Duck Donuts (White Plains)

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There are so many promotions and deal posters plastering the window that it is impossible to see in to this strip mall spot, but once you get inside, it’s appropriately minimal given the half-wall, plank paneling colored watermelon pink wherever there is wall in the space. The pageantry of rubber ducks along the work station glass as you move back to the register is definitely the highlight. As soon as I began heading down the magnificent row of them, “Fireworks” by Katy Perry came on as if to hype up the show of pinprick and crescent eyes, green checkerboard and baseball downs, and graduation and construction caps. It’s an unexpectedly perfect touch, as if someone placed one there and then—noticing the ledge the glass is placed on is poised for rubber ducky display—added another with each basement discovery. It’s one of those spots you expect to have rushes, question its success, and yet—at 16:00 on a Wednesday—the flow of business was consistent. Sometimes it’s a mom with a stroller, other times its a long-locked beauty with an announcement: “I’ve never been here before!! So, what am I getting? Help me!” Because the donuts are made to order, a curious sequence plays out in this shop. When a person returns to the front of the store after ordering, that’s when the air begins to sweeten with the smell of frying dough once more. I’ve never been in a place that so deftly and ceremoniously connects people and sweetness. Smell that? It’s impending joy. 

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Drink: Medium Cookie Crumble Frappe

Your other frappe options (aside from plain coffee) are confetti, caramel, or mocha, and astoundingly they are all coffee too. To be exact, they add their Fitz cold brew to all of them. I’m going to be candid, I was expecting to be angry, disappointed, annoyed with myself, all of the above…but I ended up being nothing but pleased. A bit on the sweet side, no doubt about it, but they have their proportions right. It’s an Oreo frappe palatably fused with coffee, and I found it to be one of the tastier fusions I’ve ever come across. The confetti (birthday cake flavor) still intrigues me, but the cookie crumble frappe won’t disappoint if you want dessert for coffee, coffee for dessert...I think you get it. 

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Price: Medium Cookie Crumble Frappe=$3.25*

*This price was not what I was charged, however. So, the June special was all frappes for $4.25. I decided to go for it. She rang me up the regular price and then corrected to $3.25. I assume this price was for the medium, and the special was priced at the large. Yet, when I looked at the receipt, she charged me for frappe Friday. It was Wednesday...I’m not sure, but the conclusion is this: the month of June on Wednesdays, you can get a frappe for $4.25 or less. 

Hours: Monday {11–18}; Tuesday–Wednesday {7:30–19}; Thursday–Friday {7:30–20}; Saturday {8–20}; Sunday {8–18}

UPDATE 6.2.23: I had to go back to get a free cinnamon sugar donut for National Donut Day. It is warm and fresh, melts in your mouth, exploits that perfect peak of the curve where dough becomes pastry…they definitely do nut disappoint 😉