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.

National Donut Day 2015...again

"2 national donut days in one a year?" you may ask.

You may think, "This is overkill."

I respond, "Why not National Donut Day everyday?"

Well, 2 national donut days in 2015, 2 hands, 2 donuts.

If only I had 2 mouths to consume more quicker. 

NEWS FLASH: Donuts are healthy!!!

I've known this all along.

Well... I've always hoped it was true.

Well... Make sure to work out and eat veggies along with donut consumption for best results.

(Click here to link to article) 

Happy National Donut Day 2015... Late

Hey Guys,
I know, I know. National Donut Day was last Friday and I didn't post anything. I got enough razz from everyone about it, but I have a good excuse. So here it is in a mathematical equation:

Dave - 3 hours of Surfing daily X 730 days + 1 raised glaze donut X 1 too many = Time to exercise.

So, my wife and I decided to celebrate our 3rd anniversary by climbing to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. Let me tell you, it was probably the most sketchy thing I have ever done in my life.

I liken it to child birth (though I've never done that). One of my good friends told me that while watching his son be born he was a little... correction... A LOT freaked out. He said it was like a war zone in the room. His wife was screaming in pain, there was blood on the walls, and he was petrified in confusion. But he said, "It's the weirdest thing, the women, they forget. Right after all that chaos and the baby is put in their arms they say, 'Let's have another.' But us men... We never forget. I can't forget [shaking his head looking at the floor]."

So, climbing 4,800 feet up in elevation in 8.2 miles was very, very painful (this isn't the part like childbirth). After hours and hours, and countless stairs of granite, we finally reached the cables. At this point you are faced with an ominous view of thin cables attached to unattached poles, resting in small holes, leading up a 45 degree incline up a rock that has a thousand foot drop off on both sides. Ignoring our natural given instincts we trekked on up, with no safety ropes or anything, stopping on every board to breathe and make sure our hands we strong enough to literally hold our lives. At one point we almost turned back, but then I remembered that old ladies and little kids do this climb. We couldn't allow ourselves to be showed up by them. At least not at this oint in our lives. So we climbed on.

At the top, exhausted, we said resolutely, "We don't ever need to do this again." So we enjoyed the view over some light snacks for a couple hours, took some pictures, and then headed back down.

Here's a little insight, walking down hill is easier than walking up. Everything feels lighter, even your spirit, at least mine did. Maybe it was the lack a good donut on an important donut holiday, or maybe my brain was starving for electrolytes, but I started to think to myself until it finally slipped out of my lips (and this is the part like childbirth), "I would like to do that again sometime."

Thanks for reading my story.

I hope you enjoyed the best donut of your life on National Donut Day 2015!

-Dave

Happy National Doughnut Day! Spelling is everything.

Today is National Doughnut Day, not to be confused with National Donut Day in June.

My friend informed me this morning that I was referenced in blog post by the Palm Beach Post Wesbite: "As the final arbiter of the donut vs. doughnut spellcheck squabble, we consult no less an authority than Dave, a surfer from Santa Cruz, CA who writes a blog called Dave’s Donut Blog,  whose photo shows a guy with a sugar-rimmed mouth." I feel very honored today to be considered a leading authority on donuts.

In celebration I thought I would share with you a recent discovery I have made. A fruit called the Donut Peach! It's proper name is the Saturn Peach, but any fruit that carries the name or resemblance of a donut, is a fruit I want to consume. Boom.

Have a great day!

-Dave

National Donut Day 2013

Well, it's "National Donut Day" here in the US of A and the Ocean in Santa Cruz decided to celebrate with big waves for all the surfers.

For me and my wife, surfing and donuts are heavily entwined. There's no comfort equal to eating a fluffy morsel of fried glazed dough after a couple hours of getting destroyed by mother nature. So, nearly every time after surfing in Santa Cruz, Jenn and I head on over to Dunlap's Donuts on the corner of Portola Dr. and 38th Ave and visit Marney (the cambodia lady who runs the place) to replenish all the calories we just burned off... and some.

Jenn's Fave: Cinnamon Twist
Dave's Fave: Glazed Blueberry Cake (and sometimes maple bar or glazed bear claw)


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How donuts found their foothold in America?

Happy National Donut Day!!!

On this National Donut Day, I want to wish you the happiest, richest glazed, fluffy and moist, most wonderful donut day ever! May every bite be a nugget from heaven and may the flavors be like 17 Justin Biebers dancing on your tastbuds.

Go support a local shop!

Is this a dream come true, or what?!

Maybe I should invest some time into this concept and create a donut that's actually healthy for us. We'll see....

I'm sorry for such a long silence. I've been very busy surfing, searching for donut shops, and playing music. New blog coming soon!

Until then, chew on this picture that my friend sent me. :)

Good Day Donuts – Mission Hills, CA

3 ¾ Nadas

There are two approaches to business that I commonly see. The first is: choose a product and make it the best it can be. Let your business be known for the quality and superiority of that one product and push it hard… real hard.

The second way to do business is more of a “fish net” tactic. Throw a broad net and catch whatever you can.

Good Day Donuts surprised me. They were a café, ice cream shop, mini mart, and donut shop all wrapped into one. And the best part is…. They were great at it all, especially the donuts!

Vibe of Shop: 2 ½ Nadas

There was good seating, but it was a little crowded. This is understandable, since it is also a mini mart. Surprisingly they stayed true to the donut, making good use of donut pink in the décor.

Outside Appearance: 3 Nadas

Nestled in a respectable strip mall it felt donut worthy though there was no outdoor seating.

Hours: 4:30am – 8:00pm

Service: The lady was a bit eggy and cold, but the milk was warm.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 ½ Nadas

This is the one redeeming factor that takes this place to the next level. Super moist and fluffy, the glaze was almost perfect but just a little too heavy. The taste of the donut was sweet but not overbearing.

Blueberry Donut? No.

Coffee: 2 Nadas

Watered down and tastes like Los Angeles river water with sediment.

Special: This place was a mini mart so one could buy anything from lotto tickets, to hats and sunglasses, to beer and smoothies, and even full hot meals. One could survive for weeks locked up in this place, though the donuts would most likely go stale pretty quick.

PS. The custard filled chocolate donut was AMAZING!!!

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Do something nice for someone today.

Today, as I looked through old photos on my computer I was reminded of a good friend who understood my affinity for donuts and wanted to do a kind thing for me. I was in Mexicali for the week with a youth group from Sacramento and we were there to serve a few churches in Mexico. We were staying at a large church that used to be bustling with people, but after a series of bad events it is now a small group of devoted followers of Jesus, trying to keep the church alive. My friend, Julio, is a young college student who leads the music there. He is a very talented musician with a huge heart.

Every time I head to Mexico or other "3rd world" countries I am reminded how fortunate we are here in California. I take for granted how easy it is for me to get clean drinking water, or how convenient it is to get food where ever and when ever I want. If I'm hungry at 1:00am all I have to do is jump in my car, head to Taco Bell, swipe a small piece of plastic, and fill my mouth with food I didn't really need.On that pleasant Mexican afternoon, Julio showed up with a smirk on his face, box of local donuts in hand and asked me how these donuts rated. I was blown away that he would share what little he has with me, only to bring a smile to my face.

Now, today, I am sitting here remembering how great it was to receive a small, thoughtful gift from a friend. I want to challenge you to go do something nice for someone today. It doesn't have to be big. Maybe it's just buying them a donut and giving a compliment. Whatever it is, you may make their day... and yours.PS. The Mexican donuts were tasty, but don't drink the water ;-)

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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"You woke me up to say the word donut?!"

Tyson loves the donut.

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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