Randy's Donuts, Greenwich Village

A brand new donut shop within a ten minute radius of my apartment? I'm there. Perhaps "brand new" is a misnomer, since Randy's Donuts is really the first NYC outpost of a 74 year old business. The original shop in Inglewood, CA is an icon, known for the giant donut sitting atop its roof (you've probably seen it in a movie or TV show). Recently Randy's seems bent on world domination, expanding around the country and around the world.

Great story, but how are the donuts? Outstanding! I sampled three: the fluffy baked Cinnamon Crumb Cake, the massive, chocolate-glazed Chocolate Buttermilk, and the premium Maple Long John with Cream (an eclair-shaped donut covered in a maple glaze and filled with maple cream). They were generous, flavorful, not greasy, and light (light for fried dough, anyway, with a nice crisp exterior). I'll definitely be back.

Randy's Donuts, 23 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village.