Randy’s Donuts is famous for the gargantuan, doughnut-shaped sign perched atop its building on the corner of Manchester and La Cienega Boulevards in Inglewood. Designed by Henry J. Goodwin, the shop was originally part of the now-defunct Big Donut Drive-In chain.
For the past four decades, brothers Larry and Ron Weintraub have owned the 24-hour drive-through operation, maintaining the iconic signage with each passing year.
The shop offers deep-fried classics like old fashions, twists, and jelly-filled, as well as “Fancies” like apple fritters and bear claws. All are reasonably priced in the neighborhood of one dollar a piece.
For my inaugural trip to Randy’s, I brought along my friend Nastassia. Her passion for doughnuts rivals mine, so it was fitting that we visit this Los Angeles landmark together.
The best-selling and best tasting doughnut was the yeast-risen glazed, a simple ring that reached for the sky and stretched with each bite. Also crammed into our pretty pink pastry box was a so-so maple bar, a solid sugared raised, a mediocre glazed cake, and a pathetic maple crueler.
Not every doughnut at Randy’s was as impressive as the signage, but we really didn’t mind. Nastassia and I ditched the duds, savored the studs, and gazed giddily at that damn beautiful doughnut hovering above us.
It was a good day.
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Randy’s Donuts
805 West Manchester Boulevard
Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: 310-645-4707
One year ago: Huîtrerie Régis – Paris
Two years ago: Eataly – New York City
Three years ago: Flying Pig – Los Angeles
Four years ago: Cham Korean Bistro – Pasadena
Five years ago: Lotteria – Ho Chi Minh City
Six years ago: Minh Ky – San Diego
Have you been to the Donut Hole in La Puente? The quality of the pastry will probably similar to Randy’s, but the architecture is even more impressive!
MRatito – Donut Hole is totally on the list…just gotta make it out to La Puente. Gotta love L.A.’s amazing architecture.
I used to live down the street from Randy’s… it’s all about the chocolate raised and the apple fritter! The chocolate on the raised is thicker, almost fudge-y, mmm.
Hmm, for some reason, in the years I lived in LA, I never made it to Randy’s. Clearly that was a mistake!
Ditched the duds, savored the studs – Your prose is a joy, Ms. Gastronomer!