By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Apr 28, 2021 at 1:05 PM Photography: Lori Fredrich

It’s been over two years since Donut Monster made its debut, and just about a year and a half since the brand opened up its first brick and mortar location at 5169 N. Elkhart Ave. in Whitefish Bay.

But, beginning this summer, the popular scratch-made doughnut brand will also have a storefront in the inside the Landmark Building at 316 N. Milwaukee St., a location that’s also home to Freshfin Poke and the newly minted Fool’s Errand.

The space was also formerly home to Holey Moley Coffee + Doughnuts, which announced the permanent closure of the Third Ward location on their website, noting that the brand is likely to return in a new location.

In fact, work has already begun on refreshing the look and feel of the kiosk, which is expected to open for business early this summer.

Breakfast sandwich on English muffin
Breakfast sandwiches on housemade English muffins are also a Donut Monster signature (photo c/o Donut Monster)
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What you can expect

Behind the Donut Monster brand is husband and wife team Sara and Jackie Lee Woods, both of whom have worked hard to build a brand that uses all-natural high quality ingredients and expert techniques to deliver on both quality and flavor. [Read more about the concept here]

Sarah Woods says the Third Ward is an ideal location for multiple reasons, including that it has a true “neighborhood feel.” “It’s a walkable area,” she says, “And a place where people both live and work. So, it’s ideal for this sort of business.”

The Woods say they will continue to offer the same high quality items at both locations, including old fashioned and raised doughnuts, house-made English muffins and breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon rolls on Sundays. Coffee service, including nitro cold brew and nitro lattes made with beans from Coffee Wizards will also be available.

Coffee Wizards' nitro cold brew
Coffee Wizards' nitro cold brew (photo c/o Donut Monster)
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But for the Woods, the Third Ward location means more than another storefront. It marks a big step forward for the brand, which has been renting out kitchen space to produce the products sold at their Whitefish Bay location. 

“We have always been on the lookout for a base kitchen,” says Chef Jackie Woods, “And this location is ideal, since it’s centrally located and provides all the space we need for efficient operation.” 

Jackie Woods says longtime Donut Monster chef Chris Walker will be heading up the Third Ward production kitchen, and that he expects that  – in addition to the standards customers have grown to expect – they will roll out special items that are unique to each Donut Monster  location.

Woods says it’s also a happy medium for customers who’ve been making the trek to their Whitefish Bay location from locations including Brookfield and the South Side.

“We’ve fared pretty well through the pandemic,” notes Sara Woods. “And we’re very grateful for all the folks who supported us over the past two years. They’re the reason why we’ve been able to grow.” 

Once open, Donut Monster Third Ward is expected to be open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out).

You can follow Donut Monster on Facebook and Instagram for updates and weekly offerings.

For more on Donut Monster, listen in on our FoodCrush Podcast with Chef Jackie Woods.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.