Lukumades, a Greek-based company that specializes in serving Loukoumades, otherwise known as Greek mini-doughnuts, is getting ready to make its US debut in Jacksonville Beach at 504 1st St N.
While the franchise has locations worldwide, including in Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, and more, this will be the company’s first time in the United States. Franchise owner and Jacksonville native Leo Georgallis tells What Now Jacksonville that he hopes to open the new location around May 1, 2024. When it opens, customers can expect a variety of crispy Greek mini-doughnuts covered in aromatic syrup and sprinkled with chopped nuts or cinnamon.
Lukumades started in the heart of the Athenian market, on the corner of Eolou & Aghias Irinis Streets. Eventually, the company began to expand and franchise throughout the world. In Australia, owners began their journey in 2016 out of a food truck that roamed the streets of Australia’s ‘foodie’ capital – Melbourne, leading them to open a brick-and-mortar in less than a year. Now, the company is finally ready to enter the US market for the first time, soon offering round and crisp lukumádes with honey and cinnamon in a simple yet modern shop concept.
“All around the world, Greeks hold onto their family Lukumades recipe, each with its own special twist,” according to the company’s website. “Lukumades, otherwise known as ‘Greek doughnuts,’ are sold all over Greece from small dedicated patisseries, quite often no bigger than a hole in the wall, and are usually served as a treat in the afternoon with honey syrup and crushed walnuts. In our quest to come up with the best recipe for our own Lukumades, we begged shop owners, our friends, and relatives in Greece to part with their tightly held secrets and share their insider tips for the best doughnuts. After hours of recipe testing to get our doughnuts just right, we think we’ve found the perfect balance of the golden crunch on the outside and a light fluffy dough on the inside.”
