The Only Fresh Donuts In Town

 “The Only Fresh Donuts in Town” is the sign people see as they pass Carol Lee Donuts. It’s the only donut shop in Salina, giving the owners the luxury of dominating the market.

I first tried Carol Lee’s a couple of weeks ago, thanks to a friend who shared some leftovers, and I was thoroughly impressed. The others with me confirmed how good it was, using the popular Gen X phrase, “It’s fire.”

So, I decided to give it a full try for myself. I took the short drive to the 1700 S Ninth St location. Placing the shop a block away from the university is a smart move, making it walkable for every student on campus. If students decide to drive, they can reach it in under a minute.

There’s also another location at 104 S Fifth St.

When I arrived, I immediately noticed the quaint look of a busy shop, formerly a gas station, with the large awning still hanging over the front. Unlike many donut stores, they also offer a drive-thru option.

The place doesn’t rely on appearances—inside, there are just a few stools and tables. They clearly focus more on the product, and most customers didn’t seem to mind, except for those looking for donut holes, which had already sold out.

A long line of eager customers waiting in line greeted me, all waiting to grab their donuts or other pastries before they ran out for the day. A good sign for someone trying it for the first time. The shop offered several types of donuts, along with other options like croissants, burritos, biscuits, and kolaches.

After a short wait, I got my five donuts and headed back to my apartment to try them all—don’t judge!

When I got back, my roommate Alex was a little jealous of my breakfast selection. After my first bite of the glazed donut, a huge smile appeared on my face. I couldn’t help but say, “WOW!” Alex nodded and added, “Yeahhhhh, they’re so soft, like a cloud,” and I couldn’t agree more.

As I devoured the second and third donuts, a sugar and another glazed, I stayed completely satisfied. They still tasted fresh. There’s something special about enjoying a great donut on a crisp fall morning.

I’m clearly not alone in loving Carol Lee’s, either. The shop has earned great reviews from hundreds of customers, with an average Google rating of 4.6/5 from over 200 reviews.

Their hours are 4:30-Noon every day.

Here is their online menu: Carol Lee Donuts Menu & Delivery Salina KS 67401 | EatStreet.com