What should I order at Federal Donuts?

Hot fresh donuts (cinnamon sugar is the classic) and a piece of za'atar fried chicken. Trust the process.

How much does Federal Donuts cost?

Donuts are $3-4 each. Fried chicken pieces are $4-6. Chicken sandwich is $10-12. A family of 4 can eat well for $25-40.

Do the donuts sell out?

The 'fancy' donuts (cake donuts with toppings) sell out daily, usually by early afternoon. Hot fresh donuts are made to order and available all day.

Which Federal Donuts location is best?

The Sansom Street location is most central. All locations serve the same menu. Pick whichever is closest to your other activities.

Federal Donuts

Name: Federal Donuts
Address: 1632 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, US
Telephone: (267) 687-8258
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(4,500)

Family of 4

$25-$40 (donuts $3-4 each, fried chicken sandwich $10-12)

Duration

20-30 minutes

Best Ages

All ages

About

Federal Donuts is the quintessential Philadelphia food institution that visitors often discover by accident and immediately start evangelizing. The concept is simple: donuts and fried chicken, both done exceptionally well, served from a small counter-service shop. The simplicity is the point.

The donuts come in two categories. 'Hot fresh' donuts are yeast donuts made to order and tossed in your choice of coating — cinnamon sugar, vanilla spice, cookies and cream, or rotating specials. They arrive warm and are gone in 30 seconds.

'Fancy' donuts are cake donuts with elaborate toppings — strawberry lavender, chocolate eclair, churro — that are made in limited quantities and sell out daily.

The fried chicken is double-fried for extraordinary crispiness. You choose a seasoning — za'atar (Middle Eastern spice blend), coconut curry, buttermilk ranch, or the daily special — and the chicken arrives in a paper bag, juicy and crunchy. A fried chicken sandwich on a potato roll is the best lunch value in Center City.

For families, Federal Donuts is the no-fail quick stop. Kids are universally happy with warm donuts. Parents are happy with the fried chicken. The prices are reasonable ($3-4 per donut, $10-12 for a chicken sandwich). And the multiple locations around the city — Center City, South Philly, University City — mean it fits into almost any itinerary.

The shops are small with limited seating. Plan on takeout and eat at a nearby park (Rittenhouse Square is 2 blocks from the Sansom Street location) or on a bench. The vibe is fast and casual — order, pay, eat, done.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Mornings for the freshest donuts; lunch for fried chicken

Wait Times

5-15 minutes; longer on weekend mornings

Nearby Food

["Federal Donuts IS the food stop — get donuts AND chicken","Rittenhouse Square (2 blocks) for a park bench to eat on","Di Bruno Bros. on Chestnut Street (3 blocks, excellent prepared foods and cheese counter)"]

Why Kids Love It

Federal Donuts is the Philly restaurant that somehow perfected two completely unrelated things: donuts and fried chicken. The donuts come in two styles — 'fancy' (cake donuts with toppings like strawberry lavender or cookies and cream) and 'hot fresh' (yeast donuts tossed in cinnamon sugar or other coatings, made to order). The hot fresh donuts, served warm, are transcendent.

The fried chicken is double-fried — crispy on the outside, juicy inside — and comes with a choice of seasoning (za'atar, coconut curry, buttermilk ranch, and rotating specials). It's legitimately some of the best fried chicken in Philadelphia. The combination of donuts and fried chicken shouldn't work and yet it absolutely does.

For families, Federal Donuts is the perfect quick stop between activities. It's fast, it's affordable ($3-4 per donut, $10-12 for a chicken sandwich), and kids who are hard to please at restaurants are never hard to please when handed a warm cinnamon sugar donut. Multiple locations around the city mean you're never far from one.

Pro Tips from Parents

Order hot fresh donuts (made to order, served warm) over fancy donuts for the best experience — the cinnamon sugar is perfect
The fried chicken is as good as the donuts — don't skip it, especially the za'atar seasoning
Fancy donuts sell out by early afternoon — go before noon for the full selection
The Sansom Street location is small with limited seating — plan on takeout or eating at a nearby park bench
They have multiple locations — check which is closest to your other activities

What to Bring

Wet wipes (fried chicken + donuts + kids = mess)
Cash or card (both accepted)

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$25-$40 (donuts $3-4 each, fried chicken sandwich $10-12)

Tips to Save

["Donuts are $3-4 each — share 4-5 different flavors among the family for variety","The fancy donuts sell out — go in the morning for full selection","Skip the drinks and bring your own coffee/water","Multiple locations around the city — the Sansom Street location is the most central"]