King Pin Donuts

I’ve never seen donuts look so physically pleasing. They looked like no other donuts I’ve seen before. Many different options and flavors. There is something different about their dough. Something special that gives it such a different and great taste.

Survival at 3AM during those long experiments at LSA.

Nearly 2am. Just finished enjoying a damn hot dog and a night out in a club back in SF. I feel almost complete. I just need something freaking sweet.
SWEET. Look across the street. There it is! King Pin Donuts. FAMED. I have heard so much about this place. OPEN SO LATE. bless this place truly.
Like two tables inside. Plenty of seating outside. A man ready to help out. WONDERFUL
What really pleased me was that there were a whole lot of donuts. Like it looked fully stocked. And so many donut holes!
GRABBED FOUR DONUTS: two chocolate donuts, one sugar donut, and one bacon maple donut. $ 6 ish dollars total.
My friend loved her chocolate donut. My other friend liked her bacon maple donut. I tried it too. It was so sweet and savory. My sugar donut hit the spot. It wasn’t as fresh as I would want it to be, but that was the only flaw. It was generously covered in sugar, it was soft and dough-​y. Ripped it into pieces and enjoyed each bite.
MY GO TO SPOT THIS LATE AT NIGHT IN BERKELEY FOR SURE
⁴⁄₅

I love Kingpin. I always stop by at night when the donuts are fresh and wonderful.
My all time favorite is the Maple Bacon. The first time I had it it was good that I started to cry (in case you couldn’t tell, this meant I was pretty drunk.) This donut changed my life. I now have a higher standard for all my drunk food.
Something else Kingpin has that’s quite special are the Buttermilk donuts. They’re not as fluffy as a yeast donut or as dense as a cake donut, but have a soft rich interior that’s a good hybrid of the two. They also have a crispy outside that’s atypical to your regular donuts. If you want your donut to be crunchy on the outside and squishy on the inside then get this!

Dropped by King Pin this morning to pick up some finals week destress breakfast. The old fashioned donut holes are great, I would totally recommend. The man working was friendly and asked me how my finals were going. Somehow he also managed to guess my major — is it that obvious? As I walked down the street after I paid, I also noticed that he threw in 2 extra donut holes. Normal price is $ 2.50 for a ½ dozen. I think it’s probably cheaper to buy a whole donut but donut holes are fun lol.
+1.5 stars from last time for great donut holes and friendly service.
–0.5 stars for the Costco muffins I saw in the display ;p
They also sell the day old stuff at a discount to make sure the stuff on display is fresh!
For the donut holes alone this place is probably a 4 star place but the other donuts just aren’t that good. I’d come back for those, but probably not the other stuff!

Don’t know how I spent nearly $ 15 on 7 donuts when the dozen is $ 15 and the half dozen is around $ 8…
The donuts are really great, but the guy at the counter was so rude. Even though this place is convenient, I’m not sure I’d return. The pricing for the donuts is confusing and there’s no label to know if you are selecting from the regular or fancy donuts, which is likely why my cost went up. When I asked, he rudely directed me to look up at the price board, but didn’t show me which donuts were «regular.»
Also, none of the typical donut shop fun stuff like getting a few free donut holes or something. They should hire someone who is actually happy to sell donuts to people who are enthusiastic enough about carbs to buy them!

Its 2:30am 4÷29÷16 on a Friday. Its the last day of classes for UC Berkeley students. I find myself nearby and can smell this greasy goodness from half a block away. As I approach the typical panhandlers are missing. It seems as if students on the loose took over all the sidewalks. Berkeley is buzzing like I never saw it before. The trashcans in the food courtyard next to King Pin are overstuffed. Garbage is left over food containers are scattered around — not that it even bothers me in this kind of setting… this is just a place to have a good time. King pin is there for drunk college students — lets get the context right, just in case you are not familiar. Even before you walk in you see the deep fryer and donuts cooking through the window. As one goes in there is a hard working guy there who is in good spirits considering he deals with sooo many tipsy people. I get my favorite type of donut — a custard filled jelly donut with chocolate on top. The cost is $ 3.25 plus .50 extra for a credit card fee. $ 3.75 is sort of steep given its possible to get one for .50 at Safeway. So I get my donut. It comes in a clear plastic box — presentation here couldn’t be better just for a donut. Custard is in the top center and a dot of raspberry jam on top of that. As I bite into the donut it has a different texture than average donuts. I’m sure there are people that really go for this particular donut but I dont have much enthusiasm for it. For one thing it isnt a jelly filled donut, it is a round circluar donut with a hole and the hole had custard placed on top. The donut seemed like it was at least 4 hours old and the oil in which it was cooked possibly weeks old. I feel a bit of heartburn now an hour later and it is just one of these decisions one regrets in life.
I weighted «value» more heavily for my overall star rating but here is a breakdown:
Customer service: 5 star especially given its open till 3am
Value: 1 star… a .50 donut from 7−11/Safeway would hit the spot too. For $ 3.75 I could be wowed by something for less money at the bakery at whole foods —
Ambiance 5 star: good vibes here, fun crowd, pleasant to wactch donuts being cooked.

This review is for the guy works here at night, who is half-​bold, otherwise the place is ok, open till late and basically the only donut place in town.
I been trying to figure out what is this guy s problem,
Right around 2 am almost every time I see him, he is acting like a d. k head, from looking at the girls like a horneey donkey to the way he goes in and out of the store, sometimes he insists on eye contacts with the guys i dont get it. well maybe he feels so free around that time, the boss probably wouldn’t look at the cameras idea perhaps. so real him comes out.
But no mater what he can’t disturb the people like that.
Maybe people don’t want to look at your face, and they don’t want you look at them, they don’t want your look… as simple as that… and you gotta get that.
Just leave the people alone or live that job, i think somebody that’s nicer than you should do that job.
I just don’t think you deserve that job.

Local mom-​and-​pop donut shop that serves hot, fresh, substantial donuts exactly like they should be.
==FOOD==
Cinnamon Buttermilk Donut: $ 2.75 || ⁵⁄₅
Mouthwatering, melt-​in your mouth, sugary goodness.
Like a churro in cake form.
Dense, yet breaks apart easily into bite sizes.
Perfectly toasty cinnamon crumb topping.
Even distribution of melted glaze throughout.
No nasty plasticky, dry aftertaste that many donuts have.
On the pricey end for fried dough.
==VIBE==
Bare bones counter and glass case.
No seating.
Smells like heaven when you pass by.
==SERVICE==
Friendly cashier.
Quick donut and payment exchange.
==YAY/​NAY==
YAY! Unpretentious selection where they do classics right.
Expect to be salivating for hours afterwards.
Worth the extra steps on your activity tracker.

WOW. Always smelled their donuts when I’d eat at Gypsy’s but never bothered to visit even though I love donuts. Gosh I’ve been missing out. I didn’t even take a second to snap a picture because I was way too excited. Went in and asked the guy what was good and naturally he said all of them. He pointed to the cinnamon one and I was sold. Also picked up the chocolate covered one with peanuts for my bf.
My oh my. The cinnamon donut was like a churro donut cake all together in one. So moist (I hate using this word) and still a bit warm on the inside. Delicious delicious delicious. The chocolate one was just as good but my favorite was the cinnamon.
These two donuts were about $ 6, they have a 50 cent card charge. I probably should have just gotten half a dozen because it was about $ 7 but my excitement took over my common sense. And I would have probably eaten all of those in one sitting.
MUST try and I can’t wait till I go back. Currently thinking about them now…

After having dinner, my gym buddy and I love coming to this place for snack. My friend loves getting the custard filled donuts while I wait for the fresh made donut holes. If the donut holes are not made yet, my alternatives are either getting their strawberry filled or chocolate donuts. Donuts here are fresh and yummy! They also have slices of cheesecake with different flavors to choose from.
Friendly and helpful cashier who takes your order as well. Parking is limited so may have to park around the area. Reasonable price and great variety of donuts to choose from. I definitely will come back to order and try other donuts!

honestly my favorite donut place to stop by in Berkeley. It is waaaay too convenient to walk from shop to shop on Durant avenue.
The shop is small so there is always a line due to the lack of space to maneuver within it. Always the small of fresh baked donuts floating in the air and the donuts displayed are too appealing. Especially, my favorites, maple donuts w/​sprinkles and the chocolate donuts with nuts. Pretty cheap price for donuts. Last time I went, dozen donut holes, and 3 donuts for 9 something. Cannot beat that while you’re on a Foodie run in Berkeley.

I can’t say enough of how fantastic this place is. When I was going to College this was a late night spot to grab a sweet treat. They are opened very late and have a great assortment of different doughnuts to choose from. The doughnuts are fresh and sometimes you can even get them right off of being made which means they are crispy and warm = absolutely crazy delicious! The staff is nice and the prices for the food is very reasonable. I stopped by here after the game last weekend and got a half dozen order of doughnut holes which were just tasty! Definitely, stop by and check this spot if you’re looking for a great doughnut spot!

These donuts are to die for! Make sure you run 10k before coming to this baby. Its a small donut shop with hardly any room to sit, but why would you want to sit! Talk a walk as you eat one these babies, so you feel less guilty! I will admit they are worth every stinking calorie ha! yum yum yum. A glazed donut was more than $ 2 though, kinda thought it was a little too much but a treat here and there is ok I guess.

I’ve only tried the donut holes. It was nothing special and it was cold! It may be better if it was fresh and warm but I’ve had better donut holes elsewhere for like $ 1 a dozen.

O M G! worth the wait of the line!
This was the second to the last stop of our Berkeley food run. What a ridiculous but amazing way to experience this city.
My fiancée got the original glazed donut and I got the maple bar filled with custard while my cousins got a bakers dozen.
Because I was full I only took a bite of my fiancée’s glazed donut and it was so delicious, it took all my might and full stomach to resist eating the whole thing lol.
The next morning we warmed up the donuts in the microwave and it was still amazing! The maple bar with custard was a little bit much for me but one can’t complain when I love custard personally.
This was seriously the best midnight munchie or a breakfast treat. Yum yum all around!!!

Doughnuts were nothing special. Had an apple fritter, glazed buttermilk, and maple bacon. They were just alright and definitely not as amazing as the reviews say. I’ll pass next time.

I have not been here in awhile! That smell of fresh donuts in this area always gets me. I had to go in and get a box!
I got a buttermilk, buttermilk cinnamon, and buttermilk maple for myself. Man they were so creamy… The texture and crispness of the first bite had me reminiscing of all the times I ate here after drinking on frat row all those years ago!
The prices have gone up a tad bit for the fancy donuts as well as the day old donuts. You can get a day old box of 4 donuts for 3.25 (used to be 1.50 I think for a bag of 4), and fancy donuts were 2.75 each, and a dozen regular donuts were 15 $, while donut holes (which are also good as I recall) were a bit cheaper (usually dont get donut holes though).

When I lived in Austin, Texas, I was lucky enough to reside within driving distance (which would probably be walking distance here) of two outstanding donut places. At Ken’s Donuts, I could get a dozen tasty centers for $ 1. Also, the owners were Indian and made samosas too, so I would often leave the store with two piping hot samosas, some chutney, and a bag of centers for under $ 4. At the second place, Mrs. Johnson’s, I would also get there at 11 pm (or 2 am) when the fresh donuts were put out. The guy who works there is one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and if you tip him, he’d toss some extra donuts in your bag. I’m starting my review with descriptions of these two places so that you will understand why I’m not super impressed by King Pin. Once you’ve snacked at Ken’s or Mrs. Johnson’s, other donut places just seem ordinary.
A few weeks ago, I tried one glazed and one maple donut from King Pin. The donuts were not particularly fresh, but obviously you have to be there at the right time (btw, what time is that? feel free to message me about it). The donuts are larger than normal but also cost much more than the average donut (around $ 1.50, I think), so you aren’t getting any real value. On the plus side, the donuts were soft and pleasantly chewy while not being overly sweet.
If I ever find out what time the fresh donuts are put out, I’ll probably give it another shot. For now though, I’ll just keep browsing Southwest Airlines for flight deals to Austin.

Hanging out in Berkley and are in need of a nice treat? Look no further, cause King Pin Donuts is freaking delicious!!! I’ve been here multiple times, mostly after nights out drinking. I thought the donuts were only good because I was hammered, so I made it a point to try the donuts sober and they were actually better than the times when I had been drinking! This place is legit! The donuts are inexpensive, nice and hot, and they’re the perfect combination of deliciousness and delight. They’re donuts are a little fluffier than most donut places I’ve been to, but these big fluffy donuts melt in your mouth!!!
Besides the regular glazed donut, my favorite treat to get here is the apple fritter. It has a great hard/​crunchy outside with a gooey, soft inside/​middle that just melts in your mouth. I think it’s great. If you ever wondered what it was like to take a bite out of heaven, the apple fritter is it. BOOM!!!