BY STACEY WALLACE
OPINION —
If you are reading this column, I hope that you had a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
My sweet husband Mike, my Forever Valentine, sent me a dozen beautiful, long-stemmed red roses. He always does this because it makes me happy, and I feel so special.
What did I give Mike? What he requested — a Best Buy gift card. I know; that’s not romantic, but that’s what he wanted, so that’s what he received. For dinner we dined at one of our favorite “special” restaurants.
Unfortunately, I once again fell off the diabetic wagon as I did from October to December. Over the past two weeks, I have eaten my weight in chocolate candy, cookies and a cupcake. And boy, that’s a whole lot of carbohydrates.
To Lynn Hudson, my outstanding endocrinologist, I promise to do better before I see you in mid-March.
That said, on Feb. 10, Mike and I traveled to KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee located at 1534 2nd Ave., Suite 1, in Opelika, just past Central Baptist Church. Mike’s and my sweet church.
Again, if you are looking for a church home, the folks at Central Baptist are sweeter than all the carbs I have consumed in two weeks. But I digress.
Mike and I went to KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee because our good friend William said that their apple fritter was amazing.
When we entered the bright, cheerful donut shop, I breathed in the intoxicating smell of freshly baked donuts. Just breathing was a joy.
KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee opened on Jan. 15. Lymeng Khiev, the shop’s owner, lives in Lanett, where she owns another donut shop.
Gigi, who waited on us, was wonderful and welcoming, and she patiently answered all of my questions.
Before Mike and I placed our orders, I chatted with three very friendly customers; they said that they read my column. I thanked them for making my whole week.
They all loved their donuts.
“If you like apple fritters, these are the best,” said Mitch. (Mitch, if I misspelled your name, and you meant “Midge,” I apologize and owe you a donut.”)
Jean said, “Everything about this place is a pleasant experience, and my bear claw was fabulous.”
When Mike and I ordered our donuts, we were told that they had run out of bear claws. Jean, you ate the last bear claw, but you were so sweet, we won’t hold it against you.
Mike chose an apple fritter and a carmel donut. I selected an apple fritter, a carmel donut and a maple one. Oh my goodness. They were all slap your Grandma three times good.
Also, I have a confession to make. Mike and I almost went back the next day to order two chocolate-covered donuts with cream cheese filling. (The shop lets you choose what filling you want in your donut.) Cream fillings include: Bavarian cream, chocolate cream, cream cheese and white butter cream. Fruit fillings include: apple, blueberry, cherry, key lime, lemon, pineapple, raspberry and strawberry.
Thankfully, we came to our senses and didn’t return a day later and buy those donuts. I didn’t want to wind up in the hospital in a diabetic coma on Valentine’s Day.
Besides our mouthwatering donuts and apple fritters, KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee offers customers pigs ‘n blankets (small and large), flavored coffees and drinks, glazed, cake and sprinkle/chocolate donuts, glazed and special donut holes.
Pastries include cinnamon rolls, Long Johns, twists, round filled and maple bacon.
Trust me; run and do not walk to KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee. I’ll see you there after my blood work is done in mid-March, the Good Lord willing. KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee is open seven days a week: Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
KLM Tasty Donuts & Coffee makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people never lie about food. Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.
