Entertainment
Feb.
The Hungry Maverick MavLife staffers review local doughnut shops
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Brenna Lyles Editor-In-Chief
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re you hungry? This month, MavLife staffers and select campus celebrities tested the sugary, American classics. Traveling from El Camino Real to Vulcan and up the Coast Highway, MavLife picked up both glazed and chocolate glazed doughnuts from three local bakeries and doughnut shops. The results may surprise you as they did many staffers.
Photo by Brenna Lyles
Video Film and English teacher, Speed Farris, joins MavLife staffers as one of many guest doughnut tasters.
adia Donut Sho c u pp Le
1604 N. Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024
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eucadia’s glazed doughnuts took the gold in this taste testing competition, winning the taste buds of an unmatched 50% of testers. With its well-risen, seemingly fresh dough and flaky, sweet glaze, it was described as “the perfect doughnut” by staff-writer, sophomore Megan Mineiro. Although some commented that Leucadia’s glazed doughnut was drier than its competitors, testers collectively agreed that it was also surprisingly light. Mineiro added that it was “crisp on
the outside and fluffy on the inside... I love it!” This shop’s chocolate glazed doughnuts ranked second with 26% of votes and was even the favorite of guidance counselor Randa Fast-Medley. Many noted that this doughnut had a nice, balanced chocolate-todoughnut flavor ratio. Despite busy morning hours, Leucadia Donut Shoppe’s employees completed our purchasing transaction in a friendly, quick, and efficient manner. The two owners, known to locals as “Tom,” and Tom’s wife, who know several costumers by name, have created a warm, welcoming environment in this quaint, beachside shop.
Glazed: 50% of staffers preferred this donut Chocolate Glazed: 26% of the votes
VG’s Donuts
106 Aberdeen Drive Cardiff, CA 92007
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any were surprised to find that Cardiff’s VG Donut & Bakery, a local favorite, received only 5% and 11% of the testers’ opinions for glazed and chocolate glazed doughnuts, respectively. As VG’s doughnuts are baked fresh each morning and afternoon, testers agreed that both chocolate and glazed seemed fresh. Their dough was more cake-like than others, described as chewy, moist, and dense. Teacher Ryan Giusta perceived these doughnuts as “super dank.” VG’s glazed doughnut was described as having a “fruity under-taste” by Fast-Medley, while many agreed that it seemed to lack pizazz. Overall, this doughnut
was “so-so” and many were disappointed in their once-thought-to-be favorite doughnut shop. However, opinions differed and freshman Julian Sanz commented, “I liked [VG’s glazed doughnuts] the best because, although the glaze is light and weak, the dough was unmatched with its chewiness and flavor.” However, VG’s chocolate glazed doughnuts ranked higher than their regular glazed counterpart. Its thick and rich, yet messy chocolate frosting was noted to be the “best chocolate flavor” amongst all competitors. Ordering two dozen doughnuts took over fifteen minutes, as an employee wrapped each and every doughnut in individual sheets of wax paper and directed us to a separate cashier to complete the purchase. The shop also offers a variety of other sweets, pastries, cakes, and even quiche. Its beach location make VG’s convenient for surfers and locals alike.
Glazed: 5% of the votes Chocolate Glazed: 11% of the votes
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r Donut # e p Su
Glazed: 8% of the votes Chocolate Glazed: 0% of the votes
252 N El Camino Real # 2 Encinitas, CA 92024-5820
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anked lowest by taste-testers was Super Donut #2, a hidden shop near Rubio’s and Pizzacato on El Camino Real. Super Donut #2’s doughnuts were most commonly described as chewy, cheap-tasting, and not quite sweet enough. Its dough was “denser than [Leucadia Donut Shoppe’s]” according to Fast-Medley. “This doughnut seemed lighter and fluffier and wasn’t too sugary. Although it was not an extremely popular choice, I understand why the shop has a cult following,” editor, Cameron Gurley said. Their original glazed doughnut won only 8% of voters. Staffers found it to be floury and a bit bland with a flavorless glaze. This doughnut received unusual
comments on its flavor such that it “had a pepper-like undertone,” “tasted like sourdough,” and “tasted like cereal.” However, those who enjoyed the doughnut adamantly backed their choice claiming that the dough was extremely flavorful and the glaze was the perfect level of sweetness. However, Super Donut #2’s chocolate glazed doughnut flopped with zero votes from those who took part in this taste test. It was said to be “fresh enough” by Sanz, yet lacked any trace of chocolate flavor and was “disappointing” according Fast-Medley. Despite this ranking, the employees were “super friendly” as Gurley recalls, and even went as far as to give MavLife extra, free doughnuts. Super Donuts #2 is a convenient stop on your weekend errands as it is a near and well-visited spot near crowded shopping areas such as TJ Maxx and Staples.