The Hidden Utah Donut Spot That Locals Drive To But Rarely Tell Others About

Every single donut sold at this shop helps someone climb out of chronic homelessness. That’s the whole business model, and it comes with sprinkles.

The case can hold around 45 rotating flavors at once. One donut arrives in a mini popcorn bucket with cola candy on the side.

Another mixes strawberry glaze with a habanero kick.

The funny thing is, the room looks like a rainbow fell asleep and dreamed about clouds. Sequins cover the walls, and flowers hang from the ceiling.

Guests can even write their dreams on paper and pin them to a wall.

I’ve come to realize the best stops in Utah aren’t always the loudest ones. This one sits on a busy road and quietly does something big.

The people behind the counter have their own comeback stories to tell.

It just feels right that a donut shop would choose hope as its main ingredient. So why do so few people outside the neighborhood know about it?

Every Box Comes With A Bigger Purpose Than Breakfast

The Other Side Donuts runs as a social enterprise of The Other Side Village. That village is a planned community in Salt Lake City built to help people overcome chronic homelessness.

All profits from the shop go straight back into the village’s operations. So yes, your maple bacon habit is technically doing community work.

The employees are residents of the village or graduates of The Other Side Academy. The academy is a program for people who have faced incarceration or addiction.

Working here gives them real jobs and a chance to build life skills. It also helps them grow more self-reliant and regain a sense of dignity.

The team openly says their motivation goes beyond making donuts. That pride shows up in how warmly the staff is described, again and again.

Even the takeout boxes carry the message. They read, “Donut stop believing in your sweet dreams,” which is cheesy in the best possible way.

Here’s a tip worth remembering. Ask about the mission when you order, because the people behind the counter often know it firsthand.

Few breakfast runs in Utah come with a story this good attached. Fewer still make you feel this good about ordering a second dozen.

Sequins, Clouds, And A Wall Full Of Dreams

Sequins on the walls. Strings of flowers dangling from the ceiling. Cloud cutouts glowing softly overhead.

The shop calls its look a rainbow dream world of positivity, fluffy clouds, and sprinkles. Honestly, that’s an accurate description and not an exaggeration.

The furniture plays along too. Some tables are shaped like clouds, and others are shaped like donuts, which feels only fair.

Then there’s the dream wall. Guests can write their dreams on slips of paper and post them for everyone to see.

It’s a small touch with big meaning in a place built around second chances. Reading other people’s hopes might make you linger longer than planned.

The donut case gets the same creative care. It’s arranged like an interactive museum, with each flavor shown off as its own tiny kingdom.

Bring your phone, because this room practically begs for photos. The colors are bold enough to brighten even a gray Salt Lake morning.

Kids will likely feel right at home here. Grown-ups who secretly love glitter will too, and nobody needs to know.

You can enjoy your treats inside or take them to the outdoor seating. Either way, the cheerful mood follows you.

Good Luck Picking Just One From 45 Flavors

Around 45 flavors can sit in the case at any given time. That number turns a quick stop into a serious decision.

These are handcrafted gourmet donuts made in small batches. Many come with rich filled centers, so the inside matters as much as the topping.

The menu splits into sections called The Classics, Day Dreams, Sweet Dreams, and Cloud Nine Donuts. It sounds like a sleep study, but tastier.

Lemon Lavender Dream brings a floral twist. Peanut Butter Cup Explosion goes the opposite direction with full chocolate and peanut butter energy.

Amelia’s Creme Brulee and Hansel’s Crumb offer something more classic-dessert in style. Nutella Spiced Cider sounds like autumn decided to show off.

Not into fancy? The Super Normal Chocolate Donut exists for exactly that mood, and its name says it plainly.

Gluten-free donuts are also part of the lineup. That’s welcome news for anyone who usually watches everyone else eat.

Flavors rotate, so the lineup can look different on your next trip. A smart move is to pick one favorite and one wild card every time.

You’ll leave with a plan for next time anyway. That’s how the case wins.

The Wild Ones Come With Umbrellas And Popcorn Buckets

A donut served inside a mini popcorn bucket sounds like a dare. The Blockbuster does exactly that, with a Plugra butter glaze and red button popcorn.

It even comes with a cola soda candy on the side. Movie night, but make it breakfast.

The Piña Colada donut leans into vacation mode. Pineapple-coconut frosting gets coconut sprinkles, a cherry, and a tiny umbrella on top.

Craving something spicy? The Strawberry Habanero pairs sweet strawberry glaze with a habanero kick that wakes you up faster than coffee.

The Beehive is a nod to Utah’s state symbol. It stacks lemon curd, spicy honey glaze, honey meringue, and white chocolate honeycomb.

Kids may gravitate toward the Chocolate Dirt Cup. It’s topped with gummy worms, which is somehow always a crowd pleaser.

The Tang Sugar Bomb finishes things with candy orange slices. It’s bright, bold, and exactly as playful as the name suggests.

These creations rotate, so not every one shows up every day. Check what’s in the case before you set your heart on a specific donut.

Bring someone to share with. Splitting four weird donuts beats committing to one.

Fan Favorites Worth Ordering On Your First Visit

Pink Lemonade is one of the names that keeps popping up. It features a lemon-curd whipped filling that sounds like summer in donut form.

Maple bacon fans get options here. The Maple Bacon Delight covers the classic, while the 24K Maple Honey Bacon adds honey flavor to crispy bacon.

The Grownup PB&J takes a lunchbox staple and dresses it up. Think peanut whip, berry confit, nutty frosting, fresh preserves, and crushed peanuts.

Berry lovers have the Berry Tart to consider. It comes with raspberry glaze and tangy strawberry crumbles on top.

The Raspberry Bunny Tail doubles down, literally. It’s double-filled with raspberry for anyone who thinks one filling is never enough.

Chocolate cookie fans might spot the Not an Oreo McFlurry. The name is a wink, and the concept is pure dessert.

Twinkie-style donuts have earned attention too. A long john version has shown up in the lineup, nostalgia included.

Not sure where to start? The staff is known for offering samples throughout the day, so ask what’s available.

Tasting before buying takes the pressure off. It also makes ordering extra feel very reasonable.

Early Birds Get The Full Lineup On Redwood Road

Timing matters at a shop with this many flavors. The case looks fullest early, and popular options can thin out as the day goes on.

You’ll find the shop at 760 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84104. It sits on Salt Lake City’s west side, along a busy stretch of road.

The Other Side Donuts opens early in the morning most days. Friday and Saturday hours stretch into the evening, which is great for late cravings.

Sundays are closed, so plan your weekend donut run around that. Hours can shift, so check before you drive across the valley.

Arriving near opening gives you the widest choice. Showing up late can still work, just with fewer flavors to choose from.

The location also makes sense for the mission. It connects the work of The Other Side Village with a real neighborhood storefront.

Indoor and outdoor seating give you choices once you’ve ordered. Grab a table or take the box home, no pressure either way.

Pickup orders are available too. That’s handy if you’re feeding an office or a hungry family in Utah’s capital.

Cookies Almost Won, And We Should All Be Grateful

The original plan was a cookie shop. Salt Lake City already had plenty of cookie spots, so the team pivoted to donuts instead. Good call. Very good call.

Before the Redwood Road storefront existed, the donuts sold online. They were made in The Other Side Academy’s kitchen.

That online start helped build the brand before customers had a colorful room to visit. Then the shop got its own home on the west side.

The Redwood Road location celebrated its first anniversary on June 28. That puts the opening around the summer of 2024.

General manager Nicholas Smith brings his own powerful story. He overcame addiction and incarceration through The Other Side Academy before leading the shop.

His journey reflects the whole idea behind the business. People get a real chance, and then they help give that chance to others.

The brand has grown beyond this spot too. There’s a downtown outlet, one at the University of Utah’s Trailhead, and some thrift store locations.

Still, the Redwood Road shop is the full experience. It’s where the clouds, the sequins, and the dream wall all live together.

Three Awards In One Show Is Not A Small Brag

Winning one award at a donut competition is nice. Sweeping three is a statement.

The Other Side Donuts took home Best Booth, Most Creative Donut, and Crowd Favorite at the Utah Dough Show. That covers looks, imagination, and pure popularity.

Best Booth makes total sense if you’ve seen the shop’s style. Clouds, color, and sparkle travel well, apparently.

Most Creative Donut fits a menu with popcorn buckets and tiny umbrellas. Few bakeries would dare put cola candy next to a donut.

Crowd Favorite might be the sweetest win of all. It means regular donut eaters chose these treats over the competition.

The shop’s creativity also shows up at events around town. Their donuts have appeared at festivals, including Kilby Block Party.

So when you stop by the Redwood Road shop, you’re tasting award-winning work. Not bad for a team that almost opened a cookie store.

Here’s a fun challenge for your visit. Try to guess which flavor would win Most Creative today.

Then order it, obviously. Research is important.

Party Rooms, Donut Walls, And A Coffee Called Cloud Nine

Birthday plans just got easier. The shop has a party room, and families have used it for themed celebrations where guests decorate their own donuts.

Planning something bigger? The Other Side Donuts offers catering, and it can even supply a donut wall for events.

A donut wall is exactly what it sounds like. It turns dessert into decor, and guests tend to notice.

Coffee drinkers aren’t left out either. The shop serves Cloud Nine coffee, a fitting match for all those cloud decorations.

The gift shop section is worth a browse. You’ll find T-shirts, caps, backpacks, mini coloring books, pencils, and some handmade crafts.

Those small items make easy souvenirs from a Utah trip. They also carry the same mission as every donut sold.

Kids may love the coloring books most. Adults might grab a cap that quietly supports a great cause.

So the shop works for a quick treat or a full celebration. It also works for a gift when you forgot someone’s birthday.

Every way you spend here circles back to The Other Side Village. That’s a pretty sweet place for your money to land.