Federal Donuts, Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook's Doughnut, Fried Chicken, and Coffee Chain with Several Area Locations

[RWBooneJr]

Federal Donuts is the doughnut, coffee, and fried chicken place from chef Michael Solomonov and his business partner, Steven Cook (Zahav, Abe Fisher, Dizengoff, Percy Street Barbecue). Federal has four locations, plus a stand in Citizen's Bank Park.  We went to the Center City location and only got the doughnuts, but they were excellent.

Federal only serves cake doughnuts, and this location had six rotating varieties of pre-made "fancy donuts" and three sugar coated ones that were cooked to order (or, at least, served hot). All of the doughnuts except the chocolate use the same batter, so the primary difference is the topping/coating.

Here's a story about the chicken, which also talks a little more about the doughnuts.

[KeithA]

The donuts were very good - but OMG the chicken - SOOOO good. We didn't even get any of the special glazes or rubs, just the plain chicken was crunchy and delicious. I was telling a friend in DC about how great Federal Donuts was last weekend and he responded you know we have GBD with the same menu. So sad this is true because GBD's donuts and chickens pale in comparison.

[Josh Radigan]

GBD also came well after Federal.

[DonRocks]

The donuts were very good - but OMG the chicken - SOOOO good. We didn't even get any of the special glazes or rubs, just the plain chicken was crunchy and delicious. I was telling a friend in DC about how great Federal Donuts was last weekend and he responded you know we have GBD with the same menu. So sad this is true because GBD's donuts and chickens pale in comparison.

GBD also came well after Federal.

In Rich's picture of the doughnuts above, they look absolutely fantastic as well.

Does anyone know if this was the first serious restaurant in the country that specialized in doughnuts and fried chicken? And, if so, what the inspiration was for having such an odd combination? I've still only been to GBD one time because I was so disappointed after a single visit that I just wasn't inspired to return; it sounds like Federal Donuts is playing in a higher league.

[Tweaked]

We stopped in the Center City location over the weekend and ordered three donuts:  Blueberry Lemon, Banana Nutella, Chocolate Toffee.  Looks like the fancy flavors rotate daily.  We both thought the Blueberry Lemon one was the best.    

The donuts are on the smaller side but are super rich and tasty.  We split each donut so ended up eating three halves and that was plenty. 

A short stroll to Rittenhouse Square with some coffee and donuts made for a nice Sunday morning.  

[zgast]

40 minutes ago, Tweaked said:

We stopped in the Center City location over the weekend and ordered three donuts:  Blueberry Lemon, Banana Nutella, Chocolate Toffee.  Looks like the fancy flavors rotate daily.  We both thought the Blueberry Lemon one was the best.    

The donuts are on the smaller side but are super rich and tasty.  We split each donut so ended up eating three halves and that was plenty. 

A short stroll to Rittenhouse Square with some coffee and donuts made for a nice Sunday morning.  

We had Federal Donuts on Friday!  Just cinnamon brown sugar, but they were warm and tasty.