I Cruised Through Small-Town North Carolina To Taste 7 Donut Shops (And Found 2 That Blew Me Away)
My idea of an epic quest doesn’t involve scaling Everest or deciphering ancient scrolls, but rather, a glorious, sugar-fueled pilgrimage.
Small-town North Carolina, the open road, and a very serious mission: sample seven different donut shops. My taste buds were ready, my stretchy pants were on, and my glucose levels were bracing for impact. What I found along those charming byways was more than just fried dough; it was a journey of delightful surprises, culminating in two ethereal creations that absolutely redefined my donut universe.
Buckle up, buttercup – it was a sweet ride.
1. Britt’s Donut Shop: Carolina Beach’s Sweet Legacy
Walking into Britt’s feels like stepping back to 1939 when they first opened their doors. The boardwalk institution serves just one item: a perfectly crafted glazed donut that’s deceptively simple yet impossible to replicate.
The magic happens when you get one hot off the line. The outer shell crackles with sweetness while the inside remains pillowy soft. What surprised me most was the subtle hint of saltiness that balances the glaze.
Locals start lining up before opening time, and now I understand why. These aren’t just donuts—they’re an experience that’s remained unchanged for generations, proving that sometimes perfection needs no improvement.
2. Hole Doughnuts: Asheville’s Artisanal Masterpiece
Hole Doughnuts redefines what handmade means. Each irregularly shaped creation is fried to order, ensuring you never taste anything but perfection. The national recognition from Bon Appétit and Food & Wine isn’t just hype-it’s deserved praise for donuts that transcend the ordinary.
My first bite of their vanilla glazed literally stopped me mid-sentence. The exterior had that perfect crisp while the interior remained airy and light with pockets of air throughout.
Seasonal varieties showcase local ingredients, but honestly, even their simplest offerings outshine most fancy donuts I’ve tried elsewhere. This place single-handedly elevates the humble donut to culinary art.
3. Dom Bakeries: North Wilkesboro’s Community Hub
Dom Bakeries isn’t just about donuts-it’s where North Wilkesboro connects. Early mornings here feature a parade of regulars grabbing coffee and pastries, exchanging news about everything from weather to grandkids.
The family-run shop offers classics done right. Apple fritters nearly upstaged their donuts for me-massive, crispy-edged affairs with chunks of real apple. I watched as three generations worked side by side behind the counter, grandmother teaching granddaughter the fine art of donut making.
The drive-thru stays busy, but it’s worth parking and coming inside to absorb the quintessential small-town bakery atmosphere that feels increasingly rare in our chain-dominated world.
4. McFarlan Bake Shop: Hendersonville’s Mountain Tradition
Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, McFarlan has been Hendersonville’s go-to bakery for decades. The no-frills shop focuses on consistency rather than trends, and their donuts reflect this steadfast approach.
Cake donuts have that distinctive old-school density that pairs perfectly with coffee. When I mentioned I was passing through, the woman at the counter insisted I try their apple cider donut, a seasonal offering that uses local cider reduced down to intensify the flavor.
Road-trippers regularly detour just for McFarlan’s treats. The bakery cases hold everything from bear claws to cream horns, but their classic raised donuts remain the understated stars of the show.
5. Duck Donuts: Outer Banks Origin Story
Duck Donuts may have expanded nationwide, but visiting the original tiny beach town location feels special. The shop pioneered the made-to-order concept before it became trendy elsewhere.
The vanilla cake donut base emerges hot from the fryer before being customized with your choice of coating, topping, and drizzle. My maple bacon creation arrived warm, with the savory bacon bits contrasting beautifully against the sweet maple glaze.
Families on vacation create donut-making memories here, picking combinations that range from classic to outlandish. Despite its growth into a chain, the Duck location maintains that special beachy charm that made it a hit with Outer Banks visitors in the first place.
6. Your Mom’s Donuts: Matthews’ Hidden Gem
Don’t let the strip mall location fool you. Your Mom’s Donuts in Matthews serves up some of the most surprising donuts I encountered on my journey. The name made me chuckle, but the quality of their offerings quickly turned my smile into an appreciative nod.
Square-shaped donuts break convention in the best way possible. The glazed variety achieves that elusive balance-sweet enough to satisfy but not so sweet that you can’t eat a whole one.
What struck me most was the quality of ingredients. The butter in their dough is locally sourced, creating a richness that mass-produced donuts simply can’t match. Sometimes the most unassuming places hide the greatest culinary treasures.
7. NC Jelly Donuts: Mebane’s Filling Station
NC Jelly Donuts in Mebane focuses on one thing: perfecting the jelly-filled donut. This straightforward shop doesn’t try to be trendy or reinvent the wheel. They simply execute their specialty with remarkable precision.
The ratio of dough to filling is what makes these donuts special. Each bite delivers the promised fruit preserves without drowning the pastry or leaving you with mostly bread. My strawberry-filled selection had just enough tartness to cut through the sweetness.
The shop itself is nothing fancy-just a small storefront with a few tables. But the steady stream of loyal customers picking up boxes throughout my visit confirmed that when you do one thing exceptionally well, people notice and keep coming back.