Not every stop on my trip is a cultural center. Some are just places where people live. Not every shop is a donut destination. Some are the workhorses of the morning pastry community, cranking out low-cost cylindrical carbs to feed the locals on their way to work.
Ann’s Donuts is one such place. It’s a humbly-signed place tucked into the corner of a strip mall next to a Family Dollar. The frontage signs let you know that they also serve ice cream, sundaes, and egg rolls (?!). Also, that there are no public bathrooms. Inside, the decor covers all the bases: Framed photographs of WWI aircraft, a poster of different models of Mercedes cars, a Fresno State Bulldogs flag. Some portraits.
I found Ann’s Donuts because I decided to stop in Fresno, and it was on the list as a good donut stop. I knew that Fresno was around the optimal distance from Medford to make for a comfortable one-day drive. What interested me about this particular place was the filled donut holes. Interesting idea – tiny bismarcks.
I chose six of these filled donut holes – 2 of each flavor (Rasberry, creme, and lemon) and a glazed ring for calibration. Together, it was a little over 2 dollars. I sat next to a picture of a P-51 Mustang and ate them all.
These are just donuts. The warm environment of Fresno brings out a little more yeastiness than Medford, but on the whole, the holes were a lukewarm experience. They are so small and soft that the glaze is already shattered when you first get them, and the filling is minimal but somehow overflowing anyway. They aren’t something you want to eat while taking picures with your iphone or typing on your laptop – not that most donuts are. This stop inspired me to get some wet wipes from the Family Dollar.
The glazed ring wasn’t bad – they almost never are. Even bad donuts are pretty good. It showed me how good the donuts at Donut Country were. The ring from Ann’s was just a little tougher – a little bit more savory wheat flavor making it seem less sweet. Nothing unforgiveble, and it made me relish my other donut experiences even more.
To sum up, sample life in all its rich variety, but don’t get the lemon filled donut hole, because it tastes the way pledge smells.
Onwards to Phoenix.
