Country Style Doughnuts James Dickinson photo
Turns out there are a lot of mediocre doughnuts in town. But my tribe of tasters and I had a great time sampling even the less-than-fabulous ones. And though we tried hard to pick a hometown favorite, the classic, plain, glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut is still the standard by which all others are judged.
Krispy Kreme
Make the U-turn when you see the red neon "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign, because eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts warm adds to the sugary nirvana. 4910 W. Broad St., 355-9111
Country Style Doughnuts
Take a trip back to 1968 — complete with pink Formica and regulars hanging out on spinning barstools. With 38 varieties to choose from and around-the-clock hours, I'd be a groupie, too, if I had a steady supply of the toasted-coconut ones. 4300 Williamsburg Road, 222-2466
Westhampton Pastry Shop
Doughnuts at this Richmond institution are extra-large, fluffy and wonderfully delicious. But don't dawdle. They sell out if you don't get there early enough. I prefer the chocolate-glazed variety, but the twists are pretty amazing, too. 5728 Patterson Ave., 282-4413
La Sabrosita Bakery
The experience of going to this authentic Hispanic bakery/specialty store makes it worth the trip. There are many delightful baked goods, but for a truly unique experience, go for the caramel-stuffed churros. 7730 Midlothian Turnpike, 986-9695
Williams Bakery
With four locations and decades of baking experience, it's no wonder that Williams has a traditional take on this yeast-risen morning treat. The chocolate-glazed doughnuts don't make a sticky mess and can be enjoyed in the car. And at only 79 cents each, they're a cheap thrill. thewilliamsbakery.com
