Daily Donuts — Restaurant in Benicia

Three words: Get there early. I arrived before 9am on a weekday, and already the selection was getting pretty slim; no doughnut holes, only one maple doughnut remaining. I've only personally been there a couple of times, but my co-worker would bring doughnuts all the time from this shop, so I've sampled a few and the favorites I've tried have been good. Okay, more than good, almost addicting. The edges of the buttermilk bars and old-fashioned are crisp outside and densely cake-y inside, and the apple fritters had all the crunchy fried edges you could ask for. Miraculously, one day we even had a few left over, and they weren't overly soft even a day or two later from the refrigerator. The buttermilk bars are large enough to cut in half and share. The raised doughnuts aren't my first choice, but the few I sampled were nicely pillow-y.

The cons (not terrible): Granted, the doughnuts here aren't the cheapest I've ever had (compared to $5-a-dozen Safeway specials, that is), but they're not outrageous, either. A mixed dozen averages about $2 a doughnut, not bad at all for something I personally find myself craving over coffee some mornings, and this includes ones big enough to share.

The only other con is, it's good I was using GPS to find it, it's tucked away in the literal corner of a tiny little shopping center, and I can imagine parking must be difficult on busy days. Not much by way of seating, so don't expect to treat it like Starbucks and bring your laptop to spend the day. But I actually like the illusion of privacy the location has, so it may not really be a 'con' at all. I'd recommend giving...

There was a server there this last Saturday who needs training. She's not a teenager, so she should know the difference between an old fashioned and a cake donut. She insisted, and it was frightening to witness such a mental gymnastic trick at play in real life in front of me. My generous side suggests to me that perhaps she had a bet going with the other server (actually a teenager) to see if she could sell a customer the last cake donut in that row while calling it an old-fashioned using hilarious powers of "persuasion". The teenager didn't correct her. I gave her the win because it was easier. One out of twelve isn't a terrific loss for me.

Whenever I can wake up early enough on the weekend, I like to go there if I hope to get donuts for my family. Great donuts. If I get there at 9am, I'm often disappointed- most often with myself - for waking up too late. Because by then the donuts (particularly the old fashioned, my favs) have started to disappear along with those that my wife and daughters prefer.

They've always been fresh for me! And I guess they run out because...

Always good. They tend to overcook just a hair, but man, I had no idea how much better it is that way. Especially the fritters.

I only wish they sold crullers. But I was told recently they are not donuts. Who knew!? I don't care, I still wish they made them.

Perfect for a quick stop and go. I always go early on weekends. They do get busy so the earlier the better. And once they run out, they close for the day.

I always get donut holes for the dogs. Ya ya, I know. But I would be in a ton of trouble with the elder dog if I came home without a couple dozen donut holes for them. She now insists on coming with me to make sure I go there.

Every time I come out of the shop she is in my seat and will not let me in until she verifies I have donuts. Not joking....