The best bakery in the Tri-cities!! The pastries are mouthwatering and the ambiance is perfect…read more (Wish they had more staff because it's always a long wait in line.) But delicious bakery goods!!

Pastries were delicious, especially the cheesecake bars. My husband got cranberry orange, and I got…read morecaramel apple. This place was busy! Right before Christmas rush, we were picking up some cakes for holiday gatherings. Took awhile for staff to find our pre-orders in the cooler. Lemon cake was my favorite over the strawberry but both were delicious! We did stay, but there looked to be plenty of seating for a cozy cafe place to relax.

Service was great. The girl working when I went there was very nice. The place looked very clean…read more So why am I giving this two stars? I really, really, really, don't like the donuts. I can't realize figure out who's eating these donuts.But, to be fair, it's probably just my preference. I totally like krispy kreme. I guess it comes down to the fact that these are cake donuts and not my preference. But really, who are eating these things?

Cute little place. Menu could feel overwhelming for first timers. No one really explained how it…read moreworked but we figured it out with no guidance. We ordered a maple bacon and strawberry iced donut. Our picky 4 year old enjoyed it so that said a lot. Would visit again and tell others about it as the fresh, made to order donuts outdid some other big name donut spots.

My niece sent me here while I was visiting and I shall forever be grateful. Best doughnuts and soft…read morepretzels I have ever had anywhere. ANYWHERE! The doughnuts are double the size of most doughnuts and doubly good. The pretzels are huge, butter basted, warm and delicious. It's not inexpensive but the tastes will cure you of any sticker shock. I spent $40+ for 1/2 dozen regular-1/2 dozen chocolate dipped doughnuts and 6 pretzels with dipping sauces and didn't regret a penny of what I spent. Came back on my way out of town and got a pretzel dog and pretzel for breakfast as well as some doughnuts for later. The food trailer in some of the pictures has been replaced by a building on the edge of Troyer's parking lot. You order at the window and most times there's going to be a line. It's a takeout business so you are on your own if you want to eat right away. The folks are friendly and efficient and orders are filled quickly once you get to the window. If you want to get a preview just search Auntie Ruth's on YouTube and enjoy. It's how I learned that there are a bunch of them in East Tennessee. I just know that if I didn't have enough incentive already to visit my niece then Auntie Ruth's finishes the job.

If you're expecting a typical every day donut coming here you're very wrong... These donuts are…read morehuge and they're a little different than a regular donut shop. It seems that they glaze all of them and then they top it with which ever one you decide. I got the espresso one but ended up wiping off most of the frosting because it's just too sweet. But it was very good. I also got the pretzel which is also ginormous. Next time I'll ask for it without salt because even wiping off all the salt it was still very salty but it was very very good and soft. If you don't have time and your rush then don't bother coming here because it was probably about a half an hour wait in line.

I feel bad writing this review after looking at all the other reviews but I ordered one donut a…read morechocolate iced caked donut but I was given what I believe was a chocolate iced cream. The donut was sickly sweet and not at all what I had hoped for. There should be a big sign somewhere stating only drive thru service, instead after exiting my car on this cold windy morning I discovered that they only have drive thru service. So back into my car to get my disappointing donut. I ordered one donut and they screwed up that and it took way too much time as the man doing whatever waiting for a lady to come and take my money. HORRIBLE!

Best donuts in Kingsport. Don't believe me? Go try them for yourself. You won't be disappointed…read more Since I'm a TN newbie, I didn't know if this would truly be great donuts. Well, I'm here to tell you that these little gems melt in your mouth and make you feel like a kid again. My friend told Anna that this was my first visit. Anna said we ordered all her favorites, but there was one more I just HAD to try. So she handed me a donut hot off the line. I practically inhaled it because it was so delicious. Maple Mocha Espresso iced yeast donut is scrumptious. Can't wait to return and try their Maple Bacon yeast donut. We asked why it's drive through only. Anna said it's because she's the only one working there and can't be in front and at the window for all the customers. Hmm, sounds like a job opportunity if anyone is interested. Nice menu at the drive through with photos and descriptions of their donuts and coffee. Love the cute box for small orders.

In 33 years of living, every time I go to a Krispy Kreme or a Dunk n Donuts it's the same thing…read more The donuts on display are made an hour in advance and just sit there waiting to be bought meaning they aren't fresh. This Krispy Kreme has the single most genius approach I have every seen in my life. Right next to where you buy the donuts, there's a window. Inside the window you can see the donuts being mass produced on a conveyor belt. First both sides of the donut go in the fryer, then they go through a stream of the white cream. Just watching everything in constant motion like this is beyond intriguing to me. If I wasn't there to buy a donut, I would come just to watch the conveyor belt, it's just that fascinating. I was SO impressed by the genius system this Krispy Kreme had in place, I requested to speak with the manager. After explaining who I am and what I do here, I mention I'm tempted to give this Krispy Kreme a 5 star review just because of the conveyor belt there for all to see. And that's BEFORE trying their food. He gave me from the conveyor belt a free donut to try, and it was to die for. Needless to say, I'm majorly impressed. They've earned this 5 star review. EDIT: Today is 2/28/24. A few weeks prior when I showed up wanting to buy donuts and take shelter from the rain, I was greeted with this message. "Lobby is closed. Due to lack of staff. Please use Drive Thru. Sorry for the inconvenience." Now back to present day, it's still there. So you're short staff? Not the customer's problem. Hire new staff! Or is this one of those case where somewhere needs staff, and either they don't want to pay for more staff, or is very restrictive who they hire when THEY NEED STAFF? This isn't the Covid-19 outbreak of 2020 anymore. You don't get the excuse anymore. No other store in the area has staffing issues. It's probably a case they don't want to bother cleaning up after customers. And that REALLY stinks given you get to see the donut conveyor belt do it's thing. I'm now forced to give you 3 out of 5 stars. No effort has been taken to get more staff. Obviously you aren't hurting that badly from the lack of staff.

Great service and the Harry Potter doughnuts are a hit. I just wish they would come back with the…read moreapple fritters.

If heaven had a scent, it would smell like the warm, sugary air inside The Donut Friar. The donuts…read morewere absolutely incredible--fresh, soft, and perfectly sweet--and the prices were more than fair. What really made the experience unforgettable was the service. Justin was amazing--friendly, welcoming, and genuinely made the visit feel special. Honestly, it felt like a near-religious experience. I can't say enough good things--this place is a must-visit in Gatlinburg.

We stopped by The Donut Friar while on vacation in Gatlinburg and grabbed a few donuts, partly…read morebecause it's a local favorite and partly because... donuts. I tried the blueberry cruller and the apple-filled cinnamon sugar donut. Both were good, solid, fresh, enjoyable, but nothing that completely blew me away. I did ask for an apple fritter, since it's the obvious undisputed pinnacle of pure donut perfection, but apparently the Friar doesn't make fritters. While I respect a shop that knows its lane, that alone means I can't give it five stars. It's easy to see why The Donut Friar is popular with tourists. The shop is charming, the donuts are well-made, and it's a fun stop while walking through town. At the end of the day, though, the donuts are good... because let's face it, they're donuts. A worthwhile stop if you're nearby, just don't expect your life to change.

This place is just delightful. This is my second time there the first time we went the fryer was…read moredown and we were only able to try the cinnamon rolls (which are exquisite and the gluten-free donuts) also excellent. But this time I had a cold coffee that was absolutely wonderful just strong enough no sugar added. I was in heaven. Plus we got to try a different group of donuts this time I have pictures for you, you've got to give it a try. The service is absolutely wonderful. The people there are so kind and really glad to see people visiting their shop. They usually trow in a little something new to try, or one of your old favorites. The ambience is simple but sweet pick up and go or sit down and enjoy. You've got to give this place a try when you're in the mood for a yummy treat. That's just delicious!!

Best doughnuts ever!!! Perfect consistency and friendly service. I love the chocolate glaze. Five…read morestars!

Second attempt at posting a review here. I seem to be having technical difficulties?…read moreLovely warm small and rustic. The coffee is good as are the donuts. I had a cinnamon one. They are more bready than Dunkin' and I think that's a good thing. Not too sweet either. The staff are friendly and there is a drive through.

A great spot to grab coffee and a sweet treat! I hung out here for a couple of hours to get some…read morework done. To keep me going, I got the Hazel Truffle Latte: it was tasty and I got both the hazel & truffle flavors. And as a reward, I tried the mango cayenne donut, which was interesting: I appreciated the sweet-spicy contrast. The ambiance is great, plenty of indoor & outdoor seating. Service was fast. Pretty large parking lot in front. I think there's also a drive-through. 9/10 would recommend!

The best donuts you can get in the area! Hands down! The place stays packed from open to close, but…read morethey do move you through the line pretty quick. The place is a little small for the amount of business it does. You always seem to be running into someone. But even with the overcrowded store, this is by far my favorite spot to grab a snack in Johnson City!

We stopped in at Auntie Ruth's for a hand-rolled pretzel and a glazed donut and I had no idea it…read morewas an Amish establishment! What a great surprise. The shop is clean, bright, and modern. You can watch the pretzels being hand-rolled behind the glass, and the donuts hanging in the background while the glaze sets. I truly wanted one of everything. They don't offer a huge variety, but I'm perfectly fine with a place that focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well, and "well" doesn't even begin to cover it. It was busy (always a good sign), so everything was incredibly fresh. We ordered a pretzel, vanilla glazed donut, chocolate glazed donut, honey bun latte, and a strawberry lemonade. We grabbed a table after the manager let us know it would be about 10-15 minutes, but it definitely didn't take that long. The pretzel was warm, fluffy, and perfectly buttered with just the right touch of salt. The cheese dipping sauce was cold-it would have been nice if it were warmed slightly. The "honey" mustard came in a prepackaged pod and wasn't actually honey-based, which felt like a missed opportunity, especially given all the delicious local honey and mustard options in the area. The honey bun latte was delicious!!! Flavorful without being overly sweet. The strawberry lemonade was on the sweeter side but still refreshing and I can imagine it being perfect for a hot day. I added a little water since I can't handle too much sugar at once, and it was just right. And the vanilla glazed donut? It was like biting into a warm, fluffy cloud!! Pure comfort in donut form. My only regret is not stopping in sooner so I'd have more days to come back again and again.