This place comes highly recommended by a couple of friends of mine that take their kids to brunch there every Sunday. So this Sunday I decided to take a good friend of mine to Old town Tustin and go to try it out. Walked in after driving over one hour to get there (and get lost with the gps) arrived 4 minutes before the closing time but we were told that they were closed. When we entered the store a guy was at the register and was paying for a to go and 2 tables were seated so it wasn’t like they were mopping or the register money counted already etc. The blond young girl at the register was very nice and apologized then looked at this other girl with reddish hair to confirm or to see maybe if she could sell a couple of donuts, she saw the effort we put and may have felt sorry, the day was extremely hot, our face was red, we arrived all sweaty and exhausted. ( We parked downtown and took a walk and the gps got us lost and walking in circle for over half hour). We assumed the red hair girl was the manager, she never verbalized anything only she will assert herself with her eyes. Meanwhile she was given the back to us the entire time. Also, I overheard the guy in the back telling a reddish hair girl he was still okay for only two to-go donuts but she obviously refused (he even said -“ what are you gonna do? Take it home to your family?” but she giggled and never even said a word to us or turned her back around. Never even acknowledged our presence. Bad manners especially in a small town like that where everyone knows everyone and each customer is golden… you would think! Her back was what we saw the entire time and not even a goodbye when we left. The one star goes to her attitude. The place had just closed literally couple minutes after we arrived and to sell couple of donuts wouldn’t have been difficult under the circumstances… we aren’t brats that leave a bad review because we didn’t get our candy, is the...
Read moreSince our inaugural visit in July 2024, we have visited three times in the last nine months, making sure to stop by every time we’re in the OC. This is undoubtedly THE BEST YEAST DONUTS EVER. This small family-owned business uses complex whole grains and stone-milled flour in their dough that is naturally leavened through a forty-hour fermentation process. They are hand-shaped and fried-to-order, so it’s always hot and fresh, then they’re glazed and topped with real ingredients. The incredibly unique texture of their donuts is hydrated, beautifully airy and fluffy with just a touch of chew, plus, a lightly crispy exterior. It’s unbelievable. The fresh fruit glazes are always bright and not overly sweet with little tang that brings a nice balance to the donuts.
One of their signature flavors, Banoffee with a banana toffee glaze and banana whipped cream is outstanding (if you’re a fan of Banana Cream Pie, this is for you). During Fall, the seasonal Pumpkin Glazed and Mommom’s Pecan Pie are incredible! I LOVE pumpkin anything (actual pumpkin, not pumpkin spice), and their pumpkin donut is probably the best pumpkin-y treat ever! Also, the Cardamom Bun, only available on Mondays, is great.
During our first visit, we were assisted by Hailey, the daughter of owners, Victor & (the late) Brooke DesPrez. She was so friendly and down-to-earth, that we had no idea who she was until we started talking about how I had learned about their shop (through extensive research of donut shops in the area), etc. That’s how I learned that Brooke had previously been the chef behind another amazing, yet very different doughnut shop. But what she has brilliantly created at Oliboli is far superior...
Read more5/5 - Olí Bolí Is a Donut Dream Come True in Tustin!
We first discovered Olí Bolí 5 ish years ago in the sweetest way--literally. After waiting in a long bank line with my daughter while pregnant, the owner approached us with kindness and handed us free donut cards. We decided to check it out... and we haven't stopped going back since!
If you're a donut lover and haven't made your way to Olí Bolí in Tustin yet... drop what you're doing and GO. These are not your average donuts. They're handcrafted, sourdough-based, and absolutely unforgettable.
The sourdough adds a signature tang and depth of flavor that elevates every bite. You get that soft, chewy center with just the right amount of crisp on the outside--pure perfection. And the ingredients? Organic, seasonal, and thoughtfully sourced local ingredients. You can taste the quality.
My top favorites: Maple - rich, warm, and cozy like a fall morning in donut form. Meyer lemon - simple, elegant, and lets the sourdough shine. Bumble berry - bursting with real fruit and layered flavor, reminds me of Knott's Berry Farm funnel cake with boysenberry topping! Nostalgic for this millennial. And don't sleep on their Savory seasonal options--they're unexpected and so good.
The shop itself is charming and welcoming, with staff who are genuinely kind and passionate about what they do. It's clear that Olí Bolí is all about craftsmanship and community.
Whether you're a donut purist or someone who loves trying unique flavors, Olí Bolí will ruin all other donuts for you--in the best possible...
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