Indies Only: Nothing Tastier Than Mik's Mini Donuts

Mik’s Tasty Bites makes their mini-donuts fresh before your eyes and has customers coming back for more.

Customers watch as owner Jack Mikolay prepares the donuts before them at local farmer’s markets. He calls it “Donut Theater.” He uses a small machine to make the donuts, which involves a donut lazy river through hot oil before they are individually flipped over. They are then placed in a bag and shaken with the topping of choice – usually cinnamon and sugar. Customers can also purchase dippin’ donuts with choices like chocolate and strawberry.

“Our donuts melt in your mouth," Mikolay said. "They are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside. Our donuts make people smile.”

Mik’s also offers a line of Dr. Smoothie Fruit Smoothies.

“It is a delicious and nutritious product and has been well-received. It’s made of 100 percent crushed fruit,” said Mikolay.

Donut lover Kim Cooper describes Mik’s mini-donuts as “happiness in your mouth.” Her favorite are the cinnamon and sugar mini-donuts but she says the smoothies are great and the frozen mocha is really tasty.

“I love . I feel like I’m on vacation when I’m down there,” said Cooper. “Mik’s always has a line and people like watching his fun donut making machine.

Mikolay’s niece, Robyn Green, accompanies him every Saturday at the Downer’s Grove market and helps at other events. His wife and two sons frequently help at Oswego’s market.

“When people arrive at the market, they usually smell the donuts before they see them,” said Green. “The response when they first taste the donut usually involves a wow,” said Green.

Mikolay was an appraiser and looking for something else when he was introduced to this type of donut.

“I did some research, thought it was an interesting opportunity and something I was comfortable doing because I love food and baking,” said Mikolay.

In 2009, the Oswego Country Market and were my first large events, said Mikolay.

Mik’s Tasty Bites are currently available at the Downer’s Grove Market on Saturdays, Oswego’s Country Market on Sundays, Lockport’s Market on Mondays (over for the season) and Yorktown Mall’s Courtyard Area on Wednesday evenings.

In the winter, Mikolay participates in special events like and is busy with school and community events.

Mikolay also contributes to many school fundraisers.

“I have given back more than $1,000 this year. It’s a nice feeling to be able to give back to the schools,” he said.

Mikolay has plans to open a sweet shop in Oswego within the year. His business plan includes expanding his menu to include gourmet cupcakes, coffee and freshly made pies.

Mikolay’s grandfather owned a bakery on Chicago’s South side in the early 1900s and Mikolay’s father grew up working in the bakery. He enjoyed sharing stories of this experience prior to passing away six years ago.

“It was a nice way to remember him,” said Mikolay of choosing to name his business after his father.

Mik’s prices: A half-dozen donuts cost $2.50; a dozen is $3.50. A bucket of three dozen donuts cost $10 and is refillable for $9.

“We sold over 250 buckets in the past three months. I am surprised how many people return to the market to refill their buckets,” said Mikolay.

To contact Jack Mikolay at (847) 370-9332 or visit him at one of his upcoming events.