Dad’s Donuts has hit the sweet spot for doughnut fans. With the growing base of customers demanding more of Dad’s 109-layer cronuts, owner Mitch Yellen is making big plans in response to those requests.

“We will be opening our third location of Dad’s the first week of September in front of the Scheels store (1254 InterQuest Parkway),” Yellen said. “And we have signed a lease agreement for a space in Denver on West 32nd Avenue inside a bookstore where we will have a Dad’s Donut and Red Leaf Coffee.”

Pikes Pick: Colorado Springs' new king of pizza? The deep dish rocks

Additionally, Yellen is also pursuing franchise opportunities for Dad’s Donuts. And recently he has introduced a new shape for the tasty treat. Instead of the traditional round-shape doughnut, the doughnuts will be produced in a square shape.

“We’ve moved to a square shape,” Yellen said with a grin, “because Dad’s doesn’t cut corners.”

The new shape is good looking and is easier to eat. Plus, with the growing number of mail orders the company gets for the doughnuts, the square configuration is easier for packing to ship.

The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor reopens with reimagined elegance | Table Talk

A couple of the masterminds behind the square- shape doughnuts are Mary Oreskovich, general manager, and Trista Heilman, bakery manager.

“We had been discussing the idea of changing the shape of the doughnuts and finally decided it made sense,” Oreskovich said.

“The square shape is easier to cook and we have less leftover dough,” Heilman said.

Plus, you can eat the doughnuts guilt-free knowing they are made with no preservatives, additives, dyes or hydrogenated oils.

“Everything must meet those requirements,” Oreskovich said. “Even the frostings and sprinkles.”

“And we only use pure European-style butter,” Heilman added.

Yellen is the owner of Altitude Hospitality Group, which in addition to Dad’s Donuts has six other active restaurant concepts: Till Neighborhood Bistro, Vine & Wheel, Garden of the Gods Market & Café, Trainwreck, The Pinery on the Hill and the afore-mentioned Red Leaf Coffee.

Currently active Dad’s Donuts locations are at 29 E. Moreno Ave. and 9633 Prominent Point. Hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sundays. Visit dadsdonuts.com.

Popular Mexican eatery in Colorado Springs opens third location | Table talk

Experiencing Indian traditions

Monika Celly, owner of Polka Dots and Curry culinary classes, brought the delicious and dazzling Indian Food Festival to Lewis Palmer High School in Monument on the afternoon of Aug. 2. The parking lot was filled with food trucks feeding crowds of guests who not only enjoyed all the good eats, but also live music, the stunning Saree Walk, cultural dancing, henna artists, a curry contest, Indian clothing and jewelry boutiques.

I joined fellow judges Dev Mehta, executive chef at Urban Tandoor Indian Restaurant and Mausam Indian Flavors, and Monika’s son, Arindam. There were five spicy, fragrant curries for us to sample and it was a very close score for each dish, hoping to win bragging rights.

The winners were:

• Shikha Gupta, Most Traditional Curry, for her Shaam Savera Kofta Curry.

• Bindu Jackwin, Most Creative Curry, for her Kerala Chicken Curry Stew.

• King Browne, People’s Choice, with his Butternut Squash Curry.

Hot chicken chain to open second Colorado Springs location this month

Falling for fall flavors

Phantom Canyon Brewing Co., 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., is celebrating the season with executive chef Manny Coss and head brewer Brian Koch’s new fall food and beer features and special events including:

• Taco Tuesdays: Every Tuesday enjoy three tacos for $12 or a taco bowl for $16, with the option to add a crisp Dos Lunas Mexican Lager for only $1.

• Brushes & Brews: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 3, sip craft beer while creating a canvas masterpiece. For $39 to $49 enjoy a guided art class with a two-item minimum purchase for each event.

• Phantom’s Prime Rib Fridays: Starting Sept. 5 there will be slow-roasted prime rib for $38 per person with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, au jus and horseradish cream. Available every Friday while it lasts.

The hours are 11 a.m-10 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-midnight Thursdays through Saturdays. Details: 719-635-2800, facebook.com/phantomcanyon.