Doughnut burgers at Medina County Fair uses Donut Land doughnuts

MEDINA — Fairgoers can experience the taste of Donut Land doughnuts on a burger that is available at this year's Medina County Fair. Hanacek's Concessions developed the doughnut burger, which uses a honey glazed doughnut from Donut Land that is sliced in half for the bun. The burger can also come with a side of crinkle cut sweet potato fries that can be dipped in a small cup of Donut Land's honey glaze. Andy Bayless, the manager of Hanacek's Concessions, came up with the idea for the doughnut burger. "When I was 13, I did a couple fairs out on the road, and I saw the doughnut burger," he said. "I tried it, and it was dry. They didn't do anything special to it. Right then, I thought I could make this better. Many, many years later, my dream became this reality." Donut Land was opened in Brunswick in 1972 by founder Bill Rienerth, who died in 2021. His granddaughter Amanda Rienerth now continues his tradition of selling homemade doughnuts. "One night, we were on our way home, and I wanted doughnuts," Bayless said. "We walked in, and it just so happened that Amanda was actually working that night. I started telling her my idea, and before I could even get to her part of it, she said 'I'm in.'" Bayless said he wanted to use Donut Land doughnuts because it was the best doughnut he ever had. "You want to have that doughnut sensation too, so you don't want an overpowering burger," he said. "It's got to be right in the middle with a perfect doughnut." About eight dozen doughnuts have been made a day so far for the fair. Rienerth said it brings her so much joy to see people be excited for Donut Land outside of Brunswick. "I know that my grandfather would be very proud to know that Donut Land is getting its name out there and in other places," she said. The cost for a doughnut burger is $8. Bayless said the response to it at the fair has been amazing. "Medina has really shown us some love here," he said. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.