Federal Donuts

Federal Donuts

Address	Multiple locations
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Various (originated in South Philadelphia)
Website	Official site
Cuisine	Doughnuts, fried chicken
Price range	$
Established	2011
Owner	CookNSolo Restaurants
Hours	Varies by location

Federal DonutsDoughnuts, fried chicken$https://www.federaldonuts.comMultiple locationsPhiladelphiaPAUS

Federal Donuts is a Philadelphia doughnut and fried chicken mini-chain founded in 2011 by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook (of Zahav fame) along with partners Bob Logue, Felicia D'Ambrosio, and Tom Henneman. The concept—hot fresh doughnuts and Korean-style fried chicken—became an instant phenomenon, with lines forming before opening and flavors selling out daily. Federal Donuts expanded from a single South Philadelphia location to multiple stores and has become one of the most imitated restaurant concepts in Philadelphia.

History

Origins (2011)

Federal Donuts opened in 2011 in a small space on South 2nd Street:

Founding team:

• Michael Solomonov: Chef, known for Zahav
• Steven Cook: Restaurateur, CookNSolo partner
• Bob Logue: Doughnut specialist
• Felicia D'Ambrosio: Operations
• Tom Henneman: Partner

The concept:

• Hot, fresh doughnuts made to order
• Korean-style twice-fried chicken
• Limited menu, executed perfectly
• Counter-service format

Instant Success

Federal Donuts became an immediate hit:

Early days:

• Lines before opening
• Flavors selling out daily
• Massive social media buzz
• Food media attention

The combination of Solomonov's reputation and genuinely excellent food created phenomenon-level interest.

Expansion

Federal Donuts grew thoughtfully:

Timeline:

• 2011: Original South Philadelphia location
• 2012-2015: Additional Philadelphia locations
• Center City: High-traffic locations
• Suburbs: Broader reach
• Stadium: Wells Fargo Center location

The expansion maintained quality while meeting demand.

The Doughnuts

Hot Fresh Doughnuts

Made to order:

• Doughnuts fried when ordered
• Served hot and fresh
• Coated in sugar and spice
• Eaten immediately for best experience

The process: 1. Dough prepared fresh daily 2. Fried to order 3. Tossed in choice of sugar 4. Served within seconds

Fancy Doughnuts

Pre-made specialty doughnuts:

• Glazed and topped in advance
• Creative flavor combinations
• Seasonal specials
• Often sell out by afternoon

Popular flavors:

• Strawberry Lavender
• Churro
• Cookies & Cream
• Seasonal specials (pumpkin, eggnog, etc.)

Hot Fresh Flavors

Sugar options for hot fresh:

• Cinnamon Brown Sugar
• Vanilla Spice
• Strawberry
• Chocolate
• Seasonal rotation

Hot fresh doughnuts are the essential experience.

The Fried Chicken

Korean-Style

Federal Donuts' fried chicken was revolutionary for Philadelphia:

The technique:

• Twice-fried: Korean method
• Ultra-crispy: Shatteringly crunchy exterior
• Juicy interior: Perfectly cooked
• Spiced options: Dry rub flavors

Flavors

Dry rub options:

• Za'atar: Middle Eastern spice blend
• Coconut Curry: Southeast Asian inspired
• Buttermilk Ranch: American classic
• Hot Fried: Spicy heat
• Seasonal specials

The za'atar reflects Solomonov's Israeli cuisine background.

Chicken Options

Format:

• Individual pieces: Wings, drums, thighs
• Half chicken: For serious eating
• Whole chicken: Shareable
• Chicken sandwich: On a bun

Why It Works

The chicken succeeds because:

• The technique: Twice-frying creates unique texture
• The flavors: Creative, well-balanced dry rubs
• The quality: Good sourcing
• The combination: With doughnuts, unexpectedly perfect

The Pairing

Doughnuts and Chicken?

The combination seems odd but works:

The logic:

• Both are fried
• Both are indulgent
• Both are best hot and fresh
• The pairing is fun

The experience:

• Order both
• Alternate between savory and sweet
• Embrace the indulgence
• Regret nothing

CookNSolo Empire

Federal Donuts is part of the CookNSolo Restaurants group:

Sister restaurants:

• Zahav: Flagship Israeli restaurant
• Dizengoff: Hummus-focused
• Abe Fisher: Jewish deli/restaurant
• Laser Wolf: Israeli grill
• K'far: Israeli cafe
• Merkaz: Israeli restaurant

The connection:

• Solomonov and Cook's vision
• Quality standards shared
• Staff and techniques overlap
• Brand reputation

Locations

Philadelphia Locations

Multiple Philadelphia locations including:

South Philadelphia:

• Original location

Center City:

• High-traffic locations
• Office worker crowd
• Tourist accessible

Other neighborhoods:

• Expanding reach
• Suburban presence

Stadium Presence

Federal Donuts operates at Wells Fargo Center:

• Available during Sixers and Flyers games
• Concerts and events
• Brings the concept to stadium crowds

Cultural Impact

The Line Culture

Federal Donuts pioneered Philadelphia's line culture:

• Lines before opening became normal
• Social media documentation
• FOMO (fear of missing out) driving visits
• Sellouts creating urgency

Doughnut Renaissance

Federal Donuts sparked Philadelphia's doughnut boom:

Before Federal:

• Dunkin' Donuts dominated
• Few artisan options
• Doughnuts were ordinary

After Federal:

• Artisan doughnut shops opened citywide
• Quality expectations raised
• Doughnuts became "foodie" items

Fried Chicken Impact

Similarly, the chicken influenced the city:

• Korean-style fried chicken became popular
• Other restaurants adopted techniques
• Fried chicken standards elevated

Tips for Visitors

Recommendations:

• Arrive early for best doughnut selection
• Get hot fresh - it's the essential experience
• Try the chicken - don't skip it
• Za'atar*** is the signature flavor
• Expect lines*** at peak times

Ordering strategy: 1. Start with hot fresh doughnuts 2. Add fried chicken 3. Consider a fancy doughnut if available 4. Get drinks

What to expect:

• Counter service
• Limited seating (some locations)
• Cash and cards accepted
• Casual atmosphere

See Also

• Zahav
• Philadelphia Food Culture
• Reading Terminal Market (for Beiler's doughnuts comparison)
• South Philadelphia

External Links

• Federal Donuts Official Website
• CookNSolo Restaurants