Livermore Donut Shops Named Best In The Bay Area: Mercury News

LIVERMORE, CA — Two Livermore donut shops were named as some of the best in the Bay Area by The Mercury News in two separate lists.

The first isn’t much of a surprise: the paper named Livermore landmark Donut Wheel as one of the “12 Fantastic Bay Area Doughnut Shops That Will Knock Your Socks Off.”

“Pick up some nostalgia alongside some old-fashioned, maple-glazed perfection at Livermore’s Donut Wheel. Walking through the doors of this retro doughnut parlor feels like taking a step back in time to a cash-only era, where you can buy a doughnut hole for a quarter,” the paper gushed.

Indeed, Donut Wheel has been around since 1962, though the building was built in 1941. Its first owners were Jack and Jean Weil, who reportedly named the shop “Donut Wheel” because people had trouble pronouncing “Weil,” according to a 2006 profile in The Independent News.

Today, it is located in the same building, and exudes retro charm. Its mission is simple and mostly unchanged: “This is the ultimate place for people of all ages to bask in the glory of fried, doughy sugary good.”

In a followup list called “Best Bay Area Doughnuts: Readers Share Their 17 Favorite Spots,” The Mercury News compiled reader suggestions and found 17 more fan favorites. Best Donuts, located on East Stanley Boulevard, more than lives up to its name, readers say.

“LOVE best donuts. This IS the best donut shop in Livermore. It's a family business and the staff is amazing. Coffee is great and donuts are super good. Get there as early as you can because there's usually a line (although it doesn't take too long at all),” said one reviewer on Yelp, where it earned an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

“Best donuts in town! Very friendly, great tasting, I would highly recommend. I've tried the other places in Livermore and none compare,” said another.

Do you agree? Are there donuts that compare, or even exceed, either of these?