Duck Donuts opens in Huntington Station
Duck Donuts will open in Huntington Station this Saturday. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Duck, North Carolina, in the state’s beloved Outer Banks, may be most famous for its expansive, pristine beaches, but in close second might be Duck Donuts, a bake shop founded by Russ DiGilio in 2007. Since then, more than 100 doughnut shops have popped up across the country, with four on Long Island. Now, a highly anticipated fifth Duck Donuts will open in Huntington Station on Jericho Turnpike this Saturday at 8 a.m.
Joining sister spots in East Meadow, Plainview, Hauppauge and Garden City — the Selden location closed in April — the brand’s customizable doughnut concept is less over the top than the overstuffed, topped doughnut trend that preceded it. Duck Donuts are a little smaller, a little simpler and a little less expensive. But they’re much more creative.
Start with the only base Duck offers: a vanilla cake doughnut ($3.50) — there have been on-again, off-again rumors of a chocolate base, to no avail — and then layer on options that include coatings (cinnamon sugar, vanilla and chocolate icing, peanut butter, powdered sugar), toppings (sprinkles, chopped peanuts, cookie crumbles, shredded coconut, bacon) and drizzles (hot fudge, marshmallow, salted caramel, raspberry). While Duck offers fan-favorite combinations like blueberry lemonade, chocolate caramel crunch and strawberry shortcake, the individual possibilities are, quite literally, endless.
Half the fun of concocting your own combinations is watching them come to life as Duck Donuts bakers dip, paint and sprinkle your doughnut fantasies in its sugar-powered assembly line. If that feels too stressful, premade variety boxes of 12 ($26.99) are available in themes like the seasonal summer pie dozen (which includes Key lime pie, blueberry pie, and chocolate-covered banana) and breakfast (coffee cake, French toast, cinnamon sugar). The fan favorite dozen includes chocolate frosted, maple bacon and cookies and cream.
Of course, nothing pairs better with doughnuts than coffee (from $3), milkshakes ($7) and ice cream. Doughnut-topped sundaes ($7) and shakes ($9) can be customized just as creatively as the doughnuts.
The Huntington location is owned and operated by Dix Hills resident Syed Hasan. Hasan said he's looking forward to "finally opening the shop's doors to the community" of which he's a part. Open weekdays at 7:30 a.m., the shop even has BEC (bacon, egg and cheese, $6) sandwich options stuffed in between — wait for it — doughnut halves.
Duck Donuts, 723 E. Jericho Tpke., South Huntington, 516-574-9994, duckdonuts.com; Open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
