Pinkbox Doughnuts (West Tropicana Avenue) [3,] Las Vegas NV

Open amidst Covid-19 precautions, and donating to doctors and nurses across The Valley during difficult times, it is with warm greetings from friendly staff that guests are greeted on entry, recently raised prices sweetened through cheaper-by-the-dozen discounts that apply regardless of whether one chooses OG Classics, Good Fellas, Show Offs or Fancy Pancy.

Occupying 9435 West Tropicana Avenue inside Crossroads Plaza Shopping Center, and now officially open 24-hours with fresh bakes replenishing supply as necessary, it was with items carefully boxed by staff wearing PPE that twenty varieties were transported three miles to work, a clever naming scheme re-branding many of Roberto Armanino’s classics while new ideas are added at least monthly.

Often beginning with a Fritter, this day no different and the resulting bite packed with Cinnamon plus Fruit, it was after others selected “Chocolate Diva” and “Suga Suga Twist” that Vegas Cream continued the gluttony, its Custard center a mellow foil to notes of Yeast and thick Chocolate Frosting.

Lucky to split March’s Doughnut of Month with another, “The Breath Mint” riffing on a Girl Scout “Thin Mint” but not so slender, it was after cleansing the palate with Coffee that Lil Blue fared well, the Blueberries plentiful but not nearly so much as crumbled Bacon atop PinkBox’s “Porky Face DoughCro.”

Seeing others enjoy “The Big Samoan,” “Crumb Bum,” and “Chocolate Rainbow Ring” it was out of personal interest that two Vegan rings were added, each $3 choice indistinguishable from Doughnuts made with Milk or Eggs and “Silly Rabbit” particularly impressive from its bold aromatics to the balanced sweetness of Raisins and dairy-free Topping.

Knowing full-well which purist would scoop up “Suga Daddy,” their second choice filled with Housemade Raspberry Jam Filling also gathered, it was later in the day that five Doughnuts remained, a reference-standard Buttermilk Bar admittedly stowed away intentionally while July’s “Doughnut of the Month” got no love from others despite its subtle sweetness and texture amplified by Glaze beneath Crumbles.

Forgetting to order “The Goodman,” but sating an Old Fashion craving by a cogwheel topped in Maple, two rich choices ended the afternoon shared, first “It’s Ya Birthday” with all its Frosting and then Pooh, with a mountain of Chocolate Buttercream held in place by Ganache-like Icing.

FIVE STARS: A fan of the staff and fried Dough at ACE it was a little sad when the store closed, but leave it to Las Vegas’ best Doughnut shop to step in and fill the void with old favorites and fun new ideas at prices less than a third of what some places up the road are trying to convince guests is appropriate.

RECOMMENDED: Apple Fritter, Purple Rain, Silly Rabbit, The Big Samoan, Raspberry Squeeze, Maple Ol’ Fashioned, Buttermilk Bar.