quote:Originally posted by ces1948
We were recently in Lexington, KY for a weekend. I went out early Saturday morning looking for Spalding's which was highly recommened. I never could find Spalding's but ran across a place called Macgee's bakery on Richmond rd I think. I believe their sign said they had been there since the 30's. The donuts were wonderful and it is hard to imagine Spalding's being better. Still wish I could have out.
Charlie
It's no surprise that Spalding's comes highly recommended for its doughnuts. Lexington folk have long considered Spalding’s Bakery a community treasure because of their superior glazed doughnut.
In the 35 years I’ve lived in Lexington, I’ve never had glazed doughnuts better than those made in this small family business. And I’ve tried them all.
Charlie, I’m genuinely sorry you didn't locate the shop, but hope you'll have an opportunity to try again before this venerable establishment's older owners retire. Had you found it about 7 A.M. that Saturday morning, you would have been fascinated to find yourself in a line that included folks from all over the county. The line moves fast and folks continue filing in until all the doughnuts are sold (the cake doughnuts last a little longer).
At 6:57 AM on a recent Saturday morning, I became the 37 th person in line. Three minutes later, when the doors opened, there were 6 more people behind me.
B.J. Spalding Bakery is at 574 North Limestone Street. It's on the SE corner of Limestone and 6th Street in an unadorned white painted brick building with a Victorian facade. The brother and sister owners make and fry the doughnuts and are assisted by the sister’s daughter, who serves the public. The phone number is 859-252-3737.
I used to wonder if the doughnut's goodness came from being made with lard, as they look something like the doughnuts made in our family restaurant. When I eventually posed this question I was told that lard isn't used. The glazed doughnuts are made with vegetable shortening and fried in oil (one can look in the back and see the brother carefully frying them up the old fashioned way).
Every doughnut at Spalding’s is cut by hand, which is why they look homemade. Making and frying them by hand may explain why the quantity is limited. As long as I’ve known about Spalding’s, I’ve been aware that only early birds get the glazed doughnuts.
Spalding’s is open for business four days a week–Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The doors open at 7 AM and close between 9 and 10 AM, when all the doughnuts are sold. They do bake a few cakes and brownies, but they’re basically a doughnut shop.
One other note about Spalding's glazed doughnuts: The icing covers the entire doughnut; it is not thin icing, either. Folks love all this sweetness, but I need to remove some of it to fully appreciate the doughnut. The glazed doughnuts, which are the only ones I've eaten, are absolutely delicious.
Incidentally, I've met more than one downtown worker and legal type who blame some of their girth on this family bakery. I blame them too!