Spudnuts - Santa Barbara, CA

Overall Shop rating: 3 ½ NadasIntro: I’m sorry that I’ve taken so long to put a new blog up. This blog is dedicated to my friend, Ben Akina. He has been riding me to put a new one up so I thought I’d give this one to him and… Everyone go listen to his music! It’s called: Stephen, Hero. Look it up online and give it a listen. Ben is so stinkin’ creative and I really like his stuff.

Enough about that, let’s talk about donuts.

I heard a rumor of donuts made from potatoes and I wasn’t sure what to think. This was my chance to test them out for myself.

Vibe of Shop: 3 Nadas
First off, there was not enough “donut pink…” (Hey Crayola, I’m still waiting to see a crayon color named that). Second, the shop was kind of small and cramped. I did appreciate the large windows, which made the shop bright and happy.Outside Appearance: 3 Nadas
I love palm trees and this shop had one out in front, but overall the outside appearance did not stick out at all. The shop blended in too much into the strip mall. Blending in is good if you are a private eye detective or if you are playing paintball or if you are trying to hide from your mom when she wants you to take out the trash… but if you are a business trying to sell donuts, it’s good to stick out just a little bit.Hours: 24 hours!!!

Service: 3 Nadas
The service was average, not overly friendly but not mean either…. And not asian.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 Nadas
I had heard rumors about this donut call a Spudnut, made from potatoes. I thought it was an interesting idea and when I happened to drive by the store I was excited to finally have an opportunity to try it. I was pleasantly surprised at the fluffiness and moistness of the donut, but I do not agree with the sign in the store claiming that they are “The upper crust of the donut world!”

Blueberry Donut?
No, but they had a blueberry filled donut that was pretty good.

Coffee: 2 Nadas
The coffee wasn’t very good. I believe there is a Starbucks




Special: I saw this twist-type donut covered with cherry and custard and it looked so delicious! The only problem was that I couldn’t handle eating a glaze, a blueberry filled, and that, so I’ll just have to let you know how it tastes next time I swing by that shop. Also, they sold lemons, bananas, and cup-o-noodles, ice cream, and sandwiches.









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Gosh, I love donuts.

But you all knew that already.



I've been busy finding new shops and I have some blogs coming soon. Thanks for reading, and go eat a donut!

Dave

Donut Queen - Camarillo, CA

Overall Shop rating: 3 Nadas
In life, however much I wish we were all winners, there must be losers for there to be winners. This shop wasn’t a winner. With high hopes I visited Donut Queen accompanied by my sister. I was excited that the shop is so closely located to my parents’ house. This would have been the perfect place to jump on my beach cruiser and mosey on over for a nibblet but, alas, I don't make a habit of regularly eating donuts that have a rating below 4 1/2 Nadas. Call me a donut snob, call me what you want, but I know what donuts deserve blue ribbons and those are the ones that belong in my belly.Vibe of Shop: 4 ½ Nadas
I was excited about the look of the interior of the shop. Ample seating, good lighting, street views, and good use of donut pink had me thinking that this shop may create a winning donut, but looks aren’t everything. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
The location is great. Right on the corner of 2 busy streets and across for the train station, it has a large bright sign and plenty of parking.

Hours: 24 hours!!!

Service: 3 Nadas
I got the vide that the people running the place didn’t want to be there. Not a very good way to welcome visiting customers, especially donut critics like myself.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 Nadas
The donut was dry and stale and the glaze was too thin. What a disappointment. Also, could have been the time of the day, but the selection of donut was very thin.

Blueberry Donut: No

Coffee: 1 Nada
Tasted like dirty mud water… and it wasn’t even that hot. Here’s some advice, Donut Queen: I’ve been told if you have bad beer, serve it really, really cold because the taste buds will not be able to taste it. In the same way, if you have bad coffee, serve it really hot.

Special: They sold bananas, a healthy choice. They also sold cigarettes to accompany your bad coffee, a not-so-healthy choice.



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Lanky's Pastries - Hilo, HI

Overall Shop rating: 4 Nadas
At this point I’ve been away from Santa Cruz and Ferrell’s Donut for over 2 months… I’m beginning to forget what the glaze donut like mana from heaven tastes like. I’ve been in Hawaii since April 7 and it is now June 5. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying all the fresh fish, shave ice, and warm water ocean waves, but I have not been able to find a shop dedicated solely to donuts. Instead, the commonality is the bakery. I understand that this diversifies the products sold and broadens the customer base in towns where populations are smaller than on the mainland. This is yet another reason why I love Hawaiians: They are survivalists, molding and shaping businesses into what works in order to generate income to buy more poi and spam for their hungry families. I respect that. On my last day in Hilo, I was doing errands and I happened on this bakery in a quaint strip mall and I was warmly surprised to find one of my favorite baked goods ever (refer to “Special” below)!!!

Vibe of Shop: 4 Nadas
I like my donut shop/bakeries to feel warm, used, and slightly dirty like home, but still clean. This bakery had the perfect balance. It looked as if it had worked hard for years making many, many loaves of bread and cakes to celebrate births and deaths, love and loss, failure and success… But this place has succeeded. Note: No good seating indoors, but it’s Hawaii! Go sit outside.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
Perfect seating outside for cruising and talking story. The bakery had nice large windows allowing everyone to see the baked goods… a great marketing strategy.Hours: 5:30am – 9:00pm everyday
That’s what the sign says, but I did show up one day in the early afternoon and they were closed. Like any good mom and pop shop, I think they close whenever they feel like taking a break. Again, I respect that.

Service: 5 Nadas
Asian, Friendly, and Happy. I love donuts served with smiles.

Taste of Glaze Donut: 2 1/2 nadas
Truthfully, this donut could use a little help. The dough was not fluffy enough for my taste and the glaze was a bit bland.

Blueberry Donut: No

Coffee: ?
I didn’t have coffee here because right next door there is a coffee shop called Kope Kope, where I performed at an open mic a few nights before. I decided to give Kope Kope my business because they could use the help. Go drink coffee there!Special: Oh My!!! I was blown away! Lanky’s came up with this: Custard Filled Chocolate Donut Hole. Simply, amazing. It’s like jumping in a cool pool in the hot desert, or hitting all green lights on your way to work, or putting on a jacket and finding $20 in your pocket. Man, I can’t even explain to you how wonderful this little nugget was. Perfectly balanced dough, custard and frosting… It massaged my taste buds into pure relaxation and peaceful bliss.


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Happy National Donut Day!!!

Check this video out! I love it.

Daily Donuts – Sunnyvale, CA

Overall Shop rating: 4 Nadas

Sometimes when you dig through the dirt, you find a gem. Daily Donuts is gem I found while driving home from a gig in the bay area. It is next door to 7 Eleven and almost hidden from plain view, but once you eat from here you will never miss it again!

Vibe of Shop: 3 1/2 Nadas
I loved the checkered floor, even though it was blue instead of pink. My favorite part was the giant refrigerator right in the shop. They didn’t try to hide anything. They just plopped it right there. Ha! Also, there were no tables or places to sit. That was a disappointment, especially after I noticed the TV in the corner playing Vietnamese music videos.

Outside Appearance: 2 Nadas
I was dirty and there are no places to sit and enjoy the donuts, once purchased. Travis and I ended up using a cart with unassembled cardboard boxes as table. It worked.

Hours: 5am – 9pm

Service: 4 1/2 Nadas
Asian, friendly, Aunty-like… What more could you ask for?

Taste of Glaze Donut: 4 1/2 Nadas
Wonderfully soft, moist and tasty. I was pleasantly surprised

Blueberry Donut? No.
No blueberry donuts, but they did have blueberry filled. I didn’t try one.

Coffee: 3 1/2 Nadas
I liked the coffee, though it didn’t blow me away. If I had to make a choice between Daily Donuts and 7 Eleven next door, I’d choose Daily.

Special: I really loved all the random signs in the windows. They kept making me laugh. This place really knows how to market!

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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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