The Common Man Roadside Donuts

The Common Man is a chain of restaurants (and Inns) around New England.  I've reviewed their event catering before, when they catered a reception in honor of my grandmother.  Much like dining at the restaurant, I found it a bit hit or miss, and mostly forgettable.   The Common Man also runs several fast casual locations at highway rest stops, known as The Common Man Roadside.  These venues have coffee shops with all your standard espresso drinks and pastries, market with grab and go, and delis with breakfast sandwiches, omelettes or burritos in the morning, and deli sandwiches, wraps, grilled sandwiches, burgers, salads, and fried food later in the day.  They also have pizza and pasta at some locations, along with ice cream stands.  One of them, the Millyard, has full service lunch, dinner, and brunch with greatly expanded offerings.  But although I've passed by them en route to the bathroom for a pit stop, I haven't ever actually visited one.

"You might smell the Donut Shop before you actually see it. That tantalizing smell is coming from a small building next to the Hooksett Welcome Center where irresistible apple cider donuts are made daily year-round. Come watch them being created. No doubt, you will have to eat some here while they’re still warm, and then take a bag home to share. Your family and friends will appreciate it.

The choice is yours – plain, cinnamon & sugar, maple glazed pumpkin, or chocolate. Visit once and you’ll understand why the Donut Shop is a regular destination for many. You’ll be back, again and again."

The Common Man Roadside also has a standalone donut shop at one of their locations.  Clearly, as someone who eats donuts about once a week, this has caught my attention.  But I still never visited, as it was always closed in the afternoons when I went through the area.  When my parents recently returned from a road trip to Maine, they did stop, when it was open, and of course my mother impulse bought a dox of donuts.  So finally I got a chance to try them!  I think all the donuts are cider donuts, which are rare in the San Francisco area where I now live (I think the only time I've seen them were once at Craftsman & Wolves), but are very common around New England, particularly in the fall (like the ones from Lou's that everyone raves about in my home town).

Cinnamon Sugar Cider Donuts.

My mom selected these, and opted for the basic cinnamon sugar cider donuts.

I found them ... ok.  One thing I usually like about a cider donut is the great crust on it, a nice crisp exterior, and these were just soft all over.  The base flavor was fine, slightly spiced.  Decently coated in cinnamon sugar.  They tasted fresh enough, just a bit boring.  I wouldn't get them again.  Better once I heated up to make a bit more crispy, and topped with a scoop of ice cream.  Low ***.