The Donut Man

Most women this time of year are probably eschewing carb-laden sugary treats in the name of the almighty Bikini, but RG and I bucked tradition and took the 1-hour drive east to meet The Donut Man on Route 66 in Glendora. RG had been wanting to visit for years, and I never shy away from a road trip.

 

These are no ordinary donuts - although the more traditional offerings are available, The Donut Man is famous for his fruit-stuffed confections, particularly those containing fresh peaches and strawberries.  I whipped out my camera only to discover that the photo card was still in my computer at home, but RG kindly let me commandeer her point-and-shoot. 

Behind the shop, lining the wall facing the parking lot, were piles of empty fruit crates.  Rumor has it that Mr. Donut Man visits farmers markets in the early morning to collect the contents of that day's fruit donuts.  Peaches are among my favorite fruits, and these tasted as fresh as the ones I used to pull from my grandmother's trees.  In the spirit of being thorough, we also tried the strawberry:

Equally amazing.  And to top it off, we met The Donut Man himself.

 

He was so gracious, and more than happy to comply with our request for a photo.  Jim is in his 70's, and has been selling his famous wares at this spot since 1974.  He's rumored to eat at least 2 donuts a day, but his story isn't all sweet: when he was just a toddler his parents were sent to an internment camp, like thousands of other Japanese Americans imprisoned during World War II. Because the army loves a good contradiction, his father was then drafted. 

And now Jim is living the American Dream: running his own successful business on Route 66.  Put that in your coffee and dunk it.

If the donuts aren't your thing {and for the record that would be entirely unbelievable}, go to see Jim.  Both are well worth the trip.