My New Year's resolutions include more doughnuts. Don't judge.

Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions – promises to lose weight, eat better, stop crying at diaper commercials – as a way to better ourselves in 2012. Something at the top of my list is to seek out and find – once and for all – the very best doughnut in Los Angeles. You might think this is a silly, shallow pursuit but think about it: With some saying that the world will end in December 2012, wouldn’t you like to go out with a nice, warm jelly-filled in your hand? I thought so.

Here are five doughnut shops that are rumored to have the best in Los Angeles. I intend to try them all and report back to you. You’re welcome to join me, but don’t blame me if it just kills every other resolution on your list.

1) Nickel Diner: Their Maple Bacon Donut has apparently caused several of my seemingly-reasonable friends to drive miles out of their way for this pastry marvel, so I’m guessing it must be good. Either that or my friends are insane. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt, though, and make a trip downtown to pick one up. The diner also has a full breakfast menu, so I can always order some eggs to hide the fact that I drove all the way downtown just for some fried dough.

2) Stan’s Donuts: Owner Stan Berman has been operating his Westwood Village storefront for over 48 years, making doughnuts using the original equipment. People get absolutely sappy talking about his Peanut Butter Donuts, and legend has it this was where Steve McQueen stopped for his favorite – a classic glazed twist.

3) Randy’s Donuts: You’ve probably seen them if you’ve ever taken the 405 to the airport in Los Angeles – they’re the shop with the gargantuan doughnut up on top. I’ve lived in L.A. all my life, have driven by this place a million times and have never stopped by, so now I consider it an obligation to check it out. Besides being a great photo-op, Randy’s is known for their Crumb-Cake Donut as well as for their freshly baked croissants.

4) Te’kila Hollywood: Okay, this place is known for the churros, which is technically not exactly a doughnut but when you’re talking about fried dough who’s going to argue about semantics? I ate at this tiny, Hollywood Boulevard eatery for the first time a couple of months ago and it was only afterwards that I started hearing that their churros were to die for. So I’ll be making a trip back and taking my churro experts – my two teenagers – to give it the thumbs up or down. While they’re deciding I might just augment my research with one of Te’kila’s excellent margaritas.

5) K’s Donut Emporium: Another place that I’ve driven by many times but have never stopped, K’s has an odd distinction: People rave about their hamburgers as much as they do about their doughnuts. Not sure how that’s possible, but I’m going to play along and order both, seeing as when two of my favorite things in the world are vying for my attention I’m not going to neglect one of them. As far as doughnuts go, K’s fans rave about their Maple Bars and Apple Fritters. Figuring out which one goes well with a cheeseburger will be the tricky part.

What’s your favorite doughnut in town?

Nickel Diner
524 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 623-8301

Stan’s Donuts
10948 Weyburn Ave
Westwood, CA 90024
(310) 208-8660

Randy’s Donuts
805 West Manchester Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 645-4707

Te’Kila Hollywood
6541 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 960-2404

K’s Donut Emporium
14354 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
(818) 501-2922

When she isn’t searching for the ultimate doughnut in hopes of bettering herself, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Post and Photo: Marsha Takeda-Morrison