New insights and foods are discovered when one moves to into a new area. I moved to the North West a few years ago. So we moved from Preston market to Footscray market. Maybe the standard of the fresh food isn’t as appealing as Victoria or Pharan market. But it has a rough soul that is characteristic of the area.
I was having afternoon coffee and cheese with a few friends and happen to tell them that I was writing a piece about Olympics donut. Ms J was a big fan as well and used to wag school, hop onto the train with friends to buy donuts from this couple. This van has been around since the 70’s. The business was inherited to the son after the death of the father. It has always been family owned and run.
Olumpic doughnuts
So what makes this little iconic doughnut van near Footscray train station so special? To be very honest, I am very biase. This business is owned by a lovely old couple. Day in and out, they churn out doughnut after doughnut. I always wonder how many kids have they brought up by selling these sweet morsels of heaven. I love the whole nostalgia as well as the donuts.
Interior of the van
These days, the wife only works on weekends and they have employed a helper during weekdays to help the husband. He is such a lovely old man. Always smiling while working on the donuts. He uses this dolphin jam apparatus to stuff sweet jam into the freshly baked crispy donut. Once that is done, he will roll each donut to coat it with sugar.
Stuffing jam
Old man in the van
As all doughnuts, it is best eaten fresh. You can still smell the fresh dough and hear the crunch of the exterior and the sugar while eating it. And as you bite into it, the sweet jam will be trying to escape and do a drip down the thumb! By the way, it starts from 70cts per donut and the prices drop as you buy more. 
Olympic doughnuts
But if you buy in bulk like me (because I am greedy!), just pop it into the microwave for 15-20 secs. Still good but it will lose the crunch of the sugar.
Ms J did mention that this van has a story to tell. I have choosen not to blog about it as I will prefer to find hard evidence before reporting about it. It has nothing to do with the integrity of the doughnuts or the couple. To me, this is the best donut in Melbourne. If you can, just hope onto the train to Footscray and give it a go. It may not be your cup of tea but take it as an experience and venture around the area.
Double YUM UP!
Oh wow, so he’s still there! I love said donut van/portable/shop.
You can’t know how many people I have told about the crazy jam-squirting dolphin! Thank you for photographic evidence!!!
I only wish they were open at night, because I was ‘forced’ to stop in at one of the Vietnamese bakeries in Footscray instead for jam donut goodness after a feast at Cafe Lalibela.
yes. he is still around and going strong. and if you want it enough, head down on the weekends. wifey is around
I walk past their van frequently and have heard a lot of good things about their donuts but never actually tried it since I am not that into donuts. You reckon it’s the best in Melbourne eh? Note to self: Stop by and get a few donuts from them sometime next week. You have just inspired me to try it.
I am biased because they are such a lovely old couple. Some people find it a little doughy and the sugar crystals too big. But I just love that they work together in that little van for such a long time. It is iconic. If you are in the area, why not try it? Remember to eat it fresh!
I too love the dolphin
One thing I don’t understand about Olympic is why they don’t open early mornings during the week. There are so many people walking in/out of Footscray Station during peak hour who I imagine would love an early morning sugar rush!*
* and if they don’t I would
Not sure why. I guess it is no longer about the money and more like a passion and routine?
Looks and sounds SO delicious~! Bald is from Sydney so we go back to see his family once in a while. We’ll try the donuts when we visit next time. Thanks for the tip.
No problems! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Aww how sweet and the people running a place always have an influence on how I find it. And nothihg beats a fresh donut anyway (or a microwaved one
)
hmmm… as homer simpson says it “hmnmm… donutssss”
nothing beats freshly made donuts, I wish they were in nyc!
YOu bet! But I am sure there are some in NYC? What are the best ones you ever had?
Boy do i miss this lil van of donuts!!! I used to eat them everyday on the way to school and after school!!! The good ol’ days!!!
Great to see that that man and his wife are still there!!! They were 30c each and so we bought stack loads of them…ive been craving them since being here in the sandpit!!! I want one now!!! Thanks for posting the pics!!! Now i can show my BF as ive been talking about them non-stop!!! We love our donuts!!! 
catch you in december!!! x
Ar Nice!! I’m glad that you have good memories of it and yes, december date! YAY!
I heard there are new development on Footscray station where this place may be bulldoze. My advice is, get your fair share of donuts now.
http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=1516&h=1
totally! read somewhere about that as well. Hopefully, the van moves to a new location? does anyone know anything about this?