With National Donut Day on June 4, it’s time to celebrate the donut, a uniquely American treat with an origins story involving many different cultures. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the donut’s past includes a merging of recipes and innovations from Native Americans, Dutch immigrants, Russian exiles, and French bakers. It was just after World War I that the popularity of the donut began to soar. In fact, it was after the war that the first Friday in June was declared National Donut Day to honor the Salvation Army Lassies, the volunteers who served donuts to the soldiers on the front lines.
Since then, the humble donut’s been on a roll, with gourmet donut shops elevating this holey treat to an art form. Glazed and cake donuts are certainly still available for those who prefer the classics, but they’ve been joined by a dizzying array of options. Ever tried a maple frosted donut with crumbled bacon on top? Or perhaps a Fruity Pebbles-covered tribute to Saturday mornings watching cartoons in our pajamas? Dunkin’ recently offered a limited edition ghost pepper donut. These days, that box of donuts at the office on Friday mornings could contain untold wonders.
These 10 cities have ordered the most donuts in the past year.
It’s estimated that over 10 billion donuts are consumed in the U.S. every year. With National Donut Day coming up, we took a look at which cities in the U.S. have ordered the most donut catering in the past year, and some of the most popular donut shops in each location.
1. Houston, Texas
Shipley Do-Nuts
In addition to all the classic staples, this long-time donut institution also makes beignets, the beloved New Orleans style donut.
The Dapper Doughnut
Bigger isn’t always better, as anyone who has ever tried one of the delectable mini donuts from The Dapper Doughnuts can attest.
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
In the mood for something a little different? The Thai donuts (deep fried dough sticks) from Pei Wei Asian Kitchen are also incredibly popular.
Find more donuts in Houston
2. Dallas, Texas
Urban Donut
Urban Donut offers fancifully named creations like “Cake Me Up B4 U Go Go”, “Bacon It Happen”, and “Pegasus Nutella Crunch.” ‘Nuff said.
Fat Straws
A bubble tea joint offering chewy puff donuts? Sign us up!
USA Donuts & Croissants
Donuts, croissants AND kolaches! Oh my!
Find more donuts in Dallas
3. Tampa, Florida
Local Mini Donut Co.
Home of the Homer Simpson donut. Or should we say D’oh-nut?
Simply Done Donuts
Vanilla Iced. Old Dirty Bird. Man Bait. Reading the menu is almost as fun as eating the donuts.
La Segunda Bakery
When your donuts are this good, you can keep it simple. Chocolate or glazed?
Find more donuts in Tampa
4. Boston, Massachusetts
Donut Villa Diner
Show the office how much you care with their mini donut bouquet.
Kane’s Donuts
In addition to their classics and more creative items, Kane’s also has monthly specials such as the Margarita donut and the Lemon Raspberry Chiffon donut.
Union Square Donuts
With seasonal specials, vegan donuts, and everything from Boston Cream to Brown Butter Hazelnut Crunch, Union Square Donuts has something for everyone.
Honorable mentions for Boston: the churros at Dona Habana and of course, a Boston staple, Dunkin’.
Find more donuts in Boston
5. Chicago, Illinois
Labriola Cafe & Bakery
They’ve got the standards, the specialties and a baker’s dozen of what they call Dough Boy’s Best.
Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
Not only can you get tantalizing flavors such as Pistachio-Meyer Lemon and Valrhona Chocolate Cake, but you can also get them gluten-free.
Dunkin’
Chicago runs on Dunkin’.
Find more donuts in Chicago
6. Orange County, California
Duck Donuts
Made-to-order donuts? Oh yes. Just pick your flavor, toppings and not one, but two, drizzles.
Doughnut District
Home of the kronut – half croissant, half donut?!
Yum Yum Donuts
No false advertising here. The donuts truly are yum!
Orange County’s also hip to the Thai donuts from Pei Wei Asian Kitchen.
Find more donuts in Orange County
7. Oakland, California
Donut Petit
Creme Brulee. Strawberry Shortcake. Triple Chocolate Cake. All in donut form. Donut Petit also offers a variety of gluten-free and vegan donuts.
The Breakfast Cafe
All the classics are represented from the powdered to the maple.
Cafe Jolie
Mochi donuts and mini nutella beignets. Why even try to resist?
Find more donuts in Oakland
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Status Dough
Cake donuts? Yeast? Buttermilk? Specialty? Miniature old fashioned? Whatever you’re craving they’re already making.
Shipley Do-Nuts
Do-Nut Holes? Do nut mind if we do!
Peace Love and Little Donuts
You can’t go wrong with the unique creations in the assorted Funkadellic Donuts from the popular donut chain Peace Love and Little Donuts.
Find more donuts in Nashville
9. Los Angeles, California
Duck Donuts
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Then glazed and topped to order.
Boston Cream Donut
With ten, count them, ten varieties of cronut!
Hope Cafe and Catering
Simple cake donut and glazed donut assortments prove that the classics are still in high demand.
Honorable mention: Paris Baguette, hand-crafted and unforgettable.
Find more donuts in Los Angeles
10. New York, New York
Sunset Park Diner & Donuts
There’s a reason the classics never go out of style. They taste just as good now as they did back then.
BlissBomb
These mini donuts will literally blow you away!
Du’s Donuts
Taking pride in making donuts you’ve never seen, heard or imagined before (like, say, a pomegranate-tahini donut).
The Dough Club
Creative and crave-able mochi donuts, made fresh daily in small batches.
Find more donuts in NYC
Whether your city made the list or not, we’ve got lots of great donut shops in your area offering donuts delivered, to ensure that any day can be donut day. One final piece of advice, though; don’t forget the coffee!
