Randy's Donuts
Los Angeles, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

An enormous donut above a little stand gives Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood one of Southern California’s most recognizable roadside introductions. Apparently breakfast needed to be visible from considerably farther away than the ordering window. Even travelers arriving near LAX have something familiar to look for.

The shop began in the early 1950s as Big Donut Drive-In No. 2, part of Russell Wendell’s chain. Wendell sold donut-making equipment before putting oversized pastries above his own stores. These steel-and-gunite giants turned modest buildings into landmarks, with the locations that became Kindle’s and Donut King II sharing the same family history.

Randy's Donuts
Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

In 1976, Robert Eskow purchased the Inglewood location and named it Randy’s after his son. Ron and Larry Weintraub took over in 1978 and kept the name. The giant donut stayed overhead, giving the shop continuity even as ownership changed below.

The rooftop pastry also developed a Hollywood career. It appears in Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” video, Mars Attacks! (1996), and Iron Man 2 (2010), where Tony Stark enjoys donuts while sitting inside it. Quite a perch for someone who could presumably find a chair. In 2012 (2009), the giant donut even gets loose and rolls down the street. Fortunately, that particular mishap stayed on screen.

Randy's Donuts
Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

For customers, the attraction remains something smaller from the bakery. For roadside enthusiasts, the enormous donut supplies its own reason to pull in. A box of pastries and a closer look at the landmark make a fairly convenient combination.

UPDATE: The original Randy’s remains open around the clock at 805 W. Manchester Boulevard in Inglewood. Its giant rooftop donut survives, while the business has expanded into locations across Southern California and beyond. 10-26

Angel Food Donuts (now Dunkin' Donuts)
Long Beach, CA
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

An oversized pastry gave Angel Food Donuts in Long Beach a roadside presence worth noticing. Mrs. Chapman’s chain spread through the city during the 1950s and 1960s, using giant donuts to draw attention to its shops. Apparently a few words over the door weren’t enough when breakfast could be advertised above the roof.

The 7th Street location later became a coffee shop, and its donut acquired pink frosting. The business changed, but the enormous pastry remained a familiar landmark for passing motorists. It was a handy reminder of the earlier donut counter, even when coffee had become the main attraction.

Angel Food Donuts
Long Beach, CA
Photo courtesy David Ferdig

When redevelopment for Dunkin’ threatened the sign in 2014, residents, Long Beach Heritage, and the Los Angeles Conservancy pushed to save it. Plans initially called for removing the donut and donating it to the city, where it could have ended up in storage. Fortunately, the franchise operator agreed to incorporate it into the new restaurant instead. A donut chain removing a giant donut would have been an odd ending.

UPDATE: Dunkin’ now occupies the site at 5560 E. 7th Street. The original giant donut survives, restored with chocolate frosting and colorful sprinkles. Another change of flavor, but this roadside pastry is still on display. 10-26