Who doesn't love a donut?! Sweet, indulgent fried pastries are difficult to argue with, no? The question is then, who makes the best donut?
For starters, I've tried my share, but I'm hardly an expert. I'll just share an opinion or two about some that I've tried.
The Donut Plant in NYC is a must-do. It's a gourmet donut. Think Vahlrona chocolate and Coconut Custard! Get there early and come hungry, you're going to want to try them all!
The Daily Dozen at Pike's Place Market in Seattle does very little variety and the donut is actually very little as well, (that's why you're allowed to eat a dozen!) but they are hot and so fresh and so yummy!
I tried a Winchell's in Orange County last time I was at Disneyland. Loved that when it was in Provo. Good value. Good variety. Not bad.
There's a great donut shop at the L.A. Farmers Market. Can't remember the name. Bobs? Anyway, go get them. They are great! (Last time I had these, I ate them for breakfast and then got a dozen Sprinkles cupcakes in Beverly Hills that night!? My waist is still paying for it!)
Back here, closer to home, my favorite is Provo Bakery. They have a great variety and they're delectable. Like all donuts, getting them when they're fresh out of the fryer is best. My one complaint about Provo Bakery's donuts is sometimes the donuts are in the fryer just a bit too long or a bit not long enough. However, when they are done just right, they are really hard to beat. The apple fritter, buttermilk bar and lemon-filled are my favorites! So dang good. (By the way, I'm going to be getting myself a dozen in an hour! Can I pick something up for you?)
Truthfully, I don't really buy donuts anywhere else around here. It seems donuts at the grocery stores seem to be the kind the bakery buys frozen and then cooks up on-site. They're not actually "homemade".
BYU donuts are so-so. I've had them lately and they seem to be smaller than I remember and just not stellar.
Krispy Kreme has its followers. I agree that a hot glazed here is a real decadent treat. It kind of melts in your mouth, but I want a little bit more substance in my donut.
I recently tried the Pie Dump in Garland, Utah. They're donuts were good, but actually were too substantive! These were the densest donuts I have ever tried! I'm not kidding. A dozen of those probably weighs 5-pounds. They were quality. I just think something in between a Krispy Kreme and a Pie Dump is what you're looking for. Also, I didn't actually get these donuts myself. I called and asked for a variety. They were picked up and delivered that day by my husband, but the variety was only raised donuts in three flavors: chocolate, maple and glazed. If they're making old-fashioned and crullers and cake donuts and the like, the employee didn't include them.
I've heard Daylight Donuts in Pleasant Grove are good. I'll have to get me some of these next time I'm in the area.
I'm saving the best for last and you're going to need a plane or a boat to try these ones, but trust me, book your ticket now. They are the best ever! And, what's more, they aren't officially donuts. They are a Portuguese fried, sweet treat called Mal Asadas. You can get them at different bakeries, but the one not to miss is Leonard's in Waikiki. Trust me. They're as good as the hype. I love the cinnamon and original and the custard-filled, but our families all-time favorite is the guava custard-filled. Oooh! Perfection! They only sell them hot. They're probably not as good at room-temperature, but there's always a line at Leonard's and the mal asadas never actually make it in the bakery case, so you're only option is hot, fresh and utterly and terrifically scrumptious!
Hungry for a donut anyone?
-Shannon
