Would you wait 45 minutes for a glazed donut? Many residents in Eugene certainly would. Locals Donuts has gained a loyal following thanks to its weekly pop-ups in the Office Depot parking lot on Chad Drive.
Locals Donuts Captivates Eugene
Angie Troyer, owner of Locals Handmade Donuts and Pretzels, enjoys sharing her creations with the community. Taylor Wolfe discovered Locals Donuts while shopping at Costco about a year ago.
“I’m a donut lover, and these are probably my favorite donuts I’ve ever had,” Wolfe said. “I love that the menu is small because they focus on doing everything right.”
The menu at Locals Donuts is straightforward. Customers can choose a glazed donut, a sugar-coated donut, a pretzel, or milk. Weekly specials also attract attention and sell out quickly due to long lines.
“The longest I’ve waited is about 45 minutes,” Wolfe recalled. It was their first visit, and they just wanted to experience the buzz. “It was worth every minute.”
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, the line at Locals was manageable, with eight to ten people patiently waiting to order or pick up their food.
Owner Angie Troyer smiled when asked why people are willing to wait for her donuts.
“Our products are fresh and made right in front of people,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t go crazy over a day-old donut, but if I see it being made fresh, that makes a difference.”
A five-member team operates the truck efficiently. One worker shapes the pretzels, another fries the donuts, while another coats them in warm glaze. As the excess glaze drips off, the sweet aroma wafts through the air, tempting passersby.
Troyer has been involved with donuts since she was 12. Her parents launched a donut truck in Tennessee, building a solid customer base over the years. She purchased the current Locals food truck from her parents and uses their recipes.
“We make everything fresh and do not use any mixes,” Troyer explained. “We use real milk and real eggs, all made from scratch.”
What sets Locals apart is their limited schedule. They are only in Eugene once a week, operating every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re hoping to try a special donut—this week’s feature is Maple Bacon—arrive early!
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