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20 Fan Favorite Donut Shops You Don’t Want To Miss!

Whether you spell it “donut” or doughnut”, fans of this ring-shaped treat have die-hard opinions as to their favorite. Has your fave made the list? Are you a cake donut fan? Glazed? Cream filled?

The United States is home to a plethora of donut shops, each with its unique flavors and specialties. Here’s a list of 20 of the most popular donut bakeries across the nation, known for their delectable treats and local charm, based on Yelp reviews, as well as Food & Wine, Thrillist, Food Network, and our own research.

Round Rock Donuts – Round Rock, Texas

round rock donuts.
Photo credit Round Rock Donuts, Texas.

Famous for their iconic orange-tinted, yeast-risen donuts crafted from a 1926 recipe, and served warm all day, Round Rock Donuts also offers a “Texas-sized donut” that’s a local legend (you can order that one glazed, chocolate, or half glaze/half chocolate). They get 4.6. stars on Yelp from over 3000 reviews, and folks love being able to use the walk-up, or the drive-through, plus they open at 4:30 am and stay open into early evening. You never know when a donut craving will hit. See their menu, here.

SK Donuts & Croissant – Los Angeles, California

SK donuts.
Photo credit: SK donuts.

A family business, SK Donuts & Croissant is known for its light, fluffy yeast donuts, cake donuts, and their generous and creative toppings. Boasting almost 3000 4.6 star reviews on Yelp, be sure to check out the Nutella Bomb Donut, Oreo Blast, and the Blueberry Lemon Lulu. They also have vegan options, including a coconut one with rave reviews. Follow them on Instagram!

The Salty Donut – Miami, Florida

Salty Donut.
Photo credit: Salty Donut.

Offering ultra-modern flavors and a variety of donut styles, The Salty Donut is a trendy spot for artisanal treats. Right now we are craving the Guava & Cheese Donut, which have been called “legendary”. Over 2600 glowing Yelp reviews highlight the Cookie Butter Cake Donut, Ube Pina Colada, and Brown Butter & Salt, which is their namesake. Check out their website for videos of their donuts in action.

HOLE in Asheville – North Carolina

HOLE doughnuts.
Photo credit: HOLE doughnuts.

Known for their yeasted doughnuts that are fried and glazed to order in their open kitchen. These are not pristine round donuts; in fact, they are sort of misshapen, giving them a rustic handmade quality. Check out their Vanilla Glaze, Cinnamon Sugar, Toasted Almond Sesame Cinnamon, and Maple Bourbon Glaze. Pick up some locally roasted coffee to go with. You can order online!

JD Flannel Donuts & Coffee –  San Juan Capistrano, CA

JD Flannel Donuts.
Photo credit JD Flannel Donuts.

Another donut shop that offers classic, specialty donuts, as well as gluten-free or dairy-free. Their offerings range from traditional Buttermilk Old Fashioned, to Carrot Cake (spiced carrot cake donut with a cream cheese glaze and topped with a cookie crumble and cream cheese whip), Triple Chocolate (chocolate cake donut infused with chocolate chips and topped with a Valrhona chocolate ganache glaze), and they even have a Cookies & Cream, which is a gluten-free and vegan chocolate cake donut with a creamy vanilla glaze and topped with a chocolate cookie crumble. They close at 2pm, so don’t dawdle. Take a look at their menu and order online.

Mojo Donuts – Pembroke Pines, Florida

Mojo Donuts.
Photo credit Mojo Donuts.

Mojo Donuts is celebrated for its extravagantly decorated creations, offering a wide range of flavors and styles. Come here if you like huge donuts with toppings like crushed Oreos, fruity cereal, Reese’s Pieces. They also get very festive at holidays, with special offerings. Sign up for their VIP Donut Program.

Diablo Doughnuts – Nottingham, MD

Diablo doughnuts.
Photo credit: Diablo doughnuts.

Everything is made fresh, in-house daily. Come for the Coffee Bean donut, S’Mores, the Panty Dropper (it’s got bacon!), and their famous rainbow colored Unicorn Farts, which is covered in colorful, crunchy cereal. The Berry Cheesecake has fans, too. You can find simple Sugar Donuts and Glazed, too. If filled are your thing, try the Crème Brulée, or Lemon Bomb. Order ahead for pick up!

Old Fashioned Donuts – Chicago, IL

Old Fashioned Donuts.
Photo credit Old Fashioned Donuts.

Dishing up donuts for over 50 years, Chicago’s aptly named Old Fashioned Donuts is beloved and known for raised glazed, strawberry frosted and blueberry cake donuts. Mr. B was still making donuts when we last checked. This is an institution. Closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly. Visit them on Facebook to check out what they are offering.

Doe Donuts – Portland, Oregon

Doe Donuts.
Photo credit: Doe Donuts.

Doe Donuts is a vegan donut shop that offers a range of creative flavors and is known for its commitment to sustainability, and is woman-owned. From their menu: Portland Fog (organic earl grey glaze x fresh whip x fair trade vanilla bean), Breakfast Sammy (it’s savory! donut bun x egg patty x cheddar cheese x breakfast sausage x green chiles), the Doe (housemade strawberry milk x sprinkles). And they have specials all the time, too. Last we checked they had: Matcha Dipped (matcha old fashioned x half dipped in chocolate x black sesame seeds), Blueberry Toast (fresh blueberry glaze x buttery breadcrumbs), and Lemon Snowball (lemon mousse x fresh lemon glaze x shredded coconut), to name a few. Check out their menu to choose your next donut indulgence!

Sunrise Donuts – Phoenix, Arizona

sunrise donuts.
Photo credit sunrise donuts.

Known for their super-sized “Big Birthday Donuts,” Sunrise Donuts serves up treats that could “feed an army”. They have regular donuts, of course, as well as donut holes, in classic flavors, “fancy” options (like maple bacon), as well as crullers and kolaches. Check them out on Facebook.

Ray’s Donuts – Marietta, Georgia

Ray's Donuts.
Photo credit Ray’s Donuts.

Ray’s Donuts is praised for its perfectly executed classics, including their popular Original Glazed donut, but their Maple Bacon Donut has a huge following. Fans also suggest the original glazed is like no other you have ever had; positively ethereal!  And they throw some extra donut holes into your box; got to love that. Find them on Facebook.

Gibson’s Donuts – Memphis, Tennessee

Gibson's Donuts Samoa.
Photo credit: Gibson’s Donuts.

A local favorite for over 55 years, Gibson’s Donuts is renowned for its classic, old-fashioned donuts and friendly atmosphere. They offer classic glazed, and chocolate frosted, but also check out the Samoa (shown above), red velvet, blueberry cake, and maple bacon. Start at Gus’s world famous fried chicken across the street, but save room for a donut dessert. Their Facebook page will keep you up with seasonal treats.

The Doughnut Vault – Chicago, Illinois

Doughnut Vault.
Photo credit Doughnut Vault.

The Doughnut Vault offers a variety of classic and contemporary donuts. Some are a classic round shape, while others have a more cragged appearance that just begs you to bite and experience the varied textures. Some flavors to look forward to: Blackberry Jelly, Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze, Strawberry Crumble Old Fashioned, the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, and Banana Cream Pie. They have a weekly menu you can check on-line. They close early afternoon, so get over there! You will drool over their website.

Angelina Bakery – New York, New York

Angelina Bakery.
Photo credit: Angelina Bakery.

Angelina Bakery became so popular, they expanded to a few locations: Hell’s Kitchen, a flagship location in Times Square, which is a 4000 sq-ft, two-story bakery, and pop-up locations here and there from time to time, such as in Koreatown. Customers rave about the mix of traditional and innovative donut flavors. They call their doughnuts “bombolones” by the way, and describe them as “fluffy Italian doughnuts”. Their menu offerings include: Chantilly Cream -A light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Chantilly Cream; Nutella – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Nutella; Pistachio – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Pistachio Cream and sprinkled with Pistachio (seen above); Strawberry – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Strawberry Cream, to name a few.

Kane’s Donuts – Downtown – Boston, Massachusetts

Kanes Donuts.
Photo credit: Kanes Donuts.

Kane’s Donuts is a Boston staple, serving up a range of donuts from the classic sugar-glazed to more creative concoctions. They offer yeast-raised, cake donuts, dairy-free and their gluten-free are said to be safe for celiacs (please check, though). They claim to have the best honey glazed in America, and it is damn good, so that one is a must. Also try the Maine Blueberry, Boston Cream, and something called the Sweet N’ Salty Sandwich, which is a glazed donuts with eggs and bacon sandwiches in-between, sandwich-style. Check them out on Instagram.

The TatoNut Shop – Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Tatonut Donut.
Photo credit: Tatonut Donut.

For over 60 years, The TatoNut Shop, has been family run (in their third generation), and they claim to be the “Only Real Donut”. We are not sure what that means, but the donuts start coming out of the oven at 5:30am and are available until they run out. Let’s just say for an “old” establishment, they get creative. Peeps donuts anyone? Star Wars themed? Cookies n Cream, Banana Pudding, lots of chocolate (with peanut butter, more chocolate, and other combos), Key Lime Pie, and they will even create a DIY box for you with plain donuts, icing in piping bags and loads of toppings for you to create your own. Check out their enticing Instagram.

Carl’s Donuts – Las Vegas, Nevada

Carl's Donuts.
Photo credit Carl’s Donuts.

“Famous Since 1966”, Carl’s Donuts offers a taste of nostalgia with their classic donut flavors and a cozy, retro ambiance. For traditional, you will find everything from plain cake donuts, maple rings, and classic glazed. For specialty donuts try the Cinnamon Roll Donut with Brûléed Cream Cheese Icing, Cannoli Old Fashioned or the German Chocolate Cake. Check out the site.

The Flour Box – Seattle, Washington

Flour Box.
Photo credit The Flour Box.

The Flour Box is celebrated for its high-quality ingredients and inventive flavors, making it a must-visit for donut aficionados. They begin with a rich, buttery brioche dough, which really needs no embellishment, but we have loved the maple hazelnut. They have unique offerings such as Orange Anise, a pine-infused custard filled, chocolate peppermint, and more.  PS: They don’t open till 10am and usually sell out by Noon!

Donut Run – Washington, District of Columbia

donut run.
Photo credit the Donut Run.

The Donut Run is a go-to spot in the nation’s capital for vegan donuts, offering a variety of flavors that rotate daily. Lest you think vegan means boring or lacking flavor, check out these menu items: matcha glazed, Kiss from a Rose (strawberry glazed with a strawberry whipped cream rose), the savory Everything Bagel Donut featuring vegan cream cheese, Maple Frappuccino, Birthday Cake Crumb Cake, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Bomb. 

HenDough – Hendersonville, North Carolina

HenDough.
Image courtesy of HenDough.

HenDough combines the best of both worlds with delicious donuts and fried chicken, making it a unique and popular destination. In their words, “Quirky. Fun. Delicious! Find something for everyone with our selection of artisan donuts, house made biscuits and chicken sandwiches. Feeling adventurous? Go for a donut breakfast sandwich!” How about the Donut Breakfast Sandwich: Griddled doughnut, Sausage patty, X2 Bacon, American cheese, Over hard egg. Or just go for a simple Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Glazed with Sprinkles, or try the Caramel Espresso.

The Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Onion Rings: These 18 Restaurants Have Perfected Them!

Crunchy onion rings.
Image credit vankad via DepositPhotos

Onion rings are a quintessentially American snack, beloved for their perfect blend of crispy batter and sweet, tender onions. From their humble beginnings to their current status as a staple at many top restaurant chains – and stand-alone restaurants – onion rings offer a delicious alternative to the usual side dishes. This guide takes a look at the history, preparation, and unique appeal of onion rings, highlighting the top seven restaurant chains that have perfected this favorite treat. READ: The Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Onion Rings: These 18 Restaurants Have Perfected Them!

6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For

Sheetz Store 1.
Photo credit: Sheetz.

We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hotdogs of indeterminate age, and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine, or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need. Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat. Read 6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For

There Are No Bad Dogs: The Best Tasting Hot Dogs In America

Boy eating a hot dog.
Photo credit Suncity via Shutterstock.

When it comes to quintessential American cuisine, the hot dog stands out as a beloved icon. From the bustling streets of New York City to the sunny shores of California, hot dogs are a staple at cookouts, ball games, and dining establishments across the nation. We have embarked on a flavorful journey to bring you the definitive list of the best tasting hot dogs in America, a guide that will take you through the top-tier franks of the country.

Read: There Are No Bad Dogs: The Best Tasting Hot Dogs In America

Author

  • Dede Wilson

    Dédé Wilson is a journalist with over 17 cookbooks to her name and is the co-founder and managing partner of the digital media partnership Shift Works Partners LLC, currently publishing through two online media brands, FODMAP Everyday® and The Queen Zone.

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