Federal Donuts Wiped Out in Avalanche of Demand
When Federal Donuts opened at 7 a.m. today, stockpiled with 20 dozen fancy donuts and what seemed like more than enough chickens. But by 9 a.m. the fancy donuts were gone and within 45 minutes of the chicken being available, the 30 deep line winding onto the sidewalk had accounted for all the fried chicken prepped for the day.
Quick thinking by Michael Solomonov and staff placated the waiting throngs with honey donuts, free samples of the chicken and the promise of a deal for those who left an email address. The crowd included hungry restaurant industry people and neighborhood residents excited for a new business in the neighborhood.
By 12:15, after a piece of the glazed chile-garlic chicken a small cupful of rave-worthy Japanese pickles we had moved onto the sidewalk with the above sign taped to the door. Next up for the Federal Donuts crew was a meeting to regroup and prepare for tomorrow. For us, it was a quick bike ride over to Taco Loco for carnitas and chorizo tacos. Not a bad consolation prize.
Update: A message from the Federal Donuts team.
What an opening day. We’re still catching our breath. We are blown away, and so touched by your overwhelming response to our coffee, donuts and fried chicken.
And we sold out far sooner than we anticipated. Needless to say, we are already hard at work on tomorrow’s batter and birds. We’ll be open at 7 a.m. to satisfy your donut jones.
Here’s the inside info: our Fancy Donuts are stuffed and glazed, and are only made once a day because they take much more time than our Hot & Fresh Donuts, which are rolled in seasoned sugars and fried to order. Both are available until the day’s batch sells out. And as for the chickens? They’re cured for 24 hours in seasoned salt, then double-crisped in the fryer. Beginning tomorrow, they will be available at 12 noon, until the last cured bird has flown the coop.
Thanks again for your enthusiasm and your patience as we make Federal Donuts the best little fryer it can be. We can’t wait to see you again – and again, and again!
XO,
Fed.Do
(Steve, Mike, Felicia, Tom and Bob)
