The last standing building from a famous old burger chain now sells fresh donuts every morning. Yes, really.
And the little burgers never fully left the building.
The owners start making dough from scratch at 3 a.m. each day. That’s a level of commitment most of us can’t manage for an alarm clock.
I like how this tiny Maryland shop serves glazed rings and mini burgers from the same counter. Apple fritters share space with sliders built from an old recipe.
There’s no seating, so everything leaves in a bag, ready for the car or the kitchen table.
I believe the best food stories come with a twist. This one has a car crash, a community fundraiser, and a comeback.
A Tiny Building With A Very Big Backstory
Laurel Tavern Donuts lives in a building that once belonged to the Little Tavern burger chain. That chain started in 1927 and sold small burgers in the same spirit as White Castle.
Here’s the wild part. This Laurel location is the last remaining building from the original Little Tavern chain.
A Little Tavern operated here from 1940 until it closed in 2006. That’s 66 years of burgers flipped in one compact spot.
The Maryland Historical Trust lists the building as a historic site. So your morning donut run technically counts as a history lesson.
In 2008, Will Kwon bought the building and opened it as a donut shop. At first, he didn’t even know about its famous past.
Customers filled him in pretty quickly, it seems. Their interest helped shape what the menu would become.
I love that the building got a second life instead of a wrecking ball. Plenty of old roadside spots vanish without a trace.
This one kept its shape, its story, and its purpose of feeding hungry people. That’s a pretty great retirement plan for a burger stand.
Next time you drive past, give it a nod. It has earned some respect.
Your Alarm Clock Has Nothing On These Bakers
Three in the morning is when most people are deep in dreamland. At this shop, it’s when the dough work begins.
Owners Will and Jin Kwon start making fresh donuts from scratch at 3 a.m. daily. That early start means the cases can be ready when doors open at 6 a.m.
Everything is handcrafted, not shipped in from some far-off factory. You can taste the difference when a shop treats donuts like a daily craft.
The family-run setup adds a personal touch to the whole operation. It’s a small business in the truest sense.
Fluffy and pillowy soft are words that come up often when people describe these donuts. Melt in your mouth shows up a lot too.
That kind of texture usually comes from patience and practice. No shortcut gets you there.
So when you grab a box, think about the hours behind it. Someone was rolling dough while the rest of Laurel was snoring.
Here’s a helpful tip based on that schedule. Some items, like apple fritters, may come out later in the morning, so timing matters.
A little planning can land you exactly what you want. Your patience gets rewarded with fresh pastry.
Start With The Glazed And Thank Me Later
A plain glazed donut is the ultimate test of any donut shop. There’s nowhere to hide flaws when it’s just dough and sugar.
At Laurel Tavern Donuts, the classic Glazed Donut is one of the most recommended picks. That tells you the basics get serious attention here.
The Apple Fritter is another big favorite. It’s one of those treats that makes a coffee break feel like an event.
Then there’s the Cinnamon Twist. Its looping shape makes it fun to pull apart, bite by bite.
Not sure where to begin? Build a small box with all three, and you’ll have a solid sense of the shop’s style.
Boston cream and maple are also popular choices. One is creamy and rich, while the other brings that cozy syrup flavor.
I can’t imagine walking out with just one donut. Choosing a single favorite here feels almost unfair.
A half dozen gives you room to experiment without guilt. Share them, or don’t, I won’t tell.
Either way, the glazed should be in that box. Consider it your benchmark for every donut you eat afterward.
Cake Or Raised? The Case Has Room For Both
Donut fans usually fall into two camps. Some want dense cake donuts, while others crave airy raised ones.
Good news for both teams. This shop makes plenty of each style.
On the cake side, you’ll find plain, blueberry, sour cream, and devil’s food with chocolate glaze. There’s also a honey stick for anyone who likes a longer, dunkable shape.
The raised lineup brings its own crowd. Think Boston cream, cinnamon roll, cinnamon crumb bun, and coconut raised.
Chocolate sprinkle and rainbow sprinkle donuts round things out. Kids will likely point at the rainbow one first, and honestly, fair enough.
Mixing styles is the smartest move for a group. A sour cream cake donut and a cinnamon roll make a great pair for comparison.
Bringing donuts to work or a family gathering? Pick a mix so everyone finds something they like.
Variety keeps the box interesting from the first bite to the last crumb. Nobody wants six identical donuts staring back at them.
Remember that popular flavors can sell out as the morning goes on. Earlier visits give you the widest choice.
Yes, The Little Burgers Came Back Home
Mini burgers at a donut shop sound like a menu mix-up. In this building, they make perfect sense.
After opening, the owner brought back Little Tavern-style mini burgers because customers kept asking. A former Little Tavern manager provided the recipe.
Each small burger comes with mustard, ketchup, onions, and pickles. You can add American cheese if you want that extra melty layer.
The seasoning reportedly includes McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning. That’s a simple pantry hero doing big work.
For many longtime Maryland residents, these sliders carry serious nostalgia. The old Little Tavern was a part of growing up for a lot of people in the region.
Even newcomers get the fun of tasting a piece of local food history. It’s like a time machine that fits in your palm.
Small burgers also work great for sharing. Order a few, pass them around, and see who grabs seconds.
Sweet and savory in one stop is a pretty strong deal. A donut for dessert after burgers before noon?
Sounds like a winning morning plan to me. Nobody needs to know you skipped the salad.
Breakfast Here Goes Way Beyond Sugar
Some mornings call for protein, not frosting. The menu at Laurel Tavern Donuts has that covered too.
Breakfast sandwiches include egg and cheese plus omelette sandwiches. They’re easy to eat on the go, which fits this shop perfectly.
Hungrier? Breakfast platters come with eggs, meat, and home fries for a fuller meal.
Later in the day, the sandwich list keeps going. You’ll see BLTs, club sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and ham and cheese.
Grilled cheese is on the menu as well. It’s a safe, cozy choice for picky eaters of any age.
Cold coffee is available if you need a cool caffeine boost. It pairs nicely with a donut on a warm Maryland morning.
A smart move is to grab a sandwich for now and donuts for later. Your future self will be very grateful around 3 p.m.
This range makes the shop handy for early workdays or weekend errands. One stop can handle breakfast and lunch.
Just keep the hours in mind before you plan a late lunch. The kitchen wraps up early in the afternoon.
Grab Your Bag And Hit The Road
Forget lingering over a table here. There’s no seating, so this is strictly an order-at-the-counter, take-it-with-you kind of place.
That no-frills setup keeps things simple. You walk up, order, pay, and head out with your treats.
The vibe stays cozy and casual despite the small space. It feels like a neighborhood stop rather than a fancy café.
Prices are budget-friendly, which makes a dozen feel less like a splurge. Feeding a family or an office doesn’t have to hurt your wallet.
Online ordering is available through Chowbus and DoorDash. That’s handy when you’d rather stay in your pajamas.
Plan around the schedule, because the hours are short. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon.
Mondays are closed, so don’t make that drive for nothing. Nothing stings like a locked door and a donut craving.
Bring a napkin or two for the car ride. Glaze has a talent for ending up on steering wheels.
A park bench or your kitchen table works great as a dining room. Honestly, the view is up to you.
The Comeback That Laurel Rallied Behind
December 2023 brought a shock nobody saw coming. A car crashed into the side of the building, causing major damage.
The shop had to close while repairs got sorted out. For a small family business, that kind of setback is huge.
Then the community stepped up. A fundraiser helped the business rebuild and get back on its feet.
Laurel Tavern Donuts reopened in spring 2024. The donuts, sliders, and early morning routine all returned.
That support says a lot about how much this little spot matters in Maryland. People don’t rally for places they can easily replace.
It also means the last Little Tavern building survived yet another chapter. This structure clearly has staying power.
I find comebacks like this genuinely uplifting. They remind us that small businesses lean on their neighbors.
Want to help keep the story going? The simplest way is to show up, buy a box, and tell a friend.
Every order keeps the ovens warm and the history alive. That’s a sweet way to be part of something bigger.
Plot Your Route To This Washington Blvd Treasure
Finding the shop is easy once you know where to look. Laurel Tavern Donuts sits at 115 Washington Blvd, Laurel, MD 20707.
Some maps list it as 115 Washington Blvd S, so don’t panic if you see that. It’s the same beloved little building.
Washington Blvd is part of Route 1, a busy road through town. The location makes it a convenient stop on a commute or road trip.
Laurel sits between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. That puts this Maryland treat within reach for a lot of hungry drivers.
Arriving early is the smartest strategy. Opening is 6 a.m., and the freshest selection usually comes with the sunrise crowd.
Make it a mini outing if you have time. Old Town Laurel and Main Street are close by for a stroll after breakfast.
Planning a group order? Calling ahead or ordering online can save time during a busy morning.
However you get there, leave room in your schedule and your stomach. A tiny building this full of history deserves a proper visit.
Just don’t be surprised if one box turns into two.
