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Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Rachel A. said: "Oh my goodness, Hamantaschen. And the girl with the black frames is super awesome and adorable." read more »
1122 reviews for Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop
Review Highlights
"The apple fritter is absolutely delicious."
(in 265 reviews)
"They were hot, fresh and deliciously glazed goodness."
(in 253 reviews)
"Do I even need to say it trumps a Krispy Kreme by far."
(in 51 reviews)
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1122 reviews in English
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Review from Jill B.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I love Bob's!
Open 24/7, delicious donuts, line out the door ALL THE TIME, what more is there to say???
Once we even got the $5 giant glazed donut, as big as the pink box it comes in. Mmm!
This is a must go to place on when on Polk. -
Review from Ziyan C.
2/6/2012 2 photos
Great for late night carbs + sugar, in a city that is really lacking with respect to post-last-call munchies. Not the absolute best donuts I've had (New Yorkers - I'm a die hard Doughnut Plant fan. I've also heard Dynamos is up there), but a fantastic deal $5-$6 for 4 donuts.
The more freshly made here, the better. So even if you have a favorite flavor, double check to see what just came out of the frying vat.
We tried maple, apple fritter, and some other stuff (my drunk friends ordered). They were all good, though the maple was super sweet and the apple fritter had more frosting than apple. -
Review from Claire b.
Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012
Came here as the last stop on a party trolley. Got a fresh plain glazed (the best kind of donut as far as I'm concerned) and a giant one for the birthday boy. They even put candles in it for us!!
The giant donut is $5 and the regular ones are under a dollar. We kept saying, "You are undercharging here!"
Love the old-schooleyness of this place. I hope it stays there forever! -
Review from Jon K.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
After a long and literally sweet filled night of "dessert hopping" we chose Bob's to be the last stop! Why? Because if you haven't heard in the middle of the night they make fresh donuts! The magic starts around 1am, but what you're waiting for, is the gigantic cake sized donut, which comes in an array of flavors and feeds 4 easily. My personal reason to go though, would be for the apple fritters which start dropping in at 1:40am and can be served piping hot at 1:48!
The staff is really friendly, nice and they do a great job considering most of the people they deal with at that hour are usually drunk and loud. Get there a bit before the clubs get out and you're guaranteed your choice on any of the fresh donuts! If what you're looking for isn't ready yet and you don't want to wait in line when you finally see it drop into the fryer, prepay and ask for what you want, and the cashier will hand it to you once your delicious donut is ready!
Great late night stop to try out, whether you're sobering up or got a simple case of the sweet sweet munchies, Bob's is the place to go! -
Review from Anna C.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
I would say 3.5 stars, but I'll round up for it being so close to where I live. :)
My dad used to bring me here after school and let me pick a donut of my choice as an afternoon treat. I would always pick my staples (glazed or maple), which were also the most basic due to my lack of knowledge of all the donut world had to offer.
Fast forward to now, I've tried a much larger variety of their offerings, including the famous apple fritter, buttermilk bars, filled donuts, breading pudding, and even their muffins and croissants. While nothing wows me, everything is consistently good, except for the occasional burnt tasting apple fritter. Their variety of donuts is pretty large though, and I often have a tough time choosing what to get if I'm alone. Usually, though, I just stick with my old favorite, the classic maple. :) -
Review from H. D.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
You can ask em what is the last batch they made and they will happily tell you that and also around what time they made the one you are specifically looking for. i thought that was pretty cool.
At 1AM i decided to stick to my original glaze which was made at 930PM and i could still taste the freshness. Not too sweet. 4 star
At 9AM i had the same as above and it was just ok. 3 Star -
Review from Paul C.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2012 16 Check-ins Here
Bob's is 100% the best. The people are awesome and very cool and the donuts are definitely the right price. While there is definitely a hipster-Marina-esque component to the customers they never try to bow to marketing to those people by being ironic--which they easily could in a place that has so much history to it.
The coffee 100% sucks, but I'm also used to Jersey diner coffee so I'm not too surprised. -
Review from Camille B.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012 3 photos
Never thought I'd end up at a donut place after the bars, but it's one of the smartest (and dumbest lol) things I've ever done. After a night at Sudachi, friends and I walked into Bob's around 1am, and we had the freshest donuts you could ever eat -- straight out of the deep fryer. The donuts were hot, fluffy, and covered in a shiny glaze -- of both grease and sugar NOM. There's not much seating, but seeing as though we devoured the couple donuts we ordered within minutes, it wasn't a huge issue.
Craving late night donuts? Hit up Bob's. CASH ONLY.
And the giant donuts you see in the photos? It's cool to try once, but probably best if you get that fresh too, and have people to share it with. I bought the last one, a sugar donut, later in the day and am not sure how long it was siting around. Oh well, at least I can say I tried it. -
Review from Michelle B.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2012
This is, by far, hands down, in all of San Francisco, the BEST donut shop ever. Why? Here's why:
-Everytime I crave for a donut, this place is open. No matter what time it is. Noon? Yes. 3am? Yes. Always open!
-The freshly baked glazed donuts will top Krispy Kreme's airhead glazed "Hot Now" donuts anytime, any day!
-Have I mentioned the apple fritters? Dear jeebus, THE APPLE FRITTERS ARE THE BEST! Especially when it's warm and soft and with the the right amount of sweetness. Yum.
-This place is just a couple of blocks away from Polk St's nightlife. Wanna get sugar high before hitting Lush Lounge? Step right in here! It's waaaay cheaper than pregaming at 95 cents per donut! Want an after club snack after Mayes? Chances are, Bob's is still waiting for you with freshly baked goodies!
*Only downside is that they only accept cash. But it's all good because like I said, 95 cents per donut! Check the backseat of your car, beg people for spare change, dig through your pockets and the bottom of your purses! That's as good as it gets!Listed in: Where You'll Find Me
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Review from Melody C.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2012
best.donuts.ever. APPLE FRITTERS! omg.
I went this morning when they were fresh out of the oven and they are just heavenly. I haven't been here in a while even though I live just over the hill. Think I'll be coming here more regularly now. Normally not a huge donut fan but I will definitely check out the other donut varieties! -
Review from Laurie O.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012
I don't get the hype about the donuts here and i've tried them twice to give Bob's a chance. They are greasy and sugary, yes, but delicious? Perhaps they taste like manna from a drunken Jesus if you've been slamming down well cocktails at Kozy Kar for a couple of hours before stumbling over to Bob's, but I've had better donuts at at a Safeway bakery, which is also markedly cleaner. I gave up trying to find this place's allure when the last apple fritter that I bought from here was seasoned with a long hair that had been caramelized into its glaze. Too tired to walk all the way back to complain, I ended up chucking it into the trash, along with the other two donuts that I had purchased for later. So gross.
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Review from LaSha G.
Oakland, CA
1/27/2012
Best donut I've had in almost a decade.
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Review from Miyun C.
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Run Forest Run....
A little over a mile away from the hotel, and armed with the knowledge that I would have to pass through the Tenderloin (imagine skid row), I was prepared to run like a cheatah.
During my sprint, various emotions including sadness and empathy vacillate throughout my soul as I notice men and women on the streets of San Francisco (SF) incoherent and mentally dulled by narcotics. I wanted to hug them and tell them that it was going to be ok.
Fortunately, I reach Bob's Donuts without a physical encounter. Phew!!
As I am trying to order my donuts a man behind me is attempting to engage me with an arsenal of questions: "do you workout? How does that outfit work for you? Does it keep you warm?" As he checks out my posterior. I lose patience, but I also don't want to provoke him.
The lovely lady behind the counter is not helpful as she also comments on my physique, "you have no stomach." "So flat". All I can think is, "Oh brother".
The donuts: glazed donut - provocative, light but dense. Implodes upon slight pressure. Sugared twist - ethereal, light and delicious. Apple fritter - delicious, as it is crispy and possesses great texture and flavor.
I took a taxi back to the hotel because I did not want to provide a second opportunity to the potential dangers lurking. Why test the waters again?
Namaste!Listed in: The Elite
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Review from Stephen S.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best donuts ever!
I have gone here many times after drinking (one time I literally stumbled upon it and said "shit this is my favorite donuts place). There are always fresh, hot, and cheap donuts that are pure excellence and deliciousness. -
Review from Jess R.
12/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I really can't believe I haven't reviewed Bob's yet.
Many a college nights after the bars were closed, my fellow misfits and i would stumble up hills, through tunnels, and down pee filled alleys to get to Bob's.
We'd point out a selection of donuts, grab a chocolate milk, and sit at the bar in heaven. HEAVEN.
Sometimes in the middle of the night, they have a giant foot-long glazed donut. Perhaps we were never drunk enough to try, or TOO drunk to try, but we never have gotten one, though we've seen them plenty of times, always in the middle of the night.
This last trip up to SF we went to Bob's after a night at the bars.
Maple Old-Fashioned please! PERFECT. They haven't changed a bit, and they ALWAYS have fresh donuts. Fresh like fresh out of the oil. Always.
I put an image up on my Instagram, and every time I come across it, my belly grumbles and my mouth salivates, looking forward to the next time I can make it back up to SF.
*Note, Bob's is for more than just drunken late night binges. Several times on my way to photo shoots in the morning, I'd stop at Bob's for a big box of Apple Fritters (omg.), Donuts, and other assorted baked deliciousness, and fellow students/teachers/clients would always be very pleased.
My San Francisco experience wouldn't have been complete without Bob's. -
Review from Sheeva G.
1/18/2012
Yummy donuts, but not the best. I had the apple fritter, glazed, and some other specialty donut. All were good, but the fritter was pretty amazing. I'm a huge donut lover and these were pretty satisfying late at night.
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Review from Diane N.
Updated - 11/24/2011 2 photos
Anyone interested in bringing a cake to a pot-luck, is an IDIOT...
...bring a giant DONUT instead! (see photo)
XOXOListed in: NOM NOM SF, Grad Student Poverty, SF Weekly, 1 AM Hangover Prayer...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2011
In this world, the best donuts are usually only one of two things: fluffy OR melt-in-your-mouth. In… Read more »
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Review from Aditi R.
11/22/2011
No pretentions or frills, no credit cards, a bajillion types of pastries, and phenomenal coffee. A real neighborhood joint.
My apple fritter was huge and amazing. My coffee I savored with my apple fritter as I read my book for the next hour and half.
For less than $3, I couldn't ask for more. Wish I lived closer to it. -
Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
Nothing good happens after midnight.......except for Bob's.
And there's no avoiding it because if you're within smelling distance of at least 1 block from the store roaming about Polk, you'll immediately be drawn by the familiar aroma of fresh sugary sweets and larded up donut goodness.
And when you try to fight it, its almost impossible. Your best bet is just avoid that street at all cost during the late hours on Polk.
Otherwise, if you do succumb to the aroma spell, do try the Chocolate French Donut. You won't regret it. Some like the crunchiness of Old Fashions, but I'm a fan of the fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside donuts.
Everything else in the world doesn't matter after that first bite. -
Review from Sasha B.
12/10/2011
Came here late night after the bars... There was an old asian guy making donuts fresh there right before my eyes... We ate them while they were still hot... best donut ever.
I'm disappointed to say that I went back 2 days later on a sunday morning only to find normal, not super fresh donuts... so i guess timing is everything.
Coffee is not great. -
Review from Steven P.
Concord, CA
1/13/2012
I searched out this place, because of all of the great reviews. While the donuts are definitely good, I didn't think that they were anything out of the ordinary. (Certainly not worth the half-hour or more I spent trying to find a parking space, nearby.) If you want a real donut, you gotta go to Dunkin' Donuts. Except that the 3,000 mile plane ride is gonna make that kinda difficult.
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Review from Christine L.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2011
After Donut King in LA, I was excited to look for its equal in San Francisco. Yelp led me to Bob's and after talking with a few SF locals, I decided it was worth a shot.
I was excited to find my two favorites in the shop window: twist glaze and old fashioned cake donut. I ordered one of each (total came out to $2.20) and promptly sat down at the counter to eat the donuts.
I started with the twist because everyone knows you need to move from less-rich to more-rich flavors. My first bite was a big disappointment. I like donuts to be light and airy and melty, more like Krispy Kreme than not, and Bob's donuts are not like this, at least not the twist glaze. The donut was doughy and kind of hard and chewy. I don't think it was particularly old but neither was it just out of the oven. However, I expected something more from the famous Bob's.
I moved on to the cake donut and was expecting to be disappointed again. I wasn't at first bite. It was rich and creamy with that buttermilk-y flavor. However, by the time I got to the middle of the donut, it was too much. Again, that doughy heaviness that made me feel like a doughboy (or girl).
Overall, I was not impressed with my Bob's experience and will continue my search for the perfect donut in San Francisco. -
Review from El L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/21/2012
I'd rather eat those donuts sold at the market checkout lanes.
Bob's were greasy nasty. I thought I just got a bad one. Tried again but it was just not as good as all the hype makes out. -
Review from AhLin C.
San Francisco, CA
12/7/2011
Apple Fritter is great!
Light glaze to a fried goody. What more can you ask for?
Service was fast and they are open 24 hours! -
Review from Carlos U.
Anaheim, CA
11/30/2011
OMG!!! I love you!!
I had a giant Maple donut! That thing was orgasmic explosion into my mouth ahhhhhhhhh!!! .....TWSS..lol Anyway The Donut was super soft and moist. Impossible for the smaller of our species to consume in one sitting, but I completed it. Word of caution...You will have sugar comma after you finish it so make sure you have something like water or milk around to wash it down and balance the sugar. lol The workers where so nice and made us feel welcomed. They even gave us a free mini donut to try :) Definitely come to Bob's when you are in town. -
Review from Cassie J.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2011 3 photos
A review years in the making...
Clearly Bob's doesn't need another review, but I'm gonna give them one anyway.
Bob's just gets me excited...from the smell of fresh sweets being baked as I walk in, to the appealing mounds of donuts in the window display, I can't help but smile every time I know I'm going to pay a visit.
Plain and simple, the Apple Fritters are a must here at Bob's. Enough said.
I also enjoy the Break Pudding which is moist, flavored with subtle hints of cinnamon and maple, sugary glazed with perfectly cooked apples on top.
I would however, skip on the Sticky Bun that's topped with caramelized walnuts. The bread was just too dry. The Lemon Coconut Bar is also a hit or miss...Sweet and tangy, but sometimes too sticky, and sticks to my teeth too much. Hehe. Love the coconut shavings to top off though.
Simple review, for simple satisfactions.Listed in: Desserts, Pastries, Ice…
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Review from Kenny K.
Redwood City, CA
12/17/2011
I had a Chocolate Custard Bar and Apple Fritter last night. Totally sinful specially when I am sleeping soon.
I didn't eat on the spot. It was cold when I reach home and I heated it in the microwave. Oishii!! Definitely will come back again.
P.S Always eat these pastry warm. Bread isn't as tasty when its cold nor hot. -
Review from Johnny W.
11/13/2011
Finally in the Nob Hill neighborhood, there was no chance I'd pass up on trying this place of SF renown.. Showing up in the afternoon to a little joint reminiscent of a 60s (or is it 80s?) coffee shop, my options were already a little limited (I didn't see any raised chocolates left), but I ended up nabbing an apple fritter and a crumb doughnut.
Impressions? Good, but not mind-blowing (Pro Tip: toss the doughnuts into a toaster oven for a few minutes at 200F, including the preheating phase). The crumb doughnut was easily the star of the two, for both flavor and texture (crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside), while the apple fritter was a bit too dry and doughy. I do like the fact that both of these doughnuts, especially the fritter, were not as overly sweet as many a doughnut shop will make them, but I did feel like the fritter was a bit lacking in flavor (not sugar mind you, but flavor).
Total came out to $2.60, cash only, though I don't know the breakdown of the prices - which, I hear, supposedly fluctuate depending on who's working the register. Also, the germaphobe in me was a little irked that the elderly Asian woman grabbed my fritter with her bare hands, especially after handling money from customers. Speaking of which, can someone explain to me why Bob is an elderly Asian lady? -
Review from Nancy S.
San Francisco, CA
11/17/2011
My boyfriend's been telling me about this donut shop and how it's a great spot to hit up at night. So after a night of drinking with a girlfriend, we came around midnight for a visit.
The line was out the door by the time we arrived already. We started looking out the windows at all the different types of donut we were about to get. Good thing was, we had a Scoutmob coupon for one free donut...so we took the opportunity to try the shop's most famous Apple Fritter. The owner was really attentive and allowed us to take our time to pick out what was fresh. We also got some glazed donuts (bomb!) and bread puddings (which was alright).
Overall had a great experience and could tell it was a good snack spot for after a night of drinking/partying. -
Review from Sonal P.
San Jose, CA
11/13/2011
Scrumptious, melt in your mouth divine!!!!!!!
This place is perfect after a night out - drinking, dancing or if you're just in the mood for a sugar high pick-me-up!
Make sure you get the fritters fresh out've the fryer - even if you have to wait a bit for them!! It's well worth it. Same for the donuts. They're still amazing cold, but you can't gobble 'em fast enough when they're warm *sigh* -
Review from Nadeem A.
Union City, CA
10/21/2011 2 photos
We saw that Bob's made a Yahoo list for the 10 best donut shops in the nation. We were new SF residents. So, of course we had to go try it on a random weeknight.
The apple fritters are what this place is known for, but we decided to go with our standard, chocolate glazed.
The chocolate glazed was fresh, which made it more delcious than most donuts we've had before, so we went for another.
We got the chocolate bar with cream. Again, fresh, soft, and delicious. So, we decided to go for another.
Next up was powdered cake. Tasty, yet again. So what do we do? Yes, go for another!
Last up, crumble cake. 4 for 4, tastes great yet again.
Eating donuts here makes donuts from every other donut places taste stale in comparison. Most of the greatness comes from the freshness and high turnover of their donuts. At times, there was a line out the door. But the line moves quickly.
Ya gotta try it at least once, and try more than one! And wash it all down with a milk at the end. Dee-lish! -
Review from Shannon K.
Mountain View, CA
11/2/2011
Bob's Donuts, you are exactly what I wanted from a donut shop: no frills, no outrageous prices, just damn good donuts. You are IT.
APPLE FRITTERS (5/5):
Bob's Apple Fritters are delicious. Warm and fresh, the apple fritters at Bob's have a mild, cake-like consistency, but it's not overly dense and doesn't make you want to drink a gallon of milk. The donut is like a sugary pillow that melts in your mouth, and the little bits of apple pieces sprinkled throughout the fritter make for an explosion of sweetness.
Yes, at 4 a.m., Bob's definitely came to our rescue and we found ourselves in donut heaven for a good few minutes (yes, it only took us minutes to consume our donuts, even though we ordered a whole bunch).
We asked the cashier, "Can you give us your best, most popular donut?" The answer: apple fritter. We then asked, "Can you give us the freshest one?" The answer: apple fritter.
This conversation was deep for two reason: (1) it shows that apple fritters are the bread and butter of Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop; and (2) it shows that the apple fritters are fresh! I know, not that insightful, but it means a lot when you're looking for the freshest and best donut. At Bob's, you can fulfill both quests with one donut: THE APPLE FRITTER! And it's nice to know that you're getting fresh donuts, rather than old donuts that have been sadly sitting at the window.
THE OTHERS (3/5):
I also tried a regular sugar donut and a chocolate glazed donut. I prefer Krispy Kreme's sugar donuts and old fashion chocolate glazed donuts.
VENUE:
It looks like a donut shop. Haha. That's about it.
This place is open 24 hours. Y.E.S. Great solution for drunken hunger and people who want to sober up with fast comfort food. -
Review from Poppy C.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Poppy doesn't really stay out too late anymore but when she does Bobs is basically the last stop before home. I can't say they are the most delicious doughnuts ive ever eaten but who can afford to be picky in this neighborhood after midnight? They savory croissants must be delicious because on the few occasions when I've attempted to purchase one the next morning they are always sold out.
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Review from Albert H.
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came late at night on the last night of a Scoutmob offer for a free donut. Miraculously, found parking not far away. They were frying up a bunch of donuts at 11:00pm - the whole place was suffused with oily steam.
Got a fresh, hot chocolate cake donut that melted in your mouth and started a conversation about the best donutes ever. My companion got a very good apple fritter ( though the amount of apple was moderate. )
Would go back and pay for donuts if I was in the area. Folks were friendly, donuts were good. Five stars perhaps influenced by free donuts, but hey - they really *are* that good. -
Review from Jonathan W.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Every day Imma Frittering, Frittering, Frittering. (is that even a word?? lol )
If i did that i would be super fat!!
The Apple Fritters here are huge and deeeeeelicious! -
Review from laura f.
1/3/2012 3 Check-ins Here
two donuts and a cup of coffee. 3.25. AMAZING. love the maple and the crumb donut. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
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Review from Tiffany L.
Berkeley, CA
11/6/2011
Two words...apple fritter (7x7 got it right to include this on the 100 things to eat before you die - SF). Even though it is basically fat/fried, it is light with layers of apple in between.
Also, the donut holes and bread pudding are really great.
For those who never carry cash, this is cash only. -
Review from Spring L.
12/29/2011
we asked, "what should we order?"
he said, "whatever just came out of the fryer."
i said, "what did?"
he listed 3 things.
i said, "how about this one?" *points to something in display case that he didn't list*
he said, "trust me. you want the fresh ones."
BEST ADVICE EVER. someone give this man an award. -
Review from Marissa H.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh, how my mouth waters when I hear the word "Bob's". I want to high-five whoever makes those donuts on a daily basis!
Thank you to ScoutMob for giving me 1 free donut at Bob's; I was able to try one that's been on my radar.
I already love the apple fritter & original glazed. This time I went for the cinnamon sugar donut on recommendation from the counter girl. She was spot-on! Not overpowering but definitely high in flavor. Lots of cinnamon/sugar dusted on top of the donut AND cinnamon BAKED INTO the donut dough....genius!! I'm stealing that secret.
Friendly service, awesome donuts (haven't tried their other goodies), cash only. Perfect after a night bar-hopping or that afternoon pick-me-up. Yeah for Bob's! -
Review from Michael N.
Emeryville, CA
10/9/2011
This place is ok. Ok in the way that all donut shops are ok. I had the apple fritter. It was ok. I also brought home the $5.50 monstrosity which was also ok. However, from the way that the reviewers gush about this place, you'd think it was the most amazing thing ever, but it just isn't. It's open 24 hours so that's a big positive in a city that for the most part doesn't stay open 24 hours, but it's not appreciably better than any other donut shop.
This is one of those times where I think a lot of Yelpers are doing a serious disservice in terms of over hyping something. If you're going to give a place 5 stars, it better be pretty damn special and this is not. That said, if you want to try what a real 5-star donut experice is like, stop by Donut Man in Glendora and pick up a fresh strawberry donut next time you're in SoCal:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Now, THAT is a donut that must be tried before you die.
