Nestled in the middle of several old-fashioned store fronts on West 7th Street in St. Paul, you’ll find your mojo. Mojo Monkey Donuts, that is. I stopped in for a nibble at this brand new bakery, where owner Lisa Clark told me she waited for a year to find the perfect space for her delicious vision. “This neighborhood was the right fit for us,” she said.
The interior space encourages lingering. With baby blue walls, exposed brick, big windows and plenty of small round tables to nosh at, Mojo Monkey feels like a bona fide neighborhood bakery with a hip twist.
In addition to a gourmet coffee bar, the bakery had over a dozen different varieties of fragrant doughnuts on display. I indulged in the trademark Maple Bacon Long John, the popable Chai Doughnut Holes, a decadent Red Velvet, a moist Chocolate Glazed Old Fashioned sprinkled with crushed Oreos and a sophisticated Mocha Mousse Filled Doughnut.
In brief, these pastries are ridiculously delicious; not too sweet but perfectly pillowy. Our taste buds were totally blissed out. A return trip will be mandatory to try the Crullers, Cinnamon Twists, Cranberry Mousse Filled Doughnut or an Old Fashioned topped with Toasted Coconut or Peanuts.
“Come back Saturday and Sunday for beignets!” Lisa insisted. Mojo Monkey will be serving up the fried delights hot and fresh on weekends…as long as supplies last. “We’ll try to make it until noon this week,” Lisa said with a laugh.
Even if an early weekend pit-stop won’t fit in your schedule, the bakery is open Tues. through Fri. from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
My advice—come hungry and leave your willpower at home. These doughnuts are highly addictive! If only these pictures were scratch n’ sniff…
Published on Metromix Twin Cities in Oct. 2011
