2 weeks Ago By Maya Shavit
By Maya Shavit When Allston ’s Twin Donuts recently announced its closure after several decades in business, we asked Boston.com readers to share their memories of the breakfast landmark. For Rae, a former Allston resident, late nights were more comfortable knowing that Twin Donuts was there to “take care” of them the next morning.
“Staying up all night at Ringer Park, sitting on the rock watching the sun rise, and then having a plain bagel with cream cheese and coffee at Twin Donuts. The bagel was the motivation not to fall asleep. It was comforting and reassuring to know it was always there in the morning to take care of us when we were living on Cambridge Street.
Walking with friends all the way from Somerville to Allston, specifically Twin Donuts, to have bagels,” said Rae. While different owners have rotated in since the establishment opened in the 1950s, The Taing family has run the shop for the past 25 years. After an Allston-Brighton Facebook group posted the announcement, Boston.
com confirmed the closure from a Twin Donuts employee over the phone, who cited the increasing price of “everything” as the reason for closure. Ahead of its last day on March 23, we asked readers what they will miss about Twin Donuts. Here are our favorite reader memories.
“I take my daughter there for breakfast twice a month. It’s been our routine for a couple of years now. Twin Donuts has been a staple in the neighborhood.
I really hope it’s not replaced with another apartment/condo building. Allston/ Brighton is starting to lose its charm.” — John N.
“Twin Donuts used to open at 4:30 am. I worked in a bar in Allston, and I would usually have a couple of drinks after getting out of work and hit up [Twin Donuts] for a bacon, egg, and cheese on an English muffin when they opened. Allston used to be full of anti-establishment types who would frequent a family-owned business like this.
Now, Allston is full of yuppies and rich kids. It’s not the same. RIP to Twin Donuts and the Allston way of life that made the neighborhood unique.
” — Brian, Quincy “The donuts are the best anywhere. Very sad. Customer since 1968 since I was a freshman at BU.
” — Lawrence C. “They make you miss those Sundays as a kid after church when Mom and Dad would let you get TWO! Twin Donuts has always evoked those great memories of being covered with white powder and jelly down your dress, but a smile stretching from ear to ear. A rare trait to find a spot that channels your inner child, for all ages.
” — Gwen K., Oak Square and Brighton “My husband and I loved walking there on the weekends to get coconut iced coffees, French toast bagels, and coconut donuts. We moved out to the suburbs last fall, but we still stop by Twin Donuts anytime we’re in Brighton for appointments.
We will definitely make one last visit before it closes. So sad to hear it’s closing, it is truly an Allston/Brighton gem!” — Meag, Medfield “I was a teacher at the Jackson Mann middle school for a few years before the pandemic. The school was right across the street.
I was there every day getting a tea/donut or a breakfast. I loved the place, the staff got to know me, and knew I was a teacher. At times in the afternoon they would give me their leftover donuts for the day and I’d bring them back to school and give them to my students the next morning.
The kids loved it! The owners and staff were very generous. Twin Donuts will be missed!” — Declan P. “ I have always loved their chocolate glazed and regular glazed donuts.
When my brother ‘did his time’ in Allston/Brighton during college, I would only go visit him because he lived on Gordon Street and I could walk to Twin Donuts. I worked in Allston for a few years and would stop at Twin Donuts at least twice a week for a glazed treat. An icon that will be deeply missed, for sure!” — Kelly B.
, Milford “Its prominent location at a fork in the road, the beacon of its sign, the smell of hot fresh doughnuts at 4 a.m., the chocolate coconut or chocolate buttercrunch doughnuts.
[I’ll miss] every breakfast ever.” — Allie, a former Boston resident “Saving the Twin Donuts sign would honor a local landmark that served this community for decades and provide a link to the history of this rapidly changing neighborhood.” — Susan B.
, Brighton “I loved the sausage, egg, and cheese on a croissant, their version of a glazed donut, nice and puffy like a pillow, and the Thai iced tea. When I had the chance to eat in, I’d eat a breakfast special and work my way down the hand written menu. More importantly, I love the charm it gave to Allston.
I love the signage. It’s a landmark cutting through Allston, as important as the Citgo sign in Kenmore Square. God forbid they put triangular shaped luxury apartments in its footprint.
” – John T., Brookline Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity. Sign up for The Dish Stay up to date on the latest food and drink news from Boston.
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