Stan's Donuts

Stan's donuts are good when they're warm, but they're certainly not worth having to order 2 days in advance... That's completely rediculous! We just (3:15pm on Thursday) tried to order 2 doz donuts for tomorrow morning (6:30am on Friday), and we were told that they should have been ordered yesterday (Wednesday, REALLY?)!

WTF is wrong with this picture?

I mean come on!! if you are that busy every day, buy another donut fryer for crying out loud. The place is huge, there is plenty of unused space in there. Supply should at least attempt to meet demand. Make more donuts!

The guy on the phone is still a real jerk, and we wont be calling them back - ever. Hello Psycho Donuts, or even Safeway in a pinch, here we come! Nobody complains about the donuts at my work, why worry about Stan?

Posted 08/27/09 | Report Abuse

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If I had written this review about 6 months ago, I think you'd see another 5 star rating. But I don't know what's happened since then (Stan, where'd ya go?), because the place has gone downhill faster than Ford's stock price.

I usually buy a dozen or more doughnuts every couple weeks on the way to the office. Always the same, glazed-raised, because there's nothing better. Well, at least that used to be the case.

But the last few I've bought, the doughnuts were soggy. They've always been soft, but now soggy? And a few felt like they weren't even cooked all the way through. Now, I can understand every once in a while, that happens, but it seems that it's happening with greater frequency.

The store never has been a bastion of modern amenities, but it also looks a little worse for the wear. Napkins being unavailable. No milk. Simple things any manager would normally be on top of.

A couple other things. The main lady, Maria, is usually a great help. With greater frequency, I've arrived only to find the place completely out of raised doughnuts (hard to believe, but true). It's not worth getting any other doughnuts there, so I've left a few times with nothing. Maria was nice enough to say, just call in, and give us 30 minutes and they'll be ready for you.

Now, first off, any manager who sees there's demand should probably increase the supply to at least match it, but still, months later, the problem hasn't been resolved.

This morning, following Maria's advice, I call in (which I've done the last few weeks), and am now told by a pretty nasty guy (hopefully not Stan on a bad day), that I have to call in 24 hours in advance, and that Stan's doesn't accept same-day orders and never will. I don't really understand the guy's emphasis (Bad hair day?), but the guy was pretty much a jerk.

So I'm helping solve their supply, quality and operational issues. I'm no longer buying doughnuts there, and unless you want to gamble with your time in a losing proposition, would suggest you do the same.

Posted 11/26/08 | Report Abuse

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I live 10 miles for Stan's, but I can't resist driving over to get their chocolate old fashion donuts. Their donuts a very fresh, and the taste is excellent! If you have a chance try them out!

Posted 06/04/08 | Report Abuse

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As a child my dad took me Lou's Doughnuts on Santa Clara St. in San Jose. They have been around for more than 50 years and finally closed its door. On that day of closure, my sister and I woke up real early to make it to Lou's to buy what would be our last doughnuts from the shop. We had 4 dozen to go. I have since search all over the Bay Area to find something even close to Lou's. Someone told me about Stan's in Santa Clara. I got there about almost two in the afternoon. A nice lady and I had a conversation since it was both our first time to visit. I told of my doughnut story and how great Lou's doughnuts were. She bought me a doughnut and ask me what I thought. One bite...it was not as good as Lou's, but it was good. A Lou's doughnut can taste good after two days. I am writing this review at 10:00 pm and had a bite of the Stan's doughnut and it has no staying power. I finally made it to Stan's and I am sorry to say that my search continues for something even close to Lou's.

Posted 05/15/08 | Report Abuse

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One of the best donut stores around. It's got the big, beefy donuts, not like the foo-foo, light-as-air donuts at Krispy Kremes. Expect a wait, though. And get there early as their stock disappears pretty quickly.

Posted 03/16/07 | Report Abuse

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This shop has been voted "best donut shop" by San Jose Mercury News and it really is. Krispy Kreme doesn't come close to the taste and quality and the price is as good or better.

They're great either straight from the fryer or cooled down a few hours later.

They'll take orders the day before, if you need a dozen or two for a meeting. If you don't reserve, you might find them sold out for the day or have to stand in long lines.

At the east end of the mall at Homestead & Kiely

Posted 10/05/05 | Report Abuse

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Stans signature glazed raised is worth the price of admission by itself. Theyre hand rolled and cut, the donuts are at least 2 times the size of Krispy Kremes and better tasting and cheaper. When they are fresh out of the fryer, they melt in your mouth. The only downside is that they only make a limited amount of dough every morning and will close around lunchtime every day, selling out well before that on most days. On Fridays, either place your order the day before or expect a long line out the door and a long wait if you can get any quantity at all. Oh, they also have other donuts as well (cake, bars and my second fave, cinnamon roll).

Posted 08/31/05 | Report Abuse

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Stan's Donuts is a phenomenal donut shop located in the Mariposa Gardens shopping center of Santa Clara. Stan's has been hanging around since the early 1950s and contines to remain in the family, as it is overseen by Stan's grandson.

Great donuts both at counter service and to go. The donut shop also offers malt shop style cuisine...grilled cheese sandwich, burgers, fries, and drinks.

PROS: Outstanding donuts, great vintage bay area feel
CONS: Gets really crowded in the morning, great selection goes quick

Posted 07/28/05 | Report Abuse

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