Finding an exceptional donut in your neighborhood is akin to striking gold in your backyard: It’s rare, and even if it does happen, it’s unlikely you want to spread the word for fear that your environs will become overrun with overly enthusiastic opportunists. On the other hand, it’s unfair to keep a good donut down. We at Coast have taken the risky (and potentially unpopular) decision to reveal three local donut stops that have elevated the humble holed pastry from checkout-aisle sugar fix to a cult-worthy treat capable of exciting even the most refined of palates.
The Donuttery
17420 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach
WHAT IT’S ABOUT You wouldn’t know it from passing by The Donuttery’s understated exterior off Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach, but this is a donut shop that takes its donuts as seriously as a luxury restaurant takes its foie gras. Baking fresh daily, The Donuttery is known for its light, fluffy donuts and imaginative flavors (peanut butter and jelly, anyone?), and the friendly family service and late-ish evening hours are the icing on top.
TRY THIS The sweet-savory maple-bacon bar is a must-try. Whole strips of crisp bacon are placed atop a maple bar to make an umami party in your mouth. Bonus: Ask to have it heated up.
:: 714.847.7000
Dough Boy’s Donuts & Bakery
4535 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach
WHAT IT’S ABOUT With a claim like “the best of the best,” Dough Boy’s has set some high expectations. Luckily, we were in the mood to indulge not only in its self-congratulatory ace in the proverbial donut hole, but in its tempting baked goods as well. Since all of Dough Boys’ donuts, bagels, muffins, croissants, etc. are baked fresh daily, there’s no shortage of options, from the chewy to the flaky to the, well, doughy.
TRY THIS We’ve found that a good benchmark for any self-respecting donut shop is its cream-filled donut. We’re partial to a French-like creme patisserie rather than a shortening-based cream (like that found in Krispy Kreme – apologies to KK devotees), and those at Dough Boy agreed, to our pleasant surprise.
949.631.5102 :: doughboydonuts.com
Krazy Eddie’s Donuts
23052 Lake Forest Dr., Laguna Hills
WHAT IT’S ABOUT The coffee-and-donut crowd will delight in Krazy Eddie’s commitment to fresh donuts and Hawaii-inspired coffees. Geared toward the morning crowd looking for pre-work inspiration and a friendly face (usually proprietor Eddie’s), the donuts are always fresh and the bagels crispy, chewy and soft all at once. Supplies get low around 9 a.m., so go as early as possible (it opens at 4 a.m. – you’re in luck!).
TRY THIS Anything with frosting is a great bet. Piled on high and thick in classic flavors such as chocolate and maple, the staple bars and donuts are Eddie’s specialty. The chocolate donut with chocolate frosting and multi-colored sprinkles is about as close to donut perfection as possible, with a healthy outside crunch, dense yet airy cake and smooth, generously applied icing.
:: 949.454.0528
