INDIANAPOLIS -- Donuts have been a part of the Indianapolis dining dynamic for 100 years, with the old Mom & Pop style still going just as strong as modern "craft donut" shops.
And since Friday is #NationalDonutDay, the staff at RTV6 put their heads together to pick the best donut spots around Indianapolis.
Well, to be honest, we had to put our heads together for the second-best place to get a donut, because Long's Bakery off 16th Street in Speedway and on Southport Road dominated the favorites list, even if it does mean a 20-minute wait. Whether it's the glazed yeast, the cream-filled long-John with chocolate icing or the blueberry cake, the overwhelming response to the mention of Long's is "delicious!"
As for the rest, meteorologist Todd Klaassen says Taylor'sat 62nd and Allisonville is his preference. IT manager Todd Frazee gives major props to Long's (but only the cake with chocolate icing; none of that yeast blasphemy, as he puts it.), but also supports Taylor's. By the way, this shop has been around since 1913. That's 100 years of donuts!
The Dancing Donut: Relatively new on the donut dining scene, this latest venture of The Flying Cupcake in SoBro puts just as much craft into their breakfast cakes as they do their desserts. Director of Digital Media PJ O'Keefe has tried more flavors than he'd like to admit, and to him the John Dough Chocolate is the best, but the Gluten free options are not to be passed on, allergy or not.
Dunkin' Donuts: As we learned in our picks for best burger in Indianapolis, sometimes chains can compete. Meteorologist Kyle Mounce has been choosing the Bavarian kreme since he was a kid, and DD's is also photographer Brad Forestal's top choice. Anchor Todd Connor wouldn't call Dunkin' the best shop, but he did rave about the coconut covered chocolate cake donut as one of the best flavors.
Tim's Bakery:If you're in the McCordsville area one morning some time soon, anchor Ericka Flye says the donut holes are especially AWESOME! And yes, she used all caps when describing them.
Jack's Donuts: Jack's has grown into several C. Indiana locations, and associate producer Rebecca Bream gives them top marks. Jack's has the classics as well as the unique (applesauce-flavored, what the what!?), but don't be confused when they mention the "pretzel": It's a donut through and through.
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Finance Director Jeff Grodey bows to Long's, but offers an "out of the way" experience for another great donut. It's called Jacob's Family Orchard in New Castle. In Jeff's words: "They crank out the donuts right in front of you when you go in to buy your apples and cider. They have an old machine that squirts out the donut goo into the hot oil. Then a paddle pushes it down the canal while it cooks. The person at the end collects it, puts cinnamon on it gives to you to eat. It goes great with a cider slushy on a cool afternoon of bicycle riding." Hungry yet?
General American Donut Company: Digital Sales Associate Amber Davis raves about this craft doughnut spot just outside of downtown. She says the S'More donut is amazing, and it even comes with a real graham cracker on top.
Valerie Dillman with our sales team says Dan's Variety Bakery in Kokomo is top notch. She loves all of the donuts, but if she had to pick one, the choice is the cream-filled with maple icing.
Carmel Farmers Market:An unsuspecting spot to get a great donut, anchor Jason Fechner says one could argue the chocolate covered square donuts are good for you because they're farm grown... right?
Boyden's Southside Bakery: Boyden's comes highly recommended from master control's John Barten. As the name suggests, it's a tasty spot for donuts south of the city.
Rocket 88 Doughnuts: This shop in Fountain Square mixes a back in time feel with modern, all-natural ingredients. There's a coconut stout bacon donut. 'Nuff said.
No matter your choice, reporter Lauren Casey says she doesn't know if there is such a thing as a doughnut that isn’t AWESOME!!! (She also used all caps...)
But Chief Meteorologist Kevin Gregory says there's no point in trying to find the best, and instead offered appetite-inspiring words: "Show me the worst donut and I will still eat it! To all who don’t finish first, keep glazing, covering, dusting and sprinkling donuts!"
What's your favorite place to get donuts? Leave a comment in the section below or on our Facebook page.
