(mellow music) - I will make sure that I eat something before I come into the donut shop because it's just really fluffy and pillowy, and there's always this temptation.

- Many folks will come in and it's difficult enough for people to decide on which flavor they want, given the whole variety of delicious flavors.

But then also when they see the size, they know that they need to restrict it to one or two because (laughs) they can't eat that many of these big donuts.

(lively music) Valkyrie as an overall business started in Florida, and then... - We came up here and decided, well, how do you start out?

- We've got a standard list of donuts that we offer every day.

The strawberry sprinkled, burnt almond, French toast, OG glazed.

Then we'll do anywhere between two to six special varieties based on maybe the month.

- Strawberry seems to be a big seller.

We use real strawberries in the frosting.

Use real maple syrup in the french toast.

Those little details matter.

- [Jeremy] You can make things that are virtually indistinguishable, vegan and non-vegan, with minor substitutions.

And we also invite any of our customers to give whatever suggestions they have.

So we'll incorporate all of those things into coming up with the new flavors.

(lively music continues) - [John] There isn't a lot of vegan offerings in Pittsburgh, especially for donuts.

- [Jeremy] Eggs and dairy are two of the most common food allergens.

Many folks will come into our shop telling us that their kids have never had a donut.

It just brings us so much joy to know that we can provide something that's just as good to these kids who have these food restrictions, and anybody else, of course.

- Did I walk in at the right time or what?

- You did.

- [John] When people come to buy donuts, they're always happy, and they're always looking forward to it.

(customer laughs) You get the kids coming up and the families.

- I can't say enough that our mission is vegan for everyone.

We really wanna make a donut that people will pick up, eat, and say, "Wow, you would never know this was vegan."

(lively music continues)