When old friends and entertainment-oriented Portlanders Kenneth “Cat Daddy” Pogson and Tres Shannon collaborated on the creation of Voodoo Doughnut, they joked about their ambition to achieve “world doughnut domination.” Have they dominated the entire world with their doughnuts? We can’t say for sure. But what we can say is they’re pretty damn close–and they’re about to get one step closer.
The cult-favorite Portland doughnut shop—famous for its late-night hours, stoner vibes, and outlandish creations—is officially opening its first NYC location near Union Square Park.
If you’ve ever waited in those around-the-block lines at any of their 20+ locations–or know someone who has–you just know the hype is real.
Their menu is a sugary fever dream: from the Bacon Maple Bar (a raised bar with maple frosting and bacon) to the Memphis Mafia, a mountain of fried dough piled with banana, cinnamon, chocolate, and peanut butter drizzle.
Other standouts include the Oh Captain, My Captain, topped with Cap’n Crunch, the pentagram-adorned Diablos Rex, and the blunt-shaped Maple Blazer Blunt, with cinnamon sugar, maple frosting, and red sprinkle embers. More than 10 vegan options sweeten the deal.
Anthony Bourdain helped catapult Voodoo Doughnut to fame after visiting the original Portland shop on his travel show No Reservations. He famously said about the maple-bacon doughnut, “Only late-era Elvis on medication would eat this,” adding, “I mean, come on, if you can’t enjoy a maple-bacon doughnut, there’s no hope for you. Either that, or you’re just not taking enough drugs.”
But the shop has also made waves beyond its pastries.
The team has also hosted a diverse array of sideshow activities including hosting legal weddings, loft concerts above Voodoo’s duct tape-adorned bathroom, and weekly Swahili lessons. Quirky doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Voodoo Doughnut will be located at Union Square Park, 41 Union Square West, near East 17th Street. As of now, no opening date has been set. Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, stated:
Opening in New York City is more than a milestone. It is a defining moment in Voodoo Doughnut’s history. Union Square reflects the energy, creativity, and diversity we have always embraced as a brand, and we are excited to become part of this community.
See all 40+ Voodoo Doughtnut flavors on their website so you can start planning which you plan to stuff in one of their iconic pink boxes. While we await their opening, we can always grab melt in your mouth donuts from Japanese cult favorite, I’m Donut ?