Welcome to sunny southern California. Where even a doughnut shop, done right, can be a celebrity in its own right. Enter Sidecar Doughnuts. What began a food truck in Costa Mesa grew over the last decade to become a well known and a beloved brand with doughnuts that have graced the tables of many an industry gathering. And in a city full of great doughnuts, that’s no small feat.
Sidecar proudly declares itself to be home to the world’s freshest doughnuts. And while yes, quality is important, and there is no match for small batch and premium ingredient taste, they do get extra points for creativity. The signature flavors are perfection. The huckleberry doughnut is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The butter and salt doughnut looks simple but has depth in the rich slightly savory flavor, a fan favorite for a reason. And then on top of that they have decadent seasonal flavors and collaborations to keep things interesting. Pair it with a cup of coffee (they have a full coffee and tea menu) for the perfect everyday little treat. Or go the extra mile, grab a full box and coffee traveler and be on your way.
the details
| Address | Sidecar Doughnuts Locations |
| Website | https://sidecardoughnuts.com/ |
| Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/sidecar-doughnuts-and-coffee-costa-mesa |
| @sidecardoughnuts | |
| Hours | opens bright and early at 6:30am and closes at 7pm on weekdays, 9pm on weekends |
| Price | $$ ranges from $4-6 per doughnut, depending on the flavor |
| Aesthetic | classic and contemporary |
good to know
Go here for: a morning doughnut run, a pick up on the way to a party or gathering (or office, everyone will love you), an afternoon pick me up
Order this: huckleberry, meyer lemon, butter and salt, basil egg benedict for an indulgent savory option, or just get the full 12 pack deal
Amount of time to spend: 15-30 minutes, the line moves quickly, and many locations have seating to enjoy right there
When to come: mornings are best, to have the most options for flavors, they make fresh batches throughout the day but some popular flavors might sell out early
Parking (LA locations):
- Santa Monica: There’s some parking in the back, but there tends to be decent turnover in the meters in this area as well.
- Culver: it’s in a strip mall (love), so it comes with a free lot (extra love) but it is also a very packed parking lot because of the LA Fitness (so avoid peak gym times I guess).
- Fairfax: there’s validated parking in the back. Or if you’re planning on going to the farmers market anyway, you might be able to park there and pop over.
Other things to note:
- They have a weekly gluten-free option and a vegan option.
- They also have online ordering options for a quick pick up, via the site or on their app. They also have a rewards program in their app.
Last visited: August 2022
Last updated: December 2022
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