Donut hamburgers and habanero-infused tequila, who would have thought this combo?
written by Beau Eastes
Yes, the donut burger is alive and well at Donny’s Gateway Pub in Sandy.
A biker bar that has a lot more in common with Cheers than the Hell’s Angels, the Gateway proudly serves up some of the tastiest—and most unique—pub food in all of Oregon.
Exhibit A is the surprisingly delightful donut burger, made with a glazed donut from Joe’s Donut Shop just down the street. It’s as simple and sweet as it sounds, with one of Joe’s prized glazed donuts serving in place of a traditional bun.
Not a fan of a donut burger, you say? Try the Gateway’s foot-long corn dog made with their own handmade batter. It’s a dinner in itself and it’s only $6.50. Better yet, add chili on top of your dog for $2 more and chow down with a knife and fork. If you’ve come with an appetite, get a side of fried corn on the cob – think of the juiciest, butteriest corn you’ve ever had – to go with the Gateway goodness of your choice.
Whatever you do, don’t pass by the Gateway without stopping. Seriously, the place has a heart of gold and a welcoming spirit. If you stop in during the week you might run into a group paint night that raises money for the local VFW. Grab a beer during the weekend and you might stumble into the Mr. and Mrs. Gateway tournament, a bar Olympics of sorts, or a camouflage pub crawl that overtakes downtown Sandy. Better yet, order a drink and a dog and show a genuine interest in bikes and you might end up with a new favorite stop on Highway 26.
If you do make the trip to Sandy for what has to be Oregon’s most fulfilling meal on a stick, plan accordingly and get there early. The hand-battered goodness goes quick and there’s not always corn dogs left to order at the end of the night. Also, barfly tip of the day, consider a drink mixed with the Gateway’s own infused booze. Trust us, margaritas were meant to be made with habanero-infused tequila.