Ok, I’m about to share a very controversial and uncomfortable truth with you.
I love Guy Fieri. We watch everything he puts out, including Hawaiian bread commercials!
But, I don’t like his TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
There, I’ve said it! We occasionally catch it and might add something to our list of places to visit around the country, but generally when we’ve gone somewhere from the show we’ve ended up disappointed in some way.
Well, I’m pleased to say that streak is over!
The Pie Dump
The Pie Dump was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and we happened to catch an episode with a place in Utah *just* before we headed there, so I added it to the list. They have a couple of particular treats that they’re famous for – their hot rolls and gravy and maple donuts. They’re family run and soon an employee will be taking over as owner and they have a lot of nostalgia (all over their walls) for high schoolers in the area since they’re down the street from the high school.
We planned to go for a hike in the area, so figured we’d fuel up at The Pie Dump with a hot roll and gravy before hitting the trails. Our plans ended up going so wrong… but so right.
When we walked in I couldn’t decide what to get and so I ordered the roll and gravy, the giant cinnamon roll AND a glazed donut to try. You have to have a glazed everywhere you go for donuts to truly compare one to another. This is my wise, donut-expert advice.
While we waited for our glutenous… I mean gluttonous… snacks, I looked around and there – staring me in the face – was a can’t-miss opportunity (much like trying 44 wines in an evening!).
The Diving Into Donuts Challenge
We didn’t end up go hiking at all because I decided to take on the Diving Into Donuts Challenge. You’ll soon see why our plans for the rest of the day were scuppered.
There was a rule book and the rules on the wall. The staff made some executive decisions and after a 30 minute wait for donut perfection to be prepared, it was time.
The Rules:
- A Pie Dump staff member keeps the time.
- You have to be ok with yourself on social media.
- Eat all 6 of the donuts provided as fast as you can.
- Try to beat the time on the wall. The fastest time listed was 5 minutes and 42 seconds. Had these been 6 ooey, gooey Krispy Kreme donuts that are light and fluffy, sure, I can see that being an easy time to beat. When you see the donuts that are provided, you’ll realize just how impressive that time truly is.
That’s basically it.
I honestly thought I could do it. I knew 5 minutes 42 seconds was a fast time, but I felt confident in my donut eating abilities. I’ve likely mentioned it before in one of our many donut posts, but for newbies – I’ve been training for this day since I was 13.
When my parents got divorced my mom worked a lot, so she initiated one morning a week where we’d walk across the street from our apartment to Dunkin’ Donuts and have “donut day.” This was dedicated mother-daughter time that could not be infringed upon by any man or work.
This tradition continues whenever we’re in the same area. So yes, when we lived in Portsmouth near my mom, she and I got together one day a week to eat donuts together. We even did virtual donut days for the first few years of the road trip, then COVID hit and we still talk once a week, but we don’t always go and get donuts. And yes, I’m almost 41 (so your math is correct – ~28 years of weekly donuts). And yes, we have mother-daughter tattoos and they include a small donut.
Not to mention aaaaaaalllll the road trip donuts we’ve eaten. So when I say I’m confident in my donut abilities… I come with the credentials to back it up.
Because of COVID, it’s been a minute since The Pie Dump had any new contestants for the Dive Into Donuts Challenge, so their team was ready for this. Once the perfectly decorated and presented donuts were ready, the entire team came out to watch. I was sure I could be a contender for that 5 min 42 sec spot. They were enthusiastic and kind.
The timer started. I was feeling good until I took my first bite. It was sooo delicious. And creamy. And full of squashy-donuty-goodness that I couldn’t believe I’d decided to rush this amazing experience. But I had, so I did. Things weren’t looking good when it took almost 3 minutes to finish just 1 donut! But I’m nothing if not determined.
After about 10 minutes and 3 donuts I really started to slow. They brought me water. A towel. And a barf bucket. I started asking questions to distract myself from the enormous pile of donuts and filling still to go as my dreams of any kind of time that might make it onto the wall slipped through my sticky sweet fingers.
I had a moment or two where I thought all was lost. Mostly the contents of my tummy. But no! I soldiered on. I was not to be defeated. I might not beat the clock, but these donuts would not beat me. I would finish this challenge with my dignity and my digested donuts intact!
And I did. It took just 21 minutes and 1 second but I ate ALL 6 DONUTS from The Pie Dump. They still let me put my name on the leaderboard which was a fun consolation prize and the 6 donuts were on the house.
We livestreamed the entire experience on Facebook. We tried to embed the video in this post, but for some reason Facebook isn’t allowing it, but you can watch the video here on our Facebook page.
The Aftermath
You *might* notice the giant wet stain on the front of my shirt in photos – that’s not what it looks like. I literally got chocolate smooshed all down the front of my shirt and had to wash it off.
I managed to keep down all the donuts. Even after we left. I’m fairly certain that my chemical make-up is now 15% donuts from The Pie Dump and honestly, I’m ok with it. They’ll stay in my memory, so why not on my thighs too! I didn’t really eat anything more for the next 24 hours other than some grilled chicken. But, I did eat our takeaway roll and gravy, glazed donut and my half of the cinnamon roll over the next few days.
If you find yourself anywhere near Salt Lake City, UT, take the hour detour up to Garland and visit The Pie Dump. You won’t be disappointed. The food and service is fantastic, so it’s really a can’t miss stop. Guy Fieri didn’t steer us wrong with this suggestion.
Now THAT’S a food challenge for me!! Congrats — I think?!!