The East Bay just got a doughnut shop that was founded North Carolina. What’s coming next, chopped barbecue and blue crabs? (One can only hope.)
Duck Donuts opened its Walnut Creek shop in early February at 2920 North Main St. That would be south of a Donut King and east of an Allstar Donuts, for Californians who navigate best with fried treats. It is the company’s first Bay Area location, which are rare in the state; there are only three others, all located in the L.A. area.
The company is headquartered in Pennsylvania, but its origins trace to the sandy dunes of the Eastern Seaboard. “The dream of Duck Donuts was hatched on a family vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina when we noticed that the charming town we loved so much was missing one thing … delicious donuts,” states its website.
Founder Russell DiGilio opened the first shop in 2007 in the beach town of Duck, N.C. (population roughly 750). Since then, the brand has franchised massively. There are more than 140 stores across the U.S. as well as outposts in other countries like Pakistan, Egypt and Thailand.
Duck Donut’s vision, according to the website, is thus: “To serve a warm, edible ring of happiness around the globe.” The emphasis is on “warm” because, much like Krispy Kreme, people say to get the doughnuts as soon as they leave the fryer.
The chain has an impressive number of flavors. There are nearly 50 flavors on offer at its locations, ranging from s’mores and blueberry lemonade to concepts like “Beach Ball” and “Sunrise.”
The Walnut Creek location is new enough it hasn’t received many reviews. On a local Facebook group, there is some moaning about the prices ($32 for a dozen, $19 for six). But many patrons also seem to enjoy the product, writing that the “maple bacon ones are delightful” and that “you see sparkles when they are fresh and warm.”
Details: Open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at 2920 N. Main St., Walnut Creek; duckdonuts.com, facebook.com/duckdonuts.walnutcreek.ca