“There’s one thing that’s really great about waking up early,” the comedian Kathy Griffin apparently once said, “and it’s not jogging or greeting the day — it’s just that that’s when they make doughnuts.” The Dutch brought an ancestor of the modern doughnut to America in the early 19th century, in the form of deep-fried dough balls called olykoeks (literally “oily cakes”). A sailor named Hanson Crockett Gregory is credited with first putting holes in the oily cakes, either to avoid leaving a raw doughy middle when they cooked or so that he could store them on the spokes of his ship’s wheel for convenient snacking.
The first doughnut-making machine appeared in 1920, and doughnuts soon became a commonplace offering at bakeries and diners. They were especially popular during the Depression because they cost less than a nickel and were reasonably filling, according to an article on the history of the doughnut in Smithsonian Magazine.
Today, doughnuts have become a kind of blank canvas for creative bakers, and are likely to be topped or filled with everything from bacon to jalapeños to foie gras. They’re even sometimes repurposed to serve as burger or sandwich buns — like the Krispy Kreme sloppy joes served at the Virginia State Fair. (These are the strangest state fair foods ever.)
Even conventional doughnuts aren’t very healthy, of course. An average glazed doughnut can weigh in at as much as 250 calories, while chocolate-frosted or jelly doughnuts might hit 300. Despite their caloric load, though, they’re still not among the 50 least healthful fast food breakfast items.
There are said to be more than 13,000 doughnut shops in the U.S. currently, counting both chains and independents. According to Yelp, Boston is the per capita doughnut shop capital of America, with one such place for every 2,400 inhabitants. But every state has plenty of doughnut shops of its own, and 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the best example in every state, concentrating on independents and small chains. As with restaurants and retail stores all over the nation at this time, some of these shops might be temporarily closed or offer only takeout and/or delivery service.
In order to determine the best doughnut shop in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a dozen existing rankings of the best doughnut shops in every state from a variety of sites. All the shops on this list were ranked as the best doughnut shop in their respective states multiple times. In the case of a tie, the shop’s Yelp rating was used as a tiebreaker.
Click here to see the best doughnut shop in every state.
Alabama: The Heavenly Donut Company
> City: Birmingham
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coffee iced
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Alaska: Jason’s Donuts
> City: Fairbanks
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Double chocolate cake
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Arizona: LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee
> City: Phoenix
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 24 (in five states)
> Sample specialty: Ray’s original glazed
Arkansas: Mark’s Do-Nut Shop
> City: Little Rock
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Coconut
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California: Donut Bar
> City: San Diego
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Chocolate peanut butter cup
Colorado: Amy’s Donuts
> City: Colorado Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 (in five states)
> Sample specialty: Lucky Charms (white frosting covered with Lucky Charms cereal)
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Connecticut: Donut Crazy
> City: New Haven
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 locations
> Sample specialty: Cannoli (raised yeast doughnut shell with cream filling and chocolate chips)
Delaware: Fractured Prune
> City: Rehoboth Beach
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 15 locations (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Green Envy (mint glaze with mini chocolate chips)
Florida: The Salty Donut
> City: Miami
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 6 (in Florida and Texas)
> Sample specialty: Guava and cream cheese
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Georgia: Revolution Doughnuts
> City: Decatur
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Vanilla bean
Hawaii: Purvé Donut Stop
> City: Honolulu
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Alohamac (chocolate glaze with macadamia nuts and caramel)
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Idaho: Guru Donuts
> City: Boise
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Alice in Wonderland (with vanilla bean glaze and birthday cake crumbs)
Illinois: Doughnut Vault
> City: Chicago
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chestnut glazed
Indiana: Long’s Bakery
> City: Indianapolis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Blueberry cake
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Iowa: Ambrosia Donuts
> City: Ankeny
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Doughnuts or long johns (filled to order with jelly, pudding, etc.)
Kansas: The Donut Whole
> City: Wichita
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Pumpkin spice
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Kentucky: King Donuts
> City: Louisville
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Glazed
Louisiana: DISTRICT: Donuts. Sliders. Brew.
> City: New Orleans
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 7 (in three states)
> Sample specialty: Cinnamon sugar
Maine: The Holy Donut
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 3
> Sample specialty: Sea salt dark chocolate potato
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Maryland: Krumpe’s Do-nuts
> City: Hagerstown
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Peanut butter iced twists
Massachusetts: Union Square Donuts
> City: Somerville
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4
> Sample specialty: Vietnamese coffee (covered in creamy glaze made from condensed milk and espresso)
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Michigan: Avon Donuts
> City: Pontiac
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Original honey glaze
Minnesota: Cardigan Donuts
> City: Minneapolis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blackeye (made with Blackeye Roasting Co. coffee and a coffee glaze)
Mississippi: The Tatonut Shop
> City: Ocean Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: King cake donuts
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Missouri: Pharaoh’s Donuts
> City: St. Louis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Strawberry cheesecake
Montana: Granny’s Gourmet Donuts
> City: Bozeman
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bar
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Nebraska: Olsen’s Bake Shop
> City: Omaha
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate cherry
Nevada: Pinkbox Doughnuts
> City: Las Vegas
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 7
> Sample specialty: John Lemon (lemon filling with graham cracker crumb topping)
New Hampshire: Donut Love
> City: North Hampton
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Double choc-frosted
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New Jersey: Uncle Dood’s Donuts
> City: Toms River
> Yelp rating: 5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Vermont Swine (maple bacon)
New Mexico: Whoo’s Donuts
> City: Santa Fe
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blue corn blueberry lavender
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New York: Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
> City: Brooklyn
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Red velvet
North Carolina: Your Mom’s Donuts
> City: Matthews
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2 (plus two farmer’s market carts)
> Sample specialty: Gold milk latte (with turmeric ginger cream glaze)
North Dakota: Bearscat Bakehouse
> City: Bismarck
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 4 (in North Dakota, Arizona, and Oregon)
> Sample specialty: Tango Mango (mango filling, topped with Tang)
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Ohio: Buckeye Donuts
> City: Columbus
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1 (plus a food truck)
> Sample specialty: Buckeye (peanut butter filling)
Oklahoma: Polar Donuts
> City: Oklahoma City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Boston cream
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Oregon: Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai
> City: Portland
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Nutella and sea salt
Pennsylvania: Federal Donuts
> City: Philadelphia
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 11
> Sample specialty: Grapefruit Brûlée
Rhode Island: PVDonuts
> City: Providence
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Oreo fudge
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South Carolina: Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
> City: Charleston
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: The Beet Salad (beet custard, orange goat cheese glaze, candied fennel)
South Dakota: Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
> City: Rapid City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Chocolate peanut butter
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Tennessee: Gibson’s Donuts
> City: Memphis
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple bacon
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Texas: Hugs & Donuts
> City: Houston
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Tres Leches cake
Utah: Fresh Donut & Deli
> City: Salt Lake City
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Blueberry glazed
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Vermont: Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts
> City: Manchester
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Maple cream
Virginia: Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee
> City: Richmond
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Caramel macchiato
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Washington: Top Pot Doughnuts
> City: Seattle
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 17
> Sample specialty: Carrot cake
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Washington D.C.: District Doughnut
> City: Washington D.C.
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 5 (in Washington D.C. and Virginia)
> Sample specialty: Cherry Blossom (vanilla bean dough, cherry pie filling, cream cheese glaze)
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Wisconsin: Holey Moley Coffee + Doughnuts (temporarily closed)
> City: Milwaukee
> Yelp rating: 4 out of 5
> Number of locations: 1
> Sample specialty: Caramel chocolate pretzel
Wyoming: Cowboy Donuts
> City: Rock Springs
> Yelp rating: 4.5 out of 5
> Number of locations: 2
> Sample specialty: Piña Colada
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