Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Cartems Donuterie in Vancouver

So about a month ago I was in downtown Vancouver waiting at a bus stop when I looked across the street and realized there was a donut shop there that I'd never seen before.

Cartems Donuterie in Vancouver


I was all, "Whaaaaaa!?!" and nearly ran across the street right that instant, dodging cars Frogger-style and abandoning my plans to get onto any bus that would take me further away from this donut shop.

I've got a bit of a thing for donuts.

Well I didn't launch myself into traffic that particular day, but you can bet your sweet ass that Cartems Donuterie went into my mental pocket and stayed there. I knew I'd be back.

A couple of weeks later I was downtown running errands and decided to bop into the donuterie to check it out, which was - as you can imagine - an amazing decision on my part. The place was hoppin'!

The bright white high ceilings and exposed brick make the place seem pretty big, and the open bakery in the back of the room extends back even further:

Cartems Donuterie in Vancouver, from the inside


Look at this clever table and chair situation they have in one of the front window corners:

Table with log stools inside Cartems Donuterie in Vancouver


So Cartems is the kind of donut place that serves really special flavors - not just the "chocolate glazed" or "raspberry filled" type of stuff. While Cartems doesn't seem to feature outlandish toppings like that of, say, Voodoo Doughnut, they do have some interesting combos and tantalizing flavors. During that first afternoon trip to the donuterie (yes, the first - I've obviously gone back again since), I picked up a Citrus Dust donut and a Salted Caramel donut... Guys. They were both really, really, really good. I ate the citrus one on my way home that day.

From the Cartems website:
Citrus Dust: Four citrus fruits, that we juice ourselves, and essential oils make up the glaze. Peeled and dried citrus zest is then blended into a dust and sprinkled on top for an extra kick.
Salted Caramel: A chocolate donut topped with sweet buttery goodness and course sea salt. Sweet and salty deliciousness.
And when I say that these donuts were "really good" I do not only mean that they tasted fantastic. I also want you to understand how soft and fluffy these donuts were. We're talking very well-made donuts. These guys know what they're doing! The second one was even still super soft and fluffy the next day!






Other flavors included Earl Grey, Maple Walnut, Chocolate Sweet Snow, Triple Chocolate Threat, Canadian Whiskey Bacon, Mexican Mole, Classic Vanilla (with vanilla bean frosting!). There are vegan and gluten free flavors available as well. They also have different feature flavors daily. You can read descriptions of all of these amazing donuts on their website here.

You definitely pay for the quality of the donuts at Cartems...

Pricing of donuts and drinks at Cartems Donuterie
.  nawt cheap  .
But..... delicious fried dough and sugar.

Fast forward a couple more weeks and I found myself on a bus heading all the way downtown with one thing on my brain: DOZE DONUTS DOE.

Yep, I was going back. And, I mean... if you're going to go all that way just to get a donut... you might as well get half a dozen of them, right? So I did.

WHOOO!

Half dozen donuts from Cartems Donuterie

Mixed half dozen donuts from Cartems Donuterie
.  LIKE A BOSS  .
Clockwise from top left: Raspberry Lemonade, Apple Crumble, Chocolate Sweet Snow, Triple Chocolate Threat, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Glazed. So good, so good, so good

It says on the Cartems Donuterie website that the business is about three key things: smiles, conversation, and donuts.  I can vouch for the first and the last - I didn't converse with anyone either time that I was there.

Also... they freaking DELIVER via bike to the downtown area. Perhaps you noticed their delivery bike propped up against the window in some of the above pictures. So get your donut delivery on, ladiiiiies!

Are you as crazy about donuts as I am?

What's your favorite donut flavor?

If you don't like donuts, what's wrong with you?

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This isn't a sponsored post, I just really effing love donuts.

Cartems Donuterie on Urbanspoon

8 comments:

  1. Ahahah- love the "ran across the street frogger style"!!! I have never been that big of a fan of donuts myself, but the ones you picked look pretty dang tempting. Is that coconut on the chocolate sweet snow? Yum!!!
    -Chelsey
    -http://chelseypatti.blogspot.com

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  2. Oh sweet mother of all that is holy. Why oh WHY have I never been to this style donut shop? I will admit--I would have ran across the street frogger style at that point. Bus be damned. That table is freaking awesome, too!

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  3. Yum, these look especially tasty, and I'm not even a big donut fan (usually)! I wish I could grab the chocolate glazed one right out of my screen.

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    1. The bottom row of donuts in this picture were all for my boyfriend haha so I didn't even get to eat the chocolate glazed one... though he did share a bite ;)

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  4. I love a good donut, but not too sweet...the Citrus Dust sounds right up my alley. I don't like Voodoo Doughnuts so much because the flavors are crazy mashes of sugar, not the artisan-style like this one appears to be.
    Man, now I'm craving donuts! :D

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  5. ooo these look pretty good but if i brougth some home, i'd be the only person eating them and the only person putting on the pounds. i dont know how david does it. he really doesn't have a sweet tooth at all!!! wish i had that problem.

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  6. I don't understand people who don't like sweets!! Like, whattttt's not to like?!

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