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Donuts are usually just donuts, or so I thought. Stan's signature glazed donuts did remind me of the infamous glazed Krispy Kreme in that they are similarly lightly glazed with a crisp exterior. The slight crunch when you first bite in is contrasted against a light, fluffy, perfectly doughy interior. We waited an extra five minutes this afternoon to get a fresh batch, and they did not disappoint. We got there at about noon on a Sunday and they didn't have anymore glazed buttermilks, but they did have lots and lots of glazed which seems to be the thing to order here.
Now, I don't really consider Krispy Kremes to be real donuts -- good as they are, there is something artificial about them, perhaps it is their small size. As the saying goes, "real donuts have curves" and Stan's donuts are about 2-3 times the size of a Krispy Kreme and with a real satisfying donut taste.
The inside of the establishment is sorta dingy, made even dingier by the so-so customer service, but hey, you are at a donut shop after all. After reading a Yelp review about how someone got a talking-to for sitting at the counter when he didn't pay sales tax, I was a little apprehensive myself about doing it, but no one gave us any trouble. It's cash or check only, and ballers beware, they don't accept $100 bills or larger.
They have a sign at the register that says something about them not having change for 100 dollar bills, but when I handed them a 20 they said they didn't have change and asked for something smaller. They bagged my donuts so I was thinking "oh, now I get to sit down and enjoy them" but no. One of the employees followed me to where I sat and said "I didn't charge you tax to eat here, but next time, make sure you say if it's for here." It was as if he was threatening me.
All I did was buy donuts, what the fuck is your problem? It's not like I came in just to sit down and chill. This was my first and DEFINITELY last time coming here for a donut. Fuck you guys.
Pul-lease!!! Krispy Kreme is the best.... NOT!!!!
The glazed donuts here are big, fluffy and yummy. Almost twice the height of a KK. If you eat 3 to 4 of KK donuts you get a greasy feel in your mouth and it taste worst the next day. You can eat several of Stan's donuts and your mouth doesn't feel like you rubbed Crisco in your mouth. Next day donuts... absolutely delish!
When you enter here, it really reminds you of "back in the day". When I go there I see older gentlemen sitting with a donut and coffee at the counter. The walls are yellowed from all the years. It's pretty cool.
Everyone who was a KK fan and I fed them a warm fresh Stan's, they can't believe how much better Stan's is over KK.
Damn! I wish they would be open late at night!
I've been eating here on occasion since I was a kid. The fresh, warm glazed donuts are awesome! People might complain that the place seems old or the service isn't great and that is probably true. If you want great ambiance or service go to a fancy expensive restaurant. If you want great donuts, come here.
I have to chime in to the guy that got pissed because he didn't pay sales tax and got yelled at for sitting at the counter-does that have anything to do with the awesome quality of these donuts? Seriously, these are some of the best donuts in the South Bay, and that deserves stars. Even the soup nazi gots lots of business, because he had awesome soup-of course that was on a tv show, but anyway, these donuts are the best-love the maple bars!
Ok, if you could give these guys 6 stars, I would. This place rocks so much that if you tried to… Read more »
Wow, I can't believe they were that good.
I don't eat a lot of doughnuts--kind of swore off them a few years ago when I realized what calorie/fat/sugar bombs they were. But, I have had quite a few of them in the past. I had to travel to Canada a lot (Ontario) and there were bucket-loads of Tim Horton's, Dunkin's and Crispy Cremes all along the 101 and into Toronto. So, needless to say, I've eaten my fair share of doughnuts.
I thought that I would get the kids a treat, never realizing that once I got into that shop the smell would make me crave one, too. I decided to wait until they were just made, and not take the ones that were already ready. We watched them frying them and glazing them (fun for the kids). They were still piping hot when I first bit into that soft, delicious melting doughnut with the yummy, slightly flaky glaze on top. (We only bought the regular glazed). They were AMAZING, just the best doughnuts I have ever had. You have to try them, really!
A few other points: the service isn't incredibly friendly, but they get you what you want and it's definitely worth it. They only take cash. The place is an old-fashion counter doughnut place and looks it--no fancy decor here. The doughnuts are larger than average, about 1 1/2 times the size of a typical Crispy-Creme. And, I can't imagine it's not worth waiting for fresh doughnuts (we waited about 10 minutes), instead of getting what they have out.
I don't know why but I've been craving for donuts lately. Watching food TV shows such as Man vs. Food's Adam Richman pouring orange glaze over a massive donut in Austin or catching an hour long series called "Donut Paradise" may have contributed to that. So searching for the best donut place around here, I came across Stan's.
It was already 2PM and the place closes at 3PM, but my craving was consuming me. Probably very little selection but I thought I'd chance it. When I got to Stan's (surprisingly adjacent to an Armadillo Willy's), there was indeed little to choose from. There were quite a bit of glazed followed by several sugar coated, a few sprinkle coated, and one chocolate glazed bar. I decided to get a half dozen (3 glazed, 2 sugar coated, 1 sprinkle) which all came to $4.65 and left with my pillowy grease bombs in a white paper bag.
I had to have a glazed one immediately upon entering my car. The texture was soft, even slight creamy, light and airy. It was one of the best donuts I've ever had. After devouring it, I rushed home and immediately consumed another one, this time after a 15 second blast in the microwave, which further unleashed more of its magical powers.
So guess what? I have a fever. And the only prescription is.........Stan's Donuts!
When it comes to donuts this place is as good as it gets for me. Taste wise there's no comparison and I've been to plenty of doughnut / donut shops in and out of the area. Stan's donuts are distinguished by their taste and texture, super soft but more dense than most other donuts with a nice creamy melt in your mouth finish. The place has an old school counter setup so it can get a little tight with all the traffic they get in the mornings. Also there can be a wait because of the number of people that frequent this place, another thing that adds to this is that they take phone orders and there's only one person making donuts......but trust me patience is rewarded if you happen to snag some from a fresh batch!
It's not the nicest looking shop but it has a comfortable old school vibe to it and the staff isn't super bubbly but they get the job done with the amount of traffic they get so don't take it personal if they don't always greet you with a smile. If you want great donuts come here.
I went back and forth whether to give this place 4 or 5 stars ... thing is, I have not actually been here. Instead, I walked in to work one day and what to my wandering eyes should appear, but a big box of donuts, so warm and fresh I shed a tear.
The donuts, oh wow the donuts ... I took one and went to my office thinking "hey, any donut tastes good freshly made", so I sat down and took a bite. OH. MY. GOD. I've never had a donut that was so amazing. I'm not usually one for donuts actually, but not 30 seconds after finishing what I had, I snuck back to the common area (where the box lay in wait) and took a second one before anyone saw me. I know, I know, I deprived someone else the joy of that doughy goodness, but to hell with them! In terms of awesomeness, these even beat the donuts my mom made 20 years ago (the only time she made donuts actually, true story), who's taste I remember fondly to this day (seriously, this has been my gold standard for a while).
Ahem, anyway, on taste alone, I'd give this place 5 stars, but having not visited the location, I can't comment on the whole Stan's Donut Shop experience, ergo the 4. I do plan to visit this place though, and when I do, I'll update my review! Hrm, maybe I can justify saying that the donuts are a 6, and dock a point off from that ...
Let me start off by saying I am one of those people that hate donuts, but my friend Lysha had been telling me about Stan's for the last 5 months so I decided to go with her and check it out. We ordered the glazed and cinnamon roll donuts and OH MY GOD, I have been dreaming about them ever since! They' are soft and delicious and just the right amount of sweetness. If you dont get them warm, just pop 'em in the microwave and you're set. I've been back 3 times this week already.....*drooling*
Stan's donuts deserve 10 stars! These are hands down the best donuts I've ever had. They are so fresh that often they are too hot to eat when you get them. Fluffy- not heavy or doughy, sweet, out of this world!
Do not be discouraged by the lines you may find Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. The line moves quickly enough and the donuts are worth the wait. If you are able to get a cinnamon roll consider yourself blessed- they are usually gone before they hit the drying rack.
It is a real treat to go in and sit at the old-school counter with the regulars. The service is friendly without being fake- except for the gentleman who makes the donuts; he is all business, he is there every single day, and I've never seen his expression change.
Do not go here if you like cookie-cutter chain restaurants and prefer things look like they were built/decorated just yesterday.
The buttermilk has a nice lemon & buttermilk flavor.
Anyway this place has nice raised glazed as you all know with the insides yellow and doughy and the outside crisp if you get it hot and fresh. I'm not impressed with anything besides those two though.
The cinnamon roll was nice-ish but sells out sometimes.
I would give this place 5 stars if it wasn't for the customer's service. I think they should focus on the customer (people start their day off with donuts-- and want to be treated nicely in the morning as not to ruin the rest of their day). They kind of ignore you if everyone's busy or the donuts aren't ready. And when I stand in line I feel a negative vibe. Kind of like Black Friday where people kill each other for discount items. They kill each other for these donuts...
Donut Love!!!!!
Took my sister there one time and we sat at the counter and scarfed down fresh glazed donuts. She's still raving about that donut experience - exterior slightly crisp, fluffy interior, thin glaze, and warm - takes us back to the days when we were kids enjoying simple things like a great donut. GOOD stuff!
These donuts are the best around. They bring back memories of my father and how he used to buy them for his fishing buddies early in the morning. My favorite are the glazed donuts. You have to go early to get the freshest ones and if you have to stand in line, it's worth it!
Best glazed donuts i have ever had period.
for the morons who give this place bad reviews on service; you are truly missing the point, and are probably earning minimum wage, hence the need to be catered on hand and foot by people in a freaking donut shop.
Yelp truly needs two rating systems, one for food one for service. The minimum wagers are ruining reviews for everyone.
For those who think they have had a better glazed, please send me a message where you think is better.
For the minimum wager, go shine some shoes, or wait some tables, or pump dough all day and see how fun it is to serve fatties like you who think they deserve rose petals to be thrown at their feet upon entrance to every door and a damn smile with every transaction
CAPITALISM KILLED CUSTOMER SERVICE... get over it
This shop epitomizes my idea of old school donuterring. The place looks like something out of a black & white cinema.. With a non-vacant row of bar stool seats packed with old timers & devoted patrons.
There is a man in the window pressing out fresh doe... Oven racks are twirling around with new & beautiful puffs good to go.
It has a noteworthy oldness - authenticated & appreciated as hungry lines begin to form like clockwork for the next fresh batch.
AWESOME tasting donuts. I drop by here every now n then to pick up a dozen WARM glazed donuts for the office.. so gooooooood.
Service is awesome too. I was waiting on a dozen order, and they offered me a free coffee while I waited.. pretty awesome.
Fluffy and fresh! It's all about the glazed! You have to wait for a new batch cause they're sold out before they're even done. Don't be deterred by the line out the door, it's well worth the time dedication to have them this deliciously fresh.
Stan's...totally awesome place, there is nothing like the good ol' shops from yesteryear. That's what Stan's is a wonderful little shop where you can satisfy your sweet tooth!!!
Yummmmmmmy!!!
I've been coming here for years, and as everyone else says, BEST GLAZED EVER -- have not found anything better in the Bay Area. The secret is the potato flour that Stans uses, which gives the donuts this fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Most independent street-corner donut shops all taste more-or-less the same because they all get their mixture from the same source. Stan's doesn't, and you can taste the difference.
As an aside from the donuts, Stan's does have a vestigal menu: hamburgers and fries and other lunch items. In the many years I've been going to Stan's, I've yet to see anyone order a burger or a tuna melt there. Nobody goes here for the other food.
The definitive statement, however, is this: All the cops I know love Stan's. What more is there to say?
Excellent hot glazed donuts. That is the story at Stan's. As mentioned by others, the donuts are made one small batch at a time by one guy. Getting exactly what you want when you come in involves a bit of luck depending on who else has just been there in front of you. Other donuts that are similar to the glazed in makeup are also very good. Got lucky one time and got there when they had just pulled a batch of what they call a cinnamon roll out of the fryer. Tasty like the hot glazed, but kicked up a notch by the cinnamon. Probably won't have that again soon. Prices are equal or lower than other area donut shops.
Tried the buttermilk once and it was just too much bland dough. Will stick with the yeasty puffy stuff at Stan's from here on out.
Anyway, I hope this place stays around. It is definitely still family owned and operated, which is good and bad. I have been in there around 9:30AM some mornings and they were already stopping the fryer and had a very limited supply of donuts. Another time I was there later and it was like a ghost town in there. Sure seems like they could be doing a lot more business than they are.
AMAZING donuts. I always get the glazed donuts - there's no point getting anything else really. Wait - the buttermilk donuts are also quite good but don't eat them with their glazed donuts 'cause everything pales in comparison to those glazed donuts.
The glazed donuts are popular so you'll probably have to wait because the fool in front of you ordered 3 dozen donuts and you have to wait for a new batch to be made. Batches are small because it's just one man who makes all the donuts. I swear, he's got a magic touch with those donuts...The plus side? It's pretty much guaranteed that you're going to get a fresh donut on a weekend.
The glazed donuts are soft yet chewy with a slightly crispy texture. It's so easy to eat a donut in less than a minute because they're so good. I finally took my little sister here and she ate 3 donuts in 10 minutes (yeah, she's a glutton).
NOTE :: I noticed some yelpers complaining about the selection of donuts. There's only one man making the donuts at Stan's. It's the kind of establishment where the supply can barely meet with the demand. Stan's is busy on the weekends and particularly busy on Fridays - so if you show up late (and past 11 is late), you'll be stuck with the boring donuts (which is everything but the glazed imo).
Hands down the BEST glazed doughnuts int he Bay Area. I've been coming here for years since the time i lived and worked in Santa Clara. Now i make a point of stopping in for some warm glazed heaven whenever i'm in the area. F**k that KK junk that tastes like greasy air. These are real, ginormous, fluffy, warm, glazed doughnuts as they should be. I always ask for the ones just out of the glaze dip as they are the best when fresh and hot. mmmmMMMMmmmm i loves me some Stan's!
p.s. i have only ever had their glazed doughnuts. Never tried any of the other varieties so i can not attest to their goodness.
I have been coming here since i was in jr high and i can honestly say years after college the great quality has not changed. Remember when krispy kreme came to saratoga for a short while? well now its a McDonalds! what does that tell u?!?!? Stans on the other hand is gonna be there forever! like all donut places, if u want the best ones u gotta get there before the early birds get em!..sometimes i buy too many and have leftovers for the next day...and they still taste yummy...custard chocolate bars are the best...so is glazed...i love em all really so thats why i cannot pick a fave..and even though i give credit to those new generation "crazy donut" places...why would i want coco puffs on my donut? Stans is the plan!
Very good cake and raised donuts served in an extremely grimy, run-down shop. One is better off getting take-out so as not to see "how the sausage is made" as they say.
I like my hole-in-the-wall ambiance as much (or even more than?) the next guy, but this place is extreme.
Give me Donut House in Redwood City any day.
Ehhhhh....really the only thing this place has going for it is it's reputation. The selection was pretty bad when we went around 11:30 on a Sunday. All of the donuts were cake except for chocolate glazed..no regular glazed donuts? Seriously? Who are you Stan's Donuts and why don't you offer regular donuts? Moving on...
If you choose to sit inside (which they charge you tax for...my friend didn't specific for here and they made her pay .13 cents after she had already sat down) then you can watch the donut-makers glaze and fry the donuts. I didn't find this appealing though...no one wants to stare at the fat that they are eating!
Also, the service was either rude or CREEPY. One man making the donuts kept walking past my friend and I telling us how beautiful we are. Flattering but not necessary. At all.
I think I saw a sign saying they only take cash or checks also.
You will NOT find a better doughnut anywhere else in the Bay Area ! Just get 2 old fashioned donuts and a cup of coffee. And you're set for the rest of the day. Worth the drive. Worth the wait. Worth the weight!
Ok, I don't know if most of the new reviews are from people have visited Stan's recently, but from what I've been told, this place isn't what it used to be. We picked up some donuts for a taste-off at work. My colleague got there pretty early... 6:30 or 7am... and said there was NO selection. They didn't even have regular chocolate glazed donuts. So we had a few... regular glazed, chocolate old fashioned, glazed old fashioned, buttermilk and sprinkles. Among the 4 people that tasted them, we all thought they were pretty blah. The sprinkles was the best one and that's really not saying much.
My husband did a similar donut taste test in his department and said they same thing.... their quality was inconsistent, and really the only winner for them would be the glazed right out of the oven. Aside from that though, it wasn't worth it. Another friend also said that it looked like it was under new ownership, with none of the 'regular customers' hanging out... in fact it was deserted when she got there.
Nobody will EVER all agree on the perfect donut. Certain people just look for different things in a donut. However, if you love fluffy, doughy Glazed Donuts, Stan's is a MUST. Their other donuts are great too, especially they're Maple & Chocolate Bars, Jelly Donuts, and Cinnamon Rolls. Pure deliciousness. This was a tradition after Sunday mass (across the street at St. Justin's) and now they are awesome treat at the office. People go crazy over them at the office and they get rave reviews here. Just make sure, if you want more than just a few glazed donuts, get there EARLY or pre-order the day before!
Oh, and it's cheap, but have cash. They only accept cash or check, no credit cards. Pretty easy since donuts are only about $0.65.
Stan's Donuts is definitely over-rated. After reading rave reviews on Yelp I ventured out to bite into Stan's donuts and was left asking for more.
These donuts are good but definitely not the best I have had. But, they are definitely better than Krispy Kreme. :D
So why the three stars. The wait is horrible. 30 minutes for a glazed donut. This seems like their strategy to get people to sit at the counter and order coffee, etc. So while waiting I decided to sip on hot chocolate which was okay and ate an old fashioned chocolate donut. It was horrible. The woman behind the counter was very rude and I would never ever return to Stans because it is definitely not worth waiting 30 mins and and to top it off you get really bad service.
This is to all the loyal Customers who have eaten Stans Donuts for the past 50 years. Like all business, there is always a transition from one generation to another. In this case there has been more than one. This is were Stans is right now! The Donut Shop will be going through a face lift for the next few years as they reevaluate how to better serve their loyal customers for another 50 years. A second donut making station will be designed very soon. This station will be designed to make and deliver donuts to the front station when their supply is getting low. Thus keeping many different types of donuts available for their customers all the time. Also there will be upgrades to the equipment and other areas of the front of the donut shop. A web site will also be available at a later date for the customers to learn more about what is going on and the history of Stans Donut Shop.
There will also be upgrades to the donut ordering system and current phone system. Many new and exciting changes will be made and there will be a wider variety of donuts and other foods for the customers to enjoy forever.
Stans Donuts has and always will be the best value in donuts in this State.
Thanks for your support!
Donuts
Better than Bob's in San Francisco by far.
Better than Kingpin in Berkeley, even when the donut just rolled hot out of Kingpins ass at 11pm.
Better than anything KK can push out of their machines.
Happy Donuts? Bow down to Stan.
Go in the morning. Its even better when you see the mob of senior citizens sitting in a row at the old-fashioned service counter with their nickels and donuts. LUV IT!!!!!
Let's get clarity here. The Bay Area is not a donut mecca. (The Donut Stop in Amarillo, TX is my standard.) Good donuts are hard to find. I have tried Dick's (ok, but weird orange flavor in the glaze). Stan's are the best around, which is why people are lined up all the time and you have to wait ten minutes for a fresh raised glazed hot from the fryer. They are awesome. So are the cinnamon rolls, and the old fashioneds. I don't understand all these Stan's haters. This is the local gold standard for the raised glazed.
Good:
soft, billowy donuts that melt in your mouth
Bad:
nothing
WARM FLUFFY GLAZED DONUTS...unlike krispykremes these donutes will bring u to your happy place...the place is in its original state from back in the day decor/menu. The guy makes the donuts infront of you none of the high tech cookie cutter machines here~ all made with love..hehe...dont expect a posh place as this is a hole in the wall and hidden jem...yummmmmy..
Great place to have donuts - but get there early before they run out.
Pros
- All my friends tell me this is the best place around for donuts - I'm still trying to find out; I always get there late & they are out of good stuff.
- interesting buttermilk - banana flavoring?.
- Mall parking
- nice service
Cons
- have to get there early, or else they run out of good stuff. Not sure how many fancy ones they have. Did receive a response from the owner & they said that they would hold donuts if you call beforehand.
- I asked & was told that they don't make fritters or custard filled every day.
Return Visit
- possible
I've finally tasted Stan's donuts. The chocolate glaze and the cinnamon roll were quite good. The taste is not like KK or Dunkin D, Stan's donuts have more volume, are a bit heavy and flavorful.
It would be nice to have a Stan's donut that is right out of the fryer but I don't know if it's worth standing in line. I guess I'll know when I'm actually in line.
Rarely eat donuts cuz I love them, but they sit in my stomach and I don't feel great. (Even 1/4 of a donut)
Stan's however is a totally different story. Not sure why they don't bother me, but the don't and they're so good! Hotter and fresher the better tho!
Interior: 5/10, Food: 10/10, Service: 9/10.
Best glazed doughnut in the world!
Location is a bit hard to find, but anyone who has had a Stan's doughnut knows where to go back for more.
Interior is very dated, looks like it was there since the 60's. It could use a remodel, but for the great product they make and the demand for them, I can understand why there's no need for the update to the interior. In fact, it's a bit nostalgic.
Maybe I shouldn't have read the Yelp reviews before I checked this place out. I know this is blasphemous to many, but I don't think this place merits the hype. The glazed donuts are fine, but personally I'm still all about the Krispy Kreme. I do think Stan does a nice job on the sprinkle ones, though, and the coffee is tasty.
But this place truly has a cult following, with crowds every morning jonesing for sugary goodness. FYI: If you want more than a dozen, you need to call ahead.
This will be my donut place of choice simply because of its convenient location to my work. But I have eaten plenty of donuts that are just as good, if not better.
Santa Clara, CA
Category: Donuts
San Jose, CA
Category: Donuts
San Jose, CA
Category: Donuts
San Jose, CA
Category: Donuts
Santa Clara, CA
Category: Bakeries
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