A Doughnut Shop With Fried Chicken Sandwiches Is Heading to Jefferson Chalmers

A cafe slinging doughnuts and fried chicken sandwiches is heading to Detroit’s east side next year. Green Dot Stables owners Jacques and Christine Driscoll are working with managing partner Niko Dimitrijevic to bring Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts to a former Krispy Krunchy Chicken restaurant in Jefferson-Chalmers, Metro Times reports.

Dimitrijevic tells Eater he got interested in coffee while living in the Seattle area where he worked as a glassblower. He began roasting beans while living in Ohio where he got his masters degree in education. Meanwhile, the Driscoll’s purchased a 1,200-square-foot building at 14447 E Jefferson. When he returned to the Detroit area, Dimitrijevic decided to partner with longtime friend Jacques Driscoll on a coffee roastery. With the fryers leftover from Krispy Krunchy Chicken, the owners decided to add doughnuts and chicken sandwiches to the mix — a format that’s reminiscent Philadelphia’s Federal Donuts.

Dimitrijevic, who lives in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, says Yellow Light will be simple and focused on carryout with no more than seven seats inside. The shop will start off serving a house blend drip coffee. Dimitrijevic says Yellow Light will also offer between three and five styles of yeasted doughnuts alongside “hot and fresh” cider mill-style cake doughnuts.

Don’t expect any funky toppings. “I’m not a fan of the Fruit Loops on donuts trend,” he says. The chicken sandwiches, meanwhile, will be served on an unglazed doughnut bun. Dimitrijevic is aiming to keep the menu affordable in the spirit of Green Dot Stables. Prices are expected to range between $1.50 and $5.

As part of the interior design, Dimitrijevic created glass pendant lights to look like 1950s antique doughnut hoppers. The renovated restaurant is expected to open around January 1, 2020.

Yellow Light will join other existing and forthcoming businesses in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood including Norma G’s, Alma Kitchen, Marshall’s Bar, and Coriander Kitchen & Farm.

• A New coffee shop from Green Dot Stables’ Co-Owners Is Coming to Detroit’s East Side [Metro Times]
• Coffee, Donuts — and Fried Chicken [Crain’s]
• All Coming Attractions Coverage [ED]
• All Jefferson Chalmers Coverage [ED]