Four Seasons Donuts – Camarillo, CA

Overall Shop rating: 5 Nadas

On this day, I was getting an oil change at a Firestone that was part of this large strip mall, and I thought to myself, “What should I do for the next hour?” Luckily, there was a well-placed heavenly oasis called Four Seasons Donuts that extended a friendly welcome.

Ever since I’ve started this donut blog I have been waiting for the day that a donut shop owner recognizes my dedication to their craft, and in return, hands me a free donut. Today, my dream was realized. The best part is that this shop was amazing as well. I’m not giving this shop high scores because of the complimentary apple fritter and free refill on coffee. They really do a great job in making donuts. I talked in length with the owner about the process of making donuts and how her glaze is so much better than others because it’s not too thick and not too sweet. It’s perfectly crafted to bring happiness to your taste buds.


Vibe of Shop: 5 Nadas
It had well planned seating, plenty of ordering options, and the owner was so friendly. As I sat there for 45 minutes waiting for my car, we chatted about life, donut-making, and religion. It was an amazing afternoon.Outside Appearance: 4 1/2 Nadas
Perfect located in a large strip mall, these guys know how to do donuts! They created a little outside patio eating area that was occupied by a rotation of 65-year-old men coming to break up the routine of the day with a donut, a cup of coffee, and old man comradery. I can’t wait until I’m 65 so I can join in the “old man conversations.”

Hours: 5am – 5pm-ish. Honestly, I forgot to take a picture so I could remember, but I do remember it opening really early and closing in the early evening. The owner said that she wanted to get home to her family. “Life is not all about working,” she told me.Service: 5 Nadas
She was a great help and a great conversationalist. I realized that many people came in knowing her by name.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 5 Nadas
Moist, fluffy, and the perfect light glaze made this the best glaze donut that I have found in Camarillo.

Blueberry Donut? Nope. Only blueberry filled croissants

Coffee: 4 Nadas
The coffee was good but it didn’t blow my mind. I’m waiting for that perfect blend that makes my donut filled mouth sing out loud.Special: They had a wonderful cinnamon-type donut that was glazed and frosted and looked amazingly scrumptious. I couldn’t bring myself to eat it though. After a glaze and the complimentary apple fritter, I was done.

One random thing was that people could redeem recycling there. As I sat there a few people walked in with receipts and the lady handed them cash. You can also play the Lotto there.

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Donut Station – Capitola, CA

Overall Shop Rating: 3 Nadas
Santa Cruz is my favorite surf town in all of CA. There are almost always waves to surf and there are a plethora of donut shops to nourish hungry surfers in their post surf daze. On this day Daniel La Point and I just got done surfing at Capitola and we noticed this quaint little shop tucked away in a corner market. I was excited to discover this shop. I have lived in Santa Cruz off and on for over 10 years and I never knew it was here! It’s like finding a twenty dollar bill in the pocket of an old jacket that I haven’t worn in a while. Yes!

PS. I love the name: Donut Station. It’s powerful… like a locomotive.

Vibe of Shop: 3 Nadas
Great seating arrangements, complete with pink tables and cushioned seats.

Outside Appearance: 2 Nadas
This place is kind of hard to see. It’s in a nice little strip mall though. I would change some things if I owned it, but as it is… it works.

Hours: Mon – Sat: 5:30am to 5pm
Sun: 5:30am – 1pm

Service: 4 Nadas
The man was very fun to talk to and he helped us out kindly, despite our incoherent post-surf babble.Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 Nadas
I was disappointed that a new found gem could produce a donut that was sub-par. It could be that the donuts were old because we arrived here around 4pm, but that’s no excuse. Ferrell’s donuts taste good until the next day!

Blueberry Donut? Yes! I think it’s a Santa Cruz thing. I can find them consistently in all Santa Cruz area shops.

Coffee: 3 Nadas
Simply average. There are so many great coffee shops in Santa Cruz that I would suggest getting your donut and then heading to Pete’s, Mr. Toot’s, or The Ugly Mug. Those are all within a 2 minute drive from here.

Special: When I was in high school I competed on the school swim team. Every day after practice I would come home and munch on what ever I wanted… and a lot of it at that. One of the main staples of my afternoon munchies was neon sour gummy worms and this store sells little baggies of them!!! It took me back home for a moment. Then I remembered how many cavities I have, and how I just had a root canal procedure done. I’m so over sour gummies!


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Allie’s Donuts – North Kingstown, RI

Overall Shop rating: 4 NadasWhile driving through this wooded areas of Rhode Island with Jenn Allen, there’s not much more that I could want than a donut, a cup of coffee, and a good game of cribbage. Jenn directed me straight to Allie’s Donuts and fulfilled my culinary cravings. She even let me win at cribbage!Vibe of Shop: 2 Nadas
There was not much room inside for anything but ordering. I missed the comfort of Ferrell’s tables and familiar smell. I did, however, enjoy the tie-dye decorations.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
This is the cutest donut shop I have ever seen. It’s like grandma’s house. There were great picnic tables around the side to eat and plenty of parking. If I were to throw a donut party, this would be the place!

Hours: Mon – Fri: 5am to 3pm
Sat – Sun: 6am to 1pm

Service: 4 Nadas
Not asian… but I didn’t expect to find many Asians this far east… well, there are Asians in the “far east” but this was the far east of the USA. The helpers were friendly like old ladies from a convent.Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 Nadas
I was not impressed with the donuts thought they were much better that Dunkin.

Blueberry Donut? No, but they had all kinds of different frostings.Coffee: 3 1/2 Nadas
I like my coffee hot, dark, and caffeinated. This worked fine.

Special: They make the largest donut I have ever seen. There’s no way I would want to try and tackle it by myself. If I was trying to become a sumo wrestler, I’d eat it all… but I’d also be wearing a diaper all the time.



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