| Sugar shacks dotting Rhode Island's landscape by the | | | | small store front with an addition for the |
| dozens are primarily large chain franchises. Dunkin | | | | kitchen-earned annual revenue of $1 to $2.5 million. |
| Donuts, the undisputed doughnut dynasty boasts at | | | | One of Allie's customers, I can attest to its popularity |
| least 124 stores inside Rhody's borders on downtown | | | | as the state's premier doughnut shop off the primary |
| streets, strip malls, interstate exits, supermarkets, | | | | primrose path. I've waited in one of the long lines |
| and gas stations. The arrival of the state's first Krispy | | | | extending to two separate counters in the small |
| Kreme Doughnuts in Cranston, 2003, might have | | | | waiting area to place an order before heading to the |
| raised cane, but the franchise soon took a powder in | | | | beach-all the better to get a panoramic view of the |
| deference to Dunkin, the duke of doughnuts. Bess | | | | sinkers. What variety! Sugar-dusted, honey-dipped, |
| Eaton Donuts, Sip & Dip Donuts (Tiverton and | | | | glazed, coconut sprinkled, and frosted; plain with |
| Warren), and Tim Hortons conclude the major | | | | assorted icings and jimmies; crullers, jelly sticks, |
| players of confection. | | | | cinnamon sticks all behemoth sized. |
| Of all the sugar shacks in Rhode Island, why would | | | | As there is no available seating inside Allie's, and the |
| you walk into Allie's Donuts? Located at 3661 Quaker | | | | few outdoor picnic tables cannot possibly |
| Lane, North Kingstown, on the old Rte. 1 parallel to | | | | accommodate all of the doughnut cruisers who |
| Interstate 95, Allie's might have easily been forgotten | | | | patronize this establishment, it's bagged or boxed |
| and joined the ranks of boarded up American icons. | | | | Rhode fill to go. Of course, there's always the dining |
| However, year round word-of-mouth sweet talk and | | | | car at rest or in motion to munch a bunch before |
| beachgoers diving for doughnuts before hitting the | | | | you arrive at your destination. Of all the sugar shacks |
| grainy sand have made Allie's the | | | | in doughnut dominated Rhode Island, walk into Allie's |
| doughnuts-to-dive-for. Established in 1968, current | | | | Donuts for a sticky situation you won't regret. |
| estimates indicate this low key ramshackle building-a | | | | |