Jim Nakano of The Donut Man in Glendora displays his famous Strawberry Donuts.

Just in time for National Donut Day, The64 is back— this time showcasing the most iconic, inventive, and irresistible donut shops across the country in a bracket-style showdown to crown The64’s Best Donut in America.

A few California favorites are in the mix: Randy’s in Inglewood, Donut Friend in Los Angeles, Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa, and The Donut Man in Glendora.

From old-fashioned honey-glazed crullers to maple long johns and everything in between, this competition is a sweet celebration of dough-licious flavors from coast to coast. Starting June 5, donut lovers are voting in multiple rounds over 18 flavor-packed days until one donut shop rises above the rest to claim the title.

Best of all, voting is free, and both voters and contestants can win prizes just for participating.

“Everyone loves donuts, and donuts tell a story, from family-owned bakeries to creative flavor bombs, and we’re here to let those stories shine,” said Justin Woo, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of The64. “This isn’t just a contest — it’s a coast-to-coast celebration of flavor and community.”

Unlike traditional “Best Of” lists, The64’s competition is 100% fan-driven — there are no critics, panels, or paid placements. Donut shops were selected through public nominations, online buzz, and standout reviews, giving every contender a fair shot.
How it works:

  • Sign up for free at www.The64.com
  • Vote in each round as the bracket narrows from 64 → 32 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → champion
  • Earn chips: Every vote earns you a chip; use chips to spin The64 Wheel and win prizes
  • The tournament runs for 18 days, with new rounds every three days

The64 is an interactive voting platform created to celebrate the “Best Of” through fun and competitive tournaments nationwide. Designed to engage both voters and contestants, The64 hosts multiple bracket-style tournaments simultaneously across the country in categories that extend beyond entertainment, including lifestyle, business, education, and culture.

About The Donut Man

Opened in 1972, The Donut Man has become not just a culinary icon, but an example of the American Dream. Jim and Miyoko Nakano opened the shop in May 1972, seeking to achieve their dreams through entrepreneurship.

Originally the donut shop was part of a franchise and named Foster’s Donuts. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s when it became independent and The Donut Man was born. Nikon recalls having dinner with some friends and discussing his need to choose a name for the newly independent shop. As they were getting up to leave, a little girl said, “Look, it’s the donut man!” The name stuck.

The Donut Man is best known for its iconic fresh fruit donuts, especially the Strawberry Donut, which has been featured in local and national media, including NBC’s “Today” show and Food Network’s “The Best thing I Ever Ate.”

The greater Glendora area was surrounded by strawberry farms. While picking up a donut one morning, a local farmer mentioned that he had plenty of strawberries and that Nakano should come up with a way to use them. It took a while to perfect the Strawberry Donut. He says the key was finding the right balance of sweetness. It became an instant success.

The Donut Man, whose Peach Donut is also popular, has had a branch in Downtown L.A.’s Grand Central Market since 2020.

At both locations, every donut is made by hand every day — the same process, ingredients, and standards that made this small-town donut shop so popular. Nakano says his success has come from being hard-headed in that he will not compromise on quality and customer service.