Even a casual social media foodie follower can tell you that upscale donuts have become an urban food craze over the last year. In honor of National Donut Day last month, we took it upon on ourselves to taste test and try out the best donuts Gwinnett has to offer (you’re welcome). We’re pleased to report that the national chains don’t even hold a candle to the local offerings. Dig into the best donuts in Gwinnett and give these small business artisans a try.
SIMPLY DONE DONUTS
3550 WEST LAWRENCEVILLE ST. | DULUTH WWW.SIMPLYDONEDONUTS.COM
You can’t eat just one, and they are designed that way! These mini made-to-order donuts are the perfect size to try out three or four (or five or six…) unique flavor combinations and not feel like a glutton. Located in the trendy new Parson’s Alley of downtown Duluth, Simply Done Donuts came to life as a brick and mortar location after years of working out of the donut wagon (i.e., donut food truck). Flavors like s’mores, Samoas, sopapillas and Snickers make breakfast treats more fun, or try a twist and create a donut sundae by adding scoop of local ice cream. Be sure to get the full experience by watching through the lil’ window as they make your lil’ donuts to order, and then enjoy on the patio in Parson’s Alley.
RAY’S DONUTS
2 LOCATIONS: 257 SCENIC HWY. | LAWRENCEVILLE 1955 GRAVEL SPRINGS RD. | BUFORD*
Ol’ Ray has made a name for himself in Gwinnett as one of the go-to spots on Saturday mornings for donuts! Cake donuts done right, with soft centers and fried crispy edges in classic flavors, such as their two most popular: blueberry fritter and maple bacon donut. Sleepy-eyed patrons are greeted with the warm aroma of fried carbs in two Gwinnett locations, allowing both sides of the county to enjoy these sweet dough treats without breaking the bank. Hit them up for a dozen and you might find a couple of extra donut holes in your to-go bags! *Don’t let the building fool you; the Buford location is attached to a gas station. (We DIG gas station food!)
DONUT WORRY
248 E. CROGAN ST. | LAWRENCEVILLE WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DONUTWORRYSHOP
This little gem is easy to miss but a crown jewel once you’ve identified its location. Winner of our Best Donut Shop Name Award, Donut Worry is tucked in a strip mall on the outskirts of downtown Lawrenceville. Donuts are baked daily to promise peak of freshness! They even make their own jelly-, cream- and custard-filled donuts on-site as you order them. The team behind Donut Worry is extremely talented when it comes to creative donut toppings; flavors include kid cereal favorites such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fruity Pebbles and candy toppings like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Butterfingers. But the real talent is in their abilities to dream up creative character decorations, holiday flavors or create a custom theme donut for your next event.
SARAH DONUTS
4 GWINNETT LOCATIONS (AND ONE OVER THE DAM IN CUMMING) 45 SATELLITE BLVD | SUWANEE 9760 MEDLOCK BRIDGE RD. | DULUTH 5860 JIMMY CARTER BLVD. | NORCROSS 7110 MCGINNIS FERRY RD. | SUWANEE WWW.SARAHDONUTS.COM
With several locations on the west side of Gwinnett, Sarah’s mom-and-pop-esque Korean bakery is one of the “Best Donuts in Atlanta” (along with a handful of other awards). Their claim to fame are their red velvet and sunflower donuts. Like many great things in life, you have to show up early to get what you want: specialty flavor donuts can sell out by 9 am, and the shop closes at 2 pm (to be fair, they open at 5 am). Be sure to dig in and try these pillowy soft donuts and let us know what you think!
RISING DONUTS
4763 ATLANTA HWY. | LOGANVILLE HTTPS://WWW.YELP.COM/BIZ/RISING-DONUTSLOGANVILLE
This donut shop has it all: coffee, tea, smoothies, King of Pop popsicles and gigantic gourmet donuts! The Strawberry Delight (strawberry filled chocolate glazed donut, reminiscent of a chocolate dipped strawberry) is so big that it comes in its own to-go cake box! Donuts are a bit more $$ than Dunkin, but worth it in taste and size. They offer a variety of flavors: cinnamon sugar twists, orange glaze, Reese’s peanut butter and chocolate drizzle and strawberry glazed. Each delight is made from scratch and with lots of love each morning. *They are also known for their “Pigs N Blanket” that blow Pillsbury doughboy crescent rolls out of the water!