Today we were slowly making our way to Harrison, so planned a few stops to break up the otherwise 2 hour plus continuous drive.
Our first was The Hive Donut Hut in Aldergrove for brunch. A bright marigold exterior with a bee theme throughout. You can’t miss the rotating giant pink sprinkle donut on the roof spinning.
They are donuts first with a whole showcase of flavours. Each day there are different speciality ones, encouraging regulars to visit multiple times a week. Some unique flavours include bubble gum, ube, worms and dirt. This coupled with the traditional glaze, jelly filled, and chocolate varieties.
We would get a box of assorted, but unfortunately I was not able to try many of those. I was the plus one and left that with the principal invitee to take home. She did allow me to cut into a few, but honestly I felt awkward and far too forward in doing so. In hindsight I should have bought my own.
Hive also have several variations of apple fritters, given their own row in the showcase, so I did try those. I was especially interested in the lengthier twisted rope. Best fresh, as they are made and served each day. This had a lovely, doughy chew with a nice mix of cinnamon and sugar, nothing too sweet so you can enjoy it with your tea or coffee.
For something savoury, they offer brunch on weekdays. Burgers done breakfast style with eggs and even with doughnuts for buns.
To be honest, by the time I was able to try the burgers it was fully cold and it is hard to judge fairly when it is at room temperature and the meat patty is hard and no longer juicy. I was disappointed as it went down try and I ate for sustenance and not enjoyment.
The Good morning burger is a beef patty topped with both bacon and Canadian bacon, cheddar cheese, fried egg, Hollandaise sauce, honey chipotle, and chives. By the time I got to sink my teeth in, both the would-be runny yolk and Hollandaise had congealed, offering neither the moisture or enjoyable gooey texture I would have otherwise loved from a messy meal. I was disappointed, but cannot blame it on the kitchen. In truth, I was a plus one and my host needed to get her perfect shots and required all the items together to achieve that. However, as a food writer this did not serve me, nor is it to my benefit.
The Single smash burger was probably the worse one to have cold with its beef patty, bacon onion jam, cheddar cheese, garlic mayo, and pickles. I needed a sauce to dip things into, it was so dry when cold. Although did note the nice contrast between the sweet onion jam and the zesty garlic mayo.
The best burger cold was the one we turned into a donut burger, which you have the option of doing with any of their burgers. It is just one of the perks of combining a burger spot and donut shop together. The soft smooshed donut balanced out the cold and dry patty (by the time I was able to eat). This was their BBQ Bacon burger with all beef patty, bacon, barbecue sauce, bacon onion jam, cheddar, cheese, garlic, mayo, pickles, and crispy onions. The latter most also helped in giving back some texture.
The owners did note the time it took for the photo shoot and was concerned that we were eating it cold, and did come to check in. I did want to ask them to heat it, but my host was happy and raving how good everything was cold, and I wasn’t able to speak up. Sadly, to my own detriment.
This was especially for the Cajun fries that were still slightly crispy, but could have used a turn in the microwave for the gravy and cheese to melt and the Cajun dust over both to be better incorporate into the mix.
In short, I really can’t give them a fair shake. I liked the concept, thought the exterior of the shop whimsical, and do believe them to be a gem in town. However, without trying the food as intended, I cannot recommend them. My takeaway from this is to speak up and better advocate for myself. Also note that as artists engaging in a similar craft, but in our own way, we all have different styles and sometimes that doesn’t align.
Hive Donut Hut
27253 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P9
(604) 607-0817
hivedonuthut.ca
