Newly transplanted Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is going to top a bunch of L.A.’s “best of” lists in the coming year. Astro Doughnuts Fried Chicken Downtown LA DTLA
For weeks, Angelenos have been counting down the hours until Astro’s arrival to DTLA. Originally from Washington D.C., this will be its third location (the first on the West Coast), with one in Virginia. Astro was founded by childhood hockey buddies Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern – the latter who played for the L.A. Kings for one year. Spaisman and Halpern wanted to offer a seasonal and creative take on two classics. Astro Doughnuts Fried Chicken Downtown LA DTLA
The DTLA 6th Street location is inviting. With tiled interiors and dark wood tables, it’s casual but a bit nicer than your average fried chicken joint. Rows of doughnuts greet you as you walk in, and the glass walls let you watch the doughnut artists at work in the kitchen.
With ingredients locally sourced, the doughnut menu is fresh and in season. Always available are Astro’s famed crème brûlée, PB&J, maple bacon, and vanilla glazed doughnuts. Additional flavors will be available each season. The entire doughnut selection is as refined as doughnuts can be. Astro manages to enhance an already perfect doughnut without making it kitschy. The hyped up crème brûlée doughnut, for instance, manages to elevate the doughy doughnut with elegant and delicate flavors – there isn’t a fruity pebble in sight.
Get your fried chicken three different ways: bone-in, chicken fingers, or fried chicken sandwiches. The bone-in style comes in two varieties: dark meat and white meat. And depending on what time it is, you can choose from a breakfast sandwich or a lunch/dinner sandwich. The crispy seasoned skin and juicy meat provides a satisfyingly salty bite and the answer to the sweet (but not too sweet) doughnut flavors. This is what classic fried chicken should be, but if you prefer hot sauce or other added flavor, they have plenty of dipping sauces and hot sauce to choose from.
Expect long lines when you come here, but also know that it’s worth it.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is open Monday thru Friday 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Saturday 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and Sunday 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.
All photos by Steffi Victorioso
