This Grayling, Michigan, Bakery’s Sour Cream Donuts Are The Local Treat Everyone Picks First

Opening the door at Goodale’s Bakery & Deli is like walking into a warm, flour-dusted embrace that smells of deep-fried nostalgia and caramelized cinnamon. On Norway Street, the air is thick and sweet, carrying the intoxicating scent of sour cream donuts, their tang hidden under a sugary glaze that shatters like thin ice against your teeth.

You’ll hear the rhythmic thud of fresh pasties landing in the display case and the comforting hiss of a coffee pot that hasn’t taken a break since dawn.

Treat yourself to the best old-fashioned donuts and authentic Upper Peninsula-style pasties at this legendary family-owned bakery tucked away in the heart of Grayling.

The cinnamon bread is a sticky, spiraled masterpiece that tastes like a Sunday morning, while the daily soups provide a savory anchor to the sugar rush. To snag the goods before the morning rush clears the shelves, bring an extra box and a sense of urgency.

Arrive Before The Rush

The line at Goodale’s often starts not long after the 5 AM open, and for good reason. Early trays of sour cream donuts come out with a thin, crackly glaze that sets just right. You can hear the faint rattle of sheet pans and catch the citrusy note of fresh icing.

History shows locals treat morning like a ritual here. Those 4.7 stars did not appear overnight, though many customers do. My tip is simple: arrive before 8 AM for the best selection.

You will move quickly through, but pause to admire the case. Pasties, cinnamon bread, and cookies sit in neat rows. Leave with a half dozen and a plan to share.

Choose The Sour Cream Glaze First

That famous donut tastes like a hush between crisp and tender. The crumb is tight and moist, with a buttery tang that comes from the sour cream. The glaze shatters delicately, not sticky, leaving a clean finish.

These donuts helped build Goodale’s reputation in Grayling. Review after review points to softness and freshness. If you are choosing one item first, this is the one locals grab instinctively.

Ask for donuts that just hit the rack and you will notice the warmth. Take a moment in the small seating area if there is space. Save a second for the drive, because regret shows up when the box is empty.

Pair With Hot Soup On Cold Days

Grayling mornings can feel sharp, and the hot bar answers with daily soups. Chicken and dumplings appears often, and goulash rotates in by request at times. The stock leans comforting, thick enough to hold a spoon upright.

Goodale’s history includes a deli and hot case alongside the sweets. That mix keeps the lunch crowd steady and loyal. Reviews mention generous crackers and portions that travel well.

Order soup first, donut second if you plan to linger. The savory warmth sets up the glaze beautifully. You will leave fuller than expected and probably carry a second container for later.

Respect The Pasties

Pasties sit in the hot case like hand warmers with flaky jackets. Bite through and you get seasoned beef, potato, and onion, the classic Upper Peninsula style migrating south with miners’ lunch lore. The crust bakes to a sturdy, lightly browned shell.

Goodale’s long menu means opinions vary, but many reviews call these pasties a sure bet. Some guests prefer thicker crust, some thinner. The point is consistency and heat, kept ready for quick lunches.

Ask which batch just came out and request a knife if you are sharing. Pair with a donut later for a Grayling two-part meal. It travels well for camp or river days.

Mind The Hours And Closed Sundays

The doors at 500 Norway Street swing open early at 5 AM Monday through Saturday, catering to the early-rising commuters, anglers, and anyone driving north before the sun fully peaks. They wrap up the day at 6:30 PM.

Sunday is the one day you absolutely must plan ahead for, the bakery rests, and the ovens stay cold. This schedule is a cornerstone of the local rhythm, and regulars know to swing by on Saturday afternoon.

They stock up for the weekend. This routine has held steady for years, and the long lines are a testament to that hard-earned trust.

If you are placing a large order for a local event, especially for their famous sandwiches or custom cakes, it’s always a good idea to call a few days in advance. Set a reminder on your phone the night before your trip.

Map your way to the shop. Parking is usually straightforward, and the counter staff moves with a practiced speed that respects your time.

You’ll be grateful you checked the clock before the craving for a Sour Cream Donut became an emergency.

Cinnamon Bread For The Toaster

The Cinnamon Bread at Goodale’s is one of those items that hides its true power until it meets the heat of a toaster. In the bag, it looks like a lovely, swirled loaf.

Once toasted, the cinnamon turns intoxicatingly fragrant and the crust develops a perfect bronze crisp. It’s a simple, unfussy pleasure that welcomes a thick pat of melting butter.

It’s the kind of bread made for slow mornings when you want maximum comfort with zero fuss. Long-time fans frequently cite this loaf as a pantry staple in older reviews.

The bakery has kept it a steady presence on the shelves for years. Like most things here, the price stays gentle, which is a welcome small-town perk in an era of overpriced artisanal boules.

Do yourself a favor and buy two loaves if you are visiting friends or family. The first loaf usually disappears within minutes of being toasted, and you don’t want to be left with just crumbs.

Grab A Sandwich From The Deli

At lunchtime, the deli turns out generously stacked sandwiches. Meats and cheeses are sliced to order, then packed onto fresh bread that holds up without drying out. Expect straightforward, classic builds that travel well.

Goodale’s has kept the deli as a quiet backbone of the shop. Regulars praise the value and portion size. The small seating area works for quick bites between errands.

Ask for recommendations at the counter if you like a particular cheese or mustard. They guide you toward balanced choices. Save room for a donut chaser, because the savory to sweet handoff is part of the experience.

Consider Gluten-Free Options Early

In a thoughtful nod to modern dietary needs, Gluten-Free options do make an appearance in the case, though they are understandably limited and tend to vanish quickly. The labels are clear, and the knowledgeable staff is always happy to point out what is safe.

To ensure safety, these items are often individually wrapped to avoid cross-contact with the flour that inevitably perfumes the rest of the shop. Local reviews often mention these options as a pleasant and necessary surprise.

While it isn’t a full dedicated gluten-free menu, the fact that they offer these choices is a testament to the bakery’s community-minded spirit. If this is a priority for your diet, I strongly suggest arriving as close to opening as possible.

You can even call ahead to see what the day’s selection looks like, and ask them to set something aside for you if you’re driving in from out of town.

Watch The Glaze Set

Listen for the soft clink as racks slide in and out. That sound means glaze time, when a thin sugar veil turns from glossy to gently crackled. The cooling rack perfumes the air with vanilla and a whisper of citrus.

Goodale’s rhythm is a show if you pay attention. Staff move with quiet efficiency, practiced from years of early mornings. The result is donuts that taste like they were finished minutes ago.

Stand near the case and choose one that still looks wet along the edges. Eat it while warm for a clean, sugary snap. You will understand why they vanish first.

Budget Friendly Box For The Road

One of the best things about this local landmark is that the prices lean toward the kind side. You can walk out with a mixed box containing Sour Cream Donuts, a few Pie Sticks, and a couple of cookies.

You can do that without ever feeling like you’ve made a major splurge. That sense of generosity and fair pricing is very much in the spirit of Grayling itself.

Value is a recurring theme in the bakery’s reviews, and it’s what keeps travelers swinging their vehicles off I-75 for a dependable restock of snacks. The steady stream of customers that make up that 4.7-star rating isn’t wrong.

This place offers a rare combination of quality and affordability. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, just ask the staff to pick a best-of assortment for you.

They know exactly what is freshest and which items will survive a long drive without losing their charm. You’ll leave with a balanced box that makes the miles ahead feel much shorter.