This Is the Best Donut Shop in Your State
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…
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
Alabama: The Heavenly Donut Company
> City: Birmingham
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coffee iced
Alaska: Brothers’ Café
> City: Kenai
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate chip
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
Arkansas: Mark’s Do-Nut Shop
> City: Little Rock
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coconut
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
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)
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)
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)
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
Georgia: Revolution Doughnuts
> City: Decatur
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Vanilla bean
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)
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)
Illinois: Doughnut Vault
> City: Chicago
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chestnut glazed
Indiana: Long’s Bakery
> City: Indianapolis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Blueberry cake
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.)
Kansas: The Donut Whole
> City: Wichita
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Pumpkin spice
Kentucky: King Donuts
> City: Louisville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Glazed
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
Maine: The Holy Donut
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Sea salt dark chocolate
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)
Michigan: Avon Donuts
> City: Pontiac
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Original honey glaze
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)
Mississippi: The Tatonut Shop
> City: Ocean Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: King cake donuts
Missouri: Pharaoh’s Donuts
> City: St. Louis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Strawberry cheesecake
Montana: Granny’s Gourmet Donuts
> City: Bozeman
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bar
Nebraska: Olsen’s Bake Shop
> City: Omaha
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate cherry
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)
New Hampshire: Donut Love
> City: North Hampton
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Maple-frosted
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)
New Mexico: Whoo’s Donuts
> City: Santa Fe
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blue corn blueberry lavender
New York: Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
> City: Brooklyn
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Red velvet
North Carolina: MJ Donuts
> City: Pineville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Butterscotch glazed
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)
Ohio: Bill’s Donut Shop
> City: Centerville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Rainbow sprinkle white icing
Oklahoma: Polar Donuts
> City: Oklahoma City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Boston cream
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
Pennsylvania: Federal Donuts
> City: Philadelphia
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 11
> Sample specialty: Grapefruit Brûlée
Rhode Island: PVDonuts
> City: Providence
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Brioche
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)
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
Tennessee: Gibson’s Donuts
> City: Memphis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bacon
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
Utah: Fresh Donut & Deli
> City: Salt Lake City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blueberry glazed
Vermont: Willoughby’s Depot Eatery
> City: Manchester
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple cream
Virginia: Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee
> City: Richmond
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 3
> Sample specialty: Caramel macchiato
West Virginia: Donut Connection
> City: Beckley
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Buttercrunch
Washington: Top Pot Doughnuts
> City: Seattle
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 17
> Sample specialty: Carrot cake
Wisconsin: Greenbush Bakery
> City: Madison
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Sour cream old fashioned
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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Hristina Byrnes is the editor of 247Tempo.com, where she handles the site's assignments and editing. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, which she earned in 2012, and she specializes in translating complex health data research into engaging, accessible stories for a general audience.
When she's not poring over the latest data sets or brainstorming story ideas, you can find Hristina watching tennis, playing tennis with her son, or trying to get her daughter into tennis.
