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8 Hole-in-the-Wall Donut Shops in St. Louis You Should Visit Now

By on Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 1:40 pm

You've heard the cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, in this case, we're urging you: don't judge a donut shop by its exterior. These little joints may look modest, but they hold a treasure trove of fried goodness that you can't get at any chain, with the old-school atmosphere to match. So say "peace out" to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, and say hello to these local St. Louis donut shops that could convince anyone to abandon their diet. After all, life is short -- and these donuts are to die for.

You've heard the cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, in this case, we're urging you: don't judge a donut shop by its exterior. These little joints may look modest, but they hold a treasure trove of fried goodness that you can't get at any chain, with the old-school atmosphere to match.

So say "peace out" to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, and say hello to these local St. Louis donut shops that could convince anyone to abandon their diet. After all, life is short -- and these donuts are to die for.

04/05/2016
Photos by Brittani Schlager
Scroll down to view images
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Donut Drive-In 6525 Chippewa St. St. Louis, MO 63109 If you're a coffee addict, Donut Drive-In will give you the best of both worlds: delightful donuts and delicious coffee.
Brittani Schlager
Donut Drive-In
6525 Chippewa St.
St. Louis, MO 63109

If you're a coffee addict, Donut Drive-In will give you the best of both worlds: delightful donuts and delicious coffee.
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You'll know you've come to the right place when you see the retro Donut Drive-In sign.
Brittani Schlager
You'll know you've come to the right place when you see the retro Donut Drive-In sign.
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If you like variety, this is also a great place for you. Glazed, custard-filled, cruller, cinnamon twist, a ton of sprinkles -- you're sure to find a donut topped or filled with something you enjoy.
Brittani Schlager
If you like variety, this is also a great place for you. Glazed, custard-filled, cruller, cinnamon twist, a ton of sprinkles -- you're sure to find a donut topped or filled with something you enjoy.
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You'll feel like you've stepped a few decades back in time while you're there. Donut Drive-In is great for inducing a case of nostalgia.
Brittani Schlager
You'll feel like you've stepped a few decades back in time while you're there. Donut Drive-In is great for inducing a case of nostalgia.
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Donut House 8500 Morganford Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123 Sometimes, you need a donut. Like, right now. Don't fool around trying to figure out if that trendy shop around the corner is open yet -- head to Donut House, where they cook up donuts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Brittani Schlager
Donut House
8500 Morganford Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63123

Sometimes, you need a donut. Like, right now. Don't fool around trying to figure out if that trendy shop around the corner is open yet -- head to Donut House, where they cook up donuts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Donut House serves a variety of donuts, apple fritters, creme horns and danishes.
Brittani Schlager
Donut House serves a variety of donuts, apple fritters, creme horns and danishes.
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A little insider tip: the owners at Donut House are known to occasionally add an extra donut or a few donut holes into your order. Now that's what we call great customer service.
Brittani Schlager
A little insider tip: the owners at Donut House are known to occasionally add an extra donut or a few donut holes into your order. Now that's what we call great customer service.
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The Donut Palace 37 Clarkson Rd. Ellisville, MO 63011 The idea of a world without donuts is a true nightmare. But thanks to the Donut Palace, that surely will never happen -- they produce more than 1,000 glazed donuts every day (plus nearly 1,500 Long Johns, hundreds of apple fritters and more).
Brittani Schlager
The Donut Palace
37 Clarkson Rd.
Ellisville, MO 63011

The idea of a world without donuts is a true nightmare. But thanks to the Donut Palace, that surely will never happen -- they produce more than 1,000 glazed donuts every day (plus nearly 1,500 Long Johns, hundreds of apple fritters and more).
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Clearly, the demand is high, and for good reason. Taste the magic of this family-owned business for yourself.
Brittani Schlager
Clearly, the demand is high, and for good reason. Taste the magic of this family-owned business for yourself.
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Donut Stop 1101 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63125 A true St. Louis treasure, Donut Stop has been around since 1953.
Brittani Schlager
Donut Stop
1101 Lemay Ferry Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63125

A true St. Louis treasure, Donut Stop has been around since 1953.
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The shop serves cake donuts, yeast donuts, creme horns, fried pies, fritters, cinnamon globs (yes, globs -- they're a Donut Stop invention), French crullers, tarts .... can we have one of everything, please?
Brittani Schlager
The shop serves cake donuts, yeast donuts, creme horns, fried pies, fritters, cinnamon globs (yes, globs -- they're a Donut Stop invention), French crullers, tarts .... can we have one of everything, please?
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You can also special order birthday donuts -- they'll shape the donuts into whatever age your special person is turning (or wishes he was turning....).
Brittani Schlager
You can also special order birthday donuts -- they'll shape the donuts into whatever age your special person is turning (or wishes he was turning....).
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Throughout its long history, Donut Stop has been recognized both locally and nationally for these amazing donuts.
Brittani Schlager
Throughout its long history, Donut Stop has been recognized both locally and nationally for these amazing donuts.
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Eddie's Southtown Donuts 4701 S. Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63109 Forget that stupid phrase about how the early bird catches the worm. If you're an early bird in St. Louis, you can get the freshest donuts -- and that's way better, don't you think?
Brittani Schlager
Eddie's Southtown Donuts
4701 S. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63109

Forget that stupid phrase about how the early bird catches the worm. If you're an early bird in St. Louis, you can get the freshest donuts -- and that's way better, don't you think?
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Eddie's Southtown Donuts opens at 5 a.m., and the sooner you get there, the fresher the donuts will be. Finally, a legitimate motivator to become a morning person!
Brittani Schlager
Eddie's Southtown Donuts opens at 5 a.m., and the sooner you get there, the fresher the donuts will be. Finally, a legitimate motivator to become a morning person!
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Long johns, iced donuts, cake donuts, sugar donuts, fruit-filled donuts, custard-filled donuts, cinnamon twists, apple fritters....they have it all at Eddie's Southtown Donuts.
Brittani Schlager
Long johns, iced donuts, cake donuts, sugar donuts, fruit-filled donuts, custard-filled donuts, cinnamon twists, apple fritters....they have it all at Eddie's Southtown Donuts.
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John's Donuts 1618 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63104 Night owls, this one is for you. John's Donuts is open from 11 p.m. to noon. Somehow, donuts just taste best late at night (or really, really early, depending on how you look at it).
Brittani Schlager
John's Donuts
1618 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63104

Night owls, this one is for you. John's Donuts is open from 11 p.m. to noon. Somehow, donuts just taste best late at night (or really, really early, depending on how you look at it).
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John's Donuts is as delightfully quirky as its business hours. You'll find all kinds of memorabilia littering the shop, in addition to delectable donuts.
Brittani Schlager
John's Donuts is as delightfully quirky as its business hours. You'll find all kinds of memorabilia littering the shop, in addition to delectable donuts.
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This is just one of their tasty creations. Admit it, you want a bite.
Brittani Schlager
This is just one of their tasty creations. Admit it, you want a bite.
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St. Louis Hills Donut Shop 6917 Hampton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63109 See the little green building on Hampton, and you'll know you've come to the right place.
Brittani Schlager
St. Louis Hills Donut Shop
6917 Hampton Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63109

See the little green building on Hampton, and you'll know you've come to the right place.
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