Dockside Donuts

Dockside Donuts is family-run and their French crullers are to die for [if you rise early and get them before they're gone!] They serve Dillanos espresso in one of the last cost-effective lattes in Tacoma... what's more the owners are extremely kind and care about protecting their customers from panhandlers. The port is a rough area but these glorious fluffy doughballs are worth the extra stop. Please, DO NOT be fooled by low star ratings from unhoused folks, keep doing you Dockside, and don't let them convert your dining area into their living room!

There is no atmospheric music 🎶 playing overhead or lightly in the background like some places will do. Either silence, foreign language between the workers, or customer banter while you eat. The decoration seems outdated & unrevised since it's original opening. Having banana 🍌 peel colored tile flooring with dark wood paneled, mixed with yellow walls that are primarily glass all around. There's the nice addition of a white modern style, stand alone fireplace that would be nice to warm up by with your coffee ☕. However if you do, the older male Staff member will be sure to come out from behind the counter to tell you "Move! You're blocking the heat!!" Staff isn't very friendly or appreciative of your business at all. Very cheap so be sure you ask for napkins cause they won't be offered or freely given. They seem to be nicer to Caucasian, especially male customers. For example 2 white men were dining for hours at the largest group table in the seating area discussing something of biblical context. Their voices were loud & seemed to carry throughout the restaurant. There was myself & another gentleman both sitting individually at the booth-styled seats throughout the diner. Evidently the sit-in hours are from 5 am to 1pm. As the time approached 12:15 the 2 men began packing up to leave & shortly thereafter so did the other male customer (about 12:30 or so). So I was the last patron still inside. I wanted to use the restroom before leaving since nowhere else around for miles has a customer bathroom for use but before I knew it here comes the older gentleman, flying out from the back with his wet rag to wash down tables which are usually unkept with donut crumbs here & there making it hard to find decent seating. As he does so he demands "Alright, get your stuff and go! WE CLOSE AT 1 O'CLOCK" in this stern, aggressive tone! As if I was some kind of loitering burden instead of a loyal, PAYING customer who often gives more respect than she is given. Not to negate the fact that it was only about 12:45 at that time. I could have easily gave him lip back and told him I had 15 minutes left to sit in that diner. Technically I didn't need to go anywhere being as they're open for another 15 minutes!! However I was always taught to respect my elders. So I just gave the old man a thumbs up and packed my things away deciding not to be just as petty as he was being for whatever reason. These people really really need to work on how they decide to treat their paying customers! I could easily take my money elsewhere to someone who does appreciate my hard earned income! What I spit in the face!

Read some reviews of donut shops. This was not a find by reviews, it was review by a writer who went to multiple donut shops around the South Sound area, chose same donuts at each location and then rated. Search this shop up! Off the beaten path, and highly unlikely you would find this if you just happened to go shopping in Tacoma. Ordered a dozen donuts. Buttermilk was flavorful. No heavy grease or oil taste. Raspberry twist had a hint of Raspberry flavoring with a touch of cream cheese mix in it. This was worth saying a prayer over!! And a good old cake donut: Best I've had in a long time. I have a blueberrymuffin awaiting so enjoy these donuts and go get ya some!

Racist. Monday 9/17/25 1:15pm Older Asian lady refused to open drive thru window and just glared at me, I smiled and eventually she opened the window, she never spoke until I brought out my cash, then she said "Drop it" meaning the money, proceeded to hand me my order while turning her back and walking away. Negroes do not spend your hard earned money here and those against racism in any form stay away. No doubt this lady was thinking I might rob her because of my lovely brown skin, textbook racial stereotype and profiling. Disgusting!

If you like bacon maple bars their is the best. Period. Get here early, get them when they are still warm. You will never go anywhere else for one, I promise. The family that owns this place is super friendly and remembers their customers. I love swinging by here on my way to work.