So we’ve been thinking…
Since cupcakes are officially over, it’s time to develop a new office bad habit #h8rulez. I mean, nothing you eat before noon really counts anyway, right? That said, let’s collectively indulge in some gluttonous AM treats, donuts for everyone!
Dough fried or baked to a soft, pillowy consistency, finished off with sweet frostings and toppings ranging from bacon to blueberry – As the Dipset prophet Cam’ron once said, “Look at the raannngee, man.”
Donut aficionados have their loyalties, but we like to explore. National Donut Day is coming soon (June 7th) but chill, cause we’ve done your homework for you:
Photo credit: Serena C. | Stan’s Donuts’ Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Donut
1. Stan’s Donuts
This Westwood institution is a favorite for many west-siders. We’ve never been quite into the whole peanut-butter dessert thing, but donut lovers swear by Stan’s variety of Peanut Butter donuts, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter and Banana, and Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Their Blueberry Fritter is also worth checking out, balancing the right amounts of fruity and sweet.
Where: 10948 Weyburn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
What to get: Peanut Butter and Banana, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Blueberry Fritter
Photo credit: Tony L | Cafe Dulce’s Green Tea Donut
2. Cafe Dulce
Located in the Japanese Village Plaza, Cafe Dulce offers a variety of tasty sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Their Green Tea Donut is soft with a creamy green tea custard inside. Delicious. They also offer a Fruity Pebbles Donut, and the ever-popular Maple Bacon Donut., for those who like to satisfy their savory and sweet cravings at the same time.
Where: 134 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012
What to get: Green Tea Donut
Photo credit: R S. | Primo’s Westdale Donuts’ Buttermilk Bars
3. Primo’s Westdale Donuts
Primo’s is most popular for its Buttermilk Bar. What’s that, you ask? It’s like a buttermilk biscuit with an identity crisis: dense, buttery and laced with a thin layer of not-too-sweet frosting. Perfect for those who appreciate simplicity.
What to get: Buttermilk Bar
Where: 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Photo credit: Stephanie Harwin | Bob’s Coffee & Donuts’s Chocolate Kitty
4. Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts
Nestled inside the 3rd & Fairfax Farmer’s Market, Bob’s is a famous pitstop for coffee and donuts. While they don’t offer as wide a variety of some of the other donut shops listed, they have all the classic donut fare an old school donut-lover could desire. When fresh, the donuts are perfectly chewy and iced with just the right amount of frosting.
What to get: Chocolate Frosted, Original Glazed
Where: 6333 W 3rd St, Ste 450, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Photo credit: Aya T. | SK’s Donuts & Croissant
5. SK’s Donuts & Croissant
This unassuming shop is open 24 hours and offers a big variety of donuts. Often mentioned are their Blueberry Donuts and the shop’s friendly customer service. Their Strawberry-Filled donuts actually use chunks of real strawberries (none of that overly-sweet syrup stuff) and their donuts are soft and fluffy. Bring cash, as they don’t accept credit cards.
Where: 5850 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
What to get: Blueberry Donuts, Strawberry Filled, Bavarian Creme
6. Donut Snob
This donut purveyor doesn’t actually have a retail location; donuts are only available for catering order. One might ask whether it’s worth having over a dozen donuts within hand’s reach, but Donut Snob’s goodies are way too good to keep in the jar. For gourmet donuts that look as good as they taste, order from the Donut Snob. Their Campfire donut is glazed with chocolate ganache and “dusted in graham cracker crumbs and topped with a roasted, handmade marshmallow.” Wow!
Where: Delivery Only.
What to get: Salted Caramel, Lemon Lulu, Campfire.
BONUS STOPS
7. Donut Friend
Not yet open, this donut shop’s imminent arrival has created quite the buzz on the foodie-verse. Gourmet donuts with unique and adventurous flavor combinations are this donut shop’s shtick. They’re also going to be offering a build-your-own-donut service, including gluten-free and vegan options. Slated for a Summer opening, we’re super excited to get our hands on some of the Friend’s donuts.
Where: 5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
What to get: The “Jets to Basil” sounds fascinating: “goat cheese, strawberry jam, fresh basil, and a bit of arugula inside our bismark donut, topped with a sugar glaze and balsamic reduction.”
8. The Donuttery
If you’re willing to venture to Orange County, it’s well worth a stop to this small, mom-and-pop shop. Located in a nondescript plaza right by a Salvation Army store, it’s easily dismissed. However, The Donuttery is quickly becoming an OC staple with its famous Blueberry and Red Velvet donuts and it also doesn’t hurt that they’re known to give you some freebies with your order. Your bakers dozen might become 18 donuts.
Where: 17420 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
What to get: Glazed Blueberry, Cream Cheese Frosted Red Velvet