While traditional donut shops have an extensive morning routine that involves creating a variety of donuts before the crack of dawn, O’s Donuts in Ghent takes a wholly personalized approach: they custom make each donut right then and there when you order it.
Owner/operator Ally Amory wouldn’t have it any other way.
O’s Donuts originally opened in 2013, drawing a regular crowd of pastry lovers. In 2019, Amory’s family took it over, just in time for Covid to shut down the business for an extended period. By April 2022, Amory had reopened the 21st St. shop.
“People were definitely excited when we came back because we were closed for a while,” Amory says.
Upon reopening, O’s kept a lot of its most popular flavors on the menu, but began experimenting with seasonal offerings while boosting its coffee program.
Fall Flavors on the Menu
Among the seasonal flavors offered at O’s are apple cider cake donuts, pumpkin pistachio and spiced vanilla chai – this on top of already popular menu favorites the Holy Cannoli, maple bacon, cookies and cream and apple pie. For coffee, Amory sources from distributors Tidewater Coffee and created her own blends. She has expanded the drink offerings to include lattes, cappuccinos, an in-house cold brew and frappuccinos. A popular choice for regulars in fall and winter is the apple chai latte, which pairs nicely with a seasonal donut.
Amory says she grew up in a family that owned restaurants – her father was a chef – so the hospitality industry is second nature to her. Which brings us back to the original point: she believes donuts are best when prepared on the spot.
“When you order our donuts, you get them hot and fresh,” Amory says. “We have the system down to a science, so you never have to wait long at all.”
O’s Donuts is at 222 W. 21st St. in Ghent. Follow them on Instagram here.
