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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K D's Doughnuts and Desserts - Ramona, CA

Overall Shop Rating: 3.5 Nadas
You may be thinking “Hey, who is this Tyson character? Isn’t this website called ‘Dave’s Donut Blog? How does Tyson expect me to respect his opinion on donuts and donutry when he has no qualifications that I know of?” – This is perfectly understandable, as Dave is widely recognized as a wordwide virtuoso of all tenets of the donut world and I am nothing more than, well, some guy or whatever. So please take this particular blog as a kind of wikipedia in the world of scholarly donut articles.

I have been taking a break from playing bass with Kokua to do some music at various Young Life properties in California. This gave me ample donut tasting oppurtunities which I took eager advantage of. This particular day I sampled some of the craftsmanship of KD Donuts in Ramona, California – but not alone. In fact I employed the taste buds of three more donut critics: Martin Cachero and AJ Pitkin from San Diego, as well as a donut critic abroad: Sean Pearson, a pastry enthusiast from Phoenix, Arizona.

Overall Vibe of shop: 3.5 Nadas
The exterior had a well designed, clean sign, as well as decal of layered donuts. I should have taken a picture of the decal but I didn’t. Think about it like this: a donut transport airplane broke in two during a flight over Detroit and all the donuts fell into the empty swimming pool of a bygone millionaire who moved to the Bahamas after he closed his automobile manufacturing plant and fired all the employees (that’s why the pool was empty) – and then somebody snapped a quick picture and made it into a window decal. I’m not sure if that’s the way this decal came to be but hey, it’s like a way to understand, you know? The interior wasn’t usual donut shop interior. It had pictures that weren’t of budda or island scenery. A little use of donut pink was apparent - and - surprisingly, there were ample pictures of Ramona, as well as a lot of advertisements for the California Lottery. If your day is going pretty good, why not get a donut, right? And then, your day is really looking up, so why not win the lottery? KD Donuts know how to do a correct sell of the lottery.

Service: 5 Nadas
The service here was like no other service I’ve ever encountered in a donut shop. When we informed the nice woman behind the counter, named Stephanie I think, that we represented a donut blog, she went out of her way to accommodate us – even giving us free donuts! Hooray! That’s another $3.45 towards my future children’s college fund. Her husband came out of the back to give us a tour of the donut case. “The maple bar has a money back guarentee. If you don’t like it, your money back!” Five stars, sir. He even let us take a picture of him holding a donut with Martin, Sean and AJ. He let us behind the counter which was exciting. (See illustration 1.a)Regular Glaze: 2 Nadas
Martin had this one, and he wasn’t impressed. He even called it trash, which is like a slap in the face to any donut. Calling a donut trash is like calling a human being 10 swear words in their own language. I think perhaps KD Donuts has been smitten with the “Krispy Kreme Kurse” where the donuts are delightfully crispy and soft and delicious in the morning, and then turn into a round shaped turd tasting donut in the afternoon, like a werewolf in reverse. Stephanie even told us that we had to come back in the morning. She backed it up by showing that over half the case was empty from the numerous early bird donut consumers. (See image 1.b).

Blueberry Donut: yes.
AJ tried this one. To his disappointment there were no real blueberries baked into the donut, but hey, we were in Ramona, not Monte Carlo. Who do you think you are, man? They also had a regular glaze with blueberry frosting. Yum ahoy! Sean thought this was a top notch donut, adding that it would be better in the morning.

Coffee: N/A
We didn’t try the coffee because it was a flamboyant 207 degrees farenheit outside. Call me what you will, but I wasn’t in the mood.

Special:
Cash only! I like cash-only donut shops. They stay true to American currency. They way it was, and should be. Cash-only is 101 in donut culture.

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Note from the donut blog guru, Dave: Tyson is a good friend of mine. We have been playing music together for a long time and we visited many donut shops together. He is still a donut padawan learner, but I feel he has been adequately trained and his opinion can be taken as near truth. I'll let you know all know when I feel he has outgrown his donut critiquing adolescence.

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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Fluffy Donut - Davis, CA

Overall Shop rating: 3 ½ NadasDavis, CA is a wonderful college town tucked in the middle of farm lands and perfect flat terrain for riding bikes. When you get tired from all the pedaling around town, bike your way on over to Fluffy Donut for some refreshment. I haven’t spent much time in this peaceful town, but I hope to find myself here more in the future so I can thoroughly explore and experience the donut culture of Davis.

Vibe of Shop: 4 Nadas
This place has ample seating and plenty of soft donut pink in the décor that makes me feel right at home. There are large windows in the front of the store that provide for lots of natural light to keep the vibe bright and happy.

Outside Appearance: 5 Nadas
I haven’t found a more relaxing exterior of a donut shop as this. There were tables and chairs, park benches and lots of nice foliage that provided a relaxing feeling.

Hours: 5:30am-5:00pm

Service: 2 1/2 Nadas
The nice Asian man was witty and friendly but super slow. I can understand why as he had to serve donuts and make sandwiches all by himself.Taste of Glaze Donut: 3 Nadas
As the title of the shop states, this donut was fluffy, but a little too fluffy for my taste. The glaze was a little too crispy and dry, and the flavor of the donut was too ordinary. Nothing really stuck out to me.

Blueberry Donut: When we were there they didn’t have a regular blueberry cake donut, but they did have an old fashion blueberry donut. I didn’t try one since I just had a huge burrito and I could barely handle eating any more.

Coffee: 3 ½ Nadas
The coffee had a good flavor but was watered down.

Special: This donut shop doubled as a sandwich shop. I noticed that they kept busy serving as many sandwiches as donuts. This is admirable as they were literally next door to a Subway Sandwich shop.



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Dunlap’s Donuts - Santa Cruz, CA

Overall Shop Rating: 4 1/2 NadasDunlap’s Donuts, known to my friends and I as 38th donuts, is perfectly located on the corner of Portola and 38th Ave. It’s a few short blocks from the popular surf spots known as the Hook, Pleasure Point, and 38th Ave, which makes this the regular stop after surf sessions. Honestly, there’s not much better than tasty fried sugary dough after paddling around for a couple hours in 50 degree water. Also, I’ve always loved the servers there. I believe it’s run by a Cambodian family and I’ve enjoyed seeing some of their kids grow up over the years (I’ve been going here for a long time).

Vibe of the Shop: 5 Nadas
This is the perfect donut lounge scenario. donuts in the middle, seats all around. No matter what time you get there, there’s a big possibility 2 to 3 older guys will be sitting in the corner talking about the good ol’ days.

Outside Appearance: 4 1/2 Nadas
I love the quaint look, the location, and ample parking, but I wish there were some tables and chairs outside so that one could soak in the sun while enjoying a sugary morsel.Hours: I’m not sure the exact hours, but I do know that they are open earlier than you want to be awake, and they stay open til at least 8 at night. Definitely not 24 hours.

Service: 5 Nadas
Every time I go in the lady named, Linda, serves with smile… either her or her son, who is also super cool.

Taste of the Glaze Donut: 4 Nadas
Honestly I’ve had better, but these donuts are still really tasty. It has good moistness/fluffiness/density ratio and the glaze is not too thin and not too overbearing.

Coffee: 3 Nadas
Santa Cruz has such a great coffee culture so if you want excellent coffee all you have to do is walk about 200 yards north to Coffeetopia or walk a block south to the award winning Verve Coffee. The coffee at Dunlap’s is just average but it does the job and it’s cheap!









Blueberry Donut: Yessssss!!!! And actually this is the blueberry donut that I use as the standard for all others. I believe that this is their strength. It could be that a blueberry donut is the perfect post-surf snack, though.

Go surf and get a donut!


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A letter from a fellow donut connoisseur

*Note* Ben is my good friend and trusted donut critic. He and I have visited a few shops together and discussed the intricacies that make up a great donut, so I give my validating approval to whatever he says. Ben, I'm sorry to say that you really missed out. I recently visited Trisha's, and though the smell was not strong, the taste nearly drove me crazy. These little guys are "Lightning in a Bottle." We'll just have to go there together sometime soon and share in the donut experience.

From an email Ben sent me....

I read Andrew's guest donut blog about the pier 39 donuts, and I'm kind of angry.

When I was in New Zealand, the mini donuts were a life changing experience. Between the two islands, I only found them in the very first city and very last city I visited. And believe me...I looked. I only found the second mini donut shop because I smelled it. Kristen and I were walking through a mini-mall and the smell hit me. I got so excited I nearly lost bowel control. We were right next to a bakery, so I turned and stepped inside...and the smell ceased.

"They're not here...we must keep looking!"

I returned to the promenade and followed my nose a few doors down. Heaven again. Lightning in a bottle.

Then, on Kristen's birthday (last Thursday), I went to pier 39. I saw the mini-donut shop. And I didn't buy them. Because that smell was absent. I walked all around the shop, searching for that haunting fragrance. Nothing. I stuck my head as close to the window as I could, and still nothing. I saw some people buying and eating them, and they didn't look quite as sparklingly brilliant as the New Zealand ones. So I didn't buy them, because I couldn't risk putting mediocre mini donuts in a mouth that had tasted such sublime excellence.

And then today I checked your blog, saw that post, and wondered if I had missed out on more lightning in a bottle. And now I'm conflicted and therefore, as I mentioned above, angry.

Miss you brother. Take care!

-Ben