Randy's Donuts — Restaurant in Pasadena

Randy's Donuts is an iconic building in LA, with the huge larger than life donut sign. So on opening day, no wonder people were going crazy, wanting to get a taste of their famous donuts after they made their debut in the 626. I was actually at Mendocino getting some food when I saw a huge line next door - didn't know what people were waiting for, but the line was never-ending. It wasn't until I saw someone carrying out the orange box with the "Randy's Donuts" on the front did I realize that they had opened up right next to Mendo's!

We luckily were able to get in line during one of the lags - we probably waited for around 15 minutes before we actually got into the store. I'd recommend checking out their menu on-line to see which donuts are sold out for that day. And if you want to save time, you can actually place an on-line order, which they will ready for you and leave on the table in the "online order" section so you don't have to wait.

Most of the donuts we wanted to try were sold out for the day - but I was able to still try a few that piqued my interest.

I ordered the blueberry cake ($1.60) and the cinnamon crumb cake ($1.35). I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I thought it would be super moist and soft; however, biting into both the blueberry and the cinnamon, our first thought was that the donuts were super dry and crumbly. The cinnamon one actually fell apart as we took several bites. Taste of the blueberry donut wasn't bad - sweetness was pretty good, but I was pretty disappointed with the cinnamon one. The outer cinnamon texture completely came apart from the donut itself because of how dry it was. Probably would not order that cinnamon one again.

Got a funfetti cake with ganache ($2.95) for my sister - was kind of underwhelmed at the size and appearance of the donut. It looked similar to a basic donut with sprinkles. But maybe the taste would be better? Unfortunately my sister said the cake had no flavor and tasted bland and dry. She did think that the sweetness from the ganache helped make the overall donut better but she said she would not order this again because of how pricey the donut was. I tried the ganache and I thought it was too cloyingly sweet - not something I personally would enjoy.

My dad liked the glazed raised donut that I got for him ($1.35); he ate it the next day, and it was still pretty soft and tasty. My friend also ate his chocolate raised donuts ($1.35) the next day after microwaving it for a few seconds and found it to be pretty soft and fluffy, which was nice since he really didn't have that high of an expectation after the cake donuts. Chocolate old fashioned ($1.60) was okay, but I thought the donut was a little dry.

Workers are friendly and super helpful. I thought it was a little weird that they asked us to name off the list of donuts that we wanted, but they didn't start assembling the box until after I had listed all the items. It ended up making me confused about what I had said, and making the worker confused because he had to ask me several times to repeat my list and he ended up forgetting one donut anyway. Would probably be more efficient to grab the donuts as I pointed out the ones that I wanted.

I think I expected a little bit more since the hype was so crazy and the lines were so long. The prices for the classic donuts aren't too bad, but the premium selection is a little pricey. If you order a dozen, you do get $2 off, which is nice. They also serve Jones Coffee and take credit card with no minimum.

tl;dr - The donuts didn't wow me, especially the cake donuts that I tried. Not sure if I'll be rushing back here if I ever crave donuts.

Free 90 minute parking in the lot...

THIS IS AN UPDATE!: 5/17/2025 walked back into Randy's donuts on Lake Ave, in Pasadena to give this place a second go at. Took one of my Older lady friends back to a Financial advisor on Lake Ave. In Pasadena and looked across the street at the local businesses and remembered the first crack I have it last week and decided to go again. Gentleman behind the counter that helped me seemed a little skeptical of me? I guess cause I walked in wearing square black shades and a Raider's cap? At any rate slowly warmed up to recommending their Butter crumb raised round donut. Recommending after telling him I had a Chocolate Twist the first time, asking him what he recommended me trying? He also advised me to eating over a napkin or plate saying it would be kinda messy. And let me tell you what, if you like cinnamon sugar donuts? And you never had a Randy's Butter crumb raised donut?!! YOU'RE MISSING OUT!! That's all I have to say besides being a reviewer I enjoy a great donut in moderation. these donuts My goodness! and let me tell you, delicious! For each one may tell a different story,.judge for yourself and be a frequent participating visitor. So for record folks if you have never experienced a Butter crumb raised donut Randy's donut please do. Looks like I found Randy's Donuts my new home go to place for a donut when desired. For now this is Chuy Viramontes signing off from Alhambra,/San Gabriel where I call home, with Respect, representing the S.G.V. / SAN GABRIEL=SG1, Sneekis1 sneeking this...

Love this place! The donuts here are fluffy and taste great! Most are a bit on the sweet side though so pair it with some coffee or tea if you don't have a sweet tooth. Donuts I've tried:

Maple Long John - Amazing! Maple flavored donuts are my favorite so I might be a bit biased. This one is a bit on the sweet side though.

Glazed Crondy - Loved the texture of this donut! This one was really sweet but if you're eating it with some coffee or something you should be fine.

Apple Fritter - This was soo good. I didn't have this the day I bought the donuts so I don't know how it would taste fresh, but man this hit the spot even about 4 days after getting it.

Parking wasn't a big deal as there's a big parking lot behind the shop.

The two times I've been here were at night (around 730pm on a Friday night) and noon on a Sunday. Both times I went there was barely a line. I hear it gets pretty packed though during peak hours (i.e morning)

Tldr; Great donuts that teeter a bit on the sweet side. Parking is easy w/ the big lot...