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Steven Cook, Felicia D’Ambrosio and Bobby Logue, in addition to — not pictured — Michael Solomonov and Thomas Henneman, forged a creative partnership that has added an inventive new comfort food cafe to the Philadelphia dining scene. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Federal Donuts, the much-anticipated donuts-and-fried-chicken shop from Steven Cook, Michael Solomonov, BODHi Coffee owners Thomas Henneman and Bob Logue, and local food-and-drink expert Felicia D’Ambrosio, opens its doors today.

We got a sneak peek at the shop, and (no surprise, given the all-star team involved) it’s going to be awesome.

Here, we present the Federal Donuts vitals: a look at the story behind the shop, some insider intel from the partners and what to expect when you stop by.

The Back Story

BODHi Coffee and Xochitl (formerly Steve Cook and Michael Solomonov’s) are neighbors in Headhouse Square. The proximity fostered a friendship between the two establishments’ proprietors and led to a series of breakfasts which, in turn, led to the formation of a brilliantly unique idea: a donuts, fried chicken and fresh coffee shop that would satisfy BODHi Coffee’s interest in obtaining kitchen space and Cook and Solomonov’s interest in a new venture.

Local food-and-drink expert Felicia D’Ambrosio got involved and the project took off. Bobby of BODHi had found the perfect little spot, tucked on 2nd Street in the Pennsport neighborhood in South Philly. Crunchy, juicy fried chicken is Chef Solomonov’s thing, coffee is BODHi’s domain; but why donuts? As Bobby puts it, “Philadelphia was right for the donut market.” Inexpensive, grab-and-go, impossibly delicious fried treats? Perfect for Philadelphians indeed.

The shop is a cozy size, with a comfortable neighborhood vibe; the menu will change just as casually. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

The Set-Up

Federal Donuts is designed as a mostly take-out shop, with six retractable stools plus additional seating by the window adjacent to the store’s door. The shop will focus on delivery as well, both home and wholesale, with accounts already planned at Elixr Coffee and, of course, Bodhi.

The Food and Drink

This is no ordinary donut shop. Selections on any given day might include Key Lime, Orange Blossom with pistachio, Coconut-Pineapple or Vanilla-Lavender.. As Chef Solomonov says, “One thing is for sure: they’ll never be boring.”

As for the chicken, inspired by Solomonov’s favorite dish, Korean fried chicken, Federal Donuts will serve their chicken two ways: Glazed, the traditional Korean style, fried and then glazed with flavors such as Chile-Garlic and Honey-Ginger; and Crispy, classic crunchy fried chicken dusted with seasoned salts such as Za’atar and Buttermilk Ranch.

And when it comes to coffee, you’ll get custom-blend Federal Donuts beans, available by the cup and as wholesale.

Signature custom-blended Federal Donuts coffee beans and freshly fried donuts plus crispy, crunchy fried chicken from a James Beard Award-winning chef: absolute perfection. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

The Green Factor

Reclaimed wood was used for all the counters and door, and old wire-frame donut baskets from a bakery are wall-mounted to hold the coffee bags. Galvanized steel planters which used to hold bakery flour are now flower and plant beds to add some green to the space.

In addition, the base moldings are all reused scraps, so there was no “massive run to the dump,” as Bobby put it, once construction was complete.

Fun Facts

• Steve Cook’s favorite doughnut: Coconut & Lime

• The chocolate brown-and-tan striped counters were modeled after old surfboards, planed and sanded by hand on site by Doug Powley.

• The kitchen is rigged up with a “Donut Robot”, a mechanical kitchen worker that will handle the dough dispensing, frying and flipping.

Federal Donuts will serve seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. For punched-up comfort food provided by some of Philadelphia’s A-list food and drink mavens, you’ll want to add Federal Donuts to your list of must-try eateries.

Federal Donuts
1219 S. Second Street
www.federaldonuts.com