I love donuts. In particular, I love Dunkin’ Donuts. Growing up in Southern California, Winchell’s was all I knew until stumbling across one of the few Dunkin’ Donuts in Orange County, out in Garden Grove if I remember right. I fell in love, especially with Boston Kremes.
I’ve shared my love of donuts with others. In Chicago last year for a conference, I discovered that Dunkin’ Donuts was everywhere. Not only everywhere, but also cheap. We’re talking a dozen for four dollars. So I brought a dozen or two or three back to share with others in the hotel lobby, to help them understand why they should love Dunkin’ Donuts as well. People took me up on my offer, as you can see below:
Sadly, I’ve since been mocked for this love of donuts. Apparently, some people find it unusual to stop a cab to buy three dozen donuts to share with others. Some people simply don’t have the vision to understand how donuts can unite people in culinary bliss. And interestingly, some people don’t seem to mind eating Boston Kremes while mocking you at the same time. Steve Caming, it should be said, appreciates a good donut run.
The problem with Dunkin’ Donuts is that they can be hard to find. Sure, you can try the official store finder. But it disappoints more than it delivers. We simply need more Dunkin’ Donuts locations. Hey, one in England where I live would be nice.
Maybe that dream will come true. Joe Morin — who doesn’t mind a donut or two if I’m offering — dropped me an email about an Ad Age article on Dunkin’ Donuts getting acquired by a trio of private equity firms. Plans are to expand Dunkin’ Donuts across the US and worldwide.
I can’t wait. Keep your Krispy Kremes. We never had these when I lived in California until relatively recently, when like Starbucks, they swept in from parts unknown. They were invader donuts. Outsider donuts. Donuts not to be trusted. Trendy donuts that have no business being at a ballgame. Donuts at a ballgame? Don’t get me going. OK, they’re nice enough but no match for Boston Kremes. (Ironically, Dunkin’ Donuts is apparently now pushing back at Starbucks).
What to do if you are Dunkin-deprived in the UK? Supposedly, there was one in Piccadilly, but I don’t recall seeing this (ah, but the Taco Bell back in 1988, how I miss you — and how I miss you everywhere not offering bellbeefers. Why? Why!). However, there is definitely a donut shop in Piccadilly that does a passable imitation of American style donuts. If I’m in the area, I regularly stop by.
How about the US? In California, head to an Albertson’s or a Safeway supermarket. If they’ve got a bakery, they’ve got pretty good Dunkin’ Donuts-style donuts there. You won’t be sorry.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
if you ever find dunkin donuts in uk please let me know. i love um….
Dunkin Donuts is not only growing in store numbers they are also offering better services for their customers like for example the new Dunkin Donut run app for IPhone if you want to learn more about this go to http://www.aircheese.com/article/going-on-a-dunkin-run
If you go to Dunkin’ Donut’s website, you will see there are NO Dunkin’ Donuts anywhere in California…YET. You must have been dreaming as you drove through Garden Grove. I just moved here from the East Coast, and went looking for Dunkin’ Donuts. when I didn’t see any locally in my travels, I went online to find one. Alas, none here yet.
OMG Thank you for this article Danny. It confirms I’m not crazy. Or among a select group of other crazy people at least.
I grew up on Long Island. There was a Dunkin Donuts right next to my High School and we even tore a section of the fence down so we could come and go btwn the school and the Dunkin Donuts shop any time we wanted.
Shortly before I graduated, on a dare, I ate an entire dozen, effortlessly.
When Krispy Kreme came to the Island, I wasn’t impressed. But it got much worse moving to California. I’ve lived in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Calabassas, and now Marin county – and I’ve not once had a decent donut since moving here. @DunkinDonuts ignored all my pleas for them to open a store here in Marin.
Now, maybe, there’s hope! (And this article motivated me to petition them again…)
Colleen,
I know he’s right there were Dunkin Donuts in Orange County CA. I can’t figure out what happened to them but they used to exist. There was one in Yorba Linda and one in Brea. Out of business now, but they used to exist. There has to be an official record of it. I’m backing up the story about Garden Grove, I remember it.
Dunkin Donuts shut down branches worldwide about 10 years ago. I live in Dublin, Ireland and I loved Double Chocolate Dunkin Donuts but the stores are long gone
I used to get them when visiting the UK and continental Europe but the stores disappeared there too! Starbucks (unfortunately they are blighting the landscape here too) have a chocolate cake doughnut but it tastes like chemicals.
Why did Dunkin Donuts close down in Ireland?
London, picadilli
ok well that is a disapointment i have been a dunkin lover since i was 18 worked there ate there heck for a short while i was there so much it felt like i lived there i know how to bake em finish them sell them and lets not start on the coffee i know that too so if there is anyone out there with the money id be glad to run and work a dunkin in the uk see im moving there and im really going to miss dunkin but if i can help someone start one im game i know the buis in and out been a manager and an employee so i can for real help someone all i would need is someone to be the owner.