Abbe’s Donuts Sweetening Life For Generations of Families

They can be baked, fried, dipped, filled, shaped, or dusted.  They love fruits, creams, spreads and even bacon.  They have defined our mornings for years and their splendor has dripped into all hours of the day.  They are said to be favored by all humans, including our heroes in blue. For many of us, they were our first introduction to the fantasy-filled wonder of a sweet-smelling donut shop. We could not believe the wonderous place from which these lovely round rings of joy called donuts that filled our bellies so well originated.

When I was about three years old my first real memory was created, centered around a perfect donut.  I remember standing on the seat of the car (no seatbelt requirements back then so we lived life dangerously as toddlers) next to my dad who was also sans seatbelt.  “We going to Dawn Donuts today, dad?”  If the answer was pleasing to me, I squealed with delight giving my dad’s neck a big squeeze.  And if the answer were no, I would walk my little self to the other side of the car and pout.  My donut of choice was a chocolate covered cake donut with a side of chocolate milk and that holds true today.

When we moved to North Port 20 years ago, we noticed a lengthy line of people standing outside of what seemed like a really busy, popular place.  We struggled to see the sign from the road but eventually pulled in to see what all these people were waiting for.  Turns out, North Port was full of donut lovers too.  They were all waiting for their turn to order some famous Abbe’s Donuts, and from that moment we have found ourselves in that very line dozens of times.  The donuts are that good. Abbe’s Donut Nook —

Abbe’s Donuts has been a staple of Englewood, Port Charlotte, and North Port for decades.  The original Abbe’s Donut Nook was opened in Englewood in the 70’s by Jean and Marnon Abbe.  The North Port location, Abbe’s Donuts, opened in the 80’s.  And in 2011, Abbe’s Donut Nook in Port Charlotte was opened.  Each location is independently opened, each baking donuts from scratch daily.  Their website warns visitors to order large orders in advance because selling out daily is just their way of life. 

In a world of donut innovation, where maple syrup and bacon don hazelnut cream filled donuts and peanut butter and jelly has morphed from sandwiches to donuts, it is nice to get back to an old-fashioned fluffy kind. Of course, Abbe’s has some of those trendy selections, but people are still clamoring for their apple fritters, large enough to share with a friend or save for later.  And their crullers are so light and crispy with just the right amount of icing.  Abbe’s makes a mean long john donut, filled with the most glorious cream that pairs well with a piping hot cup of coffee.  And if you ask them, they will whip up a large order of zebra donuts, my son’s favorite treat for a birthday.

Or keep it simple and really good and get yourself a chocolate covered cake donut with a side of chocolate milk.  I promise, Abbe’s Donuts will not disappoint. 

Photos courtesy of Abbe’s Donut Nook Facebook page.