Parlor Doughnuts, which recently opened in McKinney, Texas, is known for their pastries that are a blend of soft doughnut and flaky croissant. Founded by Darrick Hayden in Evansville, Indiana in 2019, they quickly spread to other locations around Texas, bringing their unique creations with them.
After I heard about this strange mixture, I had to see for myself if it was as good as its 4.5 star reviews suggest. Most people said it was amazing and tasted delicious, but there were a couple of reviews implying undercooked dough, so I set out to see if that was true.
Around 10 a.m. in the morning on February 10, I drove a mere five minutes through the dreary rain to Parlor Doughnuts, and when I entered the building, was immediately greeted by the sweet smell of sugar. The aroma, coming from the glass cases resting on the white countertop, was filled with many types of doughnuts. There was a minimal line with a short wait, however the ordering process was difficult, as the glass cases holding the doughnuts were facing two different directions. There was a gold stanchion behind the case, and in order to see the other doughnut options I had to cut in front of the couple in front of me, as did the people behind us. Since there were only a few people there, it wasn’t terrible, but if there was a large crowd it would have taken forever and been very chaotic.
I ended up ordering the caramel apple, which tasted delicious and was the size of my hand. The crunchy, flaky exterior was the perfect match for the squishy inside, and it was cooked to perfection. The filling on the inside could’ve been more spread out and it tasted a little bit like canned apple pie filling, but it made the doughnut taste very much like an apple, and I was satisfied. The dust of powdered sugar and the caramel drizzle on top made up for the lack of sweetness in the dough, which led to a perfect balance.
The doughnut itself was room temperature and I wished it was warmer. Since Parlor Doughnuts opens at 6:30 a.m. and makes their doughnuts earlier, it wasn’t as fresh as I would’ve liked it to be. Additionally, it was extremely messy, especially for the plastic utensils they had set out, and not something able to be eaten on the go. Because of that, I sat down on one of the brown leather seats in the middle of the small rectangular room. Everything, from the black and white patterned floor to the tall eggshell exposed ceiling, with all of its beams and poles, was immaculate, which I appreciated. I also noticed the bags of coffee scattered on brown shelves above the counter, as well as in the back of the room on a large oak cabinet. The coffee and a couple of t-shirts were for sale at the front of the shop, as well as a pilates promotions table.
I got a chance to speak with one of the managers about the decor, which was a lovely interaction. She was extremely sweet and gave us her time. I was curious about the “vibe” of the place, which seemed to be a mix of Texan-themed, modern Americana, and sailor-like, a little bit confusing, and not as cohesive. She agreed, and surprisingly, told me that was exactly what they were going for, plus a hint of coziness.
One of the most eye-catching pieces was a gold sign above the Aegean blue cabinets, was a gold sign depicting their logo, “Parlor Doughnuts,” with a gold eagle on top. It matched the many aureate light fixtures hanging from the roof, although with the tall windows at the front of the room reflecting the white paint, the extra light really wasn’t needed. It did contribute to the coziness, however, fulfilling the manager’s missions.
However, the coziness of the room was degraded by the noise. When I had first entered the building, the music hadn’t been apparent due to the small crowd. It was very chaotic and I could hardly hear my own voice. When the crowds dwindled I could hear mellow instrumental jazz, a relaxing sound, but due to the height of the ceiling, Parlor Doughnuts carried echoes like nobody’s business, but the bustle just proved how popular the place was!
Overall, about four dollars got me a satisfying doughnut in a cozy restaurant and an enjoyable chat with one of the managers. There were minor inconveniences, like the ordering process and the echoes in the room, but I had a delightful time. The doughnut was delicious and not overcooked, like some of the reviews discussed, and the staff was friendly. I will definitely be going back, and when I do, I’ll try and go as early as possible to minimize the wait time, make sure the doughnuts are as fresh as possible, and expand my options. I recommend trying this business out, as Parlor Doughnuts will surely give you a pleasing experience fun for all ages, and the perfect sweet treat!
