Deals For National Doughnut Day 2018
If ever there were a time to pound doughnuts all day long, it's now: The first Friday of June is National Doughnut Day. But don't write it off as just another food holiday. This tradition is rooted in Donut Lassies, Salvation Army volunteers who used doughnuts to boost soldiers' morale during both World Wars.
Here are 12 places around the country that are offering great deals, free doughnuts and plenty of goodwill, so you can fry high on June 1.
New York, NY
The Doughnut Project
Both the West Village and Central Park locations of this beloved shop will be frying up a special mango chile lime doughnut, plus an orange Creamsicle version in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, which also falls on June 1.
Du's Donuts
After you've hit up The Doughnut Project for breakfast, make happy hour plans at Du's, where mini crullers flavored with kaffir lime come with a gin cocktail made with the same flavors.
Underwest Donuts
This car wash-doughnut shop hybrid will hand you a free mini Funfetti doughnut with any purchase, while supplies last. (Though if you can't get enough sprinkles, you can always buy the full-size Funfetti flavor on its own.)
Doughnut Plant
As a warm up for their soon-to-be-open spot in Grand Central Station, Doughnut Plant is giving away mini cerulean-glazed and gold-starred doughnuts inspired by the terminal's mural.
Nationwide
Krispy Kreme
There's no need to buy anything at this classic spot: Just park yourself outside the nearest location, wait for the Hot Light to turn on, then run inside to get your free doughnut on. Multiple locations
Dunkin' Donuts
National Doughnut Day runs on Dunkin', too. Get a free classic doughnut when you purchase any beverage. Multiple locations
Duck Donuts
Visit any Duck Donuts location, and you'll receive a warm, made-to-order pastry in one of its classic flavors: plain, cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar. Multiple locations
Entenmann's
For those who joke that they can eat doughnuts like it's their full-time job, Entenmann's is on the lookout for a chief donut officer, with compensation that comes in the form of $5,000 and a year's supply of snack cakes.
The Salvation Army
From San Francisco to Canton, Ohio, various local branches of the national philanthropic organization are paying homage to the Donut Lassies of the 1940s by distributing free coffee and doughnuts to the public. Multiple locations
Tim Hortons
You'll want to set the alarm clock for this one: Be the first person to walk into one of five Tim Hortons stores (which open at 6 a.m.) to ask for some Gold Timbits, or gold leaf-wrapped doughnut holes, and you'll get a year's worth of free doughnuts. Buffalo, NY; Columbus, OH; and Detroit, MI
Fry the Coop
When you can't decide between breakfast or dinner, grab the Nashville hot chicken doughnut sandwich from Fry the Coop, where crispy fried chicken, doused in hot sauce, finds a home between a split doughnut. Chicago, IL
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
December 31 isn't the only holiday to stay up 'til midnight for. The first 100 visitors to line up at Stan's Wicker Park location come 12 a.m. will get a free half dozen of the store's sugary, glazed rings. (All other stores in the Chicago area will be giving out one free doughnut per customer throughout the day.) Chicago, IL
This article was originally published on 6/1/2017 and updated on 5/29/2018 by Andrew Bui.