Brendan Sodikoff is a highly successful American chef and restaurateur, recognized as a 'culinary wunderkind'. He is the founder of the Chicago-based Hogsalt Hospitality group, known for creating distinct and popular...
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Last updated: 7/20/2026, 3:34:52 AM
Key Information
Doughnut Vault is an iconic artisanal doughnut shop in Chicago, known for its hand-crafted, old-fashioned style doughnuts made daily using old-world recipes. Part of the Hogsalt restaurant group, it's famous for its unique 'vault' concept and cozy ambiance with a walk-up window and outdoor seating in the River North neighborhood.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Doughnut Vault for having some of the best doughnuts in Chicago, highlighting their consistent quality, generous size, and creative flavors. Popular items include the vanilla glazed, pistachio old fashioned, and gingerbread stack. Many advise arriving early or ordering ahead due to quick sell-outs. The staff are often described as friendly and knowledgeable, contributing to a cozy and fun atmosphere. While overwhelmingly positive, one review mentioned an 'old oil' taste for a cake donut.
Early in the day, as doughnuts are available daily until sold out. Ordering ahead is also recommended to secure your preferred flavors.
5
Hogsalt’s iconic doughnut shop is true doughnut paradise. Make sure to come early or place an order ahead of time because they sell out quickly. They always have a selection of classic old fashioneds, glazed doughnuts, and a few more along with a daily special and jelly/cream-filled that changes daily. Their classic vanilla glazed is a must-try. It’s comically ginormous, but it it still really light and fluffy. Both the lemon poppyseed and triple chocolate old fashioneds had a satisfying, crisp texture. The vanilla birthday cake kind of tasted light a fluffy cupcake. One of the specials that day was the vanilla chocolate swirled yeast, which had the same yeast raised base with yummy chocolate frosting swirls. Such a fun spot tucked away that fully embodies its name—a vault!
After living there for a couple years, I miss this place the most. DV became my favorite doughnut spot in the city & I tried all the big names. Not the biggest menu of donuts, but definitely the most consistent quality, size, and creativity of classics that I ALWAYS loved. My all time fav is their Pistachio Old Fashioned (pictured). I love their variety of unique ones that go through outside their handful of standards. I've tried them all - and I have loved them all. I've never felt like MEH about any of their donuts. And they have really great & reasonable priced coffee to go with it (used to be Big Shoulder, not sure who now). Only outdoor seating & when they are sold out - they close. AMAZING.
Donut Vault was so good. I got the gingerbread stack and the old fashioned, and both were great, but the gingerbread stacks are where it’s at.
The old fashioned was delicious, even if the frosting flakes everywhere. But honestly, you’re too busy eating it to care. The gingerbread stack was the standout: covered in cinnamon sugar, super fluffy, and basically a perfect donut. Definitely worth stopping for.
To preface, I am not a cake donut person. However, Doughnut Vault's is so highly regarded that I was hoping for my mind to be changed. Maybe I have been getting them at the wrong places. Well, I'm a bit sad to say that's not the case. Apart from the texture of a cake donut that I already am not a big fan of, my pistachio donut also tasted overwhelmingly like old oil. I would like to come back and try their yeast donuts but am not very optimistic about them not tasting like old oil now.
These are some of the best donuts in the city. The old-fashioned donuts are delicious. I loved the triple chocolate. I am still thinking about this donut days later. I didn't get to the store early enough to try an almond glazed old fashioned, but the lemon poppyseed was perfection. They have a few flavors that rotate and the banana cream pie donut just looked amazing. I wish I could have also tried that one too. The store has both a walk up window, so cute, and a small lobby. The store is the right blend of cozy and fun. There is an outdoor seating area to make up for the lack of interior space. The gentleman behind the counter was so fun and knowledgeable, with a great vibe about him. I cannot wait to come back and try more flavors!
