For the doughnut lovers in Marin who are out of places to turn for a quick bite to eat, Johnny Doughnuts offers the perfect remedy.
Johnny Doughnuts brings a fresh vibe to the way doughnuts are sold. The main shop is located in downtown San Rafael, and a food truck travels around Marin to make the doughnuts more accessible.
Johnny Doughnuts storefront is tucked away off of 4th Street, allowing for convenient parking that isn’t a nightmare to find.
While the friendly service makes up for the lack of a warm atmosphere, the doughnuts are fairly pricey given their bland taste. With doughnut holes priced at $.50 each and hand-sized doughnuts at $2 to $3, the overall quality is a bit too poor for the high pricing.
At first glance, the clean white walls, glass display case, and simple decorations present a neat feel. Spending more than a few minutes in the store, however, causes one to realize that there is a lack of an inviting feel that should be present in a doughnut shop.
Careful menu selection by customers is key at Johnny Doughnuts because not every choice will prove to be a good one. Many doughnuts lack a strong, rich taste.
The Classic Glazed Doughnut keeps its sweetness while not being overpowering. Its airy yet doughy texture makes it unique.
However, the Chocolate Salted Caramel Old Fashioned Doughnut, weighing about the same amount as a small brick, is too sweet from the first bite. The Classic Doughnut holes are a nice compromise when looking for something small and sweet, but aren’t worth the steep price.
The single employee who worked at the cash register provided punctual, professional, and helpful service as she recommended doughnuts without being asked. The shop offered a few seating areas and is good for those looking to grab a bite to eat and enjoy in the shop with a cup of coffee.
The Johnny Doughnuts food truck is available in a different location each day of the week, Wednesday through Saturday. On Wednesdays it is located at the Mint Plaza in San Francisco from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m, on Thursdays it switches from Off the Grid in Novato to the Upper Haight from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m, on Fridays the truck is located at Off the Grid in Fort Mason from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m, and on Saturdays, it’s stationed at the Marin Country Mart from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Johnny Doughnuts store is only open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both the short daytime hours and limited supply of doughnuts throughout the day are minuses to the excellent service.
