When it comes to Jacksonville's favorite doughnut, "uglies" take the crown.

The Donut Shoppe , known for its famed apple fritter "uglies," is the winner of our contest to find Jacksonville's favorite place to pick up a dozen doughnuts. It should come as no big surprise; The Donut Shoppe has been a Jacksonville favorite since 1962.

The contest started last month with 16 Jacksonville-area doughnut shops . Through the first three rounds of voting, The Donut Shoppe outpolled Dunkin'/Krispy Kreme/Publix, Parlor Donuts and Cinotti's Bakery. In the final round, The Donut Shoppe earned the title by defeating the Old Soul Donut Co. , with about 58 percent of the more than 4,400 votes cast (including one vote each from Belize and Brazil).

There are a couple of things you need to know before you head to Arlington for a box of The Donut Shoppe's finest. Located at 1535 University Blvd. N., the shop is small, with limited parking out front. But Donut Shoppe regulars know there's ample parking behind the shop — and a second customer entrance at the back of the shop. They open at 5 a.m. and can produce hundreds of dozens of donuts every morning, but once the day's harvest is sold, they close the doors. Finally, don't show up with a credit card and expect to walk out with a box of doughnuts: The Donut Shoppe is a cash-only place.

💻 Sign up for Dining Notes, the free weekly restaurant newsletter from the Times-Union's Gary Mills delivered to your email inbox each Wednesday. Sign up now .

The "uglies" are the big draw, but the Donut Shoppe is also known for its yeast-raised and cake doughnuts. On any given day you might find strawberry- or chocolate-filled doughnuts, cinnamon or blueberry cake doughnuts.

Customers love the place. "This place has football-sized Apple Fritters and it is ranked as the top Donut Shop in Jax for a reason," wrote one Yelp.com reviewer.

"They are cash only but worth every dime," wrote another. "I have lived in Jacksonville for 23 years and haven't ever found a better donut."

"They do one thing and they do it extremely well. I've been going here since I was a child and the donuts have never wavered. You could travel all over the country and not find better donuts anywhere," another reviewer wrote.

CONTINUE READING
RELATED ARTICLES