Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa, CA

A unique box and a donut band (feat. an alligator tubist and giraffe drum major).

Off to watch surfers from the pier at Newport Beach? For the love of Pete, if you're going to watch other people exert themselves with physical activity, don't ever do so on an empty stomach! Lucky for you, Sidecar Doughnuts isn't far. And just like a surfer waiting for the perfect wave, Sidecar patrons must put in the time to get the sweet rewards, given the long lines out the door. Once those patient patrons reach the front, a new struggle begins: deciding. 

My parents and I managed to narrow our order down to six doughnuts after careful, thoughtful deliberation. All of them were wonderful. And after eating about two doughnuts each, we felt sated and not at all weighed down. We left knowing that Sidecar Doughnuts is indeed worth the hype! Here were our choices (in order of the picture at the top, left-to-right):

Huckleberry: My mom's favorite. A cake doughnut, but light and springy like a muffin. Topped with a tangy huckleberry glaze.

Cardamom Orange: My second favorite. A spiced cake doughnut with a bright, citrusy tinge and streusel topping. Nuanced and tasty, tasty, tasty.

Membrillo y Manchego: Quince and sheep's milk cheese are a first to my personal doughnut history. The thin slivers of Manchego add a hint of salt and fat to the airy yeast doughnut covered in a subtle fruity glaze. 

Choc A Lot: My dad's second favorite. I went back and forth in my brain about whether this was a cake doughnut or a yeast doughnut. Ultimately, my dad and I decided that if a yeast doughnut and brownie had a baby, it would've been this delight. Topped with dark chocolate glaze and cocoa nibs.

Butterscotch Pot De Creme: My dad and I's pick for the best doughnut of the bunch. A glazed yeast doughnut with a few bits of sea salt on top, plus a pool of butterscotch resting in the doughnut hole and fresh whipped cream on top.

Pumpkin: My mom's second favorite. We lucked out and snagged a hot one from a fresh batch. The flavor of actual pumpkin (as opposed to "pumpkin spice") was more present here than in any pumpkin doughnut I've had since pumpkin doughnut holes my mom would make growing up. No wonder she liked it so much!

But, wait, there's more! Donuts on the menu, that is. Salty Caramel, Saigon Cinnamon Crunch, and Country Ham & Egg, a savory doughnut filled with ham, a poached egg and hollandaise. The number one on my list to try next time I go is Butter & Salt, their brown butter vanilla doughnut with fleur de sel.

Sidecar Doughnuts also has a Santa Monica location, with even more locations coming soon.