James L.
Yelp
I'm glad the cupcake craze of the last decade is over. I never understood the concept of paying $5 for a small pastry which was consumed in 4 bites. But within the last couple of years, it seems like the "artisanal donut" fad is upon us. With places like Duck Donuts, Sugar Shack, and Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken, it is now in vogue (and acceptable) to charge upwards of $3 for fried dough.
Well, I'm here to say Krumpe's DO-Nut Shop in Hagerstown might very well be the BEST purveyor of donuts in the entire DMW. Granted Hagerstown is about an hour's drive from downtown DC, but trust me friends, it's worth it!
And when Krumpe's is described as a "hidden gem," take it literally. Your GPS will take you through different twists and turns and you'll likely pass by this establishment a few times, since it is located in a small back alley which is hard to miss; just look for the street signs indicating "Donut Alley".
And there is a protocol to getting donuts at Krumpe's. First, the place is only open from 7pm-2am. Yep, seems like odd hours, but from the time the doors open to when they close, there is usually line out the door of this small shack with people in search of fresh donuts. Secondly, because there are hardly any parking spots, don't dilly-dally if you're lucky enough to get a spot. KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO ORDER AHEAD OF TIME. Here's a link from their website with their sumptuous offerings: http://krumpesdonuts.com/do-nuts/
And lastly, do yourself a favor and order the dozen. Donuts here start under a dollar for the plain glazed and go up from there. I ordered a few glazed, some of the Bavarian filled, and some chocolate cake donuts. As you're standing in line, you can see the army of workers in the back, frying batch after batch, and then applying the various glazes and toppings.
Once you get your fried treasures, hop in your car, and vacate the spot for the next hungry patron. But just drive out of the alley, pull over, and enjoy a few bites. Mmmm...will be your first reaction. The donuts are pillowy soft and clouds of steam will escape with each bite. The texture is excellent, and the glazes are not too sweet.
I'm lucky I don't live near Krumpe's, otherwise, I'd definitely put on an extra 10 lbs from my daily donut habit. This is definitely a must do, if you're visiting Hagerstown.
TIP: If you mention that this is your first visit to Krumpe's, they will give you a free plain glazed donut to try!!!