The donut dough here takes three full days to make. It starts with a sourdough starter, which is not how most donut shops do things.
That slow process leads to a hefty apple fritter packed with real fruit pieces.
The glaze has a light crackle on top. Other fruit fritters rotate with the seasons, so the lineup keeps changing.
This bright little shop sits in a college town in Kansas, inside a building that once held a laundromat.
Washing machines out, glass donut cases in. I like how a place built for spin cycles now spins out fritters instead.
I believe a great donut shop should feel a little bit loud and a little bit joyful.
This one plays its music proudly. So what happens when a top baker takes donuts this seriously?
The Apple Fritter Is The Heavyweight You Came For
Golden, hefty, and loaded with real apple pieces, the apple fritter at Taylor’s Donuts sets the tone fast.
It’s the item that gets mentioned again and again, and for good reason.
The menu lists it as a locally sourced apple fritter. That matters, because the fruit isn’t some gloppy canned filling.
The apple chunks keep their texture inside the dough. So every bite gives you a little fruit, a little fried dough, and a little glaze.
Speaking of glaze, it’s a vanilla glaze with a slight crackle. The shop also finishes the fritter with candied lemon peel, which adds a bright citrus note.
Here’s what makes it work so well. The fritter isn’t overly sweet, so the balance between fruit, dough, and glaze stays steady.
That’s great news if giant pastries usually leave you feeling sugar-crashed by lunch. You can actually taste the apple instead of just the sugar.
My advice is simple. Grab one for now and maybe one for later, because sharing a fritter this good takes serious willpower.
Kansas has plenty of donut stops. Few put this much care into a single fritter.
Seasonal Fritters Keep You Guessing All Year
Fritter flavors change with the seasons here.
That means the case you see in spring might look totally different by fall.
Rhubarb fritters have shown up, and so have blueberry fritters. The rhubarb version in particular has earned a real following when it appears.
Fruit lovers should keep an eye on the case throughout the year. Seasonal ingredients can bring unexpected combinations, making each visit a little different.
The regular donut lineup rotates too. Past flavors have included passionfruit-filled, pistachio, orange raspberry, spiced pear, and milk chocolate caramel.
Then there are the clusters, which sound like a dessert puzzle. Think strawberry shortcake cluster or a PB+J cluster that tastes like a lunchbox classic grew up.
Filled donuts round things out nicely. Chai cream, Bavarian cream, and caramel apple cream are among the options that have appeared.
Here’s a practical tip. Don’t fall too hard for one seasonal flavor, because it may move on before your next visit.
Instead, treat each trip like a tasting adventure. The changing menu gives you a solid excuse to come back often.
Three Days Of Patience Go Into Every Batch
Most of us can’t wait three minutes for toast. These donuts wait three whole days before they’re ready.
The dough is a hybrid between naturally leavened and yeasted dough. It uses a special sourdough starter, which brings deeper flavor than a quick-rise mix.
That slow, three-day leavening process is the secret behind the shop’s whole personality. It gives the donuts a from-scratch, homemade flavor that’s hard to fake.
The frying step gets attention too. Every donut is fried in rice bran oil, a choice you won’t see at every corner shop.
Why should you care about all this kitchen science? Because it explains why these donuts feel like bakery creations rather than gas station snacks.
It also explains why the menu doesn’t try to be enormous. When dough takes days, each batch is planned with care.
So when you bite into a simple glazed ring, notice the dough itself. That flavor is the payoff for all that waiting.
Honestly, it’s a nice reminder that good things take time. Your donut just did the patient part for you.
Washing Machines Used To Live Where The Donuts Do
Before the fritters, there were dryers. The building at the corner of 19th and Louisiana was once a laundromat called College Corner.
Turning a laundry spot into a donut shop took more than a fresh coat of paint. The project needed a major redesign, plus zoning requests and city approvals.
The road to opening wasn’t quick. The permit process stalled for a while during city negotiations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taylor’s Donuts finally arrived with a soft popup opening in September 2022. The shop officially got its start that same year.
There’s something fun about that history. A place where people once waited on spin cycles now hands out warm donuts instead.
It also shows how much the owner believed in this corner. Plenty of people would have given up during all those delays.
Next time you stop by, take a second to look at the building. It’s a neighborhood space that found a much tastier second life.
Laundry day never smelled this good. The upgrade feels well earned.
Bright Yellow Tables Set A Seriously Cheerful Mood
Sunshine yellow tables greet you inside. It’s hard to stay grumpy when the furniture is this cheerful.
The interior is bright, cheery, and colorful from the start. Glass donut cases show off the day’s lineup, so choosing becomes a delicious decision.
The shop calls itself an upscale and groovy donut shop. That description fits the space, which feels polished but never stuffy.
Music plays a big part in the vibe here. It’s often loud, and the energy feels lively and friendly rather than hushed.
That makes this a great stop if you want your morning to start with a little pep. It’s a spot where you can actually enjoy hanging out.
Dine-in seating means you don’t have to rush back to the car. Grab a table, pick a donut, and soak in the colors for a bit.
Bring a friend if you want a fun breakfast date. The bright setting makes even a quick coffee stop feel like a small event.
Quiet library energy this is not. Good, bold, happy energy is exactly the point.
A James Beard Semifinalist Runs The Show
Behind every fritter is a baker with serious credentials.
Taylor Petrehn owns the shop and is a nationally recognized baker.
He’s also been named a James Beard Award semifinalist. In the food world, that’s a big deal and a sign of real talent.
Taylor’s skills aren’t limited to donuts either. He also co-owns 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe, another Lawrence favorite.
That bakery background explains a lot about the donut shop. The long dough process and careful ingredients come from someone who thinks like a true baker.
It’s kind of amazing that this level of skill landed in a corner donut shop. Many top bakers focus on fancy breads or pastries instead.
Here, that talent goes into treats almost everyone loves. A kid with a sprinkle donut and a food fan with a fritter both benefit.
So if you enjoy your visit, consider stopping by his other bakery too. It’s a fun way to see a different side of the same craft.
Lawrence is lucky to have him. Your breakfast is lucky too.
The Coffee Bar Deserves Its Own Spotlight
Donuts need a sidekick, and the coffee bar here takes that job seriously.
You’ll find filter coffee and cold brew for the classic crowd. Latte fans get plenty of choices.
The shop offers espresso drinks with rotating flavor creations, including house-made syrups.
The lattes use whole milk from Hildebrand Farms Dairy, a regional dairy, along with espresso from Onyx Coffee Lab.
Not a coffee person? An iced matcha latte offers another option, made with oat milk, chamomile honey, and matcha.
Cold brew is another highlight. The shop serves a nitro version using coffee beans from Onyx Coffee Lab, giving it a smooth texture.
Hungry for something savory before the sweets? The breakfast sandwich comes with an egg patty made using Missouri eggs, cheese, and salsa verde on a brioche bun.
You can pick smoked bacon or house-made chorizo. That choice alone might start a friendly debate at your table.
The drink selection can change, so checking the menu before visiting is smart if you have a particular flavor in mind.
My tip is to pair the sandwich with a fritter for a satisfying breakfast. Savory first, sweet second, and everyone wins.
Plan Your Parking Before Your Donut Cravings Hit
Location is a big part of the charm here.
The shop sits between the University of Kansas campus and a local high school.
That spot makes it a true community hangout. Students, families, and neighbors all pass by this busy corner.
You’ll find Taylor’s Donuts at 1827 Louisiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. It’s right at the corner of 19th and Louisiana.
Now for the honest part about parking. There are only about five or six spots directly in front of the shop.
Don’t let that stress you out, though. Veteran’s Park sits directly east and offers extra parking within a short walk.
That little stroll might even help you justify a second donut. Think of it as a warm-up lap for your taste buds.
If you’re visiting from elsewhere in Kansas, plan a few extra minutes for parking. It’ll make the whole trip feel more relaxed.
Both dine-in and carryout are available. So you can enjoy your treats inside or take them to the park next door.
Smart Timing Can Score You A Sweet Deal
Early birds and bargain hunters both have reasons to plan ahead.
Weekday hours run from 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
Weekends start a little later and wrap up sooner. Saturday and Sunday hours are 8 AM to 2 PM.
Now here’s the clever part. The shop has offered a rewards program that sends promotional deals through text messages.
Past customers have reported special donut happy-hour promotions, although the exact discounts and timing can vary.
That’s a pretty sweet reason to check whether the program is still running. A discounted box of donuts makes you the hero of any office or dorm.
Just keep in mind that end-of-day selection depends on what’s left. If you have your heart set on the apple fritter, morning is safer.
A smart plan could mix both approaches. Come early for your favorite, then watch for special offers another day.
Taylor’s Donuts rewards people who pay attention to its changing selection. In Kansas or anywhere else, a fritter tastes even better with a good deal attached.