It’s National Donut Day, a holiday observed by arguing about the proper spelling of “doughnut” on Twitter. To determine once and for all who makes the most delectable treats around, I studied 10 lists ranking the best do[ugh]nuts in America, as selected by Bon Appétit, Saveur, USA Today, Food & Wine, The Daily Meal, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, U.S. News & World Report, Maxim, and Business Insider.
In doing so, I a) entered an insulin-induced fugue state and moaned aloud, to the revulsion of my coworkers and b) kept track of which donut shops were ranked on multiple lists. Though there was a five-way tie for sixth place and a three-way tie for third, a clear winner emerged — then again, on National Donut Day, aren’t we all winners?
6. Café du Monde – New Orleans, LA
Mentioned on five lists.
Source
Try the beignets (that’s all they serve, anyway).
6. Doughnut Vault – Chicago, IL
Mentioned on five lists.
Source
Try the chestnut glazed.
6. Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop – San Francisco, CA
Mentioned on five lists.
Source
Try the apple fritter.
6. Top Pot Doughnuts – Seattle, WA
Mentioned on five lists.
Source
Try the pink feather boa.
6. Stan’s Doughnuts – Los Angeles, CA
Mentioned on five lists.
Source
Try the peanut butter, banana and chocolate chip donut.
3. Bouchon Bakery – Yountville, CA
Mentioned on six lists.
Source
Try the chocolate ganache brioche.
3. Dynamo Donut – San Francisco, CA
Mentioned on six lists.
Source
Try the bacon maple apple donut.
3. Round Rock Donuts – Round Rock, TX
Mentioned on six lists.
Source
Try the glazed Round Rock donut, which costs only 59 cents.
2. Voodoo Doughnut – Portland, OR
Mentioned on eight lists.
Source
Try the bacon maple bar and the Portland cream.
1. Doughnut Plant – New York, NY
Mentioned on 10 lists.
Source
Try the tres leches and the peanut butter glazed with blackberry jam filling.