Washingtonians have found their new favorite spot to stand in line on Saturday mornings, and this time, it’s a bright pink, plant-powered doughnut shop in Takoma.
The bubble gum-colored walls you’ve been seeing splattered across D.C.’s most fashionable Instagram and Twitter accounts belong to Donut Run, a bakery that quickly became famous for its vegan offerings in a city with relatively slim pickings.
The husband-and-wife duo behind Donut Run, Shawn Petersen and Nicole Dao, opened their doors on January 2 after two years of successful pop-ups throughout the D.C. area. The couple thought their vegan doughnuts just might be popular enough for a permanent storefront, and they were right: Even as the temperature drops, it’s not uncommon for lines to snake outside the building right at opening time, and for doughnuts to sell out before noon.
After only a couple of weeks in business,Petersen said, the store hired additional staff to keep up with demand. The couple never expected the store would be so popular so quickly, especially opening during a pandemic.
“We are so incredibly humbled by the support we’ve received so far. At first, it was just us two in the kitchen,”Petersen said.
The menu at Donut Run changes daily and is posted every morning on their Instagram story. Diners can expect to find classic flavors, like chocolate glazed and cinnamon sugar, but also non-traditional flavors, such as matcha, french toast, and mango coconut. On a lucky day,Petersen and Dao might list an apple fritter or cinnamon roll on the Donut Run menu.
“Honestly, it’s random and in-the-moment sometimes. Our flavors change daily based on what we’re feeling in the mornings,” Petersen said. “As far as flavors go, we’re open to anything and everything. As long as we can veganize it, we’re probably already thinking about doing it. We’re working on a few savory flavors like an everything bagel donut right now.”
Petersen and Dao don’t have any formal kitchen training and have never operated a restaurant, but they have both been doughnut enthusiasts — and vegans — for years. On one fateful trip to Southern California, the two tried their first vegan doughnut and realized they might have a calling waiting for them back on the East Coast. The two set out to create a vegan doughnut that could rival not just the ones they had in California, but traditional, non-vegan doughnuts anywhere.
Yeast doughnuts are the main menu item for now, but Petersen and Dao hope to expand their list of menu items as Donut Run grows.
“Right now, we are only offering donuts, but hopefully in the future, we’d like to include other breakfast menu items like a vegan egg and cheese sandwich,” Petersen said.
And even though the shop’s only been open for four weeks, they’re already talking about expanding. Given Donut Run’s near-instant popularity, Petersen and Dao say they would love to open another location in the city. (It couldn’t hurt that their business model relies on takeout orders, which makes operating during the pandemic much easier than dine-in service.)
They’re also not ruling out opening a full-service restaurant in the future: “We’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves. A burger spot, pizza shop, Vietnamese restaurant — who knows? Our dream is to open up a vegan food hall in the city,” Petersen said.
For now, Takoma is welcoming Donut Run with open arms. Donut Run is only offering takeout during the pandemic, but plans to welcome guests inside the pink, punk rock-themed cafe when it’s safe to do so again.
Donut Run is located at 6904 4th St. NW. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Petersen’s name.
