Charisse B.
Yelp
Am I a stan of Stan's? Not quite... but I definitely consider them as one of fave donut spots in Chicago. I remember the year when I first tried one of their donuts -- 2015 -- a year after they landed in Wicker Park, their first IL location. My relationship with Stan's started the moment I bit into their chocolate pocket with Nutella and banana.
I'm not a classic donut kinda gal (unless you count red velvet), so for me, the more creative/unique the flavor is the better. I tend to go for what Stan's calls 'pockets', which are square-shaped donuts that have a filling. All the pockets I've tried so far have been generously stuffed, but I understand that not everyone has been as lucky.
On my most recent visit, I tried pocket flavors that were new to me: banana Biscoff and blueberry cream cheese. The banana Biscoff is perfect for cookie butter lovers. The blueberry cream cheese, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing because the dollop of blueberry jam on top slid right off not too long after it was put in the bag with the other donuts I purchased.
So if you're eyeing any of their donuts, make sure that any filling/topping on top will be able to stay put while in transit, unless of course, you buy enough for them to put the donuts in boxes (like a half dozen or dozen). It'll save you a goopy mess. Without that jam, the donut was practically just dough and cream cheese, so it wasn't worth the money.
P.S. After many unsuccessful attempts at trying a Stan's donut, the day finally came for my bf who, for years, always visited the shops too late in the day, when options are scarce/not as exciting. I got him a chocolate pocket with banana and Nutella. He was, for a lack of a better word, SHOOK.