Daylight Doughnuts Gets Tecumseh Up and Going

Daylight Doughnuts signPhoto byLarry Lambert

I've mentioned before that I'm a tough guy to motivate. I'm especially hard to motivate in the morning. Pep talks or motivational speeches don't do it for me. But a good doughnut or a Cajun pie might. That's where Daylight Doughnuts of Tecumseh, Oklahoma comes in. They make great pastries and other breakfasty stuff.

Daylight Doughnuts is somewhat iconic in the Tecumseh area

While it was established in 1954, it was nearly another victim of Covid. The longtime owner of the shop was considering shutting it down during Covid. Enter Josh and Katie Goodson. Both are lifelong residents of the Tecumseh/Shawnee area and hated to see the local landmark shutdown, so they bought the place.

Interestingly enough, neither Josh nor Katie had a background in the food industry. Josh is a contractor and Katie did architectural design. She has done a lot of work for defense contractors. From traveling around the country doing design work for defense contracts to owner a small-town doughnut shop is quite a transition, but the couple seems to have made seamlessly.

It really is an area favorite

I live within a mile of the shop, so it's convenient for me. Of course, one reason why I bought the house is it is one mile from the doughnut shop, but that's another story. The bigger point is I know a number of people who go out of their way to go to this particular doughnut shop. The obvious question is, "Why?"

All Daylight Doughnut shops are not quite the same

There are a number of Daylight Doughnut shops in Oklahoma, but the product isn't necessarily identical. While all Daylight Doughnut shops buy their ingredients from the same source, individual owners can tweak the recipe a little bit. For example, one of my favorite products on the menu, Cajun pies, can vary a bit from location to location.

The Cajun pies I love are like a pocket sandwich which is filled with ham, cheese and jalapeno peppers. They aren't a prefab operation. They are hand made by workers who start the process around midnight. Doughnuts are made by more workers who come in from 2-3 AM.

One thing that sets the Tecumseh location apart from other locations is the icing on the doughnuts. While some locations use icing that comes prepackaged, the Tecumseh location makes their own.

Other popular items on the menu include sausage rolls and ever popular biscuits and gravy,

And then there is the atmosphere

Daylight doughnuts in Tecumseh has a small dining area where you can eat your favorite items on site. In addition, the staff is friendly, which enhances the doughnut/Cajun pie experience.

If you get a chance, stop by Daylight Doughnuts, located at 421 E. Walnut in Tecumseh and treat yourself to a doughnut and a Cajun pie. Release those endorphins!