Minneapolis’ Nicollet Avenue, colloquially nicknamed “Eat Street,” is home to countless unique local businesses. In search of a hearty breakfast, an authentic Italian dinner or a sweet treat? Nicollet has it all. My sweet treat destination this weekend was Glam Doll Donuts, an ‘80s-inspired donut shop on Nicollet Ave., carrying both classic and unique flavors and varieties.

I tried three donuts: Kane Sugar (classic glazed), Calendar Girl (salted caramel and chocolate) and Bam Bam (fruity frosting with fruity pebbles). Their pastry case had so many fun donuts, including impressive filled donuts with flavor palettes like caramel apple cheesecake, banana pudding and raspberry creme, to name a few, and, of course, reliable classics like chocolate and vanilla with sprinkles.

Their classic glazed was average. There was nothing about it that stood out. The flavor was incredibly simple, which can sometimes be a good thing, but in this case it felt a bit lacking. For a comfortable $2.25, an average glazed donut isn’t exactly preferable, but I don’t necessarily feel robbed.

The Calendar Girl had a chocolate icing with a thick caramel in the donut hole. Glam Doll’s chocolate icing had a very unique flavor that tasted somewhat like dark chocolate or more concentrated cocoa. This touch was refreshing compared to other chocolate donuts that tend to be too sweet or uninteresting. The caramel sauce in the center was my favorite part of the entire experience. The salty-sweet ratio was wonderfully balanced, and it was clear it was homemade because of the slightly runny texture.

The Bam Bam was a nice fruity treat, with fruit-themed icing and fruity pebbles cereal coating the entire top. The level of sweetness and fruit flavor wasn’t overpowering, but given the number of fruit-flavored components on the donut, one might expect the flavor to be stronger. It tasted less like fruity icing and more like vanilla or glazed icing with cereal on top. The presence of the cereal also made it a little bit hard to eat without getting stabbed in the gums, which was not exactly enjoyable. Once I actually got a safe bite, the Bam Bam proved to be one of the most creative donuts I’ve tried. It was pretty simple and tasted like dry fruity pebbles, but regardless, Glam Doll absolutely gets points for uniqueness.

The main downside of the donuts at Glam Doll being homemade daily is that once you start eating them, they don’t hold up very well. When I bought them, they were fresh and soft, but even within the day, they grew dry and the icing began to crack off in inch-long pieces with every bite. This was slightly disappointing compared to mass-produced donuts with artificial frostings sold at gas stations or grocery stores, which have a more convenient shelf life. Glam Doll may not be a great stop for people who don’t finish their treats in one or two sittings.

For three donuts, a total of $8.72 is reasonable. More important than the donuts themselves is the atmosphere. The interior of Glam Doll is mostly pink and retro-looking. The floors are checkered, the walls are almost all pink and in the back, there is a photobooth that costs $4. The environment is comfortable with windows in the front, welcoming natural lighting.

Across the street from Glam Doll is the sidewalk where Minneapolis Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In Glam Doll’s windows facing Nicollet Ave., there are signs and art memorializing and honoring Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good and other victims of the Minneapolis ICE occupation.

Glam Doll Donuts is a reliable option for creative donuts, but if you’re looking for an outstanding glazed donut, it may not be the best choice. All in all, for the price they charge, Glam Doll is a safe pick and has great vibes.

2605 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN

★★★★☆