Donut Stop, Mira Mesa

What if I want to stop here?

I’m not sure what it is with the names of donut shops in Mira Mesa. There’s Donut Touch (Do-Not-Touch?), and a couple miles away is Donut Stop (Do-Not-Stop?), which was my destination last weekend. If it’s donuts that are being served, of course I want to touch them, and of course I want to stop and grab a few. Ignore the play on words and just focus on the offerings inside.

Donut Stop is just off Mira Mesa Boulevard, on Black Mountain Road. It’s within easy reach of anyone traveling on Interstate 15, and not too far from Route 56, either. Donuts 101 lesson of the day: Easy access equals more customers. Throwing in an extra cream puff always helps, too.

Trick or treat, trick or treat,
Give us something good to eat!

The offerings were rather sparse, though, with only a few varieties of raised donuts and old-fashioneds (chocolate and plain in both cases), and no crullers. Cake varieties were plentiful, though, some with seasonal toppings, as evidenced by this Halloween-themed cake donut with maple icing and sprinkles. Halloween may be more than three weeks away, but it’s never too early to put up the decorations or enjoy a tricked-up donut like this. It proved to be a bit above average, with a strong maple flavor and fresh, moist consistency.

Alas, that was about it when it came to good donuts from Donut Stop. An apple-filled bear claw was underwhelming; more apples and a crumb coating would have given it more oomph. A jelly donut—I have no idea why I picked it out—was just plain ordinary, with a tasteless red blob in the middle. I could not even identify what flavor it was supposed to be. Should have asked.

Never complain about a free cream puff.

The aforementioned cream puffs were decent, but not as crisp and fresh as I’d hoped. When you have to chew a cream puff, that’s a sure sign that you’ve been stuck with something from an undercooked batch. No wonder I got that extra one in my bag. Not that I’m complaining or anything.

I’ll give Donut Stop kudos for making an attempt at innovation with their holiday sprinkles and apple-filled bear claw, as well as the free cream puff, but taste and variety were just average. Their D-Meter score of 70.0 puts the establishment in the lower half of our rankings—but that doesn’t mean going to Mickey D’s for an Egg McMuffin is a better option than a fresh donut. An Egg McMuffin with bacon, however . . .

Top Ten Donut Meter Scores:

1. Peterson’s Donut Corner, Escondido — 94.0

2. Sunny Donuts, Kearny Mesa — 87.0

3. Donut Haven, Hillcrest — 82.7

4. Super Donuts, Carlsbad — 82.0

5. Danny’s Donuts, Vista — 81.0

6. Christy’s Donuts, Kearny Mesa — 80.0

6. Honey Donuts, Santee — 80.0

8. Golden Donut, University City — 79.3

9. OB Donuts — 78.7

10. K-Donuts, Oceanside — 78.0

10. Heavenly Donuts, Allied Gardens —78.0

10. Plaza Donuts, National City — 78.0