Aaron S.
Yelp
Many people have celebrities they "know of", but have never met. The ones you see online all the time, performing at awards shows or being discussed on a recent podcast. You know their birthday, birth place, who they're dating, maybe even their cocktail of choice. But have you ever seen them in real life? Shook their hand? Gave them a side hug while taking a selfie? Nope. And in the foodie world this is also true of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, wineries, breweries, and more. We follow them on social media, know their Michelin Star rating, who their new sous chef is. But we have never set foot even near their entry way. Such is the story with me and Voodoo, until recently.
I love pastries, with muffins and doughnuts constantly competing for the top spot in my foodie heart. But often doughnuts win out because of 1) their high level of availability and 2) their many, many options. Cake, glazed, seasonal, creme filled. Have you ever walked into a doughnut shop when they first open? The ovens are still warm, the display case glass is steamed up, the aroma is from a time and place only accurately described in some foodie fantasy novel written by a James Beard award winning chef while residing in the depths of a ancient wine cellar for 38 days and nights. And this, all this brings me to my first fateful visit to Voodoo.
A short visit to San Antonio and quick search on Yelp had made this life changing experience possible. I was staying but a few blocks from the brown and pink many already know well. I was grateful that day for the line as I needed time to select what I could only hope would be the "perfect first" doughnuts. Banana cream pie was definite. Then I saw the pumpkin pie cake doughnut. Now I'm not a big fan of cake doughnuts (just being honest), but if anyone could change my mindset on this subset it would be Voodoo. Having already consumed two cups of coffee and a homemade pop tart, I had to stop at two. (Listen, this wasn't the most prepared foodie journey I've ever had, but at least I made it there.) Within a few minutes I had ordered, paid, and sat down (to take photos then eat). I'm not sure which took less time. I ate the pumpkin first, thinking the sweetness of the banana cream might overpower it. That doughnut was somehow a mix of air, dough, pumpkin, sugar, and your 8th grade kiss at the Spring Formal all warped into one. Seconds later, the banana cream followed suit. My only regret? Not buying more and not returning. But mark my words, I will be searching for another in the months ahead.