I am an admitted donut fiend, so when I heard a new donut store opened I instantly put this place on my list of places to visit. When you walk up to the place, there are hoards of people plowing down on donuts outside, most likely because there is no place to sit inside and even standing room is tight. There was a short line which went outside because the store itself is all kitchen.
When you wait in line, you can look at all of the different varieties they offer, and TBH, I wanted to buy one of each. But I decided not to because the shelf life of these might go bad within 24 hours. I could be wrong though.
But the flavors were just so unique and the variety is excellent. Also to note, while the logistics could use some tinkering, the service was great.
My favorite was the hazelnut dulce de leche. This one was a big time standout. The others were good but I doubt I would go back for them. I will definitely be back to try more of the cake donuts.
At least not that I am aware of. I got 5 donuts for $20. Not incredibly expensive but it adds up fast. I am getting two of those dulce de leche next time though.
Let me preface this with the fact that I am normally not a complainer. I live “gaman.” However, Blue Star has been the worst experience that I’ve had of hyped-up joints coming to LA. I don’t know - $35 for eight Donuts should knock my socks off, right? Quality over quantity? Not even close. Maybe it was my fault for getting donuts at 3PM but I was assured by the counter person that they fried up donuts throughout the day.
The revered dulce de leche donut left the inside of my mouth coated in donut fry oil. It was sopping in oil and I could taste no dulce de leche. The hard apple cider fritter was hard alright - like a frickin’ week-old apple fritter. This was not just my opinion - I cut each donut into portions so all five of us could get a taste of each. The only donut that received positive criticism was the key lime lemon curd donut - it tasted like a good lemon curd donut - not much in the lime department. All others were greeted with negative or 'eh" comments. The most common type of responses were in regards to mistaking unique renditions of donuts as being quality. Stated flavors not coming through, oily beyond acceptability, texture of day-old fried food.
I went back the following week to retry the most negatively criticized donuts - this time in the morning - about 10:30AM. No dulce de leche donut but they did have the hard apple cider fritter. I got that and the Mexican hot chocolate donut - it seemed to be the closest to the dulce de leche of the choices that were there at that time. The hard apple cider fritter did have chew - a good chew, which makes me suspect that I got two fritters last week that were beyond their prime. The Mexican hot chocolate was no oily mess like the dulce de leche one, but still - while the cake had a little chile heat to it, nothing else about left me thinking that it was Mexican hot chocolate and not much even on the chocolate notes either. The problem may be excessive fat content muting the flavors. Think full-fat chocolate ice cream v. chocolate gelato v. chocolate sorbet.
I specifically asked the counter person when the last batch of donuts are fried. The response was the same - he stated that they make new batches throughout the day. I told him about my issues with so many of their donuts last week, and his was astonished. Two or three more employees walked up in total disbelief that such things could happen. The counter person assured me that he would comp me “the next time you come in.” The next time? Why the fu#! not now? He has no idea who I am or when I will be back -which is never. This place to me is dead. And the lines are gone, so many others must feel the same. I am guessing the rent alone has to command about a $1000 day. I wish them luck. Primo’s has nothing to worry about. I just feel guilty for not spending the $45 at their shop instead.
Wow, your experiences are polar opposite to mine. I admit, Blue Star is batting .250 with me and some have been straight up crappy, but the 3 that I liked I will go back for. All my donuts were crispy except for the Mexican chocolate one I had today. And the raised ones were just odd. Not my favorite, especially one that cleared my sinuses, literally to the effect of fresh horseradish. lol I kid you not.
But I will be back for the three that I like when I’m in the area.
Argh, that’s disappointing to hear. A friend of mine tried them the other day and he also thought that they were really greasy. I was hoping that was a one time thing, but apparently not. I really enjoyed them in Portland, and don’t remember them being overly oily.
If the final product is supposed to be so oily, it’s a fail in my book. And the varying degrees of oiliness from donut to donut tells me they might have a quality control issue. Another issue might be the kitchen making far too many donuts early in the day, over-anticipating the demand. That might explain the excessively hard fritter. The first week was crazy busy there with lines as long as going around the corner and down the adjacent alley. I went the second week on Wednesday when things considerably calmed down.
If they are touting quality over quantity to justify $3.50 to $5+ per doughnut, that quality needs to be hashed out in every step of the process and in every aspect of the product.
For krissakes, weren’t they aware that it’s fried food month at FTC?!
Eight for $35 and two for eight and change. I always tip, and yes, a tip jar sits by the register. I feel like such a dumb ass for cheating on Primo’s. But the gasps and looks on their faces after I lodged my criticisms? Priceless. That was tip-worthy.
I would stick with cake donuts. But honestly, I have sampled 12 now and only found three of them worthy for visit. This last time one of them wasn’t available.
I liked the raspberry rosemary, hazelnut dulce de leche and the lemon poppy seed. The others were kind of weird to not good, like the sinus cleansing one. The ones I thought sounded the best ended up being disappointing.
I truly enjoy bakery goods. I am often in awe when I look into a display case and behold the products of such great effort, artistry and talent. Knowing that I couldn’t create such things, I apreciciate the efforts of those who can. To me, price really isn’t an issue as long as the goods deliver quality and deliciousness. Those that do deserve praise. Those that aren’t need to get their game up or time will eventually weed them out.
Blue Star might succeed considering SideCar in Costa Mesa is doing fine and I have had similar experiences to your experience at Blue Star.
SideCar is batting .100 for me and opposed to Blue Star .250
I still go to Side Car though just to see if they have the one donut I truly enjoy, which ironically is probably their cheapest and plainest offering, a malasada at $2.
