THERE ARE FEW SWEET TREATS more universally beloved and irresistible than doughnuts. Take some dough, fry it, add sugar, and then a little more sugar, and then top that with icing and maybe sprinkles—can you seriously say no? Good thing some of the best places to get your fix are in and around the South.
Five Daughters Bakery
For a satisfying grab-and-go option, the delicate crisp of the 100-layer doughnuts at Five Daughters Bakery will have your eyes rolling back in taste-bud-tingling delight. With locations in Tennessee and Georgia, the family bakery spends three days preparing made-from-scratch delicacies in staple flavors and rotating seasonal options.
Hole
Next, head over to Hole in Asheville, North Carolina. This artisan, fried-to-order doughnut shop produces handmade doughnuts in free-formed golden rings of sweet bliss with flavors like Cardamom-Buttermilk, Cocoa Rub, and Toasted Almond.
North Lime Coffee & Donuts
In Kentucky, doughnut heaven can be found at North Lime Coffee & Donuts. They have a few classics like Chocolate Iced and Cinnamon Sugar every day, but the real fun begins with inventive specials, including Hummingbird Cake and Grandma Pearl’s Blackberry Jam.
TatoNut Donut Shop
The TatoNut Donut Shop’s cheerful, yellow storefront, located in quaint Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serves up mouthwatering doughnuts day after day. You’ll always leave with a smile on your face, not only from the potato flour-based, sugar-glazed treats, but also from the warm smiles of the Mohler family, who own the shop.
The Vandalia Co.
Charleston, West Virginia-based The Vandalia Co. first captivated local foodies with their mobile bakery and have specialized in creative bakes at their storefront ever since. From Hummingbird Cake and Nutella Crunch to the No 42 (a buttermilk doughnut rolled in cinnamon sugar); they have every craving covered no matter the season.
Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts
Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts has catered to southeast Louisiana’s doughnut cravings day or night. Their doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and have been since service began nearly 30 years ago. Go-to favorites include classic glazed delicacies, peanut butter and jelly–filled beauties, and cakey red velvet delights.
Pattie Lou’s Donuts
A build-your-own doughnut bar takes shape at Pattie Lou’s Donuts in Orlando, Florida. This concept may seem strange to some, but there’s no better way to get your one-of-a-kind fix. Choose chocolate or vanilla donuts, the glaze or icing type, and any choice of toppings.
Sons Donuts
Sons Donuts started as a mobile food truck operation but quickly settled into its brick-and-mortar location in Birmingham, Alabama, after their mini doughnuts caught the attention of locals. The owners designed an interactive experience like Pattie Lou’s, where guests choose flavor combinations from unique offerings. Doughnuts are then cooked fresh and served hot for each customer to enjoy. No matter how you delve into your doughnut desires, you can’t deny the blessing of being spoiled for choice.
You can discover these Southern treats and more when you pick up your copy of the March/April 2023 issue or by visiting tasteofthesouthmagazine.com.
