Van’s Pastry Shoppe

I avoided Van’s for awhile because the hundreds of cookie jar characters in the windows (and going around the perimeter of the store on shelves) kind of gave me the creeps, but recently I was in the neighborhood and desperate for caffeine so I gave it a try. :) That was maybe two weeks ago and I’ve been back like six times since! First of all, I can get a doughnut and a coffee for $ 1.75! That makes me feel really good about myself… the opposite of that embarrassed feeling I have when I go through the Starbucks drive-​thru and spend like $ 10. The doughnuts here are really good. I would say they are tied with Marge’s for the best in the area, and Van’s is a lot closer to where I live. YAY! Even when they’re busy, they get people right in and right out an added bonus to their speedy service is that you can almost always park right in front of the shop because people don’t stay long. The customer service is extraordinary — as good as it gets. The first time I went in, the young lady working was all smiles and recommended this raisin doughnut (that I probably wouldn’t have chosen but am now totally addicted to) and she even offered to warm it up for me! Ummmmm YES PLEASE! It was probably the most delicious thing I’ve eaten in at least a month. I thought maybe I just had an extra special experience because she was in the holiday spirit or something, but I’ve been in there like half a dozen times now and the customer service is always above and beyond. The people working always seem like they are happy and enjoying themselves and that makes me smile. :) I’m definitely a fan of Van’s.

The bear claws are wonderful with no shortage of almond paste. The chocolate donuts are old school and delicious. My sister and brother in law live in midtown Manhattan and I have to bring large amounts of English Muffin bread, chocolate cake donuts, almond raisin bread and bear claws when I visit them. This summer I had to have her meet me at the train in New Jersey because I needed help carrying the boxes of pastries the rest of the way into Manhattan. They always tell me that they can’t get these things in Manhattan.

Employees are very friendly there but my god. Just Terrible Donuts. They taste like they came out of a vending machine. I’m guessing this place has a high star cause of the older people that go there. Bland and boring.

Local bakery located in GR. All my life living in GR I have never been here until this year.
Awesome English muffin bread for $ 2.50/loaf.
Donuts are less than $ 1. My favorite is the pastry with almond paste. Very similar to a Dutch letter you would get from other bakeries.
There is street parking and parking in the back as well.

I really cannot say anything wrong about this place! It is a classic pastry shop still with the «mom and pop» spirit! My dogs have memorized our morning routine of running and if we pass by Vans we have to stop! I have loved everything I’ve tried and when I want something simple and original they are the perfect go to! Also the old fashion prices are impossible to beat!

Classic American doughnut experience. Super inexpensive and really delicious. Nothing unique or modern (no bacon jalapeño doughnuts or anything like that), just a good representation of your childhood favorites. Gotta love custard filled long johns and apple fritters! I also love the classic cake doughnut for dipping in coffee. Great place to stop and get treats for the office on your way to work because you can spend next to nothing for a couple dozen doughnuts — and they’re homemade! Also, this place makes the whole neighborhood smell like heaven early in the morning.

This shouldn’t even be classified as a donut shop. Do they have donuts, yes… however, I am pretty sure they come from a store. I’m 99% sure the apple fritters came from Sam’s Club.
We ordered 5 donuts and were surprised they were only $ 3.75, but they tasted like it too!
It’s a cute place with nice servers, but don’t go there and expect a «real» donut.

I’m not from Grand Rapids. The donuts are OK and cheap, the cookies are clearly store bought and not worth your time. I moved here from Chicago and I was warned about how conservative and fundamentalist Christian this town is. I guess today I found out. I used to like this place alright, and today I noticed some disturbing things going on inside:
1– racist black mammy dolls above the cashier. This was the stuff of movies. Black women dolls and «negro boys» with huge lips and huge bugged out eyes. So racist it was hard to not say something. I wish I had.
2– Evangelical Christian radio on, non stop. It was Christian music piped in as I drank my coffee.
I would give this place 3 stars had I not experienced these two things. I feel dirty eating there and contributing to a business where I am pretty sure there is some conscious or subconscious racism going on, and surely where they are anti marriage equality and other pertinent issues of our times. I won’t be going back to this place; it is truly an old time Grand Rapids experience.

$ 2.25 for two donuts and 2 coffees? A time long gone. Donuts are amazing, staff is so friendly. This is old school at its best and a neighborhood classic

I’ve had cookies and donuts here. The place is somewhat hectic, with a steady flow of customers in and out to get a sweet. I’ve yet to have a stale or hard cookie or donut.

There is just SOMETHING about a Van donut! The cake ones have this oh-​so wonderful fresh outer «crunch» to them — and I mean that in all the right ways!
Every time we are in town, we make a trip to Vans. 50 cents — who can beat that?

The quality of food is good and the price is inexpensive. I go here often on my way to work. The only compliant I have is about every 3^rd time I stop in I end up with the wrong donut or cookie in my bag. I’ve asked for a strawberry Danish and received a cream cheese one or ask for an m&m cookie and get a chocolate chip. Nothing to serious, I just know now to pay attention to what they grab from the case.

Donuts should always be like Van’s– fresh, affordable, and friendly. Van’s has a selection of traditional doughnuts along with some unique selections like the cream cheese kolacky. Places like this stick around for a reason.

A local icon.
Fresh made baked goods from a family owned business.
I have ordered wedding cakes from Van’s and all of the guests thought they were great. Their pies are delicious. Try their Indian (feathers, not dots) bread.
Highly recommend this bakery. Best in G. R., in my opinion. Enjoy!

We walked 1.5 miles from the JW Marriott along the river to try these donuts. They were worth it!!! Great donuts!!! Coffee was excellent, not strong like Starbucks. Raspberry hot tea was fabulous! Constant flow of people but line went extremely fast.

Vans is the best donut shop in Grand Rapids. The local color here is part of the experience. After school donuts with my son are always a treat, and the counter-​help is always sweet and patient as I teach him to pay and make change.

Set in the heart of authentic downtown Grand Rapids, a timeless tradition of delicious Dutch pastries and fantastic coffee. The environment is relaxing and welcoming. A family run pastry shop where they make everyone feel like family, call them by their first name, and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Certainly a Grand Rapids tradition for us!

Great little donut shop. Has a pretty good selection of baked goods including fritters and danishes. Charge by the good not a set cost for a dozen

Perfect place to stop in for a jump start to your morning or an afternoon pick me up. Quick service, friendly people, clean and delicious! Serves up a variety of pastries all homemade and baked super fresh! Apple fritters are amazing and most everything costs 50 cents! Great coffee, delicious muffins, smells incredible from a block away. definitely going back (more often!) Parking is a little difficult though, there is a lot in the back that is worth checking, otherwise street parking is free.

I love love love love Van’s. I can’t say enough good things about it. Having grown up nearby, Van’s is practically a family tradition at this point. The donuts are fabulous (their chocolate frosting is delicious), and the English muffin bread is amazing. Friendly staff, convenient location to downtown GR, and tasty baked treats at affordable prices — what more could you want?