Gold Star Donut

Got there at 7 am on a Sunday morning. Coffee wasn’t made. Donut selection was sparse. I was really disappointed. Friends tell me amust have been there on a really bad day and based on most othercreviews awill give it a second chance. At least the two donuts I did purchase were better tnan those found in the grocery stores in the area. I will update after my next visit.

Best doughnuts in town! I’ll never go back to the well known brand again. These were so yummy and there were so many different types it was hard to decide. This tiny store located in a strip mall is a hidden gem.

Great donuts! They are better than Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme. There is a large selection of donuts to choose from: my favorites being the glazed and blueberry. You’ll have to wait a few extra minutes to get your hands on a bear claw though!

Having these donuts always makes me so happy. My parents have been bringing home these donuts ever since I was a child and now I’m in my 20s. I still enjoy them just as much. Let me explain to you how delicious these donuts are.
These donuts are moist and fluffy. Most importantly, they are made fresh. My personal favorites are the glazed, Boston Crème, and jelly donuts. For apple lovers, you must try their apple fritters! They are delicious! The filling inside the Boston Crème is the perfect blend of creamy and sweet. One thing that is important to note, is the size of each donut. They are huge! You’re getting more for your money with each purchase.
As far as the customer service goes, I’ve never had an issue with the people who work there and own the shop. Driving through town, the shop doesn’t look like much on the outside. Don’t overlook this place! Truly an old gem in Bradenton/​Sarasota area. Skip Dunkin and head to Gold star if you want fresh, delicious donuts.

When I think of my child hood this is one of the first places I think of. Best donuts in town! You gotta get there early though!

I wanted to love this place. After all, it’s the #1 Donut Spot in Sarasota.
Sadly, the donuts were very average if not below average.
I tried one of everything they had available at 8:30am on a Thursday and there wasn’t a single donut that made me want to return for seconds.
Is it a step up from Dunkin Donuts? Yes.
Is it worth the trek? No.

Went at 11:00 on a Saturday, so there was almost no selection. We debated going elsewhere, which may have spared them this review, but the lady at the counter was fairly pushy and so ended up just getting a couple of plain glazed donuts (which we likely would have ordered anyways had we come at another time). She had to go to the back to get them, so no idea how fresh they were. I’m guessing not very based on the mouth feel. They were almost cold, so we decided to warm them up on the dashboard while driving to St. Armand’s Circle (masters of improvisation that we are, lol). While the donuts were huge (we’re talking massive), they weren’t otherwise anything special. I could see where they may be a decent option for the area, but given the limited selection, pushiness of the staff, and average quality of the donuts, size alone isn’t enough to make up for the experience.

This is a hole in the wall mom and pop shop that takes cash only but boy do they have the best dnouts you have ever tasted. The owners are there every morning making fresh donuts and are as sweet as could be. My favorite is the apple fritter but honestly I’ve had every donut and not a single one was ever not moist, sumptuous and mouth watering. Get your milk cup ready folks.

Stopped by the other day to get donuts after reading the wonderful reviews — this place did NOT disappoint! Best bear claws and apple fritters (my favorites) and a nice array of other varieties to choose from as well. :) Plan on going back again soon.

The best donuts I have ever had, hands down. A must when in Sarasota!

Great, simple donuts. Big, tender, with a great glaze. 6 donuts for under $ 5. Best in town.

These are hands down the best donuts I have ever had. When considering moving to Bradenton, these donuts came to mind. I moved here! Now, I can’t get enough. The apple fritter is the best. It has crunchy sugary glazed edges with doughy apple inside. A close second is the old fashioned. The simplicity of the sugar glaze is magnificent. My third favorite is the Boston crème. I think it has been the same owners for years. They are always there. You have to try these. You might even move to Bradenton!

These are some fresh, melt in your mouth donuts… Nothing fancy but oh so good! Can’t go wrong with any choice and the freshness is the icing on the cake. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Caution — this place will make you not want a Dunkin Donut or Krispy Kreme donut ever again! Always fresh, fluffy, not too sweet and double the size of those other places! Glazed and bear claw are my recommendations! But you can’t go wrong! Just don’t let the strip mall look scare you :)

After passing by this little shop almost every day, I finally decided to stop by and give it a try, and I am so glad I did.
I love this place! Excellent donuts, cinnamon rolls, bear claws, oh my! The owners are as sweet as their pastries and I will definitely keep coming back to satiate my donut cravings. Whoever compared their taste to Krispy Kreme below in the reviews might not have the greatest appreciation regarding donuts, but to each their own. Krispy Kreme’s are almost sickeningly sweet in my opinion — Gold Star donuts have a nice balance and a delicious yeast base that makes a half-​dozen box not enough! I came out of there this morning with two full boxes of donuts for $ 15, the prices are great! (They only take cash!)
Don’t let the sketchy strip mall location deter you, because this shop is a treasure.

Great fresh no frills donuts! They stick to the traditional donuts and have a huge variety to chose from! The one thing that makes them stand out is amazingly fresh donuts and the taste is amazing!

Great place. Donuts are large and tasteful. Owners are very friendly… kids from the local school stop in to talk with them while walking by.

Glazed donuts, fritters, and claws are pretty tasty here, but the fillings have an unpleasantly odd taste. The custard is thin, and very off tasting, so maybe it’s pre made glop from a can or container. I’m not sure, but I’d hesitate to get a Boston cream from this place again. The filling in the jelly filled donut isn’t great either. It’s gooey, and red, but didn’t have any distinctive flavor.
If you want custard and jelly filled go elsewhere. If your preference is fritters, frosted with sprinkles, glazed, or Anthony filling free than this is a good spot to try.

I’m missing my favorite donuts. Love love their light and fluffy glazed donuts. Blueberry is another favorite along with their old fashion sour cream donut. I still have not found any that compare down here in SoCal. I’ve found some good glazed but not sour cream. Love this place. Friendly and welcoming owners. Give them a try!

Only was able to try the glazed and a bear claw, I would try more of my stomach had the room. So fresh and delicious, the glazed just melts in your mouth. The bear claw so delectably stuffed with apple.
The local vibe is legit and the cute Asian lady was friendly and cheerful. You won’t be disappointed.