Penguin Donuts
1600 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA
Crema's Take
“Penguin Donuts is a beloved neighborhood gem where the donuts are genuinely special—crispy exterior, pillowy interior, and thoughtfully balanced glazes that won't leave your teeth aching—making it worth the occasional crowd during morning rushes. The owners clearly care about both their craft and their customers, delivering genuine warmth and speed even when things get hectic, and the casual, unpretentious vibe paired with solid pastries and light food makes it the kind of place locals fiercely protect.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
This place is A MESS. walked in expecting donut odor but it smells like fish. The lady at the counter was definitely on something. It looks like a horders house with all sorts of food like a grocery store.
Very kind lady, quick to help customers even during busy mornings. I got a croissant and fruit smoothie
some top-tier donuts, apple fritter and freebie donut holes were lovely: decent spice, big apple chunks, and a glaze that wasn't teeth-shattering sweet for both of em. the dough was soft with a bit of chew, not airy or a brick—just solid, good donuts. the thai tea though, yikes; overly sweet yet watered down, and full of loose tea leaves that the worker reassured as "normal" [not for me 😭], seems like hella sugary drinks are the norm here from other reviews, so i'll stick to the pastries..
Literally the only reason I would say you shouldn't go here, is because I want to keep this secret spot for myself. It's WILD to me that someone would say ANYTHING negative about their pricing. This place is sooooo affordable, that I literally made a joke about it "breaking the bank" today (2 donuts and a coffee for $6? Yes please!). Not only are they affordable, but they are generous! 2 out of 3 times, they gave me something small for free. Plus everything is so good! The donuts and pastries are fluffy and not overwhelmingly sweet, which is a common problem I have with other donut places... and don't get me started on the coffee. That's really what brings us back in every time. It's better than starbucks, at half the price, and you're supporting local... And last, but certainly not least, is the service. These lovely ladies NEVER fail to make me feel like their service is exceptional. They greet every single customer genuinely and warmly upon entry with the cutest smiles, and wait patiently for you to make your selection (while still not being overbearing). Honestly, I don't even know the shop owner's names, and yet they feel like friends. That is how welcoming they are. And when you combine it all, it makes for an exceptional experience, especially for being such a quaint little donut shop. While reflecting on the immense value they give in exchange for a measly $6, I felt compelled to review them and give them their props. I lived across the street for 2 years before trying it, and i regret not going sooner. Go, now. You will be grateful you did!
Their donuts are delicious and not oily like other donut shops the only bad thing is they charge an extra $0.25 for a bigger donut which is kind of crazy to me customer service was great gets really busy though just a little too pricey for some donuts but they are delicious.
Crema Reviews
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