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.

Great Wolf Lodge is the Indoor Water Park that Southern California Didn't Know It Needed

For the Blogger Kid 2.0's birthday in August, we gave him a choice: Throw a party with his friends, or go to the new Great Wolf Lodge in Orange County with his family. He chose Great Wolf -- with no regrets.

The idea of an indoor waterpark... in Southern California... in the middle of a drought... seems, well, a little odd. And indulgent. But Great Wolf Lodge is not the only water park in Southern California (it's actually smaller than many)... and because it's indoors, there's less evaporation -- so it loses less water than other parks. For parents, it's nice to know that the only people in the park are staying at the hotel (so there's a bit of a safety factor there), and no one's getting a sunburn.



We spent two nights at the Great Wolf, which is almost necessary in order to enjoy a full day at the park, as well as parts of the other days. (Actually, on the days you check in or check out, you can also utilize the park for the full day). The hotel rooms are fine but average; the food options include a decently priced restaurant, a breakfast buffet and even a Dunkin' Donuts outlet. (There are other choices nearby outside the hotel).



Many of the water slides are for multiple riders; there is also a wave pool, a body surfing pool, a lazy river and more.



Outside of the water park, the lodge also includes a small miniature golf area, an arcade and other games. At night, kids run around the hotel halls with wands in hand, playing the game "MagicQuest." It all costs extra, of course.



And that's one of the things about visiting a place like Great Wolf Lodge: You end up spending a lot more money than you thought you would spend.





At 105,000 square feet, the Southern California outpost of Great Wolf Lodge is the chain's largest water park.



The water park also closes at 8 p.m. on weekdays -- a little too early for people actually staying in the park (but I suppose they need time to clean it up for the following day).



Great Wolf Lodge
12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Here's a video from one of the larger water slides:

It's Not too Late to Get Free Drinks for National Coffee Day

Every day is National Coffee Day in my life. But apparently September 29 is for the rest of the country. Here's what you'll be able to get free today:

Dunkin' Donuts hot or iced Dark Roast Coffee

Get a free Original Glazed Doughnut and a 12oz cup of coffee at Krispy Kreme

Get 25-cent 12oz brewed cups of coffee at Whole Foods Markets through 9/30

Free shipping on all Starbucks.com orders of $30 or more

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)

April Fools: No Dunkin' Donuts in Burbank... Yet

Pal and Dunkin' Donuts enthusiast Steve forwarded this pic of a sign that was hanging in the Disney Channel building (3800 Alameda in Burbank) on April 1. Yep, April 1 -- so despite how well-designed this is, it apparently was an April Fool's joke. (I called the building to double check, and the security guard who answered the phone confirmed that it was a gag).

Nonetheless, the Dunkin' Donuts train is steaming toward Los Angeles. A location already exists in Barstow, and one in San Diego just opened.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

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)

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.

It's True: Dunkin' Donuts Comes to California in 2015

In the nearly ten years that we've been blogging at Franklin Avenue, I've been asking the question: Why are there no Dunkin' Donuts in California? (I've also had to bat down trolls over the years who were convinced, CONVINCED, that Dunkin' was already here.)

We were met with silence by Dunkin' Donuts corporate office. A decade later, that silence has been broken. The day has arrived.

Dunkin' Donuts is returning to California.

It's happening starting in 2015. Here's what Nigel Travis, CEO, Dunkin' Brands and President, Dunkin' Donuts U.S., has to say:

Since the day I joined Dunkin’ Brands, one of the questions I’ve been asked most is, “When will Dunkin’ Donuts open in California?” I hear requests to come to California almost every day from our fans on the West Coast and all throughout the country, and of course from our passionate communities on Facebook and Twitter. Some big-name celebrities have even made pleas on national TV for us to bring our famous coffee to Hollywood.

And so, today is an extremely happy and momentous day for our brand, as I have the privilege of making the long-awaited announcement that Dunkin’ Donuts will in fact be expanding into Southern California. We are now actively seeking franchisees to open Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernadino, Ventura and Orange Counties in California. We expect the first new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in California to open in 2015.

We are absolutely thrilled to be coming to California. Expansion to the West Coast has always been part of our growth plans, and we’ve always said that we will enter California when the timing is right and when the infrastructure is in place to help our franchisees be successful. We believe we have reached that point today. It’s wonderful to know that there is already such incredible appetite for our brand in California, as evidenced by the popularity of our bagged coffee at grocery stores, the recent launch of Dunkin’ K-Cup packs at Baskin-Robbins shops throughout the state, and the overwhelmingly positive response to the opening of the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant on Camp Pendleton.

And now, I look forward to be sick of, and utterly disgusted by, Dunkin' Donuts in 2016. But here's to enjoying their arrival, before bemoaning the days before Dunkin' Donuts put the mom and pop shops out of business. (Ooh, I took a dark turn there, didn't I!)

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

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)

Dunkin' Donuts Finally Returns to California - But There's A Catch

Dunkin' Donuts is coming! Dunkin' Donuts is coming! The first California location for Dunkin' Donuts will reportedly be opening soon, but there's a catch: You need a military I.D., or know someone who has one, to eat there. (And I haven't had a military I.D., sadly, since I graduated from college and was officially no longer an Air Force brat.)

According to CBS Los Angeles, the first California branch of Dunkin' Donuts in over 15 years will open at Camp Pendleton as part of their new base exchange:

MCCS Camp Pendleton Facebook page is already recruiting workers: “Need a Job? Dunkin’ Donuts is Coming to the new Camp Pendleton MCX! Want to be apart of the 1st Dunkin’ in CA? Looking to Hirer Management positions!”

The job posting went up Tuesday, but there is no mention as to when the first California location will reopen.

Dunkin' Donuts' return to California has been rumored for years, most recently in January.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

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)

Is Dunkin' Donuts Finally on the Way to Los Angeles?

Don't get your hopes up yet. We've been asking the question for years: Why no Dunkin' Donuts in Los Angeles? The chain left Southern California nearly 20 years ago, and so far rumors of its return have been just that: Rumors.

But today, the company gave another hint that it is in aggressive expansion mode -- and one would have to assume that Southern California is a gaping hole in their nationwide strategy. Here's what CNN Money had to say:

Dunkin' Donuts plans to double its locations in the United States over the next 20 years, the company announced Wednesday.

The coffee and doughnut chain currently operates nearly 7,000 stores nationwide. Each new store adds an average of 20 to 25 new employees, both full and part-time a Dunkin spokeswoman said.

Dunkin' Donuts controls roughly 23% of the coffee and snack-shop market, according to Los Angeles-based industry research firm IBISWorld.

Of course, before you get too excited, Dunkin Donuts' owner made essentially the same announcement back in 2005. And granted, a move into SoCal is not mentioned in this latest statement, six years later. Plus, "20 years" is quite a long time frame. So for now, you still gotta drive to Las Vegas for your fix.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

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)

Dunkin' Donuts to Southern California: No Free Donut For You

Now, Dunkin' Donuts is just taunting us.

We've written countless times about the strange omission of Southern California from the Dunkin' Donuts chain's footprint. Dunkin' was once in SoCal, but apparently felt the market was already saturated by chains like Winchell's and an overabundance of mom-and-pop stores.

They're probably right. And Dunkin's donuts aren't really any better than Winchell's. But we always want what we can't have. So if Dunkin' Donuts refuses to open a store in SoCal, we're gonna make some noise.

And now that they're taunting us on Facebook by inviting us to a FREE DONUT DAY on June 4, something we clearly can't be a part of, I've decided to also invite folks to an imaginary event on the social networking site. It's called I Can't Attend FREE Donut Day Because You Refuse to Open a Store in SoCal. Join in!

And after that, join up with a group on Facebook that someone else has launched, WE WANT A DUNKIN DONUTS IN LA. Dunkin, we will be heard.

The Search for L.A.'s 24-Hour Starbucks Location

Los Angeles may be the second-largest metro area in the country -- but when it comes to finding an open coffee shop after 11 p.m., Angelenos are still mostly out of luck.

There are, of course, some coffeehouses open late -- the Insomnia Cafe on Beverly, for example, is open until 1:30 a.m.

But late coffeeshops are rare -- particularly chains like Starbucks or Coffee Bean. According to multiple web reports, Starbucks once operated at least one 24-hour location in L.A., but it long ago pulled back on that location's hours. People still claim that they know of 24-hour Starbucks locations -- but these are probably the same people who claim they've seen a Dunkin' Donuts location here in SoCal. They don't know.

As a result, these days late-night caffeine addicts have had to settle for the 7-Eleven swill.

That is changing, at least temporarily, downtown. According to Blog Downtown, the Starbucks location at L.A. Live is testing extended hours, keeping open until 2 a.m. (except Sunday, when it closes at 1 a.m.). Move was in response to the opening of new JW Marriott hotel this week.

Where do you usually go for your late-night coffee runs?

FRANKLIN AVENUE IN NEW YORK: Loving the Kati Roll Co.

I may have to put my Dunkin' Donuts pursuit in order to lobby for something even more pressing: We need to introduce the Kati Roll Co. to Los Angeles.



After all, we gave them Pinkberry (for better or for worse; I don't mind the stuff, even though it's horribly overpriced), so it's time for a return gesture.

The Kati Roll is a street food that is simple to produce, but is quite elaborate in taste. According to the New York-based chain, a Kati Roll is "a spicy mixture of meat and vegetables rolled in Indian flat-bread." It's great for a quick snack or a meal. And the locations are open late.



Our friends Hank and Lisa turned us on to The Kati Roll Co. while in New York last month; we were immediately sold. The partha flat-bread was nice and thin, and the fillings had a nice, flavorful kick. Most fillings could come with or without egg; although the egg added more flavor and heft to the fillings, i was actually fine without.

Varieties we chose included the Aloo Masala roll (spicy potato mix), $4.25 (or two for $7.50); the Achari Paneer roll (Indian cottage cheese marinated in spicy pickle), $5.25 (or two for $9.50); the Chicken roll ($4.75, or two for $8.50).



The Kati Roll Co. has been around since 2002, so I'm embarrassed I'm only learning about it now. Coming back to Los Angeles, I checked all over the Internet to find a similar joint. Pasadena's Akbar Cuisine claims to a Chicken Kati Roll... but we haven't investigated to see if it's similar just yet.



So far the chain has just three locations: Two in New York and one in London. C'mon, folks, let's speed it up. Los Angeles is waiting!

Rumors of Dunkin' Donuts Coming to L.A. Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

The Orange County Register's Fast Food Maven blog teased readers today with this headine: Is Dunkin’ Donuts headed to Southern California?

The answer, as regular Franklin Avenue readers know, is no. At least for the forseeable future. And after the Fast Food Maven gets our hopes up... she tells us the same thing:

My co-worker Jon Lansner recently spotted this “Tweet” from Dunkin’ Donuts: “Calif is our No.1 asked/answered Q on the social media. A) We’re coming; when, tbd.”

What?!!

I immediately followed up with Dunkin’ Donuts, an 8,000-unit chain with no brand presence in California. Is Dunkin’ Donuts really coming?

Turns out, we shouldn’t hold our breath. A marketing rep for Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of the doughnut chain and Baskin-Robbins, sent me this statement:

“We get these kinds of tweets, emails and blog posts all the time about Dunkin’ opening in California. Dunkin’ Donuts will eventually be in California, but there is no date set yet. We will, of course, let you know if we get more specific news on the California market. “

Dunkin' Donuts owner Bain Capital has been rapidly expanding the chain, including in the Southwest. We wrote last year:

According to NPR, the "nine new stores in Phoenix is just a start. Dunkin' Donuts has plans for 150 in this (Arizona) area. And 10,000 new stores in the next decade, starting in the Southwest, and then moving toward Starbucks' home territory in the Northwest."

So yes, the plan appears to be an eventual return for Dunkin' Donuts in Southern California -- which it abandoned about 14 years ago -- but when that will finally happen is still a secret.

Time to Eat the Doughnuts

Not that you ever need an excuse to enjoy a donut -- hell, every day should be donut day. But today is apparently National Doughnut Day -- and that's good enough for me.



Apparently the holiday began in 1938 as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army (see the video above).

Here's a round up of donut goodness today:

:: The Guide's Elina Shatkin puts together a list of L.A.'s best doughnuts, leading with the Donut Man in Glendora. Her top three:

1. Donut Man, Glendora: "Among the celebrity fans of this modest 35-year-old shop was Elvis, who used to send his bodyguard to purchase jelly doughnuts."

2. Stan's Corner Donut Shoppe, Westwood / West L.A.: "In addition to all the standard raised and cake doughnuts, they have unique flavor combos like peanut butter-filled banana doughnuts topped with chocolate chips and a cheese-filled doughnut topped with blueberry glaze."

3. Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts, Miracle Mile: "Definitely better than your average doughnut."

:: Laura over at L.A. Story clues us in that both Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts (sigh, not for us, SoCalians) are passing out free doughtnuts today. In case you wanna go more gourmet, she also notes:

If you're looking for something a little more upscale Grace Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard is celebrating all weekend with a gourmet tasting menu.

:: The L.A. Weekly writes that for every doughnut sold at shops displaying the official National Doughnut Day poster, BakeMark will make a donation to the Salvation Army. He are the participating locations in L.A. proper:

Alex's Donuts, 6211 Franklin Ave.
Corner Donut Shop, 10948 Weyburn Ave.
Donut House, 3500 Overland Ave Ste 150
Donuts U.S.A., 11624 Venice Blvd.
Maggie's Donut, 4377 W. Pico
Super Donut House, 7307 Sunset Blvd.
Westdale Donut Shop, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd.
Westside Donuts & Croissant, 11277 Santa Monica Blvd.

Dunkin' Donuts Moves Closer to Los Angeles

Three years ago, we wrote that new Dunkin' Donuts owners Bain Capital planned a massive expansion of the chain -- which hasn't been seen in Los Angeles in at least 13 years.

We're still waiting to see if Dunkin' makes its way back to L.A. -- but if this NPR report is any indication, the chain plans a massive push into the American Southwest over the next few years.

According to NPR, the "nine new stores in Phoenix is just a start. Dunkin' Donuts has plans for 150 in this (Arizona) area. And 10,000 new stores in the next decade, starting in the Southwest, and then moving toward Starbucks' home territory in the Northwest."

(Thanks to SeanYoda for the link!)

"Hancock": Plenty To See For L.A. Fans

Variety's Todd McCarthy was not a fan of the new Will Smith anti-superhero pic "Hancock," which releases next week. I caught a screening last night, and yes, there are plenty of plot holes that left me scratching my head. But I'm easier to please, and I came away at least having had some fun with the pic.

Story aside, there's something comforting and fun in seeing the interaction between Smith, Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron on screen. (It's always great seeing Bateman in anything.) The story -- a reluctant superhero who frequently does more harm than good -- is also an intriguing one, although, as McCarthy notes, perhaps they didn't take full advantage of it. I do like the movie's nod to modern society -- Bateman's character relies on YouTube, for example, to show Hancock some video footage of his follies.

Regardless, as a fan of Los Angeles, I of course too special interest in the film's expansive use of the city -- and Hancock's semi-destruction of some L.A. buildings and landmarks. The brand-spanking new CAA tower in Century City gets a hole torn in it, while a car is thrown on the Capitol Records building's spike.

There are also a few interesting continuity gaps: Hancock chases some bad guys down the 105 (remember when the freeway was shut down last year for the filming?), but suddenly the buildings around him are clearly downtown -- then suddenly he's in Hollywood.

Also, Bateman is seen drinking a Dunkin' Donuts coffee in his car at one point -- nice product placement for the DD, but not sure where the character found the cup, since there's not a DD store within 500 miles of us.

Other interesting tidbits: The climactic scene takes place at the futuristic, fictional "Mercy Hospital" -- actually downtown's CalTrans building. (That building seems to pop up in every Los Angeles shoot these days.) A big celebratory dinner is held at Cafe Pinot downtown. And fake newscasts are depicted via imaginary L.A. TV stations -- all with high, UHF channel positions like 15 or 17.

Retro Friday: Eyes Glazed Over, Dunkin Donuts

Oh, how delightfully offensive, Dunkin Donuts! And this ad isn't even that old, just from the early 1990s. But to promote its line of mini donuts, the company brought in the late Herve Villechaize-- because, get it? he's mini.

Even the "time to make the donuts" guy seems embarrassed. In honor of National Donut Day, here you go.

Scenes from a New York Visit

At the NBC "Experience" event: NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chairman Ben Silverman... and COOLIO! That's right -- Mr. Gangsta's Paradise, now the star of an Internet cooking show, in da house!


Also at the NBC event: Last season's "Top Chef" winner, Hung.


Walking down Jerry Orbach Way.


Dunkin' Donuts, baby!


American Gladiators and their giant Q-Tips.

Dunkin Donuts Opens L.A. Shop... In My Dreams

Is this what it's come to? I'm blogging in my dreams? I can still recall it vividly: Walking down a Los Angeles street, I see it: A Baskin-Robbins shop, converted to include a brand-new Dunkin' Donuts outlet. The first Dunkin' Donuts in Los Angeles in over a decade.

I race to grab my camera to take a photo for Franklin Avenue. I start plotting the blog post in my head, beginning with the all important "EXCLUSIVE!" in the headline.

Then I wake up. Sorry kids, I was dreaming -- there's no Dunkin Donuts here in L.A., something we've written about several times through the years. And as of yet, no plans to resurrect the brand here. So carry on with your business, nothing to see here.

Dunkin' Tease at the L.A. Times

Spotted this big ad on the front page of the Los Angeles Times' website, promoting Dunkin' Donuts. One problem: There are no Dunkin' Donuts in Southern California.