Tag: Doughnuts

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Millbury Hits it Big with Rocco’s Doughnut Company

Doughnuts from Rocco's in Millbury, MA

If Blackbird Doughnuts and Union Square Donuts had a love affair, Rocco’s Doughnut Company would be the lovechild. A delicate balance between airy and dense, the doughnut lab in Rocco’s kitchen is comprised of a creative doughnut product line meant to convert any person into a doughnut crazed fanatic. From sprinkled fruity pebbles to silky, sinful cinnamon roll flavored doughnuts, Rocco’s has quickly gained a loyal foodie following despite dawn forming, long winding lines.

Rocco's Doughnut Company in Millbury, MAWhile doughnuts were originally introduced to Americans by the Dutch under the initial name of “oily cakes” – a name so unappetizing, its name change to doughnuts is one we will never argue – it is Rocco Astrella who remains the inspiration for this newly opened family business. Having owned a Dunkin Donuts in Saugus, Massachusetts during the 1950s – a time in where there was a limit of eight Dunkin Donuts and America didn’t run on Dunkin – Rocco Astrella quickly became known for his donut business and inspired other family members to open their own doughnut shops during the 1950s and 1960s. Fast forward to 2018 and the Astrella family is back at it again, except this time, they are making a name for themselves under their own brand. Maybe it’s embedded in their DNA or maybe they are just filling to void in the hip bakery market, but either way, Rocco’s Doughnut Company is the new kid on the block making waves with their crowd-pleasing flavors.

Stack of Doughnuts from Rocco's Doughnut Company in Millbury, MA
Stack of Doughnuts from Rocco’s Doughnut Company in Millbury, MA

Joseph Astrella, the owner of Rocco’s Doughnut Company and the son of Rocco, set out to create a doughnut shop based on the creative idea of his daughter, Kerri Astrella. Within a few weeks, they manifested the shop and within the first weeks of opening, they’ve managed to sell out every single day before 10:30 am. Between their eccentric flavors and frenzied social media buzz, their shop has quickly filled the void left from when The Queen’s Cups relocated out from the building last year. With its rotating daily flavors, like the Whoopie Doughnut (a play on the whoopie pie) or the Samoa Doughnut (a vanilla cake doughnut, dipped in a chocolate shell, and topped with a toasted coconut and drizzled with caramel), it’s hard to decide which doughnut to sink your teeth into. Those who need time to think, don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time while driving around looking for parking or waiting on line (which has been as long as two hours during peak times and is a hot topic on The Millbury Site 3.0 Facebook group). Regardless, Rocco’s has created a product and brand that has made doughnuts exciting again.

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#SundayFunday – There’s Nothing Square About Union Square Donuts

Union Square Donuts (Source: Facebook)

The original coffee and donut morning routine is in the midst of a facelift and we are not complaining. Instead of the usual mundane flavors of chocolate, powdered and glazed, doughnut shops everywhere are kicking it up a notch with flavors like maple bacon and bourbon. Major cities boast about their upscale doughnut shops that defy the traditional donut-machine-making style like Chicago’s Glazed and Infused and Oregon’s Voodoo Doughnuts, and here in Boston, it is no different as we are all about our Union Square Donuts.

With two locations – one in Somerville and another in Brookline – Union Square Donuts has become the ideal place for morning commuters, out-of-towners, and weekend lovers. Named the Best Donuts in Boston 2017 by Boston Magazine, this “small team of donut slingers” are stirring up more than doughnut batter.

Their menu, a casual ratio of ninety-five percent doughnut to five percent of everything else, is broken into four categories: Original, Premium, Vegan, and Donut Holes. Each category is a humble tribute to unique flavors like the Belgian dark chocolate in the original, the brown butter hazelnut crunch in the premium, and the cranberry spice in the vegan. All within a four-dollar price range, indulging in a light, airy and pastry-like doughnut topped with sea salted bourbon caramel – a classic Union Square Donut – will have you visiting Brookline more than twice a week.

And not to worry. If you are not into the life-changing experience these doughnuts provide, then take a stroll to Union Square Donuts and try one of their breakfast sandwiches. Opting in for an egg and cheese – with bacon, sausage or maple glaze – or a smoked salmon sandwich is still #SundayFunday approved. Couple that smoked salmon sandwich with a hot serving of Counter Culture’s Hologram coffee, and you’ll be all set to venture out into the world of Sunday fun.