Holey Sweetness: An Unexpected Visit to Shipley Do-Nuts in Houston
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 
Sometimes, when life gives you lemons...well, you know the rest. However, in the recent case of an unexpected 3-hour flight layover in the Houston Airport, it wasn't lemonade, but sweet, sweet donuts that sweetened our day.
We're talking about Shipley Do-Nuts, of course. 
Shipley Do-Nuts was founded in 1936 in Texas (when donuts retailed for 5 cents a dozen) – they now boast nearly 200 locations in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. While on previous visits to their website we were inclined to rage against the chain as having a contrived sort of nostalgic atmosphere, it must be said—on our visit to the Houston airport, all of the employees were almost alarmingly upbeat, and we were ultimately won over by the old-school packaging—but more importantly, by the donuts. These donuts weren’t extraordinary, but sometimes that’s not such a bad thing--nostalgia is often comfort, is it not? They were certainly solid—our choice, the cherry-frosted (and rainbow sprinkled!) raised donut, was just greasy enough to provide a solid base for the smothering of cherry frosting, which recalled another glorious nostalgic taste memory: the cherry dip coating from Mr. Softee. 
While we’re not going to denounce all other donuts in favor of Shipley’s (hey, there’s room for everyone!) we can indeed say that they made our layover sweet, and that we’re very happy to have made their acquaintance.
(Cakespy Note: At the time of our visit, we were not aware of the recent immigration scandal at Shipley’s, so we have chosen to just focus on the donuts in this writeup. Any reader thoughts?)
For locations, visit www.shipleydonuts.com
Reader Comments (25)
awww you were in houston?!
ahh i live there. thats awesomee haha i didnt even know that shipleys was founded in texas -__-. yay go us! :]
It's nice to know about Shipley's for the next time I'm stuck overnight at the Houston airport!
I love Mr. Softee! It's like Carvel on wheels. Haven't had it since I was a kid.
This looks SO good.
Doughnuts have that ability to make you happy, even if you're at Houston airport!
Holey/HOLY sweetness is right!! Wowza.
Love the look of 'em donuts...more so coz they made you HAPPY!! I think that's what donutes are all about. YAY for Shipleys!
That kiosk does have a certain kitschy appeal and, as you say, in donut land there is room for all1
I posted some donut making tips earlier in the summer. Anyone interested is welcome to drop by.
That kiosk does have a certain kitschy appeal and, as you say, in donut land there is room for all1
I posted some donut making tips earlier in the summer. Anyone interested is welcome to drop by.
I knew it was the airport! Ha! You should have called me and I would have brought you cupcakes :-)
Yes, I heard about the scandal last week. Not sure what to think of it... eating donuts here in Houston is out for me regardless :-(
you totally picked my favorite shipley's donut!!! really, it's like throwing an instant party for yrself.
have you ever been to meche's? i'm not sure if it's just a lafayette-based (louisiana) business or not, but they make my all time favorite donuts.
oh yum, your pictures are the best, I must have a donut now
Now THAT's how you deal with a layover!!!
That sounds like the best layover ever! Almost enough to make an airport bearable.
A layover can get darned dangerous doncha tink? I find it incredibly hard to resist a donut.
Sprinkle love! :)
i have a soft spot and weakness for donuts too... hmm...
Hopefully shipley's will still be around after this weekend... Ike might eat them all up! Glad you got it while you could. I work about a block from a shipley's.. SO GOOD.
I thought it would be great based on it's look. Sorry it wasn't... :/
Thanks for the info though. It's really a huge sacrifice trying bad doughnuts for us! That's why we love CakeSpY! Hahah
OMG, I'd rather have Shipley's than Krispy Kreme any day of the week. :) (I live in Central Arkansas and haven't heard about the immigration scandal w/Shipley's, I'm guessing that's a Houston issue).
I'll be in Houston next month! And In November I have a 3 hour layover in Houston as well. Thanks for the heads up on how to pass the time. ...Shipley's here I come!
mmmmm donuts
I grew up on Shipley donuts (in Alexandria, La.) so of course think they are the absolute best! They may look nostalgic, but the truth is that their look hasn't changed since that look was originally in!! The logo is the same as it always has been. Why fix what's not broken!!! Obviously the airport stand is contrived to have an older look..with the stainless counters but the logo, the boxes, etc are just pure Shipleys. Comfort to me that some things never change.
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