The local Web site MindHub has a string going about the best donut places in town. I offered a tongue-in-cheek comment suggesting that I thought all donuts (or is it doughnuts?) are alike. Well, those are fighting words hereabouts.
One responder said that's like going to People's Church and shouting to the congregation that there wasn't a Resurrection. That, too, was tongue in cheek, but it does give an indication that donuts are a big deal in Fresno.
My pal Suzanne Bertz-Rosa thought I was a bit off my rocker with my point about all donuts being the same: "Whaaaaaaa? Are you kidding me? Heck no!"
"I've been off donuts since I moved back to Fresno (ok, other than hitting Krispy Kreme a few times), but living in SF I could tell you exactly which donut shop had the best old fashion or chocolate cake," Suzanne said on Mindhub. "They need to be slightly crunchy on the outside and moist and soft on the inside with an insanely sweet frosting."
So I bow to the MindHub survey started by Jaime Holt. Let's get back to Jaime's original question: Where's the best donut in Fresno?
If we can get a consensus, I'll buy the first two dozen donuts and pass them out to whoever wants to join me in this sugar fest. I'll bet we can get The Bee's Will Albritton to film the encounter and post the video. Oh, the stories they'll tell about this gorging.
mindhubbers: for some reason, that whole URL wont hyperlink on the email.
everyone else: ignore that. but please, comment below.
Judy's over on Willow and Nees ain't bad. They are better then the Judy's on Champlain, (next to Savemart).
The only thing is that they have a heavy accent. Sometimes I can't understand what they say, just nod yes and smile you'll end up getting your donuts.
Buy a dozen and he usually throws in an extra donut (of his choice).
Once upon a time there were two donut shops we loved. One was opposite the old courthouse. It was open 24 hours. And the other was on Blackstone, opposite Ratcliffe Stadium. Their donuts did not leave a greasy film on the roof of the mouth. No amount of sugar or icing can cover up greasiness.
And today many donuts, however fluffy they appear, one can without effort compress them into one rubbery lump; like most other baked stuff.
Once upon a time there was a Karsh's bakery on Fulton Street. It was worth a trip on the Moyer's Stage a couple of times a week. Sorry! Can't help with the search for the best donut.
Unfulfilled gourmet dinosaur.
Ann's donuts at Marks and Ashlan used to be good. They had these little two bite filled ones that were so yummy, but I think the owners are different now, if it's even still there.
Well I'm certainly not a connoisseur, and I came really close to saying "Aren't all donuts alike?" just for the laugh, but then it occurred to me they aren't. Where I buy my occasional donut is at the 7-11 on Clovis at Belmont. I obviously don't go in there for a donut, it's more of an impulse buy, and my impulses need to be reined in or I'll begin to look like something that needs a pen at the Chaffee Zoo.
At any rate, there was a point where their supplier brought in the worst donuts I've ever had, but Serge (owner) has changed suppliers. Now they are quite good. Maybe with the exception of the cinnamon rolls. However they have some good cinnamon rolls at a little shop at Willow and Gettysburg.
I might need that pen.
i wonder, is the donut hole "the crux of the biscuit" the one Frank Zappa lyracally referanced in the "apostrophe"...
Are you kidding me...a real honest Frank Zappa reference? If we are going to reference dead, slight bizzar, certified genius musicians, I have to go with Fresno's own, Warren Zevon...
I just got my paycheck
I'm gonna paint the whole town grey
Whether it's a night in Paris or a Fresno matinee.
OK, there isn't a "don"o"t" reference. I just wanted you realize that a genius can come from Fresno.
As for donots, they suck. Go with a bagel and avoid the diabetic shock.
Judy's are always wonderful but I found Best Boy Donuts on the corner of McKinley and Fresno. Delish!
warren was fresno's best, a giant fer sure Mike...me? i haven't had a donot in years or any sugar for that matter, but i like the hole in the donut, i mean, the main characteristic of the donut is the absence of a center. The apostrophe that makes it all possible...
The best glazed donuts in the world used to come from Bossa's Bakery on Elm Ave. Every first Friday, we would walk to Mass from Mt. Carmel School and when we returned back to school, the Nuns had chocolate milk and Bossa's donuts waiting for us. No finer a heavenly treat.