Dunkin’ Has Great Donuts, But These 8 Alternatives Are Better

For many, there’s nothing better than getting up early in the morning, going to Dunkin’ Donuts, and picking out a dozen of the most amazing pastries on earth. While you’re there, you pick up a coffee, and your day is off to a great start. Yes, Dunkin’ has great donuts. They also have great staff and prices. However, they’re not the only game in town. In fact, if you drive across town, you may find several other restaurants that provide stellar donuts and hot beverages.

If you haven’t tried donut chains like Pinkbox Donuts or LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Of course, there are also the more famous chains, like Tim Hortons and Krispy Kreme. The point is that there are other fish in the sea, and many people consider the eight options here to be even better than Dunkin’.

Tim Hortons

Yes, Dunkin’ has great donuts, but have you tried Tim Hortons? This is a chain that began in Canada, and they’ve graced us with their wonderful products. They have donuts in a variety of flavors and some of the best coffee you can get. In fact,there was once a rumor that the coffee was filled with addictive chemicals. It’s just that hard to put down.

The Menu Items to Try

There’s a lot to choose from on Tim Horton’s vast menu. We recommend any of their iced coffee options. The donuts are also packed with flavor. Try the Creamy Maple Pecan Dream donut, and it will change your life. However, most people will agree that the best item is their famous Timbits, which are donut holes in a variety of flavors.

Pinkbox Donuts

Pinkbox donuts is a great chain out of Las Vegas. This is a bright and fun donut place that offers a party in every box. Best of all, they have their special “donut of the month” promotion that gives you something new to enjoy all year long. Some of the donuts are so over the top that you don’t believe they’re real. You have to see them to believe them.

The Menu Items to Try

Dunkin’ has great donuts, but they’re unlike most of the selections available at Pinkbox Donuts. There’s a great list thatincludes amazing selections, like the DoughCro, which is half donut and half croissant. One of their best is the Raspberry Squeeze, which is packed with flavor. Finally, try the apple fritters that are super moist and crispy all at once.

Winchell’s Donut House

If you’re looking for variety at one of the classic donut huts, then head to Winchell’s. They have a huge selection of tasty treats that include fritters, French-style pastries, cake, and raised-style donuts. They come in all sorts of flavors, and they’re loaded with sugar and delicious ingredients. You can get the donuts to-go, or you can eat them in the restaurant’s dining room.

The Menu Items to Try

There are a number of delicious items that you should try at Winchell’s Donut House. Many people go for the apple fritters, which are packed with flavor. There’s also the Bavarian cream-filled donut that will blow your mind. In addition to buying a dozen donuts, don’t forget to buy a cherry fritter and one of their notorious bear claws.

Krispy Kreme

At one point, Krispy Kreme donuts were one of the biggest fads in the country, and the excitement hasn’t died down since. These are always on the top of the list when it comes to the best donut places ever, and it’s no shock as to why. The restaurant has a huge selection, and everything you can get is amazing. Buy them for home, work, family, whatever you want. Everyone is guaranteed to love them.

The Menu Items to Try

There are many tasty donut options at Krispy Kreme. However, for many, nothing beats the classic glazed donuts. The glazed are still the most popular. They’re warm, flakey, and full of flavor. Still, there’s a lot more there to enjoy. Try their red velvet cake, cake batter, lemon filled, apple, raspberry filled, and the classic strawberry iced donut with sprinkles. They’re all life-changing.

LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee

If you think that Dunkin’ has great donuts, you should try LaMar’s. Currently, the chain is only in five states, but it’s worth a road trip if you want some of the tastiest pastries known to humankind. Visit one of their locations, look in the display case, and you’ll see plenty of goodies, including donuts, fritters, knots, French crullers, and more.

The Menu Items to Try

You could visit LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee every day and always get something new and delicious. As far as typical cake donuts, you get everything from banana cake to cherry iced and cherry iced with coconut. There’s also a wide variety of bismarks, from pineapple to raspberry-filled. On your way out, be sure to pick up a few of their famous cinnamon twists and chocolate cherry fritters.

Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts is fairly new to the scene, but they’ve made quite an impression. With over 100 locations around the country, Duck Donuts has a huge selection of colorful and delicious pastries. They also put out special donuts for special days, like Father’s Day and Independence Day. You can also get breakfast sandwiches and soft drinks.

The Menu Items to Try

After seeing their menu, it’s no surprise why this franchise has boomed since it started in 2007. They have many creative donuts available for sale. A sample list includes Bacon in the Sun, Chocolate Explosion, Chocolate Caramel Crunch, Blueberry Lemonade, and more. The Bacon in the Sun includes chopped bacon, maple icing, and caramel drizzle.

Shipley Do-Nuts

Visit Houston, Texas, the next time you’re on a road trip, and visit Shipley Do-Nuts. There are over 73 locations there and many others in the country. The chain claims to have 60 different varieties of donuts and some really great coffee. You can go there and pick up your dozen donuts or call the company for their catering options.

The Menu Items to Try

Visit Shipley Do-Nuts a few times and you’ll get a chance to try many donuts in their large selection. Some of their best flavors include Oreo Cookie, Cherry Sprinkle, and the strawberry cream-filled donuts. The restaurant also sells some amazing kolaches, which are savory dough pastries with sausage inside.

Yum Yum Donuts

Finally, though Dunkin’ has great donuts, you haven’t lived until you’ve visited a Yum Yum Donuts location and picked up a dozen. The chain lives up to its name by selling many different varieties that will satisfy all taste buds. Plus, the restaurants are open 24 hours a day, so you can always get your fix.

The Menu Items to Try

You have a lot to choose from at Yum Yum Donuts. Look in the case, and you’ll see exciting donut options, like White Lightning, Chocolate Thunder, and Boston Cream. You could go there for breakfast and lunch. They also have savory items, like their famous ham and cheese on a croissant.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©AlexeiLogvinovich/Shutterstock.com.