Donuts have long been the sidekick to coffee but these days, they stand out all on their own. Many bakeries around the nation have exercised their creativity with flavors, decorating, and other unexpected twists on an old classic (cronut, anyone?) Although a classic glazed will always be a crowd favorite, there are so many varieties now created by some excellent donut shops. We thought it would be fun to create this donut road trip through Illinois featuring 10 shops around the state.
Here is an interactive Google Map if you wish to follow along or add some of your favorite places. Let’s get this road trip started!
- Gurnee Donuts, Gurnee
Gurnee Donuts/Facebook
Gurnee Donuts/Facebook For over 20 years, family-owned and operated Gurnee Donuts has been making the classics like Old Fashioned and Boston Cream. But they also exercise their creativity and make some unique specialty donuts. A favorite ingredient they use is a purple yam called ube. Ube Donuts are only sold on the weekends, so if you want to try one, that’s the time to go! To check hours and location, visit the Gurnee Donuts website.
- Fresh Donuts, Geneva
Fresh Donuts/Facebook
Fresh Donuts/Facebook With popular donut flavors like Chocolate Oreo, Maple Bacon, and Fruit Loops, it’s no wonder why this shop was voted 2020 Best Donuts in Kane County. Fresh Donuts bakes in small batches so everything tastes fresh and delicious. Call ahead to order their famous 10-inch Giant Donut! For hours and location, visit the Fresh Donuts website.
- Home Cut Donuts, Joliet
Home Cut Donuts/TripAdvisor
Kim L/TripAdvisor Arguably the best donut shop in town, family-owned Home Cut Donuts has been a Joliet institution since 1966 and has two locations. They make some of the best doughy treats around and you can even order a Donut Cake for a special occasion. Try something different like a Sundae or Taffy Apple Donut or maybe a Vanilla or Chocolate Stick Donut! For more information, visit the Home Cut Donuts website.
- Pandamonium Doughnuts, Champaign
Pandamonium Doughnuts/Facebook
Pandamonium Doughnuts/Facebook Pandamonium makes artisan donuts from scratch and presents a new menu of innovative flavors daily. They use the freshest ingredients and source local and organic ingredients whenever possible. This shop was voted Best Donuts in Champaign-Urbana-Savoy and Central Illinois for four years running. For more information, visit the Pandamonium Doughnuts Facebook page.
- Ahne’s Bakery, Waterloo
Ahne’s Bakery/Facebook Although they bake everything from cakes and cupcakes to pies and stollen, Ahne’s is known for their incredible donuts! They also serve lunch and dinner, but if you come in for a meal, you’ll want to save some room for dessert. For more information and to see the menu, visit the Ahne’s Bakery website.
- Mister Donut, Godfrey
Mister Donut, Godfrey IL/Facebook
Mister Donut, Godfrey IL/Facebook People drive from all over to get their hands on some donuts at this nostalgic shop. They are so amazing and may remind you of your childhood. For more information, visit the Mister Donut Facebook page.
- BigBoy’s Donuts, Jerseyville
BigBoy’s Donuts/Facebook
BigBoy’s Donuts/Facebook This place is popular with the locals and known for its variety of super-fresh, melt-in-your-mouth donuts and friendly service. They will even add filling to your donuts if you ask. For more information, visit the BigBoy’s Donuts Facebook page.
- Mel-O-Cream Donuts, Springfield
Dawgs99/TripAdvisor
Mel-O-Cream Donuts/Facebook A preferred donut shop in Springfield since 1932, enjoy a classic or one of their more innovative flavors. Choose from a variety of old fashion, cake, bismark, long john, ring, or hole donuts. Everyone can find a favorite at Mel-O-Cream! For more information on the menu and locations, visit the Mel-O-Cream Donuts website.
- Ron’s Donuts and Bakery, Washington
Google Maps
Ron’s Donuts and Bakery/Facebook Ron’s has been around for over 40 years and sells both retail and wholesale. They are known for their Giant Donuts, which are always a hit at a party! For more information, visit the Ron’s Donuts and Bakery website.
- Roll N Donuts, Algonquin
Allen21096/TripAdvisor
Roll N Donuts Cafe/Facebook A recent addition to Douangchay’s Kitchen, this shop bakes some incredible cronuts, blueberry cake donuts, and paczki, which are Polish donuts. Find your new favorite fried dough treat here in Algonquin! For more information and to view a menu, visit the Roll N Donuts Cafe website.
Gurnee Donuts/Facebook
For over 20 years, family-owned and operated Gurnee Donuts has been making the classics like Old Fashioned and Boston Cream. But they also exercise their creativity and make some unique specialty donuts. A favorite ingredient they use is a purple yam called ube. Ube Donuts are only sold on the weekends, so if you want to try one, that’s the time to go! To check hours and location, visit the Gurnee Donuts website.
Fresh Donuts/Facebook
With popular donut flavors like Chocolate Oreo, Maple Bacon, and Fruit Loops, it’s no wonder why this shop was voted 2020 Best Donuts in Kane County. Fresh Donuts bakes in small batches so everything tastes fresh and delicious. Call ahead to order their famous 10-inch Giant Donut! For hours and location, visit the Fresh Donuts website.
Home Cut Donuts/TripAdvisor
Kim L/TripAdvisor
Arguably the best donut shop in town, family-owned Home Cut Donuts has been a Joliet institution since 1966 and has two locations. They make some of the best doughy treats around and you can even order a Donut Cake for a special occasion. Try something different like a Sundae or Taffy Apple Donut or maybe a Vanilla or Chocolate Stick Donut! For more information, visit the Home Cut Donuts website.
Pandamonium Doughnuts/Facebook
Pandamonium makes artisan donuts from scratch and presents a new menu of innovative flavors daily. They use the freshest ingredients and source local and organic ingredients whenever possible. This shop was voted Best Donuts in Champaign-Urbana-Savoy and Central Illinois for four years running. For more information, visit the Pandamonium Doughnuts Facebook page.
Ahne’s Bakery/Facebook
Although they bake everything from cakes and cupcakes to pies and stollen, Ahne’s is known for their incredible donuts! They also serve lunch and dinner, but if you come in for a meal, you’ll want to save some room for dessert. For more information and to see the menu, visit the Ahne’s Bakery website.
Mister Donut, Godfrey IL/Facebook
People drive from all over to get their hands on some donuts at this nostalgic shop. They are so amazing and may remind you of your childhood. For more information, visit the Mister Donut Facebook page.
BigBoy’s Donuts/Facebook
This place is popular with the locals and known for its variety of super-fresh, melt-in-your-mouth donuts and friendly service. They will even add filling to your donuts if you ask. For more information, visit the BigBoy’s Donuts Facebook page.
Dawgs99/TripAdvisor
Mel-O-Cream Donuts/Facebook
A preferred donut shop in Springfield since 1932, enjoy a classic or one of their more innovative flavors. Choose from a variety of old fashion, cake, bismark, long john, ring, or hole donuts. Everyone can find a favorite at Mel-O-Cream! For more information on the menu and locations, visit the Mel-O-Cream Donuts website.
Google Maps
Ron’s Donuts and Bakery/Facebook
Ron’s has been around for over 40 years and sells both retail and wholesale. They are known for their Giant Donuts, which are always a hit at a party! For more information, visit the Ron’s Donuts and Bakery website.
Allen21096/TripAdvisor
Roll N Donuts Cafe/Facebook
A recent addition to Douangchay’s Kitchen, this shop bakes some incredible cronuts, blueberry cake donuts, and paczki, which are Polish donuts. Find your new favorite fried dough treat here in Algonquin! For more information and to view a menu, visit the Roll N Donuts Cafe website.
Who’s ready for some donuts? If your favorite shop is not on this list, feel free to add it to the list in the comments!
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Address: 4949 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, USAAddress: 1188 E State St, Geneva, IL 60134, USAAddress: 815 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435, USAAddress: 1105 Windsor Rd, Champaign, IL 61821, USAAddress: 201 W Mill St, Waterloo, IL 62298, USAAddress: 2720 Grovelin St, Godfrey, IL 62035, USAAddress: 933 S State St, Jerseyville, IL 62052, USAAddress: 3010 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703, USAAddress: 1004 Walnut St, Washington, IL 61571, USAAddress: 3907 W Algonquin Rd, Algonquin, IL 60102, USA
