Dec 2013

Mary’s Donuts – San Diego (Santee)

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Dentists and doughnuts don’t usually go together, but the two collided on a recent Saturday morning thanks to Grandma. When she needed a lift to a dental appointment in Santee to fix a pesky chip, The Astronomer and I happily obliged, knowing that a visit to Mary’s Donuts afterward was definitely in the cards.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Mary’s 24-hour doughnut operation has been around since 1985. This spot came recommended to me by my aunt Nancy; she and my uncle have been heading here for post-temple sugar highs for years. Recently, fellow blogger Ila confirmed its worthiness.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Even though I initiated the visit to Mary’s, both The Astronomer and Grandma were game! Everyone loves doughnuts.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

We chose five doughnuts from the towering selection of awesomeness, which is a perfectly normal and healthy number for three people. We also bought an extra glazed ring to take home for Grandpa; he’s got a sweet tooth, too.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

First up was the “cream puff,” a 33¢ wonder consisting of a thin and crispy shell filled with cool custard. Cheap thrills, man.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Grandma loved the “Super Twist” most. Braided within the fluffy, glazed dough were chocolate and cinnamon crumbles. The doughnut measured the length of my forearm (and twice as wide around). Grandma goes big after dentist visits; I like that about her.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

I saw Grandma eyeing this raised sugar, so we had to add it to the box. Mary’s makes superior yeast-raised doughnuts, and this sugar-coated specimen was tops—simple, satisfying, sweet.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Mary’s maple bar was also really something spectacular. The dough’s texture, thin and extraordinarily airy, was like no other maple bar I’ve ever sampled.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

Take a look at the maple bar’s innards—stretchy, yeasty, and oh, so light! The slightly hardened glaze tasted almost like candy. A must.

Mary's Donuts - Santee

And finally, an apple fritter large enough to feed a village. The dough was hefty and sweet, while the apple bits brought some tartness. We used our leftovers as a paperweight.

Even though Grandma’s dentist probably wouldn’t approve, I wish my visits to San Diego and her dental appointments overlapped more often!

Mary’s Donuts
9031 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071
Phone: 619-448-4800

Here’s where I like to eat in “America’s Finest City”…

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One thought on “Mary’s Donuts – San Diego (Santee)

  1. Yay! This one of my favorite donut shops in San Diego (even though it’s a bit of a drive for me)! They make the best French crullers which you can get freshly made at 8 pm on weekends.

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