Whats the deal with the Donut shops?

[jme1beachbum]

OK, so my hubbie and I have been enjoying LA for a few weeks now and are curious about ALL the donut joints. It seems like every strip mall (and there sure are a lot of those) has its own shop. Obviously we can't try all the places so I thought I'd have my fellow chowhounders guide me to their faves (shop and type of donut to order). Appreciate the help, I'd weigh 300 lbs if I tried all these places on my own! FYI- I live in Marina del Rey, work at Kaiser on Venice and Cadillac, but we drive all over!

[danikm]

Fritelli's in Beverly Hills. They have very exotic varieties that rotate, so you should bring a friend and have a few to share. The donut holes are also a good way to sample some different varieties without sending yourself into insulin shock.

[Oh Robin]

My favorite place for perfect "regular ole" donuts is Hole in One in Norwalk. LOVE the apple fritters and the service is super nice. For a pic...

http://thatgirlcaneat.blogspot.com/20...

[nosh]

I live on the edge of Westwood Village but I hardly ever walk to Stan's. Sure it is historic and has a bunch of unique flavors (e.g. peanut butter and jelly) but their donuts are on the cakey, heavy side and are a bit pricey. If I want a sweet nearby I stop at Diddy Riese.

Primo's is excellent, a family-run store that has been around forever. Located on the east side of Sawtelle, just north of National. A much lighter raised style, their cinnamon rolls are iced rather than glazed.

My favorite discovery actually beat out Primo's when some 'Hounds did a taste-off and reported on this board earlier this year. That is Royal Donuts, in the strip mall on the southeast corner of Sepulveda and Palms (across from the Trader Joe's). Really nice, hardworking proprietors. An excellent cinnamon roll, huge, crispy and glazed. Also a superior crumb donut. Well worth a try.

[Das Ubergeek]

The Daily News did a story a few years ago and there was something like one place to buy doughnuts for every 800 Valley residents. The cost to start up is low (ingredients are reasonably cheap, and you need a mixer, a proofer and a fry-o-lator), so it's a popular choice for recent arrivals to our country -- most of whom end up in the non-trendy parts of LA, like the north Valley and the southern 'burbs.

That said -- I have absolutely zero input on Westside doughnuts, but I concur with Dad's Doughnuts below and I've just gone to Donut Man in Glendora (all together now: "Where?!") and they are very good, but also possibly the largest doughnuts this Chowhound has ever personally laid eyes upon. Their maple bars are over a foot long.

[Velvet Elvis]

While Donut Man in Glendora is certainly good for the fresh fruit donuts and a few other things, I think Donut Club at Lone Hill and Arrow Highway in San Dimas actually has better donuts overall. Their crumb and glazed are favorites, but the stellar item, IMHO, is their croissants. If you get there early enough in the morning, you can get them fresh out of the oven and they are spectacular. Sorry it isn't on the westside, but it is worth a visit if you are in the area.

[Professor Salt]

I drove past a place called Don's Donuts today on Washington Place (Culver City, I guess?) It's not too far from the Outdoor Grill & car wash. Anyone have any input on Don's?

[Mattapoisett in LA]

Having lived a block away for 3 years I went once in the afternoon and it was decent but I am not a big donut fan. But realize Rockenwagner is block down Washington BL from Don's and a good place to get a Bacon Cheesy scone and raspberry white chocolate thingy as Dommy! sez . Though word is Hans doesn't have a baker and has been doing it himself for a while in addition to working at 3 Square.

[Professor Salt]

Awwww yeah. I didn't realize how close Rockenwagner Bakery is to my new office! Thanks, P.!

[jillso]

It's all about the apple fritters at Bob's in the Farmer's Market on Fairfax (next to The Grove).

[JeetJet]

What’s with the donuts? Well, L.A. is a donut, burger, taco, burrito, hot dog, pizza, bridal shop & bail bonds kind-of- place. These are some of my fav donut shops

Primo's Westdale Doughnuts (Glazed donut and the Buttermilk Bar)
2918 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
[phone]

Randy’‘s Donuts
805 West Manchester Avenue
Inglewood CA 90301
[phone]
http://www.randysdonuts.com/

Stan’s Donuts
Westwood Village, California
10948 Weyburn Avenue
[phone]
http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/

Donut Man
915 E Route 66
Glendora, CA 91740-3608
[phone]
East of S. Grand Ave., Cross Street: Elwood Avenue.


For French Crullers

Peacock Donuts (Maybe the best selection of French Crullers)
34 E. Durate Rd. (1 block East of Santa Anita Ave. & plenty of parking in the rear
)Arcadia, CA 91006
[phone]

Dad's Donuts & Dogs (French Crullers & more)
2501 W Victory Blvd Ste E
Burbank, CA 91505View Map
(818) 841 - 1910

U S A Donuts & Croissants (Crullers, buttermilk bars, croissants, cream cheese filled)
11629 Lwer Azusa Rd Ste A, El Monte, CA, (East of the 605)
[phone]

[sku]

I did a doughnut round-up last spring: http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2007/0...

I can't say I know any doughnut shops in MdR; the closest I tried to your neck of the woods was probably Primo's in West LA or Stan's in Westwood, which are both excellent.