A neon red sign reading “Twin Donuts” at the intersection of Beacon and Cambridge streets entices donut lovers to take a step inside. The local donut place is a breath of fresh air amid the seemingly never-ending Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the area. The freshness of the food and comfortable feel of the diner does not compare to the industrial feel of a large donut chain.
Twin Donuts has been serving locals in Allston since 1959, according to its website.
The exterior sports a 1950s theme with a neon sign, large windows, and pink and silver walls. The interior does not maintain the same theme. There are a few square tables with wooden chairs and a large circular table in the center of the diner, with an aluminum pole going through it, surrounded by maroon stools. The walls are white. The traditional 1950s booths, breakfast counter, and vibrant colors that you would expect to find are not there. Yet Twin Donuts still feels welcoming with its fun exterior, its old-school letter board displaying the menu, and its regular customers.
Twin Donuts offers both table service and a counter for those who want to enjoy their breakfast to go. Customers include locals enjoying coffee with a friend or sitting alone browsing the morning paper, a mother ordering a dozen donuts while pushing a baby in a stroller, regulars in a hurry grabbing a bite before work, and chattering college students looking for a fresh cup of coffee. In the morning on weekdays, the diner is not crowded. But on Saturday mornings, all the tables are filled, and there is a line at the to-go counter. With flexible hours and fast service, Twin Donuts—open 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.—works to accommodate its wide range of loyal customers.
The donuts are made from scratch each morning using Twin Donuts’ original recipes. Once you take a bite, the care and hard work that goes into each donut is clear. For only $1.50, you can enjoy the donut of your choosing from a wide selection of flavors—from chocolate dipped to Boston cream. The honey-dipped donut is fluffy and tastes fresh. And the delicious sweets don’t stop there. Twin Donuts also serves a variety of muffins, pancakes, croissants, and french toast.
For those who prefer salty to sweet, there are a variety of traditional breakfast foods to choose from, such as egg sandwiches and bagels. The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, priced at $5, is the perfect breakfast meal to take on the go. The bacon is crunchy but not overcooked, and the melted cheese combined with the eggs is satisfying. Twin Donuts serves large portions at an affordable price. The shop also has a full lunch menu with traditional dining food. This includes sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads. All of the sandwiches are made to order.
If you are looking for a spot to grab a quick breakfast or to satisfy your donut craving, Twin Donuts beats Dunkin’ any day.
Featured Image by Alexa Spitz/Heights Staff
