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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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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”…

• Á Châu – San Diego
• Á Châu – San Diego
• Antica Trattoria – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Bánh Mì and Moving Trucks
• Bò Nướng Vĩ – Lemongrass Beef Grilled Tableside
• Bonnie Jean’s Soul Food Cafe – San Diego
• Broken Yolk Café – San Diego
• Chinese Kitchen/Chi Tu Thanh Nha Hang – San Diego
• Chuối Chiên – Deep-Fried Bananas
• Coop’s West Texas Barbecue – San Diego (Lemon Grove)
• Crest Cafe – San Diego (Hillcrest)
• Donut Bar – San Diego
• Eating at Costco
• Emerald Chinese Seafood Restaurant – San Diego
• Extraordinary Desserts – San Diego
• Family Obsession: Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho at Phở King
• Hash House A Go Go – San Diego
• Hoài Huế Vietnamese Restaurant – San Diego
• Hodad’s – San Diego (Ocean Beach)
• In-N-Out Burger – Pacific Beach
• J.K’s Greek Cafe – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Jasmine Seafood Restaurant – San Diego
• Jasmine Seafood Restaurant – San Diego
• Justin & Laurie’s Wedding
• Karina’s Mexican Seafood Cuisine – San Diego (Chula Vista)
• Lee’s Garden – San Diego
• Mario’s De La Mesa – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Minh Ky – San Diego
• Minh Ky – San Diego
• Nacho’s Taco Shop – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Nothing Bundt Cakes – San Diego (Poway)
• Old Town Mexican Cafe – San Diego
• Phil’s BBQ – San Diego
• Phở Hòa- San Diego
• Phở King – San Diego
• Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano – San Diego (North Park)
• Saigon Restaurant – San Diego
• Sala Thai – San Diego
• San Diego Tết Festival
• Souplantation – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Tacos El Gordo – San Diego (National City)
• Tamarind – San Diego (La Mesa)
• The Brigantine – San Diego (La Mesa)
• Vegetation Profile: Custard Apple
• Zenbu – La Jolla