New National Directory Maps Out 1,800 Independent Shops and Curated Regional Road Trips
Searching for a great donut in America is easy, but finding one with a rich history that’s genuinely worth a scenic road trip is a whole different story. That’s where Glazed and Amused comes in.
The fresh online directory, found at GlazedAndAmused.food, features more than 1,800 family-owned, independent donut shops across all 50 states. It operates on a simple, strict standard: no corporate parents, no national chains, and no franchise locations allowed.
Beyond basic shop listings, the platform features 17 distinct donut trails. These curated routes and thematic guides connect local bakeries by regional history, shared traditions, or geographical closeness.
“The best donut in town is rarely the one with the biggest sign,” said site creator Craig Bowman. “When I go home to Ohio to visit my dad, I still drive 20 minutes every morning to the donut shop I loved as a kid. Most towns have a place like that. I want to ensure they’re remembered.”
Exploring the Glazed and Amused Donut Trails
The site’s thematic routes cover everything from autumn farm stands to historic regional traditions. Highlights include:
- Vermont Cider Donut Run: An eight-farmstand itinerary designed for a fall weekend getaway right as New England’s autumn leaves peak.
- Michigan-to-Ohio Cider Mill Run: A sprawling Midwestern journey following historic water wheels and cider presses from Detroit to eastern Cleveland.
- The Pink Box: The story of how Cambodian families turned simple pink cardboard containers into a famous Southern California icon.
- The Giant Donuts of Los Angeles: A tour of five remaining 1950s landmark buildings topped with massive rooftop donuts.
- The Potato Belt: Exploring how bakeries in Maine, Mississippi, and Idaho independently incorporated spuds into their dough.
- Sold Out By Ten: A homage to small-batch bakeries that fry a single morning round and close as soon as they sell out.
- The Century Club: Highlighting historic bakeries that opened prior to 1930 and are still frying today.
- The Amish Donut Trail: Yeast donuts and fresh-baked goodies running from Holmes County, Ohio, into northern Indiana.
- Paczki Day and Malasada Day: A celebration of two immigrant food traditions that share Fat Tuesday.
Interactive Tools at Glazed and Amused
Planning your own sweet road trip is easy thanks to the “Plan my donut run” feature. Just input your starting city, your available time, and what you’re in the mood for, whether that’s apple fritters, classic old-fashioned rings, savory kolaches, or vegan choices. The platform automatically generates a custom loop using independent shops, exports straight to Google Maps, and creates a shareable link.
Visitors can also hit a “near me” button to spot nearby bakeries, bookmark favorites, or submit missing local gems.
Community ratings appear in two styles: user reviews from visitors and notes from the site’s official Donut Scout (Craig himself), who rates only the items he’s personally tasted. Local owners can claim their shop profile for free to update hours or info. The platform is completely free for everyone, and bakeries can’t pay for placement. A cartoon mascot named Doughie guides users through the site.
Glazed and Amused was created in 2026 as a passion project by Craig Bowman, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant who loves great donuts.
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