Underwest Donuts

Donut adventure on the far West Side. The location on the side of a car wash is fun, but it’s a schlep and still a few blocks to Gotham West Market if you want to dunk your donuts in a Blue Bottle Brew.
Now, one must decide early on if your a yeast girl or cake girl– I am a yeast girl, that being said, these are fine cake donuts.
Ate:
Dark chocolate
Mocha
Brown butter
3 donuts $ 9.
Best of the bunch was the brown butter with almond slivers. Moist and flavorful. Fun foray to the edge of town.

Part of this review has to do with the fact that I was all hyped up on the reviews this place got before trying the donuts. The donuts are decent but they’re really just convenience donuts, nothing to go out of your way for especially if you don’t live in the area. I’ve been in the EV for the last couple years, the land of all things delicious and good, so to come all the way out here in the frigid cold winter for some underwhelming donuts was not particularly the smartest food decision I’ve made in a while. I was all excited for the novelty of a donut store in a car wash, because I’m a sucker for that type of shit, but it was really just a everyday donut shop that happened to service car wash clientele. Big let down, partially of my own doing. Plus the donuts were $ 3 a pop and kinda small. For that money I would suggest you go to Dough for a gigantuan-​sized donut that is much more satisfying. For an everyday donut, even stop by Peter Pan’s in Brooklyn for about $ 1.50 a pop if you happen to be in the area.
Also not a sit down joint — there was a small counter if you continue past the counter into the waiting area, probably fits about 4 – 5 people.

Fresh cake donuts made right in front of you… in a car wash.
Very small space with take out intention.
Some were really exceptional like the chocolate cake donuts and the maple waffle donuts.
But some were misses for us like the coco raspberry donuts.
Still solid

I had to take 20 donuts to my office for a small party. Decided to try underwest while the car was being washed! I got a combination of 5 different kinds of donuts. Somehow I was not super impressed, may be because I ate them atleast 12 hours after buying them as I kept them overnight at home. May be I should try them fresh some day

I had super high hopes for these donuts after much hype surrounding this random donut shop in a car wash, but unfortunately, these weren’t as mindblowing as I was hoping they would be.
In case you haven’t already heard, this place is literally a counter in a car wash. There is no place to sit, so like others have mentioned — if you want a nice relaxing donut-​eating session, may I suggest Gotham West nearby or just taking a nice walk on the Hudson River Greenway (if it’s nice out!) or just finding a random bench outside.
The woman working behind the counter today was really nice and sweet. She helped me decide which donuts I wanted. I went around 2pm and they were already sold out of some flavors (i.e. mulled cider).
I had the carwash donut which was vanilla with a hint of lavender. Except, for me, it tasted like a glazed cake donut with no lavender. The cake donut itself was very, very dense and on the drier side. I had to find water at City Kitchen (which was where I enjoyed my donut). I also had a bit of the SO’s halva donut, which I enjoyed much more than my carwash donut. I love halva and it added a nice nutty flavor and texture to the donut.
Had high hopes, but nothing I would call home about. On to the next donut joint!

Underwest Donuts is a little donut shop, found inside of the Westside Highway Car Wash. When you enter the carwash, you go straight to the back, past the restrooms on your right. Here, you’ll find a small limited menu of their sugared (Coco Raspberry, Cinnamon, and Espresso Bean) and glazed (Dark Chocolate, Maple Waffle, Carwash, Mulled Cider, Mint Chocolate Pretzel, and Brown Butter) donuts, all freshly-​made to order. They also offer coffee beverages as well. I was a little disappointed that there were no glazed available for the day, and I did overhear one of the employees stating that she didn’t feel like making glazed ones for the day. I did get one of each of the sugared ones, including a regular Old Fashioned one. The Espresso Bean was okay, but it was only a subtle taste of the espresso/​coffee taste. The Cinnamon was okay, and it wasn’t overly sweet. The Coco Raspberry had a nice little tang to it, from the tangy raspberry. I personally liked the regular plain Old Fashioned, as even though it was naked without any of the toppings, it was still slightly sweet. The donuts themselves are cake donuts, but they are more on the lighter side, rather than the typical super dense ones I like. However, I really liked how they were super fresh. Staff overall were super friendly, and there is some counter seating for customers who are waiting for their cars to be cleaned; however, this is more of a to-​go type of place.
+freshly made-​to-​order donuts
+Old Fashioned donut
+Glazed availability is not guaranteed T_​_​_​T
+located inside the Westside Highway Car Wash

Hole in the wall inside a car wash across the street from the intrepid. You grab donuts and go not a place to sit and eat.
Favorite donut is the car wash. It has a lavender glaze that has the perfect amount of lavender. You can taste the hint and it brings you joy for that brief moment and then you know that it’s time to take the next bite.

Quirky location in a car wash, don’t miss it! I tried the maple and the brown butter with almond, and they were definitely two very memorable donuts. They’re on the smaller end, so I didn’t feel gross after quickly stuffing these two. The dough wasn’t quite fluffy enough for my liking, but the donuts are interesting enough that I will come back!

I love donuts. Like, so much. I tried to go to Underwest Donuts about a year ago, when they first opened. However, I made the mistake of arriving a little tardy for the party, and they were all sold out of donuts. Saddest day. And while it’s taken me an eternity to get back there, I finally made it (cue the noise makers and confetti).
So, one of the things that makes them unique and noteworthy is their location. They’re right inside a carwash, so, you know, get your car washed and snag an artisanal cake donut while you’re at it.
I tried four of their flavors (clockwise from upper left), Halva, Maple Waffle, Carwash Donut, Brown Butter.
First up, we’ve got the Carwash Donut, paying homage to it’s location. It has a light flavor, the simplest of the bunch, and a nice texture, a balance of airiness and density from the cake consistency.
Up next is the Maple Waffle. You immediately smell the warm maple scent. The maple flavor itself is subtle, and I enjoyed the addition of texture from the crumble on top, along with the Stroopwafel, topping it off like a little angel on a Christmas tree.
Then, I had the Brown Butter. I really liked this one, you get the brown butter flavors, and the shaved almonds on top add a nice contrast of texture and added flavor.
Finally, I had the Halva, which was my favorite of the bunch. Topped with halva itself, the sweet sesame flavor is on point, delivering one delicious cake donut.

I made it ! Past the notorious car wash and into the doughnuts ! Sadly, they were out of the maple waffle doughnuts (blasted!), but got to try the brown butter and halva doughnuts. The cake doughnut is light (which I love! !!!) but the doughnuts themselves are a bit sweet and rich, a good mate to a mug of milk or coffee. I’m not sure if I would recommend either of the two flavors, but might check out something else for my next visit. Definitely a fun little spot to check out if you’re along the waterfront, but not necessarily a destination-​worthy doughnut.

Was in the area for brunch, and was in the mood for some sweets. Huge donut fan, so I wandered over here!
Located inside a car wash, this was definitely one of the most interesting spots I’ve bought a donut from. I tried a Maple Waffle donut, and it was a bit stale and too sweet for my taste.
However, my rave of this review goes to the Apple Cider donuts. These, unlike the others, are made to order. So they come out fresh and hot. The cinnamon in the apple cider donuts is definitely prominent and makes for a very tasty donut. This was probably one of my favorite apple cider donuts ever, and I’ve had a ton while apple picking in the Northeast.

I stumbled across Underwest Donuts when on my way to the Intrepid Museum, so I appreciated the random location.
$ 10 bought 2 donuts, a bottle of water & a coffee. I tried the maple syrup donut — amazing! And the chocolate cake donut, also really good if you appreciate cakey donuts. My husband thought they were some of the best donuts he’s tasted in NYC.
I found the donuts to be on the small size! Compared to other donut shops in the city, but still tasty.

got a chance to try one of their donuts today at the NYC Coffee Festival! I didn’t even realize this was bookmarked but am glad i got a chance to try it without making my way to midtown. I got the butternut squash with ginger and it was delicious! Decided to go with something that is new and exotic. It did not disappoint! It was the right amount of sweetness and went well with all the coffee although i did inhale it before i got any coffee…
i would definitely be interested in going back to try other unique flavors

Crazy location. Was annoyed to make the way to west side highway but SO WORTH THE TRIP! Glazed are good. Cinnamon was amazing I had to order another. I’ll diet tomorrow

Woah these were amazing! The texture on each was so soft, moist and perfectly sweet. I got one of each glazed cake donut because I had to sample each! That way my walk all the way out west would be well worth it.
I started out with a bit of the Car Wash donut. It’s very cute and also tastes delicious. It is a plain glazed with car wash colored stripes on it. A perfectly tasty classic.
My fave is probably the Browned Butter. You can taste the savoriness of the butter which balances so nicely with the sweet.
Coconut lime has just the right amount of the citrus kick. The chewy coconut on top is a nice textural punch. Eating this really gave me Thai food feels.
Halva was unlike any donut I’ve ever had. I loved the nutty, toasty flavor.
I am a sucker for anything maple so of course I loved the maple waffle.
Lastly the chocolate. It is unlike the others. Very rich, deep, dense and chocolately. It even has a nice bitterness to it.
Glazed are $ 2.50 each! Worth it, in my opinion.

Most locals and tourists alike, only think of Doughnut Plant, Dough, and maybe Cinnamon Snail when it comes to doughnuts. But a new bad boy is in town, and he goes by the name of Underwest Donuts.
Underwest Donuts is located right on the West Side Highway, between 46 and 47 street. And just in case you miss their storefront, look for the Car Wash. Once you enter the Car Wash, you’ll immediately be able to see the little 150 square foot space that they’ve allotted for the doughnut shop.
There isn’t much to the space– just a wall menu, counter, and a commercial espresso machine. Don’t expect to sit down and enjoy the well-​crafted treat. There isn’t much of a view, unless you enjoy watching carwashes.
I’ve never had to wait on a line, but that’s probably because I go very early in the morning.
I don’t know if I ever met the creators, but on occasion I see two very good looking men in their late 30’s who can turn any frown upside down. They make my day! They are always smiling and ready to take my order. I would think that they are the owners.
However, there are days when the owners aren’t there. And there’s a world of a difference in service.
However, the doughnuts are delicious.

Amazing artisanal donuts. Those are the three words that can best describe Underwest. An interesting nook of a bakery set within a carwash, it screams of hipster and this is why they are more than deserving of an overall 4.5÷5.0
For what it’s worth, if you look beyond that look (nook within a carwash), then you’ll enjoy your coffee and cake donuts. I likened the brown butter and chocolate donuts the most out of their selections. They offer something new seasonally but I’m equally anxious to see what else they come up with next. Can they evolve out of the donut and coffee segment? They are amazing but this would be the mark of true genius.
Being on the West side makes this location quite inaccessible. It is a couple blocks away from Gotham West Market, so it is walkable, but only to tourists or foodies, lest you try having them delivered or catered. (Office party, anyone?) Keep in mind to come early for a wider selection, like most bakeries, or call ahead. Donut choices dwindle the closer you get to 3−4pm and those in higher demand even earlier.
Service is top notch for what it is, but the lack of space is a factor. It is a coffee and donut stop, after all. 4.5÷5.0

Guys, this is seriously the new «it» donut. If you thought Peter Pan or Doughnut Plant or Dough would be everlasting as the «it» donut, think again, because Underwest just rolled into town. Do-​nut mistake it for the underdog, because Underwest provides some great competition for the incumbents.
Scott makes the most texturally interesting and thoughtfully flavored donuts I have ever tasted! His innovative flavors (from brown butter to pineapple upside down cake to halvah) will be sure to piqué your interest, and I promise you won’t be able to choose just one (nor should you be forced to). The pineapple upside down donut had the texture of my godmother’s famous pineapple upside down cake! It was incredible.
The halvah was also a winner– the way the donut melts as you eat it is exactly reminiscent of the delicious tahini treat.
Paired with a lovely hot beverage (tea or coffee), these donuts make your mouth feel like heaven!

You know NYC rent prices are out of control when a car wash has to rent out space to a donut shop. But hey, it’s creative (no car-​wash themed names yet).
The actual shop is the size of a particularly roomy broom closet. Went in early in the morning while the staff were making new concoctions and coming up with names for them. For $ 7ish: got three of their fancy donuts — chocolate salted, coconut lime, and halva. All are dense with strong flavors and warm glazing.
A pain in the ass to get to if you don’t have a car or don’t live nearby (I do), yet a must stop if you come across it. Also no seating, so plan accordingly.

Wow, I’ve never had such good donuts at a car wash before!
But really, these simple, old fashioned donuts are excellent. They don’t have the full menu yet, but they did have plenty of the one they are getting buzzed about for, the Halva Donut ($ 1.50). Eat it right away, when it’s fresh and hot; and you will be happy.
You can also get plain ones rolled in one of three sugar flavors (Coco Raspberry, Espresso Bean and Cinnamon), which are also just as excellent ($ 1.75 each).
I will definitely make the trek out to this bizarre car wash location again once they have more flavors available. For cake donuts, these are up there with the best in the city (note this doesn’t include Dough and Dough Loco of course).
[Tip: get these and run over to Gotham West Market to eat them with some Blue Bottle Coffee and a nicer atmosphere than the car wash and surrounding junkyards off the West Side Highway].