The Flour Box

"Thai Tea Donut “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have secured a pastry preorder from The Flour Box, seeing as they sell out online in around 30 seconds, and I’m writing this literally an hour after I ate their outstanding Thai Tea donut. In fact, I think there’s still sugar on my face. Between the puffy brioche, thick pudding-like Thai tea custard, and a light dusting of granulated sugar, this thing is delicious and just sweet enough in all the right places.” -Aimee Rizzo, Staff Editor" - julia chen 1, carlo mantuano, aimee rizzo

"The Flour Box has become such a recognizable staple in Hillman City that it could run for District 2 office. To secure these filled brioche rounds, you’ll need to wait in a line that stretches down the block hours before their 10am opening. So if you’re willing to wake up early (like 8am early) and find a friend who's willing to do it with you, you should—because these donuts rule. Flavors change monthly, but you’ll see fillings like carrot cheesecake, salted beer-infused caramel, and the occasional durian cream special. And while The Flour Box’s overstuffed pillows seem decadent, they’re never over-the-top sweet. " - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Every day, a line starts forming at The Flour Box hours before they open. That’s because the brioche donuts at this former pop-up-turned-permanent-bakery in Hillman City are stupendous. They range from vanilla bean crème brûlée custard glazed with slick torched sugar to a savory chive cream cheese-filled option topped with a shake of everything spice, along with weekly specials like Oreo or Thai Tea. And the incredible baked goods here are just the right amount of sweet—even the frosted pillowy milk bun cinnamon roll. Pair your treats with Anchorhead coffee (get the cold brew with burnt honey), and you’ll want to strategically plan visits for multiple days in a row." - aimee rizzo

"Built from a pop-up favorite, owner Pamela Vuong’s Hillman City shop continually draws lines for its creme brulee doughnuts, everything bagel doughnuts filled with whipped chive cream cheese, decadent cinnamon rolls, and other rotating doughnut flavors. The popularity is well-deserved: Vuong was a James Beard Award semifinalist for outstanding baker in 2022." - Mark Van Streefkerk, Harry Cheadle

"A line starts forming at The Flour Box hours before they open every day. That’s because Pamela Vuong's brioche donuts at this former pop-up-turned-permanent-bakery in Hillman City are stupendous. They range from vanilla bean crème brûlée custard glazed with slick torched sugar to a savory chive cream cheese-filled one topped with a shake of everything spice, along with weekly specials like Oreo or Thai Tea. And the incredible baked goods here are just the right amount of sweet—even the frosted pillowy milk bun cinnamon roll. Pair your treats with Anchorhead coffee, and you’ll want to strategically plan visits for multiple days in a row—we did." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley