The Mirror Newspapers Reflecting Life Along The Maumee River
BY MIKE McCARTHY | MIRROR EDITOR — For donut aficionados in search of the perfect tasty treat, Papa Moose’s Donuts in Maumee is sure to exceed expectations.
With its daily lineup of close to 50 different varieties of freshly baked donuts, the Maumee store packs in the customers and is often sold out of its huge daily batch of donuts by closing time. To keep things interesting, dozens of other varieties of donuts are rotated into the repertoire each week, so customers are treated to a dazzling display of daily options.
Specialty donut offerings are announced on Facebook and Instagram on Thursday and Friday of each week to surprise the customers on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We want to make a great donut and treat our customers to the best of our abilities,” said owner Chuck McGee, who works all night baking donuts for his decorators, who keep busy from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m. applying their creative artistic touches on regular and custom orders.
Once decorated, the donuts are delivered to the Maumee store in the early morning hours, and when the store opens at 7:00 a.m., the goodies are already neatly on display in a colorful array in the countertop cases, waiting to be selected by hungry customers.
Donuts are priced at $1.69 each, or $8.99 for a half-dozen and $16.99 for a dozen. For those who want to make sure they don’t leave the store without their favorite donut, it is advised to arrive at the store between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. for the best selection.
What’s a great donut without an equally great cup of coffee? Papa Moose’s is proud to serve Perrysburg-based Iron Bean Coffee and offers bags of the coffee for sale to customers who also wish to enjoy the great tasting coffee at home. Ten to 12 varieties are available to choose from.
That’s not all, however. Papa Moose’s also offers freshly baked waffles each day, as well as sausage, egg and cheese or bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches made with either waffles or English muffins. The breakfast sandwiches are priced between $3.79 and $4.59.
The atmosphere of Papa Moose’s colorful dining area is family-friendly and relaxing. There are tables and chairs along the wall and front windows, as well as an area that includes three upholstered chairs gathered around a fireplace, where the walls above the mantel are adorned with framed photos of some of the store’s customers.
For those who want to make sure that their favorite variety of donut is not sold out at the store the next day, there is an option to preorder. All such orders are to be placed and paid for by the night before the next day’s pickup. This option applies to an order as small as one donut or as large as several dozen. The donut orders are boxed in the kitchen early in the morning and held in the Maumee store for each customer to pick up before the store closes at 1:00 p.m.
A hugely popular item is the donut cake, which can be ordered in one of five different sizes and is perfect for special occasions such as birthdays, office parties and large family gatherings. The cakes can be custom-decorated to fit each occasion. A two-donut Moose Stack is $5.99, a small cake is $24.99 and a large cake is priced at $32.99.
Another favorite item are the many varieties of specialty donuts, including peach cobbler, carrot cake, cannoli, cherry, cheesecake or blueberry pie. These are priced from $2.50 to $3.00 each.
Party trays of 36 mini donuts are available for $32.95 and include a choice of three toppings and one large icing or two medium icings. Customers can then apply the toppings to their donuts to suit their own tastes.
Chuck is proud of his friendly 10-employee staff. “This is the best crew ever,” he stated. “They’re family. Very hardworking.”
“We want to make sure that our customers enjoy a great donut and have a fun place to come visit and be treated with respect,” he added.
A fun project being developed is the creation of the “Moose on the Loose” delivery service, which involves the delivery of donut orders throughout the area by a staff that includes two former police officers. Details of this program will be announced after the first of the year.
As part of its philosophy of giving back, Papa Moose’s donates donuts to homeless shelters and various other organizations. In the past year, Papa Moose’s Donuts has donated over 100 dozen donuts to local police, fire, EMS, hospital staffs and first responders throughout the Toledo area.
For the Christmas season, Papa Moose’s Donuts is accepting suggestions from its customers to identify a friend, relative or neighbor who is going through some personal sadness, struggles or despair and who could use some cheering up.
“We want to deliver dozens of donuts to people who need a pick-me-up,” Chuck noted. “We know donuts aren’t going to pay your bills, but if for five minutes this can put a smile on your face, that’s absolutely what we are going to do.”
Those who wish to nominate an individual or family who needs some of this holiday cheer should send a private note or letter to Chuck via the Papa Moose’s social media accounts or its website. The delivery of the donuts may be anonymous, or the person may choose to be present with their friend when the delivery is made.
Papa Moose’s Donuts is located at 306 W. Dussel Dr. in the Arrowhead Shops complex at the corner of West Dussel Drive and Perrysburg Holland Road. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to noon.
The phone number is (419) 794-0043 and the website is www.papamoosesdonuts.com.
There is also a Rossford location of Papa Moose’s Donuts as well as plans for a third location near Panera Bread on Central Avenue in Toledo.
