THE BEST DONUTS IN LOS ANGELES

10 Speed Donuts | Photo: 10 Speed, Facebook

Los Angeles is the U.S. city with the most donut shops, meaning it can be tricky to sift through the river of deep-fried rings. Clearly, Angelenos have displayed serious commitment to doughnuts (aka donuts), which originated in the 19th Century.

From landmarks to new school shops, read on for the top places in L.A. where you can get your donut fix.

10 SPEED COFFEE

23504 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas 91302
818-225-8231
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Pedalers Fork anchors a mult
i-faceted establishment by a Calabasas creek that includes a bike repair shop out back and a roastery and café called 10 Speed Coffee. Every Thursday morning, pastry chef Jess Goodman stocks the display case with delectable raised donuts. Depending on the week, you might find chocolate glaze, vanilla glaze with rainbow sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or maple glaze with bacon bits. In an effort to minimize food waste, Goodman also tops donuts with leftovers like brownies, cookies, and potato chips, the types of snacks cyclists crave post-ride.
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BIRDIES

Lemon thyme pistachio donut at Birdies | Photo: Joshua Lurie

314 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles 90015
213-536-5720
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Jason Harley, who previously helmed Mabel’s Chicken & Waffles in the same DTLA space, reemerged with an even more proven combo to start 2016: fried chicken and donuts. Birdies promise “crumbly and buttery” cake donuts and “golden brown and delicious” yeast donuts, along with “unique glazes, fillings and toppings.” Lemon thyme pistachio, strawberry white chocolate, and candied maple bacon fills just three trays that grace the counter. Harley also makes a blinged out donut coated with 24K gold leaf.
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BLINKIE'S DONUT

Blinkie's Donuts | Photo: Joshua Lurie

4884 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills 91364
818-884-4456
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Keep a close eye on Blinkie’s classic donuts. They’ve been known to sell out just past noon on weekends at this Woodland Hills strip mall. The display case holds airy raised and glazed donuts, crusty old-fashioned rings that look like blown truck tires (but taste much better). They even have a raised donut that riffs on the black-and-white cookie, with overlapping layers of chocolate and vanilla frosting.
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BLUE STAR DONUTS

Blue Star Donuts | Photo: Joshua Lurie

1142 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice 90291
310-450-5630
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Blue Star, the Portland import from Katie Poppe and Micah Camden, has branches in Japan and debuted on Venice’s fashionable Abbot Kinney Boulevard in 2015. The airy space features white walls, skylights, an open kitchen, and a blackboard that describes "Quality Over Quantity.” Donuts are crafted with French-style brioche dough crafted with sustainable Shepherd’s Grain bread flour, cage free eggs, whole hormone-free milk and European-style butter. Rings fry in rice bran oil, and staffers make and apply glazes and fillings throughout the day. Firmness levels vary, and some of the more creative flavor combinations include passion fruit cocoa nib, lemon poppy buttermilk, and blueberry bourbon basil. They also have a hard apple cider fritter with caramelized fruit.
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BOB'S COFFEE & DOUGHNUTS

Photo: Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts

6333 W 3rd St #450, Los Angeles 90036
323-933-8929

Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts is an institution at The Original Farmers Market from Bob Tusquellas, who practically grew up at the Market. He worked at his family’s meat market and later operated the fish Market. He’s owned the donut shop since 1970. For each donut, Tusquellas convenes a committee with his wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren. Each new donut addition has to be agreed upon by unanimous consent.
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* Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board