For fans of Dunkin' Donuts, the (seemingly endless) wait is over.

The chain's first Twin Cities outlet opened for business this morning at 5 a.m. at 7820 N. 42nd St. (that's roughly 42nd and Winnetka) in New Hope.

Basic doughnuts run 99 cents a pop, and $9.99 a dozen. "Fancy" go for $1.59, and "deluxe" are $2.49. A plain bagel is also 99 cents; add "cream cheese spread" and the price jumps to $1.99. Croissants are also 99 cents.

Sandwiches -- from ham-egg-cheese on an English muffin to turkey-Cheddar-bacon on ciabatta are $1.79 to $3.99.

And yes, the reputation is true: When I dropped in at 9 a.m., there were three police cars in the parking lot. And 11 doughnut lovers ahead of me, ordering Boston Creme Croissant Donuts and Candy Cane Crunch Donuts. I stayed old school.

There's both counter and drive-through service. Drive-through runs 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends; the counter closes an hour earlier.

The plan is for 40 Dunkin' Donuts to open across Minnesota over the next six years. (There are more than 11,000 outlets worldwide, including 8,000-plus in 41 states and the District of Columbia). East metro doughnut fans, take note: the chain's next outlet is set to open Dec. 14 at 2425 Rice St. in Roseville.