The Flamingo House of Doughnuts - Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
Author: Teresa Fitzgibbons
Imagine starting your day with piping hot, freshly baked cake doughnuts, oozing with sweet, fruity or sticky glazes that melt in your mouth while an array of fun toppings tickle your tongue. Thanks to the vision of local entrepreneurs Linda Peters and Leslie Dabrasky, islanders and visitors alike can now savor such fresh, made-to-order doughnuts from The Flamingo House of Doughnuts.
"Our concept is that we're making them fresh," said Linda's husband, John. "It makes a big difference in the way they taste."
No doughnut is made until it's ordered, guaranteeing the customer that hot from the oven taste in every bite. Each doughnut is specially made for the individual. Customers can choose a plain cake doughnut; however, most like to have fun with the wide range of creative possibilities. Savvy doughnut lovers can start with a selection of fructose-based glazes in chocolate, peanut butter, maple, honey, or fruit flavors such as raspberry, orange, banana, strawberry, lemon, peach or blueberry. Palate-tempting toppings range from the traditional choices like jimmies, cinnamon, or powdered sugar to candy-coated options such as chocolate and peanut butter chips, Oreos, and M&Ms. More health-conscious selections include pecans, almonds, coconut, poppy seeds, or fruits. Other patrons prefer to try one of the specialty offerings such as peach cobbler, sticky buns, S'mores or Snickers—doughnut creations by the innovative owners.
The Flamingo House of Doughnuts opened its doors just over a year ago. Long time friends Leslie and Linda love the island, but both agreed it was missing one thing: a really good doughnut shop. So they decided to do something about it. They had the basic ingredient for success—a delicious doughnut recipe from Leslie's grandmother that's now a rather well-guarded secret. As both ladies live on North Forest Beach, the name for the business came from their beloved Flamingo Street.
"It's a fun take off," said John. The name isn't the only thing about the shop that pays tribute to the island. During busy times, instead of taking numbers, customers take "birds" with the names gracing the streets along North Forest Beach. The theme runs all through the store, most recently with the creation of the "Bird's Nest Breakfast Sandwich"—egg, cheese, and either sausage or bacon on a freshly baked doughnut.
"Everybody that came in last summer came back at least two or three times," said John. "We expect it to double next summer."
A number of novelties await both returning visitors and loyal locals in the next few months. During the warm summer months, customers can enjoy handmade doughnut ice cream sandwiches or doughnut ice cream sundaes—hand-dipped ice cream over a doughnut, topped with dozens of possible combinations of glazes and toppings. The Flamingo House of Doughnuts is also planning to host children's birthday parties where kids can learn about the doughnut-making process and have some fun creating their own delectable treats.
The Flamingo House of Doughnuts is located in Park Plaza, next to the UPS Store and Park Plaza Cinemas. Store hours are from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday. In the spring, extended hours will include evenings to accommodate the hungry after-movie crowds.
"We would like everybody to come by and try our doughnuts," said Linda. "One bite, and you'll love them."
Flamingo House of Doughnuts
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