Winchell's Donut House — Restaurant in San Diego

I’m not a writer but this is my love letter to Winchell's

Coffee shop. What is the telos of a coffee shop? I wasted what felt like 15 perfectly good minutes researching cafes I could bunker down in in San Diego. I looked at ratings and compared menus and prices. Because with the advent of rating technology, people (like me) somehow feel entitled to 5 star experience every time or they feel like they’ve been robbed. I’m currently situated in a corner at Winchell’s. I’m looking across the street at the hip coffee place - Better Buzzed Coffee (BBC)- that I had stepped into when I first embarked on my search for a coffee haven. It’s almost 5 stars. It’s gorgeous from the outside and when you step inside the hipness of it all practically punches you in the face. But the novelty wears off quickly when I realize it’s far too crowded, and the music blares overhead through cheap speakers making my head spin. I want out. Diametrically opposed to the BBC is Winchell’s. It’s the sadder, older brother of coffee establishments in this neighborhood. The weathered Eeyore to the bouncy Tigger. The lesser known (and loved) sibling. And yet as soon as I step inside, I find the feeling I’ve been searching for all day. The air is cool and donut-y, it’s quiet except for the chatter of employees in the back and heaving of the machines, and all of this assures me that I can finally rest for the next few hours in this coffee sanctuary. Sure, the wait was long and the donut is stale. But I got to watch the doggy in the tattoo parlor next door. A cute boy walked past the window and we made eye contact for slightly too long (delusional? maybe). No one is in here except for me and I can finally stop sucking in my belly after being around people all day. No one at a Winchell’s is going to judge me for getting a donut even though I look like I shouldn’t or for lacking a sense of fashion.

Why am I writing such a long review for an ordinary coffee shack? It’s my love letter to moments like these. And while BBC stares seductively at me from across the street, I know that I chose right. Because sometimes you don’t want hotter or cooler, you just want predictable and reliable. The Winchell’s donut is reliably stale. It’s reliably empty and understaffed. It’s reliably imperfect. But I’m reliably imperfect. Winchell’s understands me in a way BBC can’t, you know? So that’s why my rating of...

I didn’t get to even try a doughnut—the worker wouldn’t let me in. The door was locked when I arrived around 5:45 PM. The open sign was lit, so I decided to wait. I thought maybe the worker might be using the restroom or taking a quick break. After about ten minutes, I saw someone in the back with EarPods talking. I decided to continue waiting outside. I know a lot of establishments are short-staffed right now, and maybe the guy had to take an important call. As someone visiting San Diego, I wanted to patron a local business. Another five or so minutes go by, and I'm finally able to get the worker’s attention. He signals back making it clear he won’t let me in. I take a picture of the doughnuts and leave.

I can absolutely understand needing to close a 24hr establishment for a couple of minutes or even an hour or two—just communicate this with potential customers. Turn off your “open” sign and put a note on the door to the likes of “Reopening at 8 PM” or “We're closed for the day. Sorry for the inconvenience.” It’s not a good practice to have people waiting outside your business and just shoo them off instead of...

Winchell’s was a great find this a.m. cute little spot with large assortment of bagels, muffins, breakfast sandwiches and bagels. They also serve lunch items. We chose the breakfast combo which included choice of breakfast sandwiches, coffee and a donut for $10.99, can’t bear the price. We all chose the breakfast sandwich, it was big and tasty, but bagel could have been crunchier. I would have rated it a 4.5 but didn’t have that option. Coffee hot and fresh. Donuts were delicious and very fresh. They also are very accommodating for handicapped. They have a front row parking and reserve one table right near the door which is good for such a small place.

Aracella was working counter and was friendly and efficient. Would definitely visit again if I was...