One of Southern Living’s best doughnuts in the South is a quick drive from metro-east
Vincent Van Doughnut, a St. Louis doughnut shop that elevates the pastries to an art form with wild flavors such as blueberry cheesecake and french toast, recently got a shoutout from Southern Living.
The magazine called Vincent Van Doughnut one of the 14 best doughnut shops in the South, praising its “varying array of inventive choices for each style (yeast, vegan, sour cream old-fashioned, and gluten free).”
The list, compiled by Southern Living writers and editors, includes doughnut shops that span the southern U.S., from Texas to Virginia to Mississippi. The entries aren’t ranked in any particular order, according to Southern Living.
What makes Vincent Van Doughnuts special?
Vincent Van Doughnuts is a St. Louis success story.
In 2010, current proprietor Vincent Marsden started experimenting with playful taste combinations using a fryer in his kitchen at home. After rave reviews from friends and family, he went on to purchase a classic 1960 Grumman Olson step van to take his made-from-scratch doughnuts on the road in 2013.
The growing popularity of Marsden’s doughnuts led him to compete on the Cooking Channel’s “Donut Showdown” in 2014, ultimately winning the top prize of $10,000. One year later, Marsden opened his shop in Clayton on the Missouri side of the river.
“Each batch of artisanal doughnuts — including the fillings, glazes and toppings — is made from scratch, daily, using the finest, freshest ingredients available. Vincent’s son, Vincent Van (Mini Vinny), has his own important job, too. He’s our official taste tester,” the doughnut shop’s website reads.
What did Southern Living say about Vincent Van Doughnuts?
Southern Living recognized Marsden for preserving the tradition of the timeless treat, while innovating and elevating his doughnuts with inventive flair.
“Although Marsden offers a varying array of inventive choices for each style (yeast, vegan, sour cream old-fashioned, and gluten free), his top pick is a classic yeast-raised cinnamon-and-sugar doughnut hole,” Southern Living’s May 28 write-up said.
Of his favorite doughnut, Marsden told Southern Living, “My mother always used to have a bowl of cinnamon and sugar around for quick breakfast toasts for me and my siblings, so this one is nostalgic. It’s simple, but if you can’t do the easy ones — the staples — then you’ve got no business attempting the more exotic ones.”
If you go:
Address: 1072 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, MO
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday to Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tip: Get there early. Vincent Van Doughnuts sell out quickly.
Southern Living’s 14 best doughnut shops in the South
- Twinkle Donuts - The Colony, Texas
- Red’s Donut Shop - Paducah, Ky.
- Sandy Pony Donuts - Multiple locations
- Gibson’s Donuts - Memphis, Tenn.
- Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken - Multiple locations
- Vincent Van Doughnut - St. Louis, Mo.
- Hole Doughnuts - Asheville, N.C.
- The Salty Donut - Multiple locations
- Good Company Doughnuts and Cafe - Multiple locations
- The TatoNut Shop - Ocean Springs, Miss.
- Hero Doughnuts and Buns - Multiple locations
- Five Daughters Bakery - Multiple locations
- Sublime Doughnuts - Atlanta, Ga.
- JR’s Donut Castle - Parkersburg, W.Va.
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