Firecakes opened on Hubbard Street in 2013, and this is still the shop with Billy's original round dough cutter on display and the latest hours of any donut counter downtown: until 10PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with a walk-up window. Firecakes is named for the fried 'firecakes' Karen Fox's grandfather, William 'Billy' Hobbs, made in a cast-iron pot over an open fire while baking for 1930s logging camps in northern Wisconsin, and the shop's recipe is built on his. The signature is the Pistachio Old Fashioned, a buttermilk cake donut in Sicilian pistachio glaze with candied pistachios, and the old fashioneds in general are the reason Condé Nast Traveler once suggested Firecakes might make the best donuts in the country.
The Birthday Cake donut, two yeast donuts stacked about four inches high under icing and sprinkles, feeds two or three. All Firecakes shops are cashless, the donuts are small-batch and baked from scratch daily, and popular flavors can sell out, so pre-order online if you have your heart set on one. A vegan, gluten-friendly chocolate donut (made with almond flour, in a shared kitchen) is on the menu, and the shop ships nationwide through Goldbelly.
No photos yet — be the first to add one.
Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.
Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.
to suggest a special.
Think Firecakes Donuts - River North deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.
to nominate a gem.
Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.
The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.
Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.
Chicago
