WASHINGTON — A new business in D.C. is helping you find the best donuts the District has to offer. It is aptly named the Underground Donut Tour. The idea of a donut shop walking tour started in Chicago in 2015, but just recently came to D.C.
There are four stops on the tour. The tour gives some District history along with how donuts fit in. The tour begins in Lafayette Square across from the White House itself. Stops include Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken, Farmers and Distillers, and Piccolina and District Doughnut.
"I am just so excited they're finally in D.C.," said tour guide Jimmy Merritt. All the stops include samples of donuts including unique flavors and old favorites. Everything from strawberry cream-filled and maple bacon, to crème brûlée and bananas foster are on the menu. There's also a chocolate-peanut-butter-toffee donut.
"This was the first donut I tried when I was putting the tour together so I still have an emotional attachment to the chocolate-peanut-butter-toffee," Merritt told one tour group.
Merrit said he wanted include some global cuisine because of D.C.'s varying cultures.
"Because D.C. is international, I didn't just want to include American donuts, I want to get a taste of how other countries and other cultures make donuts," Merrit said. As such, the tour includes a taste of an Italian pastry called a bombolini.
"I would almost compare it to an éclair. It's kind of a baked good with an éclair filling," Merrit explained.
Tour groups typically include about 15-20 people.
"What's so strange is a group consensus will weirdly form. One shop will be the favorite, and people really feed on each other's enthusiasm," Merritt said.
Tours run year-round every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and can be booked online. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for kids.