A new doughnut-centric cafe is in town, with a personal approach that sets them apart from big corporate doughnut chains such as Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts. Perk’s Donut Bar, a new neighborhood restaurant, opened up on Dale Mabry on Sept. 4. The gourmet approach is rare, yet adored, by foodies and average hungry customers alike.

The establishment itself is a small, cozy place. Light blue walls and modern-like furniture may catch eyes and give the shop a sleek look upon entry, and the bar where glazes and toppings are placed are visible and open to customers. As a whole, Perk’s has aesthetical similarities to familiar yogurt and ice cream shops in the area such as Yogurtology and D’Lites.

Perk’s also has similarities to these shops in terms of design as well. The concept of the restaurant is not to choose doughnuts off of a menu or out of a selection like at well known doughnut shops Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme. Choices are instead laid out on the menu, and customers are to “build” their own doughnut. This allows for many different combinations of their glazes, toppings and drizzles, giving people the freedom to let their taste buds and imaginations run wild.

With this type of free customization, customers may be taken back and simply want a classic glazed doughnut. However, even the most basic of doughnuts is gourmet tasting, and though they are on the small side, every doughnut is fresh, satisfying and crafted directly in front of the customer.

The chocolate glazed with sprinkles doughnut, a classic that has been done many times before, still tastes fresh and unique when served at Perk’s. The hot, chocolate icing creates a liquidy covering that compliments the hot cake extremely well.

Stepping away from more “average Joe” doughnuts is the exceptionally delicious maple glazed doughnut topped with bacon. This is recommended by employees, and for good reason. The sweet maple drizzle and salty bacon crumbles combine to make the doughnut taste like an entire traditional pancake and bacon breakfast.

Aside from delectable pastries, the cafe also has weekday hours catered to early risers, as well as students just getting out of school. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. This, combined with the close relativity to school, makes Perk’s an ideal spot to grab doughnuts as both a before-school breakfast and an after-school snack.

Perk’s is a doughnut cafe that is as captivating as it is unique, and at a reasonable $1.25 per doughnut, this new gourmet-tasting doughnut shop may satisfy a customer’s sweet tooth, kick their taste buds in the face and put going back to the cafe for more on their agenda for the near future.