Rate-A-Restaurant #407: The Donut Hole (La Puente)

Restaurant: The Donut Hole

Location: 15300 Amar Rd (La Puente)

Type of restaurant: Donuts

We stipulated: There are landmarks in Southern California that I still can't believe we've never visited. I'd seen photos of The Donut Hole through the years, but had never visited. In search of a fun, quick Sunday morning adventure, I figured it was time to take the family out for some donuts.

They stipulated: Per Wikipedia: "An example of programmatic architecture, the building is shaped like two giant donuts through which customers drive to place their orders. The bakery is one of the most photographed donut shops in the United States."
 

What we ordered: Various donuts including a strawberry; glazed cronut; maple bar; and froot loops covered.

 

High point: These were good donuts. Happy to see the taste and quality of the donuts be worth the drive, beyond just the architecture.

 

Overall impression: That was a fun mini-adventure. I hope they keep The Donut Hole alive forever. (Perhaps time for a new paint job.)

Will we return:  Definitely a place to visit again, especially with out-of-town guests.

The Ghost Pepper Donut Challenge

Nathan and I were eager to try the new Dunkin' Donuts ghost pepper donut. The verdict? Delicious, with just a little bit of spice! Here's Nathan's verdict.

Rate-A-Restaurant #389: Colorado Donuts (Eagle Rock)

Restaurant: Colorado Donuts

Location: 1578 Colorado Blvd #14, Eagle Rock, CA 90041 (Eagle Rock)

Type of restaurant: Donuts

We stipulated: Maria and I wanted to do a bike ride through Eagle Rock, and we figured we'd treat ourselves at the end.

They stipulated: The store is open, but only a limited number of people are allowed in at a time. Donuts vary from the basic standards to the more expensive, high-end originals. 

What we ordered: Four ube cake donuts, one horchata donut (a special limited time flavor), one Simpsons-style pink sprinkle donut and two apple fritters..

High point:   Those apple fritters may be my favorite of any I've had, thanks to the extra dose of cinnamon.

Low point:   The menu is confusingly written, so that you don't know how much you're paying for the different donuts. Is the ube cake donut a specialty donut? We ended up paying $21 for our eight donuts, which seems steep.

Overall impression: I've been looking for years to find the perfect ube donut -- right flavor, proper frosting, no greasy aftertaste. This is the closest to what I've been looking for.

Will we return:  For those apple fritters, absolutely. And sure, those ube donuts as well. But I'm going to pay closer attention to what everything costs next time.

Rate-A-Restaurant #362: California Donuts

Restaurant: California Donuts

Location: 3540 W 3rd St. (Koreatown)



Type of restaurant: Donuts

We stipulated: Maria and I were out late and had the babysitter until midnight. It was 11 p.m. Looking for a snack, and we're limited to spots open late. California Donuts is serving up goodies 24/7.



They stipulated: "A neighborhood favorite for over 30 years offers quality and customer service that no one can surpass. California Donuts #21 Inc. located on the busy corner of 3rd and New Hampshire in the city of Los Angeles is solely family owned and operated. This local hotspot prides its popularity from offering a variety of freshly baked goods and their signature brewed coffees that will suit every desire. From the homemade butter croissants to the hand cut donuts and everything in between, we work hard with our suppliers to use only the best of ingredients."



What we ordered: Specialty donuts ($2-$3 each) include Panda Donut, Blueberry Toast Crunch; regular donuts ($1) include the Simpsons D'ohnut and the Matcha Green Tea donut.


High point:  The joy the kids had when we brought them home that Panda and Simpsons donuts. California Donut's colorful cereal-inspired donuts are also a sight to behold.
Low point:  Still a little too greasy for my taste.



Overall impression: Donuts continue to be a hot food trend at the moment -- but in a sea of pricey gourmet treats, California Donuts is the most economical (and fun).



Will we return: Yes, with the kids in tow.

Rate-A-Restaurant #346: Kettle Glazed Donuts (Hollywood)

Restaurant: Kettle Glazed Donuts

Location: 6211 Franklin Ave. (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Donuts



We stipulated: Maria had purchased a Living Social coupon for Kettle Glazed a while ago. We're always happy to support a business on our namesake street! (Especially when donuts are involved.)



They stipulated: There's not much backstory available about Kettle Glazed, but here's their mission statement: "At Kettle Glazed Doughnuts, we combine top notch ingredients with a love of the trade and a passion for perfection to make truly great doughnuts."



What we ordered: A dozen donuts, including Buttermilk Vanilla ($1.25), Blueberry Lemon ($1.25), Maple Bar ($1.50), Buttermilk Maple ($1.25), Chocolate Vanilla ($1.25), Chocolate sprinkle ($1.25) and jelly ($1.25)





High point:  Some great flavors, which rotate.



Low point:  The donuts were a tad dry.



Overall impression: I don't know if slapping a piece of bacon on a long john is inventive or a bit lazy. But overall, as a big old fashioned style donut fan, I liked the wide flavor variety.



Will we return: You know what, it was fine... but if I'm going to indulge again in a donut, I'll probably stick with the nearby Donut Friend.

It's Safe to Visit the New Dunkin' Donuts in Santa Monica Now

The crowds have finally died down at the region's first Dunkin' Donuts (in at least 20 years). Located at 12th and Wilshire in Santa Monica, Dunkin' Donuts' first revived L.A.-area outpost has seen long lines since it opened a few weeks ago. But not anymore (at least on the weekdays). I was there on Monday, and managed to grab a box of Munchkins and a coffee without any wait.



And here's a nice bonus: They were all out of pumpkin Munchkins, but the worker threw in a free pumpkin donut just 'cause.



Previously on Franklin Avenue:

April Fools: No Dunkin' Donuts in Burbank... Yet (March 2014)

Dunkin' Donuts' California Invasion Begins: Our First Taste (November 2013)

It's True: Dunkin' Donuts Comes to California in 2015 (January 2013)

Dunkin' Donuts Finally Returns to California - But There's A Catch (February 2012)

Is Dunkin' Donuts Finally on the Way to Los Angeles? (January 2012)

Dunkin' Donuts to Southern California: No Free Donut For You (May 2010)

Rumors of Dunkin' Donuts Coming to L.A. Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (June 2009)

Dunkin' Donuts Moves Closer to Los Angeles (August 2008)

Dunkin Donuts Opens L.A. Shop... In My Dreams (May 2008)

Dunkin' Tease at the L.A. Times (April 2008)

Turns Out Not Having Dunkin' Donuts in L.A. Is a Blessing (July 2007)

Still No Dunkin' (September 2006)

Dunkin' Again? (December 2005)

Time to Make the Donuts... And Doublecheck Your Facts (October 2003)

Rate-A-Restaurant #312: Donut Friend

Restaurant: Donut Friend



Location: 5107 York Blvd. (Highland Park)



Type of restaurant: Donuts



We stipulated: The kids were having a sleepover at their cousins' house, so it was just Maria and I on Sunday morning. We decided to finally do some recon on Donut Friend sans kids.



They stipulated: "Donut Friend is a new take on the old donut. Rather than trying to guess what our customers want, we let them tell us what they want, and we make it for them, right before their eyes. Using the freshest ingredients we can find, locally sourced when possible, Donut Friend wants to redefine what a donut can be. At Donut Friend, we don't just do donuts. We Do Donuts Differently."



What we ordered: Maria -- Bacon 182 (Maple glaze and regular or vegan bacon on top of our traditional donut; $3.50) Mike -- Chocolate from the Crypt (A chocolate cake donut topped with chocolate glaze, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and chocolate shavings; $2.50)



High point:  Not only were the donuts mighty tasty, but the coffee was great too.

Low point: I was really excited to try "Jimmy Eat Swirl" donut, but alas, it wasn't available.





Overall impression: The idea behind Donut Friend sounds intimidating. And for donut purists like myself, the idea of piling toppings on top, yogurt bar style, is a bit off-putting. But the Donut Friend folks have come up with some fascinating flavors, and there are ways to still keep it deliciously simple.









Will we return: OFTEN. (And next time with kids.) Must try every flavor! I will get fat.

Dunkin' Donuts' California Invasion Begins: Our First Taste

The Dunkin' is coming! The Dunkin' is coming! Actually, it's already here. After a decade of covering the slow march of Dunkin' Donuts to California, Franklin Avenue was there this weekend -- the first Dunkin' Donuts location in California (well, the first open to the general public, not counting the Camp Pendleton location).

Maria and her sister, mom and sisters-in-law road tripped it to Vegas last weekend, and on the way back stopped in Barstow to check out the new Dunkin' Donuts. Apparently hundreds of others did too: The store was out of coffee, and had just a limited number of donuts left. Thankfully, there was enough left to bring home a dozen for me and the Blogger Kids.



The timing was right: The Dunkin' Donuts location had just opened a few days earlier. Via the Victorville Daily Press:

The coffee-and-donut chain has been popular on the East Coast for decades and is about to make a major run at the California consumer. Since January, the company has made 70 franchise agreements to open free-standing restaurants starting in 2015.

Alex Apodaca, the company's chief operations officer, said the location in Barstow could not have been any better to introduce Dunkin’ Donuts to California residents and tourists.

"I grew up in Southern California and this was always the stop-point to Vegas as a kid with my parents — we always stopped here," Apodaca said. "So when the business opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer. We have big hopes. We can't wait to get entrenched in the community. We love this tight-knit community."

Of course, now that Dunkin' Donuts is here, well, I'm not sure how often I'll actually visit.

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN BANFF: A Week in the Canadian Rockies

Last month I returned to the Banff Media Festival in beautiful Banff, Alberta, Canada, in order to moderate several panels. The highlight, as I wrote here, was my chat with "Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson. But outside of the TV festival, I also brought the family up this year, in order to share the beauty of the region with them. And it didn't disappoint. The weather may have been overcast, but the mountains, the lakes and the nature still thrilled our city bones. It was a week the Franklin Avenue kids won't forget. Some highlights:


A bird's eye view of the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.


Elk on the side of the street in Banff.


Vermillion Lakes, outside of Banff.


Banff's farmers' market.


Buffalo Dawgs and Buffalo Smokies.


The Buffalo Smokie.


Two rivers run through Banff; here's one of them.


The Blogger Kid on horseback.


Deer on the side of the bike path in Banff.


The Banff Gondola ferries passengers up the side of Sulphur Mountain.


View from the top.


Moraine Lake.


More of Moraine Lake.


The Franklin Avenue boys take in Lake Louise.


More of Lake Louise.


Lake Louise, with the Fairmont hotel overlooking it.


I figured it would be cool, but unlikely, that we'd encounter a bear (from a safe distance, of course) on our trip. But sure enough, as we were driving on the freeway back to Calgary, we spotted this little guy on the side of the road (behind the fence). A quick u-turn and we got close enough to snap a few pics.


So I guess this sign is pretty accurate.


A trip to Canada isn't complete without the required stop at Tim Horton's. We waited until the very last day of our stay up north to finally enjoy a donut the way Canada intended. And here's a shot of the Tim Horton's located at Calgary's airport.

Last year, I wrote at length about The Town of Banff; the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; the Banff Gondola Ride; and some Canadian Food Finds.