I had never heard of Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts, but I attended a meeting there. Things are changing so fast in the Proctor District of Tacoma’s North end. Condos keep going up and new shops are coming in. Top Pot is located on the corner just across from Mason Middle School at 2724 North Proctor. I was worried about parking for my meeting at four, but had no problem parking just outside.
Top Pot reminds me of Cutters Point. It seems more like a coffee shop than a doughnut shop. It was late in the afternoon, so I just had water. If I return on a morning I would get coffee as well. The Ovaltine Latte did catch my eye. This is a popular offering at the Top Pot in Seattle (I looked it up). My mother used to send me to grade school with a thermos of Ovaltine. One day she forgot to add sugar. I never drank it again; however, I would probably try it now. I rarely order a milkshake, but will go out of my way for places that offer malts. Ovaltine is made with malt extract, sugar, and whey.
I ordered the Oreo Doughnut. It was a little too sweet for me. With tip that one doughnut cost me $3.25. That seemed a bit pricey. A dozen doughnuts cost $21.99 plus tip.
A nice feature at the Top Pot is bookshelves filled with books. Lunchbox Laboratory has something similar. My wife and I love books. What we don’t love, however is concrete floors and chairs that don’t have glides on them. Without soft glides each movement of a chair squeaks, squawks and reverberates loudly throughout the shop. Add a few kids and people talking and you have noises ratcheting up and making it difficult to hear someone across the table from you.
I only ate half of my doughnut, but did read an article about Christian Science while I waited for my friends to join me. I will try Top Pot again for an Ovaltine Latte and a plain doughnut, next time. – toppotdoughnuts.com/
FYI: The founders grew up in Lakewood! My sister knew them when they were growing up in the same Lakewood neighborhood. “(We) grew up in south Tacoma — Lakewood. We have many ties to the community. There and lots of friends still living in the Tacoma area. Even though we moved to Seattle 30 years ago, we have always wanted to open one of our stores in the town we grew up in,” said Mark Klebeck. “Opening a Top Pot café in Tacoma is a proud accomplishment for us and a nice homecoming.”
Kate,
Thank your for reading and for sharing information about the founders of Top Pot.
It would be really nice to see one open up in Lakewood! I will be returning for a cup of the Ovaltine Latte and another donut.
Thanks again for reading and commenting. I love to see what our readers say.
Don
Ahhhh! The Proctor District.
I have long thought that a casino should be started there. Then people could go to Proctor and gamble.
Dave,
That is funny. Do you do standup?
Joseph Boyle
I must give credit to “Red” Kelly for that one. He passed away over a decade ago. He was a double-bass player and owned a restaurant known as, what else? “Kellys” on Tacoma Avenue, across from the County-City Building.
Interesting place, “Kellys.” At one time it was an establishment of “ill-repute.” Don’t know about now, but at one time the names of some of the “working girls” could still be seen on the doors.
Dave,
Although, my wife Peg and I only visited Kelly’s once, I am very familiar with Kelly and his jazz spot. My buddy Art Mineo knew Red. The old pros of Tacoma music are all gone now, but they shared stories while alive. You might appreciate this article I wrote about Art – http://www.nwadventures.us/ArtMineo.html
Thanks for your continued reading of my articles and your amusing comments.
Don
Dave,
Thanks for the afternoon laugh. I’ll add that to the posts.
Don