Federal Donuts, Philadelphia PA

Serving donuts, coffee, chicken, and tee-shirts, Federal Donuts has landed. Despite being a new kid on the block, Federal Donuts is iconic South Philadelphia and feels like it could have been here for years. Down the block from the Mummers Museum, it's a great stop for tourists, old-school neighbors and new-school hipsters alike.





If you want to try the fancy donuts, there will be no sleeping in. While it depends on how many early-risers there are, most days the Fancy Donuts ($2 each or $20 for a dozen) are gone by 10 or 11am. Flavors change, but the combinations are always bizarrely delicious.






On a recent visit I tried Razzberry Balsamic, which oddly reminded me of sweet & sour chicken. It probably would have tasted even more like sweet & sour chicken had I had paired it with some of their actual chicken.





The S'mores was super sweet, with bits of marshmallow actually baked into the donuts and then topped with graham cracker and chocolate sauce.






The Grapefruit and Brown Sugar had a sublet hint of coffee flavor to it and, while not my taste, seemed extremely popular with only one left by the time I arrived.






Caramel Banana has a gentle caramel flavor. The bite-sized crunchy banana chips create an interesting mix of textures. The Halvah Pistachio combines two unlikely nutty flavors into an old-world/new-world donut explosion.



Surprisingly, my personal favorite was the Pina Colada. The sweetness of the coconut and the tartness of the pineapple create a perfect mix. While all of the Fancy Donuts are super sweet, the Pina Colada is more mature in flavor. The older sibling of S'mores and Razzberry Balsamic.




All the fuss is on the Fancy Donuts, but I found the true hero to be the hot donuts: moist, warm, melt in your mouth airy goodness. They come in three flavors: Indian Cinnamon, Appolonia Spice, and Vanilla Lavender. All three are reminiscence of home cooked meals, imagined holidays, and big bear hugs. In other words, total comfort junk food. Perfect for dunking in coffee.







If you go, get there early before they sell out. If you're going for chicken they start taking orders just before noon. Chicken is served either dry or glazed ($9 for 6 wings, $17 for 12). Flavors include Za'atar, Buttermilk Ranch, Chile-Garlic, Honey-Ginger, and Harissa.

Whether you're going for donuts, chicken, or both, unless it's a tee-shirt you want plan to arrive early.

If you go:

• 1219 South 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19147
• Phone: (267) 687-8258
• They accept credit cards.
• Open 7am-3pm weekdays, 7am-7pm weekends or until they sell out.
  
• Federal Donuts