Helen's Donuts & Ice Cream

I had heard Helen's had the best donuts in Tacoma. Donuts and ice cream are my jam. I am always on the hunt for a good donut. We tried this place yesterday, and I was super disappointed. The cabinets were full at 11 am, which was impressive--I ordered a half dozen to try different ones. I bit into the first donut, and it felt doughy. I tried another donut, thinking maybe it was just this one, nope. We ended up throwing the donuts away.

Sooo good! Stopped by at 5:30pm and the donuts were still soft, fresh, and available in a full selection. Got a dozen + 2 for $18 and some free donut holes too. Donuts are light, fluffy, and soft. Used to go to Legendary Donuts in Federal Way and this place has them beat by a mile.

My new favorite local Donut shop, with several options to choose from people line up choosing what donuts to get, the service is fast and friendly, and the shop has everything you need to start your morning, Donuts, coffee and ice cream?! Haha nice ambiance and nice people, 5/5

Helen is very kind, and I feel like a valued customer whenever I come here. We usually get half a dozen donuts for $9. Love their blueberry ones!I appreciate when she throws in some donut holes too! Snack for the car ride home haha.

Not to be judged from the outside, Helen's Donuts and Ice Cream is a diamond in the rough. My wife and I stopped in late in the afternoon on a Friday, not expecting a big variety due to the time of day. However, there was plenty to choose from-in fact, more than I have seen in other donut shops first thing in the morning.The signs to "make it quick and short" at first made me think we would be rushed or unwelcome. But that, also couldn't be further from the truth. The nice man that helped us was gregarious and tried to get us to buy more than just a donut apiece. We learned that there are drinks (smoothies, juice) and ice cream that would have paired nicely with our treat. But we only had an appetite for a donut, so that's what we left with. Well, a donut and a few donut holes that he threw in the bags for each of us. There's nowhere to stay and eat (when they say make it quick and short, they mean it)! So we ate our donuts in the car. They were so SO good! I'm already wishing for another one.

Delicious donuts! Friendly person working. Tiny little shop but big enough on flavor to make it okay.

We love these donuts and the icecream is heavenly. Always a large selection of both and a friendly sales staff to boot. Always the same person so they may be the owner. They have lots of other goodies and drinks making for a one stop slice of happiness. We have to travel for this shop but try and visit at least once a month. The donuts here are fresh and have a good crumb as well as flavor. Worth a trip or if you're near be sure and drop in.Private lot shared with other businesses. No bathroom.

The best donuts ever. Not super sweet! Yummy, doughy, a little yeasty! Even better than Blue Star! They're so good they're on the Tacoma version of Monopoly, that you can purchase in store. Like most donut shops, tiny, but the clientele is always as friendly and accommodating as the owners. Love Love Love this place. Breakfast sandwiches, ice cream and drinks!

Great variety of ice creams, and donuts, will be going again good service nice people.

They were so nice! The donuts are AMAZING! My favorite is the maple bacon bar super great deals for some soft well made donuts!