Five years ago on Sept. 1, that year it fell on Labor Day weekend, Devils Lake Doughnuts opened its doors in the community. At that time they were located in the commercial building on Highway 20 south of Devils Lake, just north of Ed’s Bait Shop.
Leilani and Steven Bryan had come to the area from Langdon, ND, after working there with the owner of the popular doughnut shop, The Bread Pan Bakery.
Doughnut lovers were not held back by having to drive out of town a ways, they managed to find them at their location and the new business quickly became quite a sensation. Just as quickly Devils Lake Doughnuts became a popular destination for the community and beyond. Countless mornings drivers would head out to find a freshly made Long John with maple frosting and crushed peanuts on top (for example) only to be met with a “Sold Out!” sign on the shop’s door!
Those first few months, the Bryans discovered that the building they were renting was in need of some serious repairs, therefore, it didn’t take long before the owners were searching for a new location for Devils Lake Doughnuts. They settled on the former Candy Jar location at 502 6th Street SE near Reslock Printing. Note: Remember 6th Street SE becomes 5th Street SE somewhere after the viaduct as you go south from the downtown area.
This has been their home since the building was made ready for them to move in later that year. Now the Bryans would like to thank the community for their support these past five years with specials to be featured throughout the month of September 2023, starting on Friday, Sept. 1.
First, for the whole month you will receive one free doughnut with every submarine sandwich purchase and, second, each dozen doughnuts purchased will be a Baker’s dozen – 13 – with a free doughnut added to it.
Leilani says there will be other specials throughout the month, so follow them on Facebook – or stop in early every day to find out what the specials are for that day. But remember, they still have that “Sold Out” sign, so don’t wait too long if you’re looking for your favorite treat. Call ahead 662-2142.
“We just want to thank the community and the surrounding area for their support,” Leilani adds. She says the best part of her job is being able to give away free doughnuts. At the end of each day they donate the remaining inventory to the Hope Center food pantry. Sometimes she brings a big box of doughnuts as a gift to thank the teachers and aides at one of the community’s schools. First responders and members of the military (past and present) always get a discount at Devils Lake Doughnuts.
The toughest part of the job are the hours. Like that old commercial that used to be on TV where the hard working baker wakes up in the dark of night mumbling, “Got to go make the doughnuts” and stumbles off to work while all the rest of the world is still asleep, Steve Bryan, starts his day at 11 p.m. each day as he makes and proofs the dough for the day’s doughnuts. Frying is done at 2:30 a.m., by 4 a.m. they’re ready to frost and decorate and by 6 a.m. the day’s creations are ready for sale.
Lielani and long-time employees, like Eva Burnham, get into the frosting and decorating while young Gabrielle McLaurin has been a fixture at the counter since she was 14 years old. She’s going to be a senior at DLHS this year.
Always changing and improving
It’s not all doughnuts, either, the Bryans have added breakfast bagel sandwiches, pepperoni rolls and submarine sandwiches to their menu.
They even do weddings! In October of 2023 they are providing 500 doughnuts for a wedding where the bride and groom are substituting doughnuts for wedding cake. They’ve even acquired a huge circular doughnut display wheel with multiple pegs to hang doughnuts on to be used for large gatherings.
Steve is a pretty creative guy and recently has figured out how to make blueberry fritters that may one day rival the ever popular apple fritters, one of the first items they run out of each day. If you haven’t tried Devils Lake Doughnuts, stop in sometime – you’re in for a treat! Especially if you have the kiddos with you because Leilani and her staff give each little one a free doughnut hole every time they visit!
