Donut Factory Placerville, CA

Donuts are God's gift to mankind. They are the culmination of endless years of human craft perfecting baking techniques of yeast and flour, and discovering balanced methods of molding sugar into a perfect blanket of crisp piquant delight.

On this day we found ourselves driving through Placerville on our way to South Lake Tahoe for a day of snowboarding. We knew we needed something to start our day off on the right foot, so we asked google where the nearest donut shop was. We found The Donut Factory.




Overall Shop Rating: 3 Nadas
It was average, deserving an average write up on this average blog post.

Vibe of the Shop: 3 Nadas
It was your run-of-the-mill donut hang out. Nothing special, but nothing not special.

Taste of the Glaze Donut: 3 Nadas

It was a little bread-y. I was hoping for a little more fluff in the dough, but my hopes we dashed upon the grind stone of too much dough density.

Coffee: 2 Nadas
Bland donut coffee. In the age of the hipster, I figured donut shops might catch wind that people like quality gourmet coffee. But, what was I expecting... This is Placerville, CA. Hipsters can stomach the ruggedness of this town.

The selection of donuts was nice, and they even had a blueberry donut!

The outdoor seating was nice too. I love when you can enjoy the outdoors while munching on a good snack.


Overall, if I lived in this town and needed a donut, I would come here.


Go get 'em. Donuts.

MK’s Jelly Donuts & Pure Water – Sebastopol, CA

Overall Shop rating: 2 Nadas

Now that I’ve been blogging for the past three years about donuts and where to find them, I feel that I’ve really sharpened my donut radar. Once in a while I’ll be surprised, though, as we turn a corner and, BAM! It’s donut time. I had high hopes for this little shop, but alas, they were dashed upon the rocks of self respect for my taste buds and the knowledge quality donuts.

Vibe of Shop: 2 Nadas

Sad to say, but the interior was bland and had no fung shwey. There was enough room to throw country square dance, but these donut slingers poorly executed their interior design. The one redeeming factor was the wall art. The awkward photos of kids made me feel the warm, fuzzy love these Donut Shop Owners must have for their kids.

Outside Appearance: 3 ½ Nadas

I was pretty excited as we drove by this small strip mall. The Donut Shop was tucked in the corner next to an old-school Barber shop and a Taqueria, and the vibe threw the feeling that is was time for a donut party! As I walked by the Barber shop I noticed there were heaps of old dudes getting trimmed up while enjoying telling their tall tales as dead deer heads hung above listening in. There was no outdoor seating but the parking lot was very maneuverable.

Hours: Open 7 Days a week

Mon – Fri (Earlier than you want to be awake):30am - 6:00pm

Sat – Sun 5:00am - ?:00pm

Service: 2 ½ Nadas

The lady wasn’t friendly and the donut baker looked like an Asian zombie.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 Nadas

The glaze was great, the fluff was ok, but the flavor of the dough was bad and way too dry.

Blueberry Donut? Yes! They had a blueberry donut but it tasted like a donut from 7 Eleven: overly processed and full of unhealthy preservatives.

Coffee: 2 Nadas

I’m confident there was some amount of caffeine, but it tasted watered down and the flavor was near tree bark.

Special:

Part 1: They sold filtered water at this shop. I think most of their income must come from that because the donuts were not good. Tyson called his old fashion donut Cardboard Diaper flavor.

Part 2: They were promoting a rap contest with a cash prize. I respect that, foo.

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Mr. T’s Delicate Donut – Modesto, CA

Overall Shop Rating: 4 Nadas

When you find yourself in the central valley of California, which I personally recommend staying away from, and you are hungry for a donut, go to Star Donuts in Lodi. If you aren’t near Lodi and instead you are in Modesto, go to Mr. T’s Delicate Donut. There’s not much I like about Modesto, but Mr. T’s has now been put on the “Happy Things About Modesto” list.

Vibe of Shop: 4 Nadas

This place has a great balance of clean and classy while still firming holding onto a small town mom-and-pop shop feel. It has plenty of space for eating donuts and conversing with friends, old and new.

Outside Appearance: 4 Nadas

I liked the clean appearance of the strip mall. It felt very classy and tidy. The only thing I would ask for is outdoor seating… although this is Modesto and it is blazing hot most of the year, so never mind.

Hours: 24 Hours

Service: 4 Nadas

Happy. Friendly. Asian. I’d like to be his friend.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 Nadas

Sometimes when you have a birthday someone will surprise you with a wonderful thoughtful gift. Sometimes when I walk into a donut shop and eat a glaze donut, I have that same feeling. This was a pleasant donut with great fluff and moistness. The only thing lacking was that the glaze was too thin.

Blueberry Donut? Yes! And it was good. Mmmmmm.

Coffee: 3 Nadas

Not bad, not good.

Special: I was blown away by the amount of creative donuts such as the Little Feet, Bowtie, Devils Wisp, Better Wisps, and more!

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Selma Donuts (formerly The Bears Den) - Selma, CA

Overall Shop rating 4 ¼ NadasWhen I was about 11 years old, I went to Magic Mountain with my best friend, Jeremy. I was challenged to face one of the largest fears in my life up to that point: to ride a rollercoaster that goes upside down. Oh man, I was scared. I followed the line winding back and forth as I watched the coaster do it’s single loop over and over, and then I actually walked back out to the entrance saying I couldn’t do it. Finally my buddy talked me into it so we rode the ride (I think it was called Revolution) and I realized that going upside down on a rollercoaster isn’t that bad at all. In fact, it was fun! I was growing up.

That story has nothing to do with donuts or a donut shop, but later that day as we were walking along I looked down and found a Twenty dollar bill! I, being a good kid, asked my friend’s dad if I should turn it in. He directed me to tell an attendant, and the said I could keep it. I was so pumped! It was like winning the lottery, though I wouldn’t even know what the lotto was until years later. Anyway, finding Selma donuts was like finding that $20 bill. I was driving along an alternate route from Hume Lake to SoCal and, Boom! There it was: an Oasis in this never ending farming community.

Vibe of Shop: 4 Nadas
It had great space for seating and vibing out with friends.Outside Appearance: 3 Nadas
There was no seating outside, and it had the wrong name for it’s sign (The Bears Den), but it was a nice strip mall equipped with pizza shop and laundry.

Hours: 4am – 4pm

Service: 5 Nadas
The gal serving was so friendly and kind. She had a great smile. We had a great conversation about why most donut shops are owned by Cambodian families. Her theory was that it’s passed through relatives. I’ll try and research this further to verify, but dang, Cambodians know how to make good donuts. Nada is Cambodian and he went back home. I miss you, Nada.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 ¾ Nadas
Soooo soft and slightly moist with the perfect crisp glaze and a wonderful flavor that wasn’t overwhelming. It was almost perfect.

Blueberry Donut: Yes!
But sadly, they were sold out by the time we got there.

Coffee: 4 ½ Nadas
Good smooth flavor, and pleasant taste. I enjoyed not having to stop at another coffee shop to rinse out the bad taste as I occasionally do with other donut shop coffee

Special: They make sandwiches and sell cereal.

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Note: I couldn't find Selma Donuts on googlemaps.com so I used the closest business

Yum Yum Donuts – Willow Glen, CA

Overall Shop Rating: 3 Nadas

Sundays are my favorite days. I’m usually leading music for a church in any given town in California and, as I’ve traveled, I’ve noticed that donut shops must love Sundays also. In my experience, before or after church the local donut shops are packed with early rising church-goers and it makes me wonder how connected Jesus and donuts are. I would love it if, when I get to heaven, God tells me that when he provided mana for the Israelites in the desert, it was actually donuts. On this Sunday I found myself in Willow Glen and after church I was hungry so I wandered until I stumbled on Yum Yum Donuts.

Vibe of Shop: 3 ¾ Nadas

I’ve noticed that there are these posters I see all over the place in corporate donut shops. There’s one I particularly appreciate: “With a donut in each hand anything is possible.” This place was very clean and put together like good chain should be, but I prefer a more vintage donut shop feel.

Outside Appearance: 4 Nadas

This place had a nice corner location with ample parking and a pay phone. The only thing missing is some tables for donut consumption and vibe out time with old friends.

Hours: “24 Hours - Always Open”

Service: 2 Nadas

I can understand that shops get busy and stuff, but I appreciate it when the servers make the customers feel welcomed like a guest in a home. This place was all business.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 3 Nadas

Average. That’s about all I have to say. The balance was off between the fluffiness and moistness.

Blueberry Donut? Yes, but I didn’t try it.

Coffee: 3 Nadas

Sometimes coffee is just coffee and that’s all you need. On this day I didn’t need froo-froo coffee. I was in the mood for black liquid consciousness. This coffee did the job but didn’t impress at all.

Special: I really enjoyed the beautiful sprinkles and bright colored frostings on the donuts. It made me feel like a child again as I smiled in my reminiscent moment.

Also, I laughed at the poster that said Nutrition. I know that they are legally obligated to post nutrition facts but I thought it funny that the word nutrition was posted in a donut shop.

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Heavenly Donuts – Redding, CA

Overall Shop rating: 3 Nadas
Redding, CA, a place that reminds me of the good ol’ days when cowboys walked the streets toting guns and gold-rush miners hit the saloon after finding gold nuggets in streams. I feel that not much has changed here in Redding, except that you can’t take your guns to town anymore. It’s probably a good thing. On this day, I found myself in Redding to attend my friend’s wedding, and Travis Oberg and I spotted this shop while driving through town.

Vibe of Shop: 3 Nadas
My friend Alex hit the nail on the head: “The vibe is not awesome… but it’s clean” – Alex Braica… They had a good donut display but honestly, it was a little too corporate for me.



Outside Appearance: 2 ½ Nadas
They had an impressive presence on the corner of a busy street. The huge sign and bright colors caught my attention immediately and drew me in like a bee to the honeysuckle. The main problem was that there was no place to sit outside and it wasn’t in a strip mall.Hours: 24 Hours

Service: 4 Nadas
The lady, though not of Asian decent, was very friendly and really kooky. I think she likes life, and donuts, a lot. Fun times.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 3 ¾ Nadas
The donut had good fluffiness and a nice crisp glaze. It was decently moist, but there was just something slightly off about it. I couldn’t figure it out, which is disappointing given my donut knowledge and status in the online donut community. I’m only human, afterall.

Blueberry Donut? Yes! But unfortunately it sucked.




Coffee: 3 ½ Nadas
Slightly, almost, questionably, and arguably just about average. I didn’t gag, so that’s always a plus.

Special: Oreo donut looks cool and is a creative concept but don’t be fooled. It tasted like cardboard coco mixed with shaving cream.



















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Express Donuts – Lodi, CA

Overall Shop rating: 4 ¾ NadasUp to this point, when I find myself in Lodi, CA, I can only thing of one place I would like to visit, and that is Star Donuts which I have deservingly dubbed, “The best donut east of Santa Cruz.” I say all this because I honestly didn’t think Lodi could offer much more but, boy, I was wrong! My buddy, Tyson, and I were on a hunt for a whiffle ball set when we drove past this little gem. Please, if you have the time, stop here and honor your taste buds by eating a glaze donut.

Vibe of Shop: Insane Nadas
Though there was no donut pink involved, this place embodied the classic donut shop vibe and there was plenty of seating for all!

Outside Appearance: Grungy Nadas
I truthfully wouldn’t have expected such a delicious thing to come out of such a ghetto looking building, but then again, I’m kind of shallow at times and I tend to judge on appearances. My favorite part was the taco truck just outside the door tucked under the shade of the tree in the parking lot. You can have lunch and dessert by walking 10 paces!Hours: Honestly, I was too excited about the tasty donut that I didn't check on the hours. I'll just have to go back... Oh darn. ;)

Service: Kind and Happy Nadas
This lady was amazing! She truly reminded me of a happy aunty who won’t stop feeding me even when I say I’m done and can’t fit anymore in my belly.

Taste of Glaze Donut: Boom-a-licious Nadas
I did not have high expectations but when I took my first bite my jaw dropped with amazement. It was so perfect… moist, fluffy, and perfect glaze.

Blueberry Donut? Yes, and it was amazing. Just ask Tyson.

Coffee: Warm and energizing Nadas
I was so happy to enjoy a cup of joe at this point. Searching for a whiffle ball set is much harder than you would think.Special: When you make donuts this quality and tasty you don’t need gimmicks or specialties to draw customers. The donut does all the promotion itself. Go see for yourself. Be informed: we are getting closer everyday to finding the best donut in the world.

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Christy’s Donuts – Danville, CA

Overall Shop rating 3 NadasOn this day, my friends and I found ourselves on a backyard concert tour called the Fire Pit Tour. We were in Danville playing at the Wisenor abode and before the show we needed some refreshment so we headed to their local donut shop just around the corner from their home.

Vibe of Shop: 3 ½ Nadas
When I walked inside I enjoyed the home-like feel of the joint, but I did feel a little cramped. It was like a miniature house for dolls, but with donuts.

Outside Appearance: 4 Nadas
Nestled in a nice nook of a strip mall and surrounded by a thrift store for old people, I enjoyed the seating outside, though at the time it was occupied by a mom and her children. I wish they weren’t there because it was a beautiful day outside and I wanted to enjoy my dough nugget in the sun.

Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30am-5pm, Sat 6am-2pm, Sun 6am-1pm

Service: 4 Nadas
The servers were kind and helpful… and Asian. Always a plus.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 3 Nadas
I visited this place with my friend, Kent, and his kids and I had high hopes because he built it up as his regular stop. I’m sorry, Kent, but they just didn’t bring the excellence I was hoping for.Blueberry Donut? Yes
I’ve heard it said that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover and in the same way I will say: You can’t judge a donut by it’s glaze. This donut looked great but was just average. Again, I’m sorry, Kent. I wish I could give a higher rating for your sake. Maybe it’s just because we came later in the day, but a good donut should hold it’s it’s course til the end of donut day.

Coffee: 3 Nadas
Average, but it didn’t make me gag so that’s always a good thing.

Special: My favorite part about the shop were the old movie posters and random decorations on the walls. Also, I enjoyed the polka dot wall paper.



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Donut Rising - Chico, CA

Overall Shop rating: 4 Nadas
In my extensive donut research I have found that there are 3 categories of donut shops: corporate shops (Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts), small family owned shops (Ferrell’s Donuts, Dunlap Donuts), and crazy boutique shops (Voodoo Donuts, Psycho Donuts). Donut Rising falls in the last category and does the “boutique donut thing” well! I loved the thought and planning that went into the décor and I love the interesting and creative approach to the donut flavors. Chico, being a rootsy college town and the home of the successful and creative brewery, Sierra Nevada, I wouldn’t expect less of their donut culture. Donut Rising is quality and a great donut stop!

Vibe of Shop: 4 ½ Nadas
When I walked in, I was floored by the décor. The use of donut pink was skillfully balance with the bright green and checkered floors. One can’t help but smile and feel a little crazy when walking into this shop.


Outside Appearance: 3 Nadas
I enjoyed the location, being nestled in a quaint strip mall and being neighbors of Wok’N Roll Hawaiian BBQ. I was disappointed that there was no outdoor seating.

Hours: 7am – 3pm-ish

Service: 4 Nadas
The girl who helped us was very kind and informative and after talking a bit, I found out she was a part owner. For the record, she wasn’t of Asian descent, but she made a killer donut!Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 Nadas
The donut was fully, moist, and the glaze was near perfect. The flavor didn’t necessarily stick out, though. Maybe it’s because I was so excited about trying the bacon maple bar.

Blueberry Donut… I’m not sure. I was so distracted by all the crazy flavors (like Maple Bacon and Chai) that I forgot to look. Coffee: 4 Nadas
It was delicious and simple. I don’t know what else to say.

Special: Obviously, this shop is shooting for creativity and the unique taste niche. I was so pumped on the Chico Chai donut. I would highly recommend it! The Maple Bacon… Mmmmm. Perfect blend of saltiness and sweet. Actually, while we were sitting there discussing the flavors, my friends, Chris, Travis, and I came up with a new twist… We call it the Volcano: a donut with Bacon, Maple frosting, and filled small bits of jalapenos! I can’t wait for someone to try and create it! I would, except I don’t know how to make a decent raise glaze yet. First things first…



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