My Favorite Things: Doughnuts

Happy Donuts

My husband and I did our second round of Whole30 in January, but we chose to start on January 2nd instead of the 1st of the month. A primary factor in our decision was that we wanted to kick off the year with one of our favorite things: a big box of Happy Donuts. Founded in San Mateo in 1981, this Bay Area chain makes beautifully classic doughnuts. It is the place to go if you're craving a chocolate frosted or an apple fritter. Best of all, Happy Donuts is open 24/7. I owe endless thanks to my husband, who not only drives us to this doughnut mecca at all hours of the night, but also always encourages me to get a full dozen. Any fewer would be a waste of a trip. 

Dan Gordon's

It took me a surprisingly long time to order Dan Gordon's house-made doughnuts. The pulled pork, brisket, and biscuits on the menu, paired with beer (and occasionally a whiskey shot), satisfy my hunger before I have a chance to even look at the dessert menu. Fate finally - and happily - intervened when we went for happy hour and decided to round out our small bites of avocado toast and tacos with a plate of doughnuts. These delightfully puffy confections are made to order, and served with chocolate fudge for maximal dipping pleasure. A word to the wise: if you're interested in these, let your server know as you're finishing up your main course. They truly are made to order, and the fryer can get backed up!

Steins Beer Garden

Perhaps there's some sort of unexplored connection between beer and doughnuts because Steins Beer Garden is home to another one of my favorite fried desserts. In keeping with its beer garden theme, Steins' take on the doughnut is German-inspired. Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, these crullers are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are huge, and arrive paired with two dipping sauces: a rich "drinking chocolate" and a lighter vanilla anglaise. While I didn't try to actually drink the chocolate, it is served in a tiny stein. Maybe next time...