Vegan doughnut holes and coffee served in retro cardboard cars — what’s not to love?
By: Charlene Hatcher
The interior of Superballs Café, showcasing its doughnut selection at its 252 Queen St. W. location on Mar. 18, 2023. (Charlene Hatcher/CanCulture)
If you’re looking for something to do on the weekend, take the 501 Queen streetcar to one of Toronto’s newest cafés.
Located at 252 Queen St. W., Superballs Cafe opened on Feb. 28 and business has been bustling ever since.
“The first week was kinda slow because no one knew that we existed,” Kirsty Fan, the founder of Superballs, tells CanCulture in an interview. She said customers thought the business was competing with its neighbour, Members Only — a waffle house known for its phallic edible creations. But after finding out both places are under the same management, a steady stream of people have been visiting the locations.
“I think now people are just walking up on this rainbow path and trying to decide, ‘Do I want Superballs or waffles?’” Fan says.
Doughnut holes are made using this machine, which cuts the dough into pieces of roughly the same size before frying them in oil. (Charlene Hatcher/CanCulture)
Inspired by Greek doughnuts, Loukoumades, Fan says she wanted to create something “everyone can enjoy,” noting her allergy to honey, something the dessert is typically filled with. Her solution is a dairy, egg and honey-free version of the Greek delicacy.
On top of her spin-off on the traditional dessert, Superballs serves every order up in quite possibly the cutest take-out tray ever, channeling ‘50s and ‘60s vibes throughout the café to give you the best dining experience possible, even while on the go.
Doughnuts in the front, coffee in the back, and you’re ready to roll with these eco-friendly, reusable takeout containers.
“Both stores, we don’t use any plastic,” Fan says. “Everything except the coffee lids is made out of recycled paper.” She adds that the containers can be reused to hold plants.
Fan says that although she knew what she wanted the theme of her newest café to be, finding a recipe everyone could agree on was time-consuming and oftentimes draining. She said that her employees baked for 12 hours every day for two months to perfect the Superball.
So, did their efforts pay off? CanCulture dropped by to find out!
Upon heading inside the café, patrons are welcomed by the aroma of cinnamon sugar and frying dough, intertwined with a bustling atmosphere of bubbly staff and energetic music.
Quaint on the outside, party on the inside is the best way to describe the atmosphere of Superballs.
Superballs on the exterior. What appears to be a meek, quiet location is found to be quite the opposite after heading inside. (Charlene Hatcher/CanCulture)
After ordering a coffee with some caramel syrup and an eight-piece serving of cinnamon-sugar Superballs, it’s worth noting these are the only vegan ones, CanCulture put these lil’ goodies to the test.
In the interest of transparency, Superballs did not charge CanCulture for the order, but an order of eight Superballs and a coffee would cost patrons $8.75.
After taking the first bite, the doughnuts were soft and sweet, quickly deflating in an airy, fluffy combination with a slight chewiness. Along with a sip of coffee, it’s the perfect afternoon snack to conclude a long day.
Aside from a happy dining experience, both Superballs and Members Only have no shortage of happy staff either.
Tutku Unlu has been working with Fan since the beginning, remaining by her side from the opening of Members Only to the opening of its new neighbour. Originally from Turkey, and at one point Fan’s neighbour, Unlu says working with Fan has made her journey through life in Canada “miraculous.”
“She is just loving,” Unlu says of her boss. “I can be myself, I feel safe here…everyone is showing their talent, their hospitality,” she added while saying she would like to thank Fan for being so welcoming.
A close-up of the retro cars where food is served at Superballs. (Charlene Hatcher/CanCulture)
The show of appreciation from both customers and employees is what makes the struggle of being a small business owner, especially during the pandemic, worth it in the end, Fan says. For Fan, Superballs is more than a job: it’s an opportunity to grow as a person, give back to the community and show that having a little fun doesn’t need to break the bank.
To anyone thinking of opening a business or pursuing any other dream they have, Fan has one piece of advice: “If you feel genuinely good about it, do it. If you fail, you can always start over again.”