A doughnut topped like a pizza? We tried this new savory option in Columbus. Our review
Over the past few years, I’ve sampled doughnuts from just about every place around Columbus. I had to take a hiatus from the confection after my Valentine’s Day doughnut review in 2024.
Last year, I ended up going around Columbus and ordering doughnuts from different stores to show the variety of options available on National Doughnut Day. So, the thought of having to review another sugary doughnut was the last thing on my mind or taste buds.
I was delighted to hear about a new solution to my doughnut review hesitancy: the new savory doughnuts at Parlor Doughnuts.
Parlor stole my heart in the Valentine’s Day review, and I was curious about what these new doughnuts would entail. The best way I can describe them is that they are like fluffy personal pan pizzas with various topping favorites.
These layered doughnuts are coated in herbs and Parmesan cheese and then crisped. The options for toppings include the Margherita, OG Pepperoni, Pig & Fig, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Buffalo Chicken and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken.
The thought of a non-sugary doughnut was music to my ears and a respite for my body, which has grown tired of sugar.
After arriving at the Parlor Doughnuts inside Highside Market, Ledger-Enquirer visual journalist Mike Haskey and I learned they offered a Savory Combo, which comes with your choice of savory doughnut, three minis (in Parmesan or cinnamon sugar) and one dip flavor.
Mike and I were all in. I got my combo with the Buffalo Chicken doughnut, three Parmesan Minis and the beer cheese dipping sauce. He got his combo with the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken doughnut, three Parmesan Minis and the red sauce.
The Hawaiian BBQ Chicken was topped with sweet BBQ sauce, mozzarella, grilled chicken, pineapple tidbits and red onion.
Overall, the savory doughnuts were amazing. The Buffalo Chicken doughnut was creamy, slightly spicy, vinegary, with a slight hint of onion flavor from the red onions. It came topped with ranch-alfredo (a unique spin), mozzarella, grilled chicken, buffalo sauce and sliced red onion.
The consistency of the doughnut felt like biting into a pillow made of clouds with a slight crunch on the outside.
The Parmesan minis tasted like garlic bread, and the beer cheese I dipped them in had a cheddar flavor. The beer cheese was good enough to entice me to dip my finger in after I finished my minis.
I ended up getting a Margherita doughnut to go, as I was surprisingly full after eating the combo. Filling myself is no small feat, and there is a good bit of food for the $7.95 price..
I ended up eating the Margherita doughnut about an hour or two later and was very impressed. The red sauce had a very vibrant flavor but wasn’t too acidic. The mozzarella was nice and wasn’t too sharp in flavor to where it overshadowed the other ingredients.
My favorite part, though, was probably the basil pesto. I’m a sucker for basil pesto and the fresh flavor it brings to any dish. I used to put it on my Italian sandwiches I’d make at home in college when Aldi would have the meat and pesto on sale.
The olive oil also helped make the doughnut seem a bit more moist, which was nice.
I was very pleased with this new iteration of the doughnut. I definitely recommend a savory doughnut from Parlor Doughnuts. And if you’re like me, pair it with a Diet Coke in a glass bottle.