One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Pick Your Own Toppings At Donut Friend, The Pinkberry of Donuts
Donut Friend in Highland Park is the Pinkberry of donuts. Owner Mark Trombino, a former drummer and producer for the likes of Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World, has a new venture on his hands—a customizable donut shop. Move over, cronuts. There may just well be a new fad in town.
There are over 30 different toppings ranging from the traditional like strawberry and maple to the unique; take for instance, balsamic reduction sauce, crushed Butterfinger, and rosemary, to name a few. Like ordering a burger from The Counter, customers can check off a paper list choosing what type of donut they want (including vegan and gluten-free options), the glaze, filling, and toppings.
For the ones who shudder at the thought of having too many options, Trombino has made it easy and allows folks to pick out tested-and-true flavor combinations that only get made fresh the moment they're ordered. The donuts all have a rock-n-roll vibe to the names, from Jets to Basil to Bacon-182. (Pun fans rejoice.)
Trombino opened the shop a month ago and first came up with the concept when he saw Donut Man in Glendora put fresh strawberries in donuts. "It blew my mind the first time I had it," he told LAist. "If you can put fruit in a donut, you can put anything in a donut."
Homer Simpson would be proud.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
