Is there even such a thing?

You know, in the same way that NYC and Chicago are the pizza capitals.

Texas, Tenneesee, and Kansas for BBQ.

Texas and California for tacos and burritos.

While we’re on this subject, is there one city or state where the burgers there stand out above the rest?

33 comments

  1. >Texas, Tenneesee, and Kansas for BBQ

    I’m offended and I don’t even eat barbecue.

  3. Donuts aren’t really regional like that. You’re likely to find a really good donut spot wherever you visit.

  4. Every region has it’s theme and variation on pizza no one is the capital. America is a patchwork of cultures and peoples. I would think like the east coast is more known for donuts, but artisanal donuts shops have started showing up everywhere.

  5. Not really regional. The closest thing would be the first Dunkin Donuts in Massachusetts

  6. My first thought was to just look up the cities with the most donut shops per capita, but it became apparent real quick that the existence of Dunkin Donuts as a coffee shop *really* skews that data. Dunkin is *everywhere* in the NE part of the country and it technically counts as a donut shop even though their donuts are absolute garbage-tier and no one really goes there for donuts. So, I’m at a loss for how to work out an answer to this question.

  8. Good donuts can be found everywhere, but if I had to pick a spot it would be Boston.

  9. Doesn’t really have one. They’re pretty much all over, and if they originated from one area, it’s so long ago that they’re no longer more common there than anywhere else.

    Unless you’re going by number of Dunkin Donuts. Then Massachusetts is the capital by dint of the sheer volume of stores.

  10. Everywhere has them

    I would say the North East has the most and the most variety

    Bostom cream, apple cider, jewish donuts, etc

  12. > Texas and California for tacos and burritos.

    Hey, what are Arizona and New Mexico, chopped liver?

  14. Don’t forget GA, SC, and NC for BBQ. By the donut capital, do you mean consumption or production?

  17. >Kansas for BBQ.

    *Most* of the good Kansas City BBQ places are in KC, Missouri, not in Kansas. Regardless of which side of the border you’re talking about, I wouldn’t say that BBQ is a statewide thing (in either KS or MO); it’s just a KC thing.

    And you can’t leave out Carolina when you’re talking BBQ either. (Tennessee = Memphis? Eh…)

    ​

    Anyway, for donuts I might nominate Portland, home of the first [Voodoo Doughnut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Doughnut). Kind of one of the first places in the country to do the gourmet/wild flavors thing. Before they had lots of locations, people would definitely bring Voodoo home as a souvenir. They’ve partnered with Rogue Beer for a bunch of Voodoo-flavored beers.

    [https://www.insidehook.com/article/booze/rogue-voodoo-maple-bacon-doughnut-ale-went-from-troll-beer-to-sensation](https://www.insidehook.com/article/booze/rogue-voodoo-maple-bacon-doughnut-ale-went-from-troll-beer-to-sensation)

    There might be places with better “classic” donuts, but Voodoo is a pioneer in the “exotic” genre.

    ​

    No, I don’t think there’s a place that has “stand out” burgers. Some localities feature a special kind of burger. For example, the Twin Cities are home to the [Jucy Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jucy_Lucy), which I like a lot. But man, you can get a lot of delicious burgers in a lot of places in this country.

  18. I’d say Massachusetts. Besides Dunkin Donuts we have another place called Honey Dew which is centered in the southeastern part of the state, and then we have countless other chains around as well. Boston Donut, Dippin Donuts, Gormet Donuts. I think Dunkin became so popular here because of the donuts, not the coffee.

  19. Portland, OR has some famous places that make those fancy ass gourmet donuts with all the crazy flavors and toppings and shit. Went to one of them (Blue Star? something like that) when I was out there last just to say I did. Wouldn’t do it again most likely.

  20. If you ever find yourself in Columbus, ohio- go to buckeye donuts. I don’t know if it’s open 24/7, but it’s surrounded by bars on osu campus so it’s an amazing way to start your day and end your day!

  21. Wow. This is either expert level trolling or you are really going to be disappointed if you tour the US for food.

    “You know, in the same way that NYC and Chicago are the pizza capitals.”

    I lived in Chicago. Nobody will seriously call it a pizza capital unless they’re trying to troll NYers.

    “Texas, Tenneesee, and Kansas for BBQ.”

    Two of these states are going to deeply disappoint you with their barbecue. Texas, Kansas City MISSOURI, North Carolina, Memphis (not Tennessee overall), South Carolina are your capitals. Good luck finding any good BBQ in Kansas

    “Texas and California for tacos and burritos.”

    Acceptable.

    “is there one city or state where the burgers there stand out above the rest?”

    No. The beauty of burgers is that you can find amazing burgers everywhere.

    As to donuts .. same as burgers.

  22. I hate to do this, but CT. Should be the pizza capital of the U.S., specifically New Haven.

  23. According to statistics it’s LA. They have more donut shops per capital than anywhere else in the US.

    I’d make an argument for Portland… Voodoo, and Blue Star are on consistently on “top donuts in the US” list. This has lead to a lot of other quality donut shops opening up in the area. Which is kinda funny considering Portland didn’t even have a donut shop 20 years ago (which is why voodoo opened).

  24. Oh boy… saying Tennessee instead of Memphis, Kansas and not Kansas City, and not including the Carolinas? This is going to offend people

  28. Idk but I once had a Shipley donut when I was in San Antonio and it was the greatest thing I’ve ever tasted. It had a very *slight* crunch on the outside and it was warm and soft on the inside. Holy shit I’ve never had anything like it. It’s my great white buffalo of donuts.

  29. Most major cities (and many minor cities and some towns) have an outstanding donut shop. It’s pretty ubiquitous. Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispykreme are everywhere, including where those shops are, so that’s what you’re going to get outside of the places I mentioned before. Tbh I love Dunkin Donuts glazed donuts and Krispykreme’s take on the same is fantastic as well. The best donuts at a chain I’ve had which were not old fashioned I probably had at Duck Donuts in North Carolina, which were fresh fried and delicious. You could do better at a boutique shop like Okie Dokey Donuts in Philadelphia, but a lot of cities of size have places of similar pleasure measure.

  30. Oklahoma has amazing donuts.

    IDK about it being a donut capital, but the super common hole in the wall donut shops, with the yellow trays, and kolaches, usually owned by an East Asian immigrant are fantastic, and something I missed a lot when I lived elsewhere.

  31. >Is there even such a thing?

    No

    >You know, in the same way that NYC and Chicago are the pizza capitals.

    Sure, in the minds of people from NYC and Chicago. Not so much in reality though.

    >Texas, Tenneesee, and Kansas for BBQ.

    Yeah don’t buy the hype.

    >Texas and California for tacos and burritos.

    OK this one might be true.

    >While we’re on this subject, is there one city or state where the burgers there stand out above the rest?

    All of them, just ask the people who live there.

  32. Grand Marais, MN. Home of World’s Best Donuts. Make sure to try a Skizzle when you’re there!

  33. >Texas and California for tacos and burritos.

    Lol Nah that is New Mexico ese lol

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