Not Salty About This
Gourmet doughnut shop The Salty opens new location at North Austin mall
The Salty's vegan peanut butter and jelly donut, a seasonal treat.
A fancy Miami-based doughnut and coffee shop that's stealing Austinites' hearts on South Congress Avenue is opening a second location in the Texas capital. This time, The Salty will open in another hub for both tourists and locals: Domain Northside. The new shop at 11501 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 156, will be open for its first visitors Friday, June 6.
The Salty is known for its super-gourmet toppings and fillings, ranging from toasted meringue to mini cakes. Austin is no stranger to an over-the-top doughnut, but where many shops go for whimsy, The Salty goes for luxury.
This small but growing doughnut chain, with locations in 12 U.S. cities, is also known for keeping its menu fresh with seasonal offerings.
June 6 is National Donut Day, and The Salty is celebrating all weekend with with a prize-filled gumball machine with 200 chances a day to win free coffee, discounts, gift cards, merch, and more. There will also be a special doughnut that's only available on Friday, a Maple French Toast Donut with brioche dough, French toast cream inside, a maple glaze, maple brioche crunch, mascarpone whip, and a maple drizzle.
Year-round favorites include a traditional brioche doughnut with vanilla bean glaze; the Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake doughnut with a dense, crumbly texture and chocolate glaze; and the Churro and Dulce de Leche Star, a brioche doughnut covered in cinnamon sugar with a whipped dulce de leche filling. Seasonal flavors include luxe takes on Samoa Girl Scout cookies, berry cheesecake, and vegan peanut butter and jelly.
In addition to doughnuts, The Salty embraces Austin doughnut shop culture with kolaches, including one using Terry Black's brisket. The shop will also have bagel-croissant hybrids with everything seasoning or cheddar cheese. All non-doughnut baked goods will be served until 5 pm or sold out.
A Texas-inspired mural and more artwork seal the deal. According to a press release, every Salty location is a little different, and this one will have "a casual but cozy atmosphere."
“When we opened our first shop in South Congress, the city welcomed us with open arms, and we knew we wanted to grow here,” said CEO and co-founder Andy Rodriguez in the release. “Domain Northside is the perfect next stop for us — we can’t wait to connect with new guests and celebrate this opening, and what better day than to open on National Donut Day?! We’re excited to become a bigger part of the Austin community and bring our Salty experience to even more people.”
The new location will be surrounded by other bars and restaurants. On each side is Velvet Taco and Lotus Chinese; across the street is a nightclub known for aerial performances, The Rose Room, plus the constantly Instagrammed Wonder Bar.
The Salty’s Domain Northside location will be open 7 am to 8 pm Mondays through Sundays. from 7 am until 8 pm. Walk-up orders, pickup, and delivery are all available. The Salty has its own app for online ordering; new users receive a free doughnut or coffee when signing up. App users can receive loyalty points, insider updates, and invites to exclusive events.
The Homunculi lights the way with a frothy top layer.Photo by Brianna Caleri