Comedian Kathy Griffin was apparently quite fond of morning pastries, once joking that the best thing about waking up early isn’t exercising or welcoming the new day, but rather the fresh doughnuts being made.
The first doughnut-making machine appeared in 1920, and doughnuts soon became a commonplace offering at bakeries and diners. They were especially popular during the Depression because they cost less than a nickel and were reasonably filling, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.
Doughnuts have evolved from simple fried dough to a versatile culinary canvas for innovation. Bakeries now top or fill them with an incredible array of ingredients from savory bacon to spicy jalapeños to indulgent foie gras. The creative possibilities seem endless, with some eateries using glazed donuts in place of buns for outrageously decadent sandwiches. (These are the strangest state fair foods ever.)
Here are the best doughnut shop in every state
Source: Courtesy of Julianne M. via Yelp
Alabama: The Heavenly Donut Company
> City: Birmingham
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coffee iced
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Source: Courtesy of Randy D. via Yelp
Alaska: Brothers’ Café
> City: Kenai
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate chip
Source: Courtesy of LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee via Yelp
Arizona: LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee
> City: Phoenix
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 24 (in five states)
> Sample specialty: Ray’s original glazed
Source: Courtesy of Juliet H. via Yelp
Arkansas: Mark’s Do-Nut Shop
> City: Little Rock
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coconut
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Source: Courtesy of Albert H. via Yelp
California: Donut Bar
> City: San Diego
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Chocolate peanut butter cup
Source: Courtesy of Kylie B. via Yelp
Colorado: Amy’s Donuts
> City: Colorado Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 7 (in five states)
> Sample specialty: Lucky Charms (white frosting covered with Lucky Charms cereal)
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Source: Courtesy of Miguel S. via Yelp
Connecticut: Donut Crazy
> City: New Haven
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 locations
> Sample specialty: Cannoli (raised yeast doughnut shell with cream filling and chocolate chips)
Source: Courtesy of Bobby L. via Yelp
Delaware: Fractured Prune
> City: Rehoboth Beach
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 14 locations (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Peppermint Pattie (mint glaze with mini chocolate chips)
Source: Courtesy of The Salty Donut via Yelp
Florida: The Salty Donut
> City: Miami
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 8 (in four states)
> Sample specialty: Guava and cream cheese
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Source: Courtesy of Toya S. via Yelp
Georgia: Revolution Doughnuts
> City: Decatur
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Vanilla bean
Source: Courtesy of Praju S. via Yelp
Hawaii: Purvé Donut Stop
> City: Honolulu
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Alohamac (chocolate glaze with macadamia nuts and caramel)
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Source: Courtesy of Guru Donuts via Yelp
Idaho: Guru Donuts
> City: Boise
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Alice in Wonderland (with vanilla bean glaze and birthday cake crumbs)
Source: Courtesy of Emi R. via Yelp
Illinois: Doughnut Vault
> City: Chicago
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chestnut glazed
Source: Courtesy of Lynn W. via Yelp
Indiana: Long’s Bakery
> City: Indianapolis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Blueberry cake
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Source: Courtesy of Audrey C. via Yelp
Iowa: Ambrosia Donuts
> City: Ankeny
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Doughnuts or long johns (filled to order with jelly, pudding, etc.)
Source: Courtesy of Caitlin C. via Yelp
Kansas: The Donut Whole
> City: Wichita
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Pumpkin spice
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Source: Courtesy of Dione M. via Yelp
Kentucky: King Donuts
> City: Louisville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Glazed
Source: Courtesy of Briana T. via Yelp
Louisiana: DISTRICT: Donuts. Sliders. Brew.
> City: New Orleans
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 7 (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Cinnamon sugar
Source: Courtesy of Thanh L. via Yelp
Maine: The Holy Donut
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Sea salt dark chocolate
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Source: Courtesy of Krumpe’s Do-nuts via Yelp
Maryland: Krumpe’s Do-nuts
> City: Hagerstown
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Peanut butter iced twists
Massachusetts: Union Square Donuts
> City: Somerville
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Vietnamese coffee (covered in creamy glaze made from condensed milk and espresso)
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Source: Courtesy of Rita G. via Yelp
Michigan: Avon Donuts
> City: Pontiac
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Original honey glaze
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Michael U. via Yelp
Minnesota: Cardigan Donuts
> City: Minneapolis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blackeye (made with Blackeye Roasting Co. coffee and a coffee glaze)
Source: Courtesy of Kati K. via Yelp
Mississippi: The Tatonut Shop
> City: Ocean Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: King cake donuts
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Source: Courtesy of Dylan A. via Yelp
Missouri: Pharaoh’s Donuts
> City: St. Louis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Strawberry cheesecake
Source: Courtesy of Samantha M. via Yelp
Montana: Granny’s Gourmet Donuts
> City: Bozeman
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bar
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Source: Courtesy of Emily T. via Yelp
Nebraska: Olsen’s Bake Shop
> City: Omaha
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate cherry
Source: Courtesy of Pink Box Doughnuts via Yelp
Nevada: Pinkbox Doughnuts
> City: Las Vegas
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 9
> Sample specialty: John Lemon (lemon filling with graham cracker crumb topping)
Source: Courtesy of Kathy D. via Yelp
New Hampshire: Donut Love
> City: North Hampton
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Maple-frosted
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Source: Courtesy of Latoya G. via Yelp
New Jersey: Uncle Dood’s Donuts
> City: Toms River
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Vermont Swine (maple bacon)
Source: Courtesy of Alicia W. via Yelp
New Mexico: Whoo’s Donuts
> City: Santa Fe
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blue corn blueberry lavender
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Source: Courtesy of Shoshana R. via Yelp
New York: Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
> City: Brooklyn
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Red velvet
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Allison C. via Yelp
North Carolina: MJ Donuts
> City: Pineville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Butterscotch glazed
Source: Courtesy of FoodWanderer A. via Yelp
North Dakota: Bearscat Bakehouse
> City: Bismarck
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4 (in North Dakota and Oregon)
> Sample specialty: Tango Mango (mango filling, topped with Tang)
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Source: Courtesy of John C. via Yelp
Ohio: Bill’s Donut Shop
> City: Centerville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Rainbow sprinkle white icing
Source: Courtesy of Karla M. via Yelp
Oklahoma: Polar Donuts
> City: Oklahoma City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Boston cream
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Source: Courtesy of Kerby H. via Yelp
Oregon: Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Nutella and sea salt
24/7 Wall St.Source: Courtesy of Mike C. via Yelp
Pennsylvania: Federal Donuts
> City: Philadelphia
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 11
> Sample specialty: Grapefruit Brûlée
Source: Courtesy of Stephanie N. via Yelp
Rhode Island: PVDonuts
> City: Providence
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Brioche
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Source: Courtesy of Kevin B. via Yelp
South Carolina: Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
> City: Charleston
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: The Beet Salad (beet custard, orange goat cheese glaze, candied fennel)
Source: Courtesy of Christina B. via Yelp
South Dakota: Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
> City: Rapid City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate and peanut butter iced
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Source: Courtesy of Bassam T. via Yelp
Tennessee: Gibson’s Donuts
> City: Memphis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bacon
Source: Courtesy of Sarah L. via Yelp
Texas: Round Rock Donuts
> City: Round Rock and Cedar Park
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Original glazed
Source: Courtesy of Brant P. via Yelp
Utah: Fresh Donut & Deli
> City: Salt Lake City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blueberry glazed
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Source: Courtesy of Lizzie S. via Yelp
Vermont: Willoughby’s Depot Eatery
> City: Manchester
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple cream
Source: Courtesy of Debbie Z. via Yelp
Virginia: Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee
> City: Richmond
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 3
> Sample specialty: Caramel macchiato
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Source: Courtesy of MonicaJoylyn V. via Yelp
West Virginia: Donut Connection
> City: Beckley
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Buttercrunch
Source: Courtesy of Huyen D. via Yelp
Washington: Top Pot Doughnuts
> City: Seattle
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 17
> Sample specialty: Carrot cake
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Source: Courtesy of Nicole L. via Yelp
Wisconsin: Greenbush Bakery
> City: Madison
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Sour cream old fashioned
Source: Courtesy of Jeff L. via Yelp
Wyoming: Cowboy Donuts
> City: Rock Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2 (1 in Wyoming and 1 in Utah)
> Sample specialty: Piña Colada
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