Andrew wrote: Wed Sep 28, 2022 5:33 pm Are there many non-mega-franchise places to get donuts where people live?
The most ubiquitous fastfood franchise in Canada is Tim Horton's, which has nearly obliterated other donut options. There are expensive gourmet places now but there's nothing in-between Timmies and a $10 maple-bacon-bagel-donut or whatever.

Are fritters underrated? I think they might be.

Also, in LA. Randy's is great.

Apple Fritters are great, but as Ace said, hard to eat a whole one w/o feeling like shit after. Also, agree they are not exactly donuts, but a variant thereof.

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:53 am Being a lifelong New Englander, I have to say cider donuts reign supreme. Lightly toasted, just enough to get the outside crispy. JFC they're so good. If you put a half dozen in front of me I'd house all of them in an instant.

Runners up are crullers and old fashioned. Isn't the latter just a plain donut? Anyway, as in most things, simpler is better.

The most New Englandy tourist thing I've done is hiking around an apple orchard in the Berkshires, then having a cider tasting and buying donuts. Fall is awesome.

When there's a random box of generic donuts sitting out for people to grab from, I almost always go for the custard filled, because it's the most likely to be the best one in the box. But if it's from a mom & pop bakery the simple cake donut is usually the best. Nothing beats a good simple cake donut when it's fresh. Except for the cider donut. The cider donut reigns supreme. A gallon of fresh pressed apple cider and a dozen fresh made cider donuts is one of the greatest joys of autumn.