Donut Revolution

Sweet Success

Story by CHARIS PATIRES

DONUTS TO DIE FOR FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Donuts… America’s favorite breakfast treat. What’s not to love? They are gooey, sweet, decadent and in plentiful supply in the Lake area. Sure, you could go for the traditional glazed or long john but why would you with a combination of flavors available that takes an ordinary donut to the next level.

When owners Dusty and Kaitlin Jewell opened Mo Co & Dough in Osage Beach they knew exactly what they wanted to offer … donuts like you’ve never seen before.

PROVIDED PHOTO These Pot of Gold donuts were made to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.

A variety of donuts from the Donut Den in Lake Ozark.

Blueberry Fruit Salad, and a variety of other concoctions available at Mo Co & Dough.

“We are all about creativity, coffee, donuts and our community,” Dusty said.

With a menu consisting of coffee, donuts, and other breakfast staples and drinks, you won’t find concoctions like these anywhere else at the Lake. Four rotating flavors of craft donuts with unique pairings of glazes and topping combinations are highlighted each week. Called Monuts, some of the past flavors introduced include White Chocolate Limoncello and even a gluten-free dairyfree Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

Their MO Boats and Holes (in the food service industry a boat is slang for food tray/basket and holes for donut holes) are topped with decadent ingredients. The two best-sellers are the Blueberry Fruit Salad, made up of glazed donut holes, blueberries, local honey, and powered sugar, and The Can’t Help Falling In Love (based off an Elvis song and his favorite sandwich) glazed donut holes, peanut butter, chocolate, banana and bacon.

They also offer Loaded MOnuts, sandwiches built with a donut base instead of bread. The most popular is the Southern Sweet Heat, made with a glazed MOnut, breaded chicken breast, hot honey glaze (local honey and sriracha), coleslaw, and pickles. Your tastebuds will be hit with sweet, spicy, crunchy goodness.

For a real sugar overload, the MoShakes are an ice cream based blended drink mixed with flavors that complement the MOnut placed on top. There are some gluten-free, dairy-free and other healthy options available such as the selection of MOuffles (egg soufflés), MOasts (gluten free optional loaded toasts) and fresh fruit smoothies.

Keeping it Missouri-local, the coffee beans are roasted by Firefly Valley Farms in Roach and all baking ingredients are locally sourced including the honey which comes from the Eldon area.

Dusty and Kaitlin have longstanding roots in the community. Kaitlin went to the School of the Osage and Dusty’s family is three generations strong in the area. As former managers at one of the largest lakefront restaurants and entertainment venues, they wanted to strike off on their own adventure in the industry and play to their passions. Their restaurant experience is over 25 years combined and spans from Osage Beach to Seattle’s coffee scene (Dusty), to Columbus, Ohio where Kaitlin created local artisan baked goods.

“We love seeing kids’ faces as they look over the cases and see all of their choices or take their

Another donut joint located in Lake Ozark makes hundreds of donuts a day to satisfy those early morning cravings.

Owned by Tiffany and Keith Gipson, you’ll find every day favorites including chocolate long johns, glazed, maple bars, a variety of cake donuts as well as a selection of speciality items with candy bars or cereal mixed in. Recently a cinnamon sugar twist, and a jumbo birthday cake donut hole with Funfetti cake was added to the menu. Bacon maple bars and Fruity Pebbles are the most popular specialty donuts requested. The apple fritters are also a great seller.

A veteran-owned company, Tiffany and Keith moved to the Lake area from San Diego. Keith’s Army contract was up in 2012 and he became a student using his GI bill to pursue a degree in history. Tiffany worked in retail management with Gap, Inc. They moved to the Lake in November 2014.

“We are incredibly humbled by the support we have gotten from the community. We love that you make us a part of your day,” Tiffany said. “We love seeing kids’ faces as they look over the cases and see all of their choices or take their first bite of a donut.”

Large orders or specially-made donuts for celebrations can be made in advance and is recommended because if you don’t swing by early enough, they just might be sold out for the day.

It’s not just about the donuts at Mo Co & Dough in Osage Beach. Comfortable seating and many other unique menu items will keep you coming back for more. The type of Monuts and milkshakes available changes often at Mo Co & Dough. Pictured, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake.

Where to go

Mo Co & Dough

4681 Osage Beach Pkwy Ste. 6, Osage Beach (Kings Plaza) Monday, Thursday & Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

The Donut Den

2545 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Ste. 211, Lake Ozark (Monarch Plaza) Tuesday-Sunday 6 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sunrise Donuts

14 Valley Rd., Sunrise Beach 6 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday-Sunday

The Donut Palace

101-131 Hopkins Circle, Camdenton 5 a.m.-12 p.m. daily

The Donut Palace

306 W. 4th Street, Eldon 5 a.m.-1 p.m. daily