Chicagos National Donut Day Guide Freebies And Deals From Local Shops To Major Chains

National Donut Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday in June, offers a sweet opportunity for Chicagoans and visitors to enjoy free donuts and special deals. The holiday originated right here in Chicago in 1938 as a tribute to the Salvation Army's "Donut Lassies" who supported American troops during World War I. These brave women, including Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance, fried doughnuts in soldiers' helmets to boost morale on the front lines. Today, the tradition continues with numerous Chicago-area establishments offering freebies and discounts to celebrate the beloved treat. This guide explores where to find the best National Donut Day deals across the city and suburbs.

History of National Donut Day

National Donut Day has deep roots in Chicago's history. The tradition began in 1938 when The Salvation Army established the holiday to honor the "Donut Lassies" - a volunteer corps of 250 women who traveled overseas during World War I to provide support to frontline troops. These women distributed clothing and supplies, and when faced with the logistical challenge of providing fresh baked goods to soldiers, they began frying doughnuts in soldiers' helmets. According to the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission and Doughboy Foundation, these "tasty treats boosted morale and won the hearts of many soldiers."

The concept of fried dough has even earlier origins. In the 19th century, Dutch immigrants brought "olykoeks," or oily cakes, to New Amsterdam (now Manhattan). These were essentially fried dough balls that eventually evolved into the ring-shaped treats with holes in the middle that we recognize today as donuts.

Major Chains Offering Freebies

Several national donut and coffee chains participate in National Donut Day celebrations with special offers for Chicago customers.

Krispy Kreme stands out as one of the most generous participants. The popular doughnut chain offers one free doughnut per customer at participating stores. The deal is available in-store only and while supplies last. Importantly, specialty and limited-time doughnuts are not included in this free offer. In addition to the free single donut, Krispy Kreme has been known to offer special deals like an Original Glazed dozen for just $2 with the purchase of any dozen.

Dunkin' also participates in the festivities by offering a free "classic" doughnut with the purchase of any beverage. This straightforward deal allows customers to enjoy a free treat while enjoying their favorite coffee or other beverage.

Tim Hortons provides a slightly more complex promotion: customers can get a free donut with any beverage purchase through June 8 (extending beyond National Donut Day). To redeem this offer, customers must activate it through the Tim Hortons app, and it can be used once per account every 30 minutes, allowing for multiple visits throughout the day.

Local Chicago Shops and Special Deals

Chicago's vibrant local donut scene offers numerous special promotions for National Donut Day, ranging from free treats to unique limited-time offerings.

Beavers Coffee + Donuts has become known for its elaborate National Donut Day celebrations. The French Market location and all three food trucks offer free mini sugar-dusted donuts and mini donut milkshakes all day long. Additionally, in some years, Beavers has partnered with movie releases (such as "Dope") to offer themed freebies to the first 100 customers at their truck, along with DoorDash delivery discounts.

Doughnut Vault, known for its small batches and unique flavors, often debuts special treats for National Donut Day. In one year, they featured a special Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned with an updated recipe, available only on the holiday while supplies lasted.

West Town Bakery offers a simple but appealing deal: a free chocolate glazed doughnut with any large hot drink purchase. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to pair their free treat with a quality beverage.

Glazed and Infused takes a creative approach to National Donut Day promotions. They've offered free "sprinkle shots" - essentially little cups of sprinkles - to customers, and have brought back popular limited-time flavors like the Crème Brûlée doughnut for the occasion, priced at $3.

Huck Finn provides a unique promotion: a free doughnut with every to-go drink order. It's worth noting that this doesn't include their famed giant doughnuts, but still offers a nice complimentary treat for customers on the go.

Kanela, known for its brunch offerings, has surprised customers in the past with special coffee and donut-inspired pancakes available only on National Donut Day, providing a unique breakfast or brunch option for the holiday.

Regional Options in Illinois

Beyond Chicago proper, numerous establishments throughout Illinois offer National Donut Day deals.

Duck Donuts, with locations in the Chicago area, participates by offering a free Cinnamon Sugar Donut to all customers in-shop only on the holiday.

Dat Donut, located at 8251 S Cottage Grove Ave, provides a $1 discount on a dozen glazed donuts, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to stock up.

Shipley Do-Nuts treats customers to a free glazed Do-Nut with any purchase on National Donut Day. The chain also often extends the celebration by offering chances to get free donuts on other Fridays throughout June.

Voodoo Doughnut, with its creative and unconventional flavors, offers a unique deal: customers who purchase a $10 Pink Raised Glazed dozen can get a free donut of choice. This allows customers to try one of their signature creative options like Banana Cream Pie, Mango Tango, Cherry Cola, or Churro Cheesecake.

Stan's Donuts & Coffee locations typically offer free glazed cake donuts with any purchase on National Donut Day. In some years, they've also run special promotions like a free Chocolate Dipped Donut with purchase of at least $2.30 on June 6 (after National Donut Day), with the added excitement that guests who receive a pink donut win free donuts for a year.

Special Promotions and Limited-Time Offers

Several establishments offer unique promotions that extend beyond simple free donuts or discounts.

DMK Burger Bar partners with Firecakes donuts to offer decadent milkshakes topped with donuts all weekend long around National Donut Day. They've featured new combos for each day, including raspberry-blood orange donut with peanut butter shake (Friday), apple fritter with apple cider glaze on top of a salted caramel shake (Saturday), and strawberry rhubarb glazed donut and creme fraiche shake (Sunday).

Some promotions have specific time constraints or limitations. For example, Krispy Kreme's free donut offer is subject to availability and doesn't include specialty or limited-time varieties. Tim Hortons requires app activation and limits usage to once per account every 30 minutes. Beavers' special themed promotions have been limited to the first 100 customers at their truck locations.

How to Maximize Your National Donut Day Experience

To make the most of National Donut Day, consider the following tips:

• Plan your route: Many offers are only available on the actual holiday (first Friday in June), so prioritize those if you can only participate on that day.

• Check location specifics: Some offers are only valid at certain locations, so verify participation at your preferred shop before heading out.

• Consider timing: Popular spots may run out of freebies, especially for limited-quantity offers like Beavers' themed donuts.

• Combine offers: Some promotions, like Krispy Kreme's free donut plus discounted dozen, can provide maximum value if you're planning to share or enjoy multiple treats.

• Check expiration dates: Some offers, like Tim Hortons', are valid for several days after National Donut Day, providing flexibility if you can't make it on the actual day.

• Follow social media: Local shops often announce last-minute deals or changes on their social media channels.

• Bring a friend: Some offers require a purchase, so splitting costs can make multiple free treats more affordable.

Conclusion

National Donut Day offers a delicious opportunity to explore Chicago's vibrant donut scene while enjoying free treats and special deals. From major chains like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' to local favorites like Beavers Coffee + Donuts and Doughnut Vault, Chicago has no shortage of options for celebrating this sweet holiday. Whether you're looking for a simple free glazed donut or want to try unique creations like donut-topped milkshakes or themed treats, there's something for every donut enthusiast.

The rich history of National Donut Day, rooted in Chicago's tribute to the "Donut Lassies" who supported troops during World War I, adds a meaningful dimension to the festivities. As you enjoy your free donuts and special deals, you're participating in a tradition that honors both the sweet treat and the spirit of community support it represents.

With careful planning and awareness of the various offers, Chicagoans and visitors alike can maximize their National Donut Day experience and create sweet memories while exploring the city's diverse donut landscape.

Sources

1. NBC Chicago - National Doughnut Day Deals and Freebies
2. Time Out Chicago - 9 Donut Day Freebies and Specials in Chicago
3. Woman's World - National Donut Day Deals
4. Chicago on the Cheap - Free Donut for National Donut Day
5. Patch - These Places in IL Offer Freebies and Deals on National Donut Day
6. DNAinfo - National Doughnut Day Freebies Where to Get Free Breakfast in Chicago