Warmish. Definitely not the same as eating a warm donut off the hood of your car.
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I tried Oliboli for the first time yesterday and @Chowseeker1999, you’re right, these are the best donuts I’ve ever eaten. My husband also agreed.
We waited about 20 minutes in line and then another 5 minutes or so after we placed our order. But it was well worth it.
Top to bottom: strawberry glazed yeast, maple glazed yeast, plain (vanilla bean) glazed yeast, and guava cream filled.
The donuts are definitely best eaten while still warm, and I ate the strawberry donut in one go. I never do that. It was like eating a hot, soft, pillowy cloud. It sounds silly but that’s really what it tasted like. And the strawberry glaze tasted like actual strawberries and it wasn’t tooth achingly sweet either (which is why I could eat it all at once). I love strawberry flavored desserts but I’m wary of strawberry glazed donuts since a lot of them seem to taste really plasticky. But you can taste the strawberries in this glaze.
Also, the glaze on the donuts that had glaze was the right amount-- not too thick or gloppy or super sweet. My husband loved his maple glazed donut, it had a hint of maple which I think is fine because pure maple is really sweet.
Calling the plain glazed donut just “plain” is a disservice to it-- it was better than any “plain” glazed donut I’ve had. You can really taste the vanilla in it.
And the guava cream! WOW. This was delicious. You could really taste the tartness and tangy flavor of the guava shine through. My only quibble is that mine was overfilled and it felt like it was 95% cream and 5% dough…just a tad less guava cream and it would have been perfect. But that’s just being nitpicky, otherwise it was excellent.
We wanted to try so many other flavors, but there was just two of us and the four donuts was a lot to eat (getting old here…). I’ll be back for sure.
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Had the pleasure of trying Oliboli Donuts recently. I used to get my car washed next door, and have passed by thinking this was another Instagram-bait dessert shop. I also don’t have much of a taste for donuts, with some exceptions.
Walking in, you’re greeting with an impressive display. I picked out a few donuts, as one does. Everything is fried fresh, which makes all the difference. I can tell this is one of those places where I’ll have to come back and eventually try everything.
I doubled up on the Bumbleberry, which is fantastic. It reminds me of a certain blueberry donut from a popular shop in Anaheim, except you don’t have to wait in line for three hours. We also loved the Lemon Meyer donut, which is amazingly light and refreshing. My mom especially enjoyed these, which is a big deal because I have never seen her eat a donut in my lifetime.
There’s also a dedicated section for savory donuts. I picked out a ham and cheese pocket, which isn’t cheap at $7 but is truly special. The donut is perfectly crispy outside and fluffy inside, and you get a good feeling just holding it in your hands. If this is any indication of the other items, I would happily grab lunch from Oliboli next time.
A special thanks to all the enthusiasm from the FTC community for this discovery, especially @Chowseeker1999.
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marion berries. lol
I finally finally made the trip to Oliboli.
We got the Original Glazed, Meyer Lemon Glazed, Pastry Cream Filled, and Marion Berry Jam & Ricotta Fry Bread.
These donuts are the best I have ever had. Much better than Sidecar. Why? Sidecar’s donuts can be overly sweet; the flavors of the Oliboli donuts we had were in wonderful balance. Also, Oliboli is fried to order, so no need to ask “What came out last?”.
The skin of the fresh fried donuts has the slightest crunch to it giving way to the pillowy moist airy center. The glazes were perfect for my tastes. Thin enough to not be overly sweet.
The fry bread is just a fried donut (no hole) topped with ricotta and marionberry jam. Really tasty and the only sweetness comes from the jam.
One thing that I have not seen mentioned in this thread that sets Oliboli apart is: THE SMELL
The aroma of the fresh fried donuts yeast-leavened donuts is absolutely delicious.
Most donut shops will smell like sugar, not Oliboli. When I opened the box, I got a waft of fresh yeasty, bready donuts. Really great.
One note: While these donuts are the best I’ve had, they are also the most expensive. The cheapest yeast-leavened donut is $3.50. Is it worth it to enjoy a fresh-fried morning treat? Hell yes!
These are drive-worthy donuts.
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In the Land of Good Donuts, Oliboli is the King/Queen.
And that’s not taking away from Sidecar and the mom n pop Cambodian places because those are great too in their own way. Those mom n pop Cambodian places blows away anything on the east coast
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Yes!
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Have these been discussed b/f???
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I don’t have the exact metric but in California just about every donut shop is owned by Cambodians.
I think this is why in general across California these mom n pop places taste very similar (of course there are variations)
As for Cambodian Donuts head down to Long Beach and go to Phnom Penh Noodle Shack
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Alice Gu made a documentary about Ted Ngoy that is winning awards at festivals this year.
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This completely fascinating.
Hope the documentary moves to streaming eventually (since not sure how else I’d be able to watch).
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I remember reading an article about him a few years ago. Didn’t know there was a movie. Fascinating story.
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If you were thinking of going to the Tustin area this week to run errands or meet a friend go on Thursday.
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[Checks Thursday schedule on Outlook]
[Sees openings available and books them all to have options for doughnut runs]
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I accept all major commercial insurances, and Medicare.
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Wow these donuts really are next level. I have really limited experience with donuts but these are unlike any donut I’ve ever had. My impressions were very similar to Starchtrade. Especially when fresh. Super airy and fluffy, just the right bit of sweetness in my plain glaze donut. Also loved that you can really just taste the donut itself which was absolutely wonderful. Sadly reread Starch’s post after I ate so was not paying attention to the smell. Next time I try this I’m going to have to remember to pay attention!
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Left over donut is right up my wheel house
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