, quick snack stop. Very young staff. Be clear with order and check it before leaving establishment.

So why on earth would I review a Dunkin Donuts in New York City? It’s almost like reviewing a Starbucks in Seattle — they’re everywhere: on every corner, in every grocery store, practically your neighbor. Why — because of the employees, that’s why. The gals here are great! I have to say, they’re the nicest fast food joint employees that I’ve come across since I moved here. I’ve got my hands full of donuts and coffee (iced mocha swirl latte, of course) and baby stroller. I’m trying to make a graceful exit while not getting powdered sugar up my nose (the black raspberry jelly donuts are fantastic!) and latte down my shirt, and the sweet young lady runs from out of behind the counter to hold the door for us (baby and me). Some weird-​looking, scraggly, probably homeless, broke old man comes rambling in the store? Girl says, «hi Jake» and pulls a couple of bucks out of her tip jar to give him a cup of coffee and let him sit there, watching the traffic out the window. Wow. When other youngin’s at various fast food places would be cringing at this dirty old man, they’re nice to him, courteous, and treat him like a paying (and hopefully tipping) customer. I’m impressed!