The History of The Donut Hole in La Puente

[@giantrobogr1]

The Covina location is at 4710 Grand Ave. The building is still there but now you drive into the donut to get tacos.

[@californiography]

Woah!!! That definitely looks like the Donut Hole! This one kinda looks like the Long Beach one, although it does look like there was an attempt at making the entrance/exit look like a 3D donut and not just painted on. Thank you for solving that mystery! Now there are only 2 other locations left to track down.

[@giantrobogr1]

I posted a couple of photos on the La Puente's Baby Boomers FB page.

[@californiography]

@@giantrobogr1 just checked them out! I need to make a trip to see it in person. Thank you for solving that mystery. Now I need to track down the last 2 locations!

[@actthree7810]

I like how one donut shop became a pizza place. That seems fitting; sticking with round food fare. Seriously though, thanks for this slice of history, grew up nearby and remember the La Puente location fondly.

[@californiography]

I never thought of that, it is quite fitting that it continued serving round food! Thank you for watching, I appreciate you! 🙏🏽

[@roachtoasties]

It would be quite a drive for me (about 50 miles) but the people of La Puente have it made. Donut Hole for breakfast and then head across the street to In-N-Out for lunch.

[@californiography]

Now that sounds like a perfect weekend road trip!

[@billlonee9470]

The Covina location, on Grand Ave, was the one I went to as a kid. We used to live off of Gladstone in Glendora, but my father played tennis at Mt. Sac, so it was along the way. Good times!

[@californiography]

That's awesome! It's still standing, but it's a Mexican food place now.

[@ehalsey1]

Good job. I grew up not too far from this Donut Hole location; in fact, I was about 4 years old when it and the In 'n' Out across the street were built. I recall my parents pulling the car over to watch a bulldozer tear down a yellow house, making way for the In 'n' Out. As far as I can remember, the Donut Hole spot was an empty lot at the time. I pestered my dad daily, asking when the Donut Hole was going to open and when we could get some donuts there.

[@californiography]

Thank you! That's awesome that you got to see both those iconic buildings go up. Did your dad end up taking you to get some donuts after all?

[@SammyHangDD]

They buried ☠️ people at the In-N-Out. People work on top of the ☠️.

[@njaneardude]

Great mini-doc, and perfect puns 😂 Donut Hole is on my bucket list 👍

[@californiography]

Glad you liked the puns! I had to get them outta the way in the intro, because I know myself 😅 The Donut Hole is one of those places I tell people they gotta experience at least once. I love driving thru there. Plus there’s an In N Out across the street, so you can grab dinner and dessert!

[@rrhondell]

Thanks for this piece on the Donut Hole and sharing it online. The more history and knowledge and love of places like this that gets shared, the more people will know about and appreciate and hopefully help to preserve them.

[@californiography]

Thank you for watching! Yes, that’s my goal; to inspire people to learn the history in their own backyard and help to preserve it!

[@caldera1301]

Love that place,used to live just around the corner for many year’s. If I’m ever back in town I make sure I visit.

[@californiography]

It’s such an awesome building! What’s your go-to donut? 🍩

[@wisdomfox857]

What did you live by the in and out?

[@debbie7115]

Another great episode. I was born in La Puente and used to go there with my babysitter and then in high school with my best friend who also was from La Puente.. Last time I was there though was in the 80's before I moved out to Riverside. Will have to take a trip over there next time I'm in the area!!

[@californiography]

Thank you so much!! Glad this inspired you to head on back for a visit, I wonder if it's changed a lot since you last visited?

[@juantime9616]

👏👏👏 Very good video. Awesome presentation. 👏👏👏Great channel. 👍👍👍

[@californiography]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching, I really appreciate you!!

[@juantime9616]

@@californiography ..... your very welcome. But in all honesty, THANK YOU for providing all of us with a channel that is well worth it. It is professionally done, as if I were watching TV but even better. I look forward to enjoying more of your content, as I have now subscribed. 👍 Edit; Greetings from Altadena, Ca.

[@californiography]

@@juantime9616 Thank you so much!! My wife helps me with filming, but all the research and editing is just me, so your comment just made my week!

[@dsolosan]

Like you, I'm a huge fan of programmatic architecture. It's unfortunate that so few examples still exist, and that it's so hard to find any information on their history. Great video!

[@californiography]

Thank you!!! It’s always great to meet a fellow programatic architecture fan!! It’s definitely hard, but it does make it that more rewarding when you can track down some new information!

[@dsolosan]

@@californiography That photo inside The Tamale is new (to me). I have the book Cali Crazy, but a different edition. Mine doesn't have that shot! The good news (for you) is that there aren't a lot of videos on this subject, so you can really lay the groundwork. Best of luck to you!

[@californiography]

@@dsolosan thank you!! I definitely want to cover more of the remaining programatic buildings in California. I recently covered the Big Shoe in Bakersfield; I’ve been wanting to get up there for a year!

[@SWExplore]

I never knew that The Donut Hole existed. Thanks for the tour, Javier. I'd like to take a ride to La Puente just to check it out and have a sweet (hole) to eat...well, you know...is that rude??? LOL And yes, I'm subscribed, hit the bell for future notifications, and liked this video.

[@californiography]

hahaha, not rude at all!!! Glad you learned about the The Donut Hole from my video! Thank you for the support, appreciate you!

[@jayski9410]

I've always wondered if this was related to the Randy's Donut that just has an enormous doughnut on the roof of the building (just off the 405, near LAX). I've seen 2 other buildings like that somewhere in the mid city or south L.A. But since I grew up on the east coast, this kind of architecture always felt like an outgrowth of the Victorian novelty buildings of the late 1800's. I'm thinking of things like Lucy the elephant in Margate, New Jersey. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_the_Elephant

[@californiography]

The Donut Hole in La Puente is not related to Randy's Donuts, but the other buildings you saw in South L.A. are related to Randy's. They were all once part of a chain called "Big Do-Nut Drive-In." I actually have a video on the history of Randy's: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqOTkItjlMidhqMsi=9TY_HfqqVkQgxunt and one where I visit all of the remaining Big Do-Nut Drive-Ins: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJeypYqhnZKkqposi=RZPG-Z1JVVSSMTuJ You're riht that they're probably an outgrowth of the novelty buildings of the late 1800s and I can tell you that Lucy the Elephant was definitely an inspiration for many of the buildings in California, especially the Giant Dinosaurs in Cabazon that were featured in "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure." kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH7GipJ8h6qdeaMsi=xQzvwIhjGsNBtOdc

[@YvonneMendezRealtor]

*I haven't been in it in yearsss. Next time I'm in LP, I'll visit it!* ❤

[@californiography]

🙌🏽

[@MrUnknowne187]

I’ve lived in La Puente for years but have never been there.. think I need to go check it out!

[@californiography]

definitely a spot you need to experience once!

[@bertschannel3795]

Been through there many times. That’s my old hood. Miss it. I’ll be back there.

[@californiography]

Here's to hoping you'll be back soon! Thank you for watching and commenting, appreciate you!

[@JPuddybuc]

That palm tree outside the LBC location sure has grown.

[@californiography]

Right?! It’s huge!

[@LorenzoBlanco]

Hell yeah I love the donut hole I grew up on Nantes just right around the block. I still go back I have family there.

[@californiography]

Nice!! What’s your favorite donut?🍩

[@LorenzoBlanco]

@@californiography a maple bar

[@californiography]

@@LorenzoBlanco that’s a solid choice, definitely in my top 3 donuts

[@7lisa4]

Would always walk by with my girls and even tho don't live in la puente anymore my oldest daughter now with her 5 sons live near the donut hole..definitely have to go back for a donut

[@californiography]

Definitely need to go back and grab a donut! Or maybe your daughter can grab a dozen and bring them to you!

[@bruceg1845]

I got home from the army in Oct '68 and saw it new...

[@californiography]

Wow, that's so cool! Did it look the same back then as it does now?

[@miguelcastaneda7257]

Isn't there's another in los Angeles

[@californiography]

I’ve only been able to track down 2 other locations that remain, but now of them are donut shops anymore. There’s a few shops in L.A. with big donuts, like Randy’s, but none of them have a donut you drive-thru

[@miguelcastaneda7257]

@californiography trying to recall Southgate I think

[@californiography]

@@miguelcastaneda7257 hmm, I can’t recall coming across any giant donuts in South Gate during my research

[@Face-u3m]

Too bad he didn’t mention the year it was built

[@californiography]

I did! At the 01:49 mark I say it was built in 1968

[@Face-u3m]

@@californiography thx

[@thecommercialunderground640]

Cash only

[@californiography]

Yes, cash only 💵

[@kikovazquez7277]

I now realize that I need a mental health evaluation. I have driven past this location countless times for nearly 30 years and I never noticed it. I can't think of a reasonable explanation for how this could happen. Anyway, how are the donuts?

[@californiography]

You were probably just super focused on getting to your destination! The donuts are decent, I really like their apple fritters. I’ve also heard people recommend the tiger tails, but I’ve never seen them when I’ve gone. Make sure to bring cash, they don’t take card. 🍩

[@g.mitchell8915]

Their glazed donuts are THE BEST.

[@zoilakhan1190]

My Sister used to work there back in 1984-87. We would have donuts everyday. The hot apple cider was so good & the donuts were yummy! My family grew up in La Puente & we went to Bassett High.

[@californiography]

That's awesome! I know that I'd be taking advantage of that everyday too! lol

[@zoilakhan1190]

@@californiography My mom would give out donuts to neighbors for all the kids to have for breakfast. I knew the son of the owners Gabriel. I was 11 years old & we have pictures.

[@californiography]

@@zoilakhan1190 I bet your house was the most popular one on the block! That's so cool that you have a connection to such a great place like The Donut Hole

[@zoilakhan1190]

@@californiography I can totally introduce you to Nettie who also worked at the Donut hole a close family friend to the original owners & to my family still In fact she got my sister the job. She is a riot!

[@rvvanlife]

I'm betting you have the Mt Lowe Railway on your Do list

[@californiography]

Yes, it’s on the list! Want to head up and find the remaining pieces that are still there

[@rvvanlife]

@@californiography We took with us a Mt Lowe picture book and did a lot of on-the-spot then and now comparisons. Be sure to take plenty of water.

[@californiography]

@@rvvanlife thank you for the tip, appreciate you! 🙏🏽

[@njaneardude]

And subbed 👍

[@californiography]

Appreciate you! 🙏🏽

[@johnbehneman1546]

PROGRAMATIC ARCHITECTURE : RETRO RETURN!!!! YBNORMAL!!!!

[@californiography]

YES!!! Let’s bring it back!!!! 👏🏽

[@spidersinspace1099]

They should add sprinkles to the donut to create new interest. People grow tired and used to things after seeing it all the time.

[@californiography]

That's actually not a bad idea, bring a bit of color and new life to the building.

[@hugadarn5700]

Donuts were invented on the isle of wight.

[@californiography]

I did not know that!

[@hugadarn5700]

@@californiography yes mate....i live on the isle of wight

[@californiography]

@@hugadarn5700 is the style of donut different than American donuts? Different fillings/toppings/shapes?

[@hugadarn5700]

@@californiography hi. I think isle of wight donuts are just a small round ball with cinnamon on.....American donuts are probably much nicer haha...... :)

[@californiography]

@@hugadarn5700 round balls if dough with cinnamon sound good!

[@fv1291]

It is kinda nasty looking. 😉

[@californiography]

I mean, it is 56 years old lol

[@chingonbass]

my buddy smashed into it once. He had to spend weekends patching it up. They make good donuts, chinitos have been running that place for a long time.

[@californiography]

Wow! How'd he end up patching it up? Did he work something out with the owners?

[@thewurm9177]

Chinitos feeding cholitos

[@chingonbass]

@@californiography i'm not sure how they patched it up, it wasn't major damage. But the owners and my buddies parents worked something out so my buddies dumb as$ could learn a lesson and get his hands dirty doing some manly work.

[@californiography]

@@chingonbass 😂 I hope he learned his lesson!

[@fubar611]

It is Iconic but the donuts are mid at best

[@californiography]

Definitely not the best, but also, not the worst

[@fubar611]

@@californiography mid🤷‍♂️