Asheville — This donut shop in West Asheville is celebrating National Donut Day in grand style, with the restaurant named #2 on Yelp’s “100 Best Donut Shops in the U.S. of 2023” list.
Hole Donuts owners Hallee Hirsh and Ryan Martin became owners in 2016, and the donut shop opened in 2014. The couple live in Marshall’s East Fork community and have recently started frying donuts in a pop-up tent on Third Thursdays in Marshall.
Hirsch, who works out of the same 800-square-foot West Asheville store he opened in, said national recognition is something she’s still trying to process.
“It’s hard to even comprehend the scale of that recognition, being at that level for the whole of the United States,” Hirsch said. “But the fact that this estimate is based solely on the quality of the reviews fills us in a lot, because the customer and community experience is what fuels us.”
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According to Hirsh, Hole offers four flavors, including three—vanilla, toasted almond, sesame, and cinnamon sugar—and a seasonal fourth that changes every week.
The Yelp listing said that “Outrageous add-ons are more popular than ever,” and Hall is never short of interesting top picks.
Hirsch said her favorite flavor is the hazelnut miso donut.
Other previous additions have included wisteria, sumac, and birch blossom, as well as honeysuckle, strawberry, pepper, and basil.
According to Hirsch, Martin has been perfecting the recipe for years.
“Ryan never stopped fine-tuning the recipe,” Hirsch said. “It’s got the sourdough recipe, as well as gluten-free sourdough (although it’s not celiac-safe since it’s a single pan). We keep it simple with only four toppings to choose from.”
Vanilla is always the best seller, Hirsch said, but all four types are popular.
“People love our donuts because they are fried to order, right in front of you,” she said. “You can eat a hot fried dish that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Fried food is always better when it’s enjoyed right away.”
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Hirsch said co-owner Laurie Croswell and the smiling faces of the staff keep customers coming back, too.
According to Hirsch, Yelp’s national recognition is due in large part to Crosswell’s customer service.
“And to top it all off, people get to chat with our lovely staff and Laurie, the co-owner, who loves people so much and is often the reason people take the time to write a review.”
Hirsch said she and Martin are currently aiming to purchase a new building, which they currently rent in the West Asheville location.
At the end of the day, the main focus for Hirsh and the team is to continue to provide customers with some of the best cakes and the best customer service available.
“We just want everyone to treat themselves and have a good time,” Hirsch said.
Hole Donuts is located at 168 Haywood Road and is open from 8 am to 1 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
Visit the Hole Donuts website here.
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