Today, June 7, is National Doughnut Day, a food holiday created in 1938 to honor “Donut Lassies,” women volunteers in the Salvation Army who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.
In honor of the holiday, which is always presented on the first Friday in June, a handful of San Diego County doughnut shops are giving away free pastries, some with purchase required, as well as discounts and prizes. And this year, the USS Midway Museum is hosting a doughnut-decorating competition to honor of the historic wartime effort. Here’s the list of already announced Doughnut Day participants.
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway will host the free, family-friendly Salvation Army’s Donut Festival, sponsored by BakeMark from 1 to 3 p.m. Last year, the festival took the form of a doughnut-eating competition. This year, several local doughnut shops will compete in a decorating contest to create Midway-themed doughnuts in honor of the Midway’s 20th anniversary as a naval ship museum. Participating shops include Barrio Donas, Peterson’s Donut Corner, Donut Bar, Randy’s, The Goods, Donutgram, Honey Donuts and many more. The public can vote for their favorite doughnuts and enjoy free doughnuts, while supplies last. There will also be live entertainment. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and a wristband will be required for entry. Donations will benefit the Salvation Army. USS Midway, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. https://tinyurl.com/5n8y56ch
Randy’s Donuts
L.A.-based Randy’s Donuts, which is hosting the grand opening of its Chula Vista/Bonita location today, will give away one free classic doughnut to every customer from 6 a.m. to noon today at both its Bonita and Kearny Mesa locations. Also, the first 10 people in line at the new Chula Vista store will get free doughnuts for a year. Randy’s serves more than 60 varieties of doughnuts, most priced under $3. 3001 Bonita Road, Suite 200, Chula Vista. 3737 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego. randysdonuts.com/locations/san-diego
Dodo Bird Donuts
Owners Eric and Zoe Kleinbub will give away one free doughnut to every customer who works in, or has worked in, a public service job. Dodo Bird serves a revolving menu of classics like glazed, maple bacon and chocolate, and out-of-the-box flavors like the sugar lemon lavender Cronut, mango Tajin, Jelly Belly and more. 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today. 369 Bird Rock Ave., La Jolla. dodobirddonuts.com
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme locations will give away one free regular doughnut per person today. While the classic glazed doughnuts are the chain’s top sellers, customers can also choose from many other topped and filled varieties. The offer excludes specialty and limited-time doughnuts. Krispy Kreme will also offer a dozen original glazed doughnuts for $2 with the purchase of any dozen. Krispy Kreme also gives away doughnuts for A’s on spring report cards. For directions to locations in Clairemont, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Oceanside and Chula Vista, visit site.krispykreme.com/ca
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ locations will be giving away one free classic doughnut with any drink purchase today, while supplies last. For San Diego County locations, visit dunkindonuts.com/en/locations
Dinky Donut Shack
This Coronado pastry counter inside the Islander restaurant will host an “Around the World in 19 Donuts” challenge today. Visitors who can fill up a postcard proving they’ve purchased and tasted all of the shop’s 19 miniature doughnut varieties will be eligible to win a $100 Blue Bridge Hospitality gift card. They’ll also receive a photo op as an “Honorary Dinky Donut Ambassador” and will receive a sticker. 1015 Orange Ave., Coronado. dinkydonutshack.com