The Donut Shop - TK Donuts, a Thread in the Fabric of a Neighborhood

Welcome to March 116th.....I mean it really does feel like it's not ending at times doesn't it? Have you had some of those "moments" during this pandemic? You know, somewhat surreal, where it strikes you that "we're not in Kansas anymore....." I recollect the first time I really felt that way; it was Wednesday, March 18th, around five in the morning.....I'm heading to work, if you recall, just two days earlier the "order" came down...… It struck me as I drove down Clairemont Drive, then onto the I-5 North, getting off a Nobel Drive......I had not seen a single vehicle.....no cars, no trucks, no police, nothing. It was eerie....as in driving around at 3am on Christmas morning eerie..... I just felt out of sorts.

During that week I noticed that the neighborhood donut shop....TK Donuts had closed. The handwritten sign said two weeks...…..which stretched into four, then six....somewhere past week six, on a weekend, I was headed back from work and noticed they had reopened. Whew...…

I know, I've never posted on TK Donuts....there's really not much to post about; I really don't eat pastries and such. But, since the new owners took over a while back, I'd made it a habit to drop by every couple of weeks on the way to work and grab a couple of dozen doughnuts for the team. I really liked this set of owners; the nice young man who took over the business and a few years later he was joined by his very sweet and friendly wife. I wanted to at least give them some support.

Unfortunately, once they reopened it was hard for me to drop by....first, I was headed off to work before five in the morning when the place reopened. Second, we only had a couple of folks in the office by this time and I had no one to give donuts to.

Last month, things had begun stabilizing a bit for me and I'm now off to work....well, still early, but I'm leaving at around five in the morning now. And over the last month I've made it a point to drop by once a week.

It's still dark when I arrive.

The entry chime goes off....and I'm greeted by both owners, in lieu of not getting a couple of dozen donuts; I've found something to order.....I get the Ham and Cheese Croissant.

The place now has marks of where to social distance on the floor; there's plexiglass in place, hand sanitizer is out, and of course masks at all times.

It's nothing to write home about; but this is more important than that. And I've got to say; this is more than enough for a 530am breakfast....and it's always hot as well.

I've always said, a neighborhood needs that coffee shop, the diner, the locals bar of choice, the pizza parlor, and of course the donut shop to be complete. It's just part of the fabric of a neighborhood.

And I really like the couple who run TK Donuts....it's obviously not an easy job. And they do it with such kindness.

They are so very nice to me...…..they always throw in a little "extra"....even though now I'm just ordering a ham and cheese croissant.

Which I give to one of the skeleton crew that's working...….. I've told them that they don't need to do this; but they refuse to stop.

Which just goes to show; how important these relationships are...….the neighborhood would just not be the same without folks like this.

Right now it's just a Ham and Cheese Croissant.....I'm looking forward to the day when I can order a couple of dozen doughnuts again to feed the entire team again. 

TK Donuts
3095 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117
Open Daily:
5am - 2pm

I'm glad to see them back in action.

Yes, times have changed, drastically.......and sometimes these days it seems that we're living in a strange parallel universe. All our travels gives me faith in people; that in spite of extremes of belief and politics, that we can rise above all of this. I have hope. And it all starts with us.....a community, a neighborhood..........

I consider my posts to be my food and travel "diary" of sorts; and as always, I'm honored to be able to share them with you.

And speaking of the Fabric of the Neighborhood:

You know, there was a time when I considered many of the food bloggers that I followed and whose posts I commented on to be part of a wonderful community. Times have changed and for many the goals and objectives of having a blog has changed from sharing to being an "influencer".....having an income stream. I have no problem with that; though of course, being an old fuddy duddy, I miss those days.

There are a couple of folks I still enjoy following and am always sad when I see no posts for a long period of time. So many have just stopped. So, I'm so happy and relieved to see my "FOY" CC back with new posts!

Welcome back CC, we've missed you!

Go ahead and check out her new posts!

Comments

[Jason]

Great post, sometimes food is about going to place just because it's convenient, good, and friendly. There's a taco shop next to my work that I go to 2x a week. Definitely not the best taco shop in the area... but it hits the spot, I can walk there, and I like supporting the owner.

[caninecologne]

Neighborhood spots are the best; they serve an important function for folks in the area.

Thanks for your kind words too. I've only done one new one but have a few more up my sleeve.

[Soo]

Mmm.... Donuts. :-). I'll have to try them on my next Costco trip.

[James]

I know everything is about influencing and sponcon, but as a consumer of information I never trust those posts because I always feel like I'm being hustled. The information I get from you and the dwindling number of others like you feels pure in a way that monetized content never will. So what I'm trying to say is I'm a fuddy-duddy like you - though I prefer "traditionalist." *shaka*

[kat]

supporting local always important. keep up with your posts, they are always a joy to read. take care!

[Kirk]

Yes, you are totally right Jason!

I've seen all those photos in Flickr CC, so I can't wait for those new posts.

Check them out Soo....really nice couple.

Thanks James....."traditionalist"; I like that!

So true Kat!

[Junichi]

States are shutting down bars again. Cases are spiking. Most young people don't wear masks in public I noticed. That's why I'm still sticking to take-out for the foreseeable future. Luckily Sab E Lee is within walking distance for me! I phone my order, take a nice walk and pick up my food.

[Kirk]

We're keeping with takeout for now as well Junichi! I wish Thai Papaya was reopening for takeout.... Hope all is well.

[caninecologne]

Kirk
I'm retroactively posting, ha ha. But will be doing newer ones as well.

[Kirk]

That great CC! Looking forward to those posts.

[Lynnea Fleming]

Great post! Totally agree about supporting the local places in our neighborhoods even if they don't necessarily offer the absolute best (insert product here). It's about relationships and feeling like we all belong!

[Kirk]

Hi Lynnea - Yes, totally. So good to hear from you and hope both you and Matthew are doing well.

[Stephanie]

So glad that you’re continuing to post regularly. I always look forward to seeing the new posts!

[Kirk]

Thanks so much Stephanie. We hope all is well!