Donut Kitchen

The Donut Hole
La Puente, CA
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Driving through breakfast takes on a different meaning at The Donut Hole. Two giant fiberglass donuts frame a lane through the building, letting motorists order without leaving their cars.

Built in 1968, this was the second of five Donut Hole locations and the only one with giant donuts incorporated into its architecture. It also appears in Moving Violations (1985) and Calendar Girl (1993). Apparently an ordinary drive-thru wasn’t quite ready for its close-up.

UPDATE: The Donut Hole remains open at 15300 Amar Road in La Puente, with both giant donuts intact. 10-26

Carl's Donuts
Pomona, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

A roadside marquee gives Carl’s Donuts in Pomona a familiar neighborhood introduction. This West Holt Avenue stop recalls the independent pastry shops that made breakfast a quick detour from the morning drive.

The compact shop offers another reason to notice the older commercial strip, preferably before an empty stomach takes over the itinerary.

UPDATE: Carl’s Do-Nut Shop continues operating at 784 W. Holt Avenue, supported by recent restaurant listings and inspection information. 10-26

Baskin Robbins (Closed)
Oceanside, CA
Photo courtesy Jimmy Bowman

Off the old 101 in Oceanside, CA is this sign for the Baskin Robbins ice cream. The lettering for the ice cream still stands out at night, though the sign was recently modified. Many thanks to Jimmy Bowman for info.

The sign had already undergone changes when it was documented, but it still carried the familiar restaurant name above the coast road. For roadside enthusiasts, a scoop came with something extra to admire outside.

UPDATE: The Baskin-Robbins at 1112 S. Coast Highway has closed. A neighborhood report noted the closure by November 2025, and current restaurant listings also identify it as closed. The present condition of the roadside sign remains unconfirmed. 10-26

B&B Donuts
Fullerton, CA
Photo courtesy David Carrasco

Here is a photo of a former Burger Chef Restaurant which is now the B&B Donut shop in Fullerton,CA. The large marquee sign is gone, but look at the top of the building and notice the large brace which once held the Burger Chef sign. Many thanks to David Carrasco for info.

The family-run donut business retained the mid-century building and added a rooftop donut sign in 2016. Quite a second career for an old burger stop.

UPDATE: B&B Donuts remains open at 925 S. Harbor Boulevard. The former Burger Chef building survives with newer signage announcing its current specialty. 10-26

Georgia's Donuts
Inglewood, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

A large downward arrow gave Georgia’s Donuts in Inglewood a roadside greeting that was difficult to misunderstand. The round name panel sat above the angled “DONUTS” lettering, pointing toward the little stand below. Apparently breakfast needed an arrow of its own. 04-06

The sign did much of the advertising for the modest building. Its bold shape could catch a driver’s attention before the shop itself came into view. For hungry customers, it suggested a quick stop. For sign hunters, the arrow supplied an attraction before anything reached the pastry bag.

There is something appealing about a neighborhood donut stand that lets an imaginative marquee handle the introduction. No giant building necessary, although taking home a dozen might still require finding a little space in the car.

UPDATE: Georgia’s Donuts is the Inglewood shop shown here. Its exact address and current operating status remain unconfirmed. 10-26