Last Updated on December 21, 2025 by Brian Kachejian
Feature Photo by Brian Kachejian
One of the main reasons I started RockinFoodie.com was not just to write about places people are already aware of, compare foods, or describe dining experiences, but, more importantly, to shine a light on spots many people may never have heard of. It is often the family-owned places in our communities that deliver the most memorable food experiences, the kinds of places that do not rely on massive marketing budgets, but instead build their reputations one customer at a time. Those are the places I am always looking for, because that is where the real stories usually live.
We all love desserts, which is one of the reasons bakeries remain so popular. Yet one of the most common desserts, the kind you can find in supermarkets, 7-Eleven stores, and gas stations just about anywhere, is the basic donut. There was a time when Dunkin’ Donuts was one of the most exciting places you could walk into, a time when the donuts were actually made inside the store, and the smell alone was enough to pull you through the door. That time is long gone. Walk into a Dunkin’ Donuts today, and you are eating donuts that were made in a factory somewhere, often six to twelve hours earlier, shipped in, and reheated or displayed without any sense of immediacy or craft.
This is not meant as a hit job on Dunkin’ Donuts, and it is not coming from a place of nostalgia for the sake of complaining. It is simply the truth. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a truly fresh donut there, certainly not within the past dozen years. It has become a hit-or-miss experience, mostly a miss, which is disappointing when you consider how important freshness is to something as simple as a donut.
If you love fresh donuts, I mean donuts made right in front of you, donuts that are warm when they are placed in your hands and eaten within minutes of coming out of the fryer, there is one place that is still doing it the right way. It is called Duck Donuts, and what sets it apart is not just the novelty of watching your donut being made, but the fact that freshness is built into the entire experience. Here is why this place deserves your attention.
The origins of Duck Donuts in Hauppauge trace back to a family vacation in North Carolina in the mid-2010s. During that trip, owner Veronica Bencivenga and her family stumbled upon a Duck Donuts location, and it immediately caught her attention. What began as a simple vacation stop quickly planted a much bigger idea in her mind, the realization that this was something she and her husband could truly sink their teeth into as a potential future business venture. At the time, however, that idea had to be put on hold because Duck Donuts was not yet offering franchise opportunities.
After several more road trips south, Veronica continued to revisit Duck Donuts locations, watching the brand grow and paying close attention to how the concept worked. Eventually, she learned that Duck Donuts had begun franchising, opening the door for people who believed in the model and were willing to take the leap. Making that decision is never easy, especially when someone has a good job, a safe and secure position they have worked hard to earn over many years. Walking away from that kind of stability is not something most people take lightly.
That moment, however, speaks to the heart of what the American dream has always represented. The idea of owning your own business, answering to no one but yourself, making your own decisions, and hiring your own people is a powerful motivator. It is about freedom, responsibility, and belief in your own work ethic. In the end, life becomes what you choose to make of it. No matter the situation, opportunity exists for those willing to work hard, take a chance, and bet on themselves, and that belief is what ultimately led Duck Donuts to Hauppauge.
Most of my restaurant and food establishment reviews are focused almost entirely on the food itself. Every once in a while, though, you walk into a place where the owner is present, genuinely friendly, and clearly invested in every interaction, and that changes the entire experience. That is what happened here. From the moment I walked in, I saw the owner engaged in conversation with another customer in a warm and natural way. It immediately opened the door for me to ask a few questions about the business, and she was more than willing to share her story once she realized I was interested.
What stood out just as much, however, was her clear intention to make sure I was treated first and foremost as a customer. Even while sharing her background and answering questions, her focus never drifted from making sure I was taken care of and that I had the chance to experience what her business actually offers. That balance, being open and personable while still prioritizing the customer experience, is something you do not see everywhere, and it is often what separates a simple food stop from something more memorable.
The store itself was immaculate, and that kind of cleanliness is always a good sign. Everything sparkled, from the counters to the displays, and it was obvious that attention to detail carried through every part of the operation. That same care extended to the menu, where the real challenge became deciding what to order. Because the donuts are made on the spot, the options feel almost endless. The shop displays clear photos and detailed descriptions of each donut, along with models that show exactly what you are getting.
They also offer themed combinations, especially around holidays, with donuts decorated to match the season through both flavors and colors. It adds another layer to the experience, turning what could be a simple donut run into something more thoughtful and fun. By the time it came to ordering, it was clear that this place was not just about serving donuts, but about creating an experience that feels welcoming, intentional, and personal.
I asked Veronica which donut was the most popular, and without hesitation, she pointed to the maple bacon donut. It is topped with maple icing and finished with pieces of bacon, and of course there was no way I was leaving without ordering one. When she handed it to me, it was still warm, and I could feel the heat through the paper. The first bite was something else entirely. The dough was soft and pillowy, almost melting on my tongue, while the maple icing brought this rich, buttery sweetness that hit immediately. Then came the bacon, crispy little pieces that added a salty, smoky crunch against all that sweetness.
Photo by Brian Kachejian
It is the kind of combination that sounds simple on paper but delivers in a way that catches you off guard. Sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, warm and fresh. Every bite made me want to slow down and appreciate what I was eating, but at the same time I could not stop. By the time I finished, I understood exactly why this is their most popular donut. As you will see in the video at the end of the article, it completely rocked my world.
I was not about to stop at donuts alone, so I asked about the coffee menu. We live in a Starbucks-driven world where coffee drinks are held to extremely high standards, and it takes a lot to stand out. What Veronica has created at her Duck Donuts location gives even the biggest franchises real competition. I ordered a cold s’mores mocha latte, topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Veronica was smiling the entire time she made it, and I could tell she knew exactly what she was about to hand me.
The moment I took that first sip, I understood why. It was cold, creamy, and rich, with layers of chocolate and a hint of that unmistakable campfire sweetness that makes s’mores so nostalgic. The whipped cream and chocolate syrup melted into the drink as I went, and those crunchy sprinkles added little bursts of texture with every sip. It was not just a coffee, it was an experience. I do not think I have ever finished a cold latte as quickly as I did that one. Before I knew it, I was staring at an empty cup and already thinking about when I could come back for another. This is a drink I will absolutely be ordering again.
Photo by Brian Kachejian
What truly makes Duck Donuts in Hauppauge special, however, goes beyond the food itself. The donuts are made right there on the spot, placed into the box while they are still warm, and they stay fresh far longer than you would expect. But what really left an impression on me were the values Veronica brings into her business. She is not only a business owner; she is a mother and a genuine pillar of the community. She hires younger people and teaches them the value of hard work, responsibility, and simply being good people.
As someone who has worked as a teacher for many years, that means a great deal to me. We live in a world where too many adults fail to serve as role models, even though it is our responsibility to do exactly that. When you encounter someone like Veronica, who leads by example through her business, gives back to the community, and shows the importance of kindness, work ethic, and pride in what you do, it matters. She is building more than a successful donut shop. She is creating an environment that offers real value, strong examples, and a memorable experience for everyone who walks through the door.
If you have not tried Duck Donuts in Hauppauge, I strongly recommend making the trip. This is not just another donut shop. It is a place where the food is made fresh right in front of you, where the owner genuinely cares about every customer who walks through the door, and where the values behind the business are just as impressive as the food itself. In a world full of chain stores and factory-made products, places like this remind us why local, family-driven businesses still matter. Whether you come for the warm donuts, the incredible coffee, or simply to support someone who is doing things the right way, you will leave knowing you found something special. For anyone who truly loves food, this place will knock your rock and roll socks off.
Photo by Brian Kachejian 2025
For more info
586 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Store – 631-656-8400
