Donuts Across America: Ohio Edition
Thanks for taking part in my fun little quest to try donuts just about everywhere I travel. Some people collect t-shirts or shot glasses when they travel. Neither hold interest for me. I guess you could say I collect sprinkles and icing. Oh, and saturated fat. You can see where the donut quest got started here.
During my brief 28-hour stop in Ohio, I was able to add two more donut spots to my list. First up was Bill’s Donut Shop in Centerville, Ohio followed by Holtman’s Donuts in Cincinnati. In both cases, they are highly rated by local residents and media. In the quest for the best donuts in Ohio, I’d score this trip one win and one tie.
Bill’s Donut Shop
I flew into Dayton because it was cheaper and better timed. That meant an hour drive to Cincinnati. I hadn’t even considered a donut stop in Dayton until I landed. It was early enough that I had about 90 minutes of cushion for my first meeting in Cincy. I spent a few minutes researching donuts in Dayton while we were taxiing to the terminal and decided on Bill’s Donut Shop. Their devil’s foodcake donut had been referred to as one of the best in the country. While that sounded like hyperbole for a quiet town like Centerville, it seemed to be at least enough hype for a 15-minute detour.
Bill’s looks like it was built in the 60s or 70s. It was spotless, but dated. No matter, since donuts don’t need a fancy case to display them. I asked the woman helping if the devil’s foodcake was as good as rumored. She said, “I don’t know. We get the most requests for our sour cream glazed.” Generally not my favorite, but I added it to the list.
The devil’s foodcake donut really was one of the best chocolate donuts I can remember in a while. Even at 3pm it was amazingly fresh and soft. Cake donuts like that can get hard, almost crunchy on the outside after a while (Dunkin). The vanilla iced cake donut was another favorite along with the cake donut coated in granulated sugar. That’s the style my grandmother used o make. I could have left the sour cream and red velvet donuts behind.
All in all, totally worth a stop if you’re near Centerville.
Bill’s Donuts website if you need directions.
Holtman’s
This is a cross between an old-fashioned donut shop and the new trendy places. Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood in downtown Cincinnati, the sign said they’ve been around since 1960.
The donuts were good, though not spectacular. The kooky donuts, with Fruity Pebbles or cereal marshmallows, aren’t normally my thing. I tried the Fruity Pebbles one which reminded me of Voodoo in Portland. Just not my thing.
The chocolate cake donut wasn’t as good as Bill’s, though not many I’ve tried have been that good. I also sampled the yeast-raised glazed donut and the vanilla-frosted cake donut with sprinkles. All in all, I was underwhelmed. They were all fine, and likely the best donuts downtown. Just not sure I’d be rushing back anytime soon.
When In Ohio
In a pinch, grab Holtman’s. But, seriously consider the drive to Bill’s. Okay, maybe only if you’re a donut nut like me. Both are reasonably priced as compared to the popular places in big cities. I’m hoping to find myself back in Dayton to check out the Air Force museum and snag another couple of donuts from Bill’s. I’m sure they’ll still be there.
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Awesome! Been to both of those places. Graeters and Busken are also bigger donut chains (Graeter’s is an ice cream place actually but their donuts are great). I’m surprised that you didn’t check out the Butler County Donut trail while you were here!
PWC, this was a grand total of 30 hours on the ground with a WHOLE bunch of meetings. I’m shocked I squeezed in two donut stops. Thanks for giving me some new ones to try for next time!
Awesome! Been to both of those places. Graeters and Busken are also bigger donut chains (Graeter’s is an ice cream place actually but their donuts are great). I’m surprised that you didn’t check out the Butler County Donut trail while you were here!
PWC, this was a grand total of 30 hours on the ground with a WHOLE bunch of meetings. I’m shocked I squeezed in two donut stops. Thanks for giving me some new ones to try for next time!
Someone should make a map of donut shops you have to visit, like a stadium map.
I like the way you think, Denny. My cardiologist doesn’t!
Someone should make a map of donut shops you have to visit, like a stadium map.
I like the way you think, Denny. My cardiologist doesn’t!
I grew up in Bill’s donuts. Now I want a Bill’s sour cream old fashioned for dinner.
Justin, that’s awesome! I definitely liked the devil’s foodcake more than the sour cream, but I get the attraction. 🙂
I grew up in Bill’s donuts. Now I want a Bill’s sour cream old fashioned for dinner.
Justin, that’s awesome! I definitely liked the devil’s foodcake more than the sour cream, but I get the attraction. 🙂
Have you ever been to Jack Frost Donuts in Cleveland? Obviously not during this trip, but would be interesting how the best donuts in the Northern half of the state compare to the two you visited.
Erik, I haven’t been to Jack Frost, but I’ve just added it to my list. I’m supposed to be going to Columbus at some point, so I might be able to point the car North and try it out. Thanks for the tip!
Have you ever been to Jack Frost Donuts in Cleveland? Obviously not during this trip, but would be interesting how the best donuts in the Northern half of the state compare to the two you visited.
Erik, I haven’t been to Jack Frost, but I’ve just added it to my list. I’m supposed to be going to Columbus at some point, so I might be able to point the car North and try it out. Thanks for the tip!