Editor’s note: Originally published March 22, 2018. Republished April 23, 2020.

“Whether you take the doughnut hole as a blank space or as an entity unto itself is a purely metaphysical question and does not affect the taste of the doughnut one bit.” 
― Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase

Karl's Bakery & Cafe in downtown Everett has been using some of the same recipes for 74 years. Holy smokes— the bakery dates back to WW2! They must be doing something right.

But I already knew that because they recently killed it by making my daughter's chocolate birthday cake in under an hour. While I was waiting for them to wrap up they brought me a complimentary cup of coffee. That's what I call service.

Also: what a cool place. Dig those wood-panneled walls and red vinyl booths. Besides being a bakery, Karl's is a classic place to grab a BLT and a cuppa Joe.

Sheila and Kayla Jensen, a mother-daughter duo, are the fifth owners of the bakery. They've run Karl's for a year and a half. Things have really taken off for them since Funko opened up next door. Tourists come for the Funko Pops, then head over to the bakery for a classic pink champagne sprinkle donut (Sheila laughingly calls them "Homer Simpson donuts").

The Jensens are pretty serious about keeping the Karl's tradition alive. They took a two week training course on how to make the original recipes.  While I was visiting they brought out a scrapbook that had photos of the original Karl and even his birth certificate.

The 3,500 square foot bakery offers a limited lunch menu (think Cobb salad, egg salad sandwich, soups) and an espresso bar.

Karl's, an all-time Everett classic, isn't going anywhere, just adapting to the new downtown scene.

Go there for an al fresco brunch and don't forget that where you're sitting is a hallowed ground: billions of donuts have been killed at 2814 Wetmore over the decades.

Here's to many more. 🍩🍩🍩

KARL'S BAKERY & CAFE
2814 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201
(425) 252-1774

Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett.