National Donut Day is upon us and that means it's time to celebrate the beloved sweet treat. This Friday, June 3, take advantage of all the fried-dough freebies and donut-inspired specials in Chicago. From free glazed donuts to rich milkshakes topped with donuts—there's no way to go wrong. Here's where to go:
Beavers Coffee + Donuts. Score free mini sugar-dusted donuts and a mini donut milkshake all day Friday at the French Market location or at all three food trucks. (Beavers Coffee + Donuts, 131 N Clinton St, Fri 7am–7:30pm.)
Dat Donut. Take what you can get and score a $1 off a dozen glazed donuts. (Dat Donut, 8251 S Cottage Grove Ave, Fri 24 hours.)
DMK and Firecakes. All weekend long, you'll be able to order decadent milkshakes topped with Firecakes donuts at DMK Burger Bar. You can expect new combos for each day, starting with a raspberry-blood orange donut and peanut butter shake (Friday), an apple fritter with apple cider glaze on top of a salted caramel shake (Saturday) and a strawberry rhubarb glazed donut and creme fraiche shake (Sunday). (DMK Burger Bar, 2954 Sheffield Ave, Fri 11:30–midnight.)
Doughnut Vault. Grab the popular special Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned before it's gone. For the holiday, Doughnut Vault will debut this favorite with an updated recipe. (Doughnut Vault, 401 N Franklin St, 8am.)
Kanela. Only on National Donut Day will guests be able to snag a special coffee and donut–inspired pancakes. Try out a coffee cake streusel short stack topped with an espresso créme anglaise. (Kanela, 1048 N Milwaukee Ave, 8am–3pm.)
Stan's. Enjoy one of the classics, a glazed donut, for free with the purchase of any beverage. (Stan's, 1560 N Damen, Fri 6:30–9pm.)
Porkchop. Grab some dinner and end on a sweet note with a free bacon maple glazed donut. (Porkchop, 941 W Randolph, 11:30am–midnight.)
MAK. Get a free black sesame or five spice donut with the purchase of any bowl, wrap or chicken wings. (MAK, 1924 W Division St, 11am–10pm.)
Fabulous Freddies. Not one, but two free donuts are up for grabs here. The restaurant will also launch three donut specials where guests can get a half-dozen donuts and a large coffee for $3 before 11am or a half-dozen donuts for $2 on Fridays and Saturdays between midnight and 1am. On Fridays, patrons can score a free donut with any purchase before 11am. (Fabulous Freddies, 701 W 31st St #1, 9am–1am.)
Still hungry? If you're craving even more donuts after this Friday, you can sample the sweet treats from vendors across Chicago as part of Time Out Chicago's Donut Party on June 12.