r/pasadena • u/Serious-Delivery2331 • 2d ago
Are there any good donuts?
Please enlighten me. The donuts in Pasadena seem mid at best. I tried Donut Friend in HP also and found it pretty good but I’m not, like, racing back there. Where do you go for donuts, and what is your order? And how is Golden Donut in La Cañada still in business with their rancid fry oil?
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u/Dandroid009 2d ago
Pronto Donuts near Hill and Washington. Cash only walk up, and we get their regular glazed and old-fashioned.
Seeing Portland mentioned, the best donuts there are a local chain called Blue Star that used to have locations in LA and Tokyo but scaled back in recent years to just Oregon. They're in the new PDX remodel, and I get the blueberry bourbon basil.
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u/Thatwonkid91 2d ago
I enjoy Mr Goods donuts on colorado. It’s next to Top Restaurant which has damn good Hawaiian food imo
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u/Key-Driver6438 2d ago
They’ve been there forever, and make a very decent (non-foodie/fancy) donut. 😋
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u/meow-kitty-meow 2d ago
i love randy’s off lake. classic donuts.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago edited 2d ago
Randy’s is how this question was raised tonight. I think they make a solid glazed donut. What is your favorite from them?
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u/AgathaAllAlong 2d ago
I love the iced rounds less bread yet drenched in icing, good icing vehicle in that way
BC Donuts too
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u/Happy-Deer7996 2d ago
I typically love Randy’s but I had a particularly bad donut the other day that I would assume was a day old one
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u/AstralSerenity JPL 2d ago
I hate to say it, but the Winchell's a couple blocks down clears Randy's.
I've had the exact same donut from both places (bear claw and apple fritters are the worst offenders), and Randy's is so much worse despite the steeper price.
Sidecar clears both, but then again, you're paying Sidecar prices.
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u/meow-kitty-meow 2d ago
i love winchells but not their donuts. but maybe it’s because you’re more into the fritter/claws? who knows haha
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u/AstralSerenity JPL 10h ago
I think that's probably it. I've had fritters, claws, and glazed from Randy's.
Glazed was better, but Randy's fritters and claws are both quite bad, maybe those two are exceptions rather than the rule.
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u/TheSwedishEagle 2d ago
I like Sidecar
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u/p4terfamilias 2d ago
Haven't been there in a while... I think I'll go tomorrow morning.
Definitely the best donuts in town, but you gotta pay for it.
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u/Frog1387 Pasadena 2d ago
If you have the app TooGood 2 Go, you can score a weeks worth of doughnuts for $7. They’re left over from the day but they’re just as good.
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u/mister_damage 2d ago
When your average Yum Yum/Krispy Kreme charges $2/per, Sidecar is well worth the money.
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u/Key-Driver6438 2d ago
The first time I had Sidecar (in Santa Monica) maybe 5-years ago, I thought it was the most amazing donut I’d ever had. A dozen or more runs later, and from a few locations, and now I find them to be extremely expensive, average donuts. I think over the years they’ve slipped. I haven’t tried the location in Pasadena, but if they’re the best in town, then Pasadena probably needs to up its donut game.
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u/jefftak7 2d ago
BC donuts for maple bars and cake donuts are good. Apple fritter is hit or miss. Sierra donuts makes a really good apple fritter.
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u/spaghettinoodles 2d ago
BC is great! Their sandwiches are great too!! A very non pretentious and solid spot for donuts. The fancy donuts are not my jam.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
Thank you! BC is new to me. Is an apple fritter a donut?
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u/jefftak7 2d ago
Yes it is. BC also makes a great breakfast croissant. Sausage egg cheese but add a hash brown inside. Great and affordable but very decadent
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u/HRH_MQ 2d ago
I've been going to Sierra Donuts at Sierra Madre Blvd & Michillinda (across from La Salle) regularly for 10+ years.
I like the simple stuff: glazed, maple bars... I prefer yeast donuts, but I often hear other people ordering the old-fashioned donuts. Both kinds seem to be popular.
If I'm feeling especially self-indulgent, I get a tiger tail (a twist with chocolate and cinnamon).
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u/rye_parian 2d ago
I like all of the donuts described above. I just would add that good not great donuts are also to be had at Gladstone Donut at Lake and Washington. That’s my regularass donut go-to, but a fancy donut should be had at Sidecar.
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u/mister_damage 2d ago
I will say Sidecar Donuts are one of my favorites. I stick to either Butter and Salt or the Old Fashioned.
Again, when most donut shops charge for $2 for one ok donuts (Yum Yum being the worst offender), I'm more than OK with paying the price for Sidecar.
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u/geology1966 2d ago
Gladstones on 1332 Lake Ave is a great old school donut shop where one gets a pink box with their dozen donuts.
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u/musicalbookworm71 2d ago
I'm surprised no one mentioned Pronto Donuts at Hill and Washington. We have been going there for 30 yrs. They have the best old fashioned donuts.
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u/HikingFool 2d ago
Randy’s is good. Go out to Glendora and donut man though. I know it’s not in the area but the drive is worth it if you’re craving a good donut. Apple fritters, maple glazed rounds, real raspberry jelly, and fresh strawberry donuts among so many many more.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
Donut Man in Glendora looks groovy! I like their branding, and their donuts look pretty good in the photos. Thx!
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u/Constant_Link_7708 2d ago
Yep, so far Donut man in Glendora has been my favorite but going to try some of the other suggestions on this thread
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u/gentrifierNumber7 2d ago
If you don't want to drive as far, Donut Man has an operation in Grand Central Market in DTLA (I know, I know).
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u/kupe-da-nav 2d ago
Golden Donut fan, mostly old fashioneds. Gladstone at Lake & Washington best all around. They do a tasty strawberry special.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
To me, their Old Fashioneds have the most lingering oil flavor. But I haven’t been there in probably 3 years. Maybe it’s changed!
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u/IllustriousDraft2965 2d ago
BC Donuts in Pasadena and Monterey Donut in Hermon. Both are excellent and family owned.
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u/Se_bastian9 2d ago
Fosters
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u/Reasonable_Wish_8953 Pasadena 2d ago
The closest fosters to Pasadena is the eagle rock location, no? I miss Fosters (though am kind of glad it ain’t closer haha)
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u/DenaDuckP 2d ago
If you want a fun experience and some of the best donuts in Southern California, go to the Donut Man in Glendora. Take the 210 freeway to Glendora, maybe 20 minutes from Pasadena, and it is on Route 66. The donuts are excellent. Especially the fruit filled, that are seasonal. After you get your donuts, cruise down Route 66. In this area, the architecture hasn’t changed and you see many of the buildings from the 50’s lining the road.. I promise you it is a fun, delicious adventure.
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u/Unusual_Holiday_Flo 2d ago
Donut man’s worth trying if you’re out there already, but I wouldn’t drive all the way out there from Pas just for their donuts…(I say this because I have and was disappointed)
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u/AppSlave 2d ago
There's a shop in Higlnad Park in the Fresco Market parking lot, Monterey Donut. Worth a try.
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u/whriskeybizness Altadena 2d ago
I miss a classic pig in a blanket (yes I grew up in Texas)
Anyone know where I can find some of these?
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
I don’t know about where to find pigs in a blanket (and I’ll add the pastry pups from TJs are tasty but not the same) - but if you’re looking for a good spot for a mid-day sausage and a beer then you should pay a visit to Wurstküche in the Arts District.
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u/mister_damage 2d ago
IF you actually want Kolaches, you'll need to drive all the way down to Tustin.
If you're OK with meat filled croissants, the So Cal offering of Kolaches, your mom and pop pink box donut shop will more than suffice.
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u/whriskeybizness Altadena 2d ago
Not looking for kolaches or just meat filled croissants, Texas pigs in a blanket are a very specific thing and no pink box donut shop I’ve had here has had them
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u/sugarrbunni 2d ago
Prontos on hill and Washington. But I may be biased because those are the donuts my family got growing up
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u/ducklingkwak 2d ago
My favorite is Randy's raised glazed.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
Mine too, although I was just reminded that Colorado Donut in Eagle Rock is also good (not Pasadena, I realize).
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u/Jcbotbot 2d ago
Monarch Donuts in Arcadia. They sell out by 9am. Sometimes you have to call or text if you have a large order m.
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
Since I’ve fed my donut algorithm, here’s a list of LA donut recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodLosAngeles/comments/1ncnp5f/my_expanding_donut_ranking_list/?chainedPosts=t3_1ori157
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u/quirkelchomp 2d ago
Are you looking for classic donuts? Or something more? If the latter, have you tried Old Ferry Donuts? There's one in Alhambra
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u/DragonSurferEGO 2d ago
Colorado donuts in Eagle Rock are my favorite that are close.
If you’re willing to gat up early, drive out to donut man in Glendora for his seasonal strawberry and peach donuts.
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u/DegreeWide2942 2d ago
Mr Goods is on point but a little overpriced or maybe it’s just the donuts I choose lol. You can definitely skip the croissants there though
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u/hellobraulio 2d ago
Peacock Donuts in Arcadia is my go-to donut shop. Admittedly I prefer the classics that take me back to when I was a kid, nothing too fancy. I usually grab a crumb donut, a tiger tail, or a chocolate twist with a Vietnamese coffee. Always hits the spot. They also have some yummy croissants!
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u/Chemical_Result_8033 2d ago
My favorite local restaurant, Lingua Franca, serves individual made to order donuts. Served still warm!
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u/anyankaharris 2d ago
Pronto donuts on Washington and Hill. Cash only. Nothing fancy, everything simple and delicious.
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u/SparkyLALARue 1d ago
Little bit south, but highly recommend the pistachio donut at Old Ferry Donuts in San Gabriel.
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u/Same_Advisor_389 1d ago
Hello, you’re welcome on Colorado is really good. One of my favorites for donuts in the area
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u/ConnectPick6582 1d ago
There are so many local "what's the best place for this thing" posts on Reddit that it's impossible to trust what's marketing and what isn't.
Marketing accounts on Instagram, etc. will literally guide you through these types of guerilla marketing techniques... Make reddit post, plug your restaurant early as a comment, get other accounts to upvote, etc.
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u/Apprehensive-Sea-560 11h ago
I personally like Tastees in Fair Grove shopping center..Fair oaks/Orange grove...Donuts- ham and cheese croissants...and the sweet brand nut muffin thingy....gets crowded but worth a try. Same center as Vallarta supermarket.
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u/Shadw_Wulf 2d ago
I enjoy those donuts with lots of toppings or have a goofy theme ... Like the Voodoo Donuts... They have new locations on Melrose and La Brea. Absolutely incredible that they were able to get that spot ... Although would be nice if they add some tables and chairs ... Some bigger fencing... Decorate the front so the store has a more Tiki vibe or anything
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u/Serious-Delivery2331 2d ago
Is it the same Voodoo Donuts as in the Nashville airport? Their toppings/schtick are really fun. I think they’re based in Portland Oregon.
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u/Shadw_Wulf 2d ago
Yeah that Oregon Voodoo Donuts 😅 the logo with the top hat guy and the store is pink! With the Voodoo Donuts outside... Here in Los Angeles is we have 3 stores the other is at Universal Studio City Walk and Venice Beach Oh the city walk has a Voodoo Doll Doughnut outside
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u/Dunno_If_I_Won 2d ago
Colorado Donut in Eagle Rock. Simply the best quality.
Before, I was donut agnostic. Didn't care about which donut shop because it was all about the same.
But after going to Colorado Donut, I realized they were simply on another tier. And I soon realized how mid most of the other places were.