Federal Donuts & Chicken, a culinary gem from Philadelphia, has captivated a loyal fan base with its distinctive blend of coffee, doughnuts, and fried chicken. Since its inception in 2011, this trailblazing eatery has set itself apart by serving freshly baked doughnuts in a myriad of innovative flavors, from traditional glazed to daring options like blueberry mascarpone.
The Accident That Started It All
“We started by accident. We were eating a ton of mostly Korean fried chicken, and our partners were into coffee and wanted to open a doughnut shop,” Chef Michael Solomonov told us about the restaurant’s origins between him and Chef Steve Cook. “So we were like, well, maybe we should just do all three of those things. So we kind of opened it by accident. On the second day, we sold out of doughnuts in no time, and the chicken line started at noon. It was so long that we were beyond capacity both days in a row. So we were like, this might actually be a good idea. But it was essentially the last; we had these great restaurants, and it was right after 2008, and the restaurants weren’t bustling, so we were like, let’s just open this fried chicken and doughnut shop. Something fun, and if we lose, so be it. And that was it. That was twelve years ago.”
The donuts come in various deliciously imaginative flavors like the Strawberry-Lavender Hot-Fresh, S’more Fancy, Baklava, and Pomegranate Nutella. “ I think it’s the uniqueness of the flavors, the seasonal rotating ones,” Federal Donuts Director of Culinary Operations, Joseph Kudrak, said of the unique offerings. “But also, I think it’s the hot and fresh doughnuts. Where else can you order a hot and fresh donut? It’s made literally right in front of you, and it’s still warm in your hands. To me, that’s the winner. That’s the greatest part of it because it’s just so nice and light. The sandwiches are great; there’s a great culinary chef presence behind them as well. There’s a lot of thought that goes into all the flavors.”
In addition to their renowned doughnuts, Federal Donuts serves up some of the city’s finest fried chicken, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, often paired with an array of delicious dipping sauces. What started as a single location has expanded into multiple spots around the city, making it easier than ever for Philadelphians and visitors alike to indulge in these delightful treats.
Find locations here!
