There's something I must confess: I'm just not that into doughnuts. Don't get me wrong-- a good doughnut is a truly magical thing, but a bad one is oily, tastes slightly stale even when fresh and leaves me queasy...and, sadly, there are far more bad doughnuts in the world than good ones. Given this unfortunate ratio, I generally steer clear of these confections unless something really piques my interest. Enter: Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee.

A few weeks ago, I day-tripped it to San Diego for a bridal shower, and my doughnut-lovin' pal Gastronomy Blog suggested a pit stop at Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee in Costa Mesa, a small shop about which she'd heard good buzz. When something's on that gal's radar, I'm all ears, but when it's her favorite sweet treat? You bet I'm gonna listen. 

Tucked into a shopping center, Sidecar Doughnuts offers a rotating menu of handmade raised, cake and specialty doughnuts (including gluten-free ones on Fridays), prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. I'd read that they make only a limited number of doughnuts per day and often sell out, which made me feel slightly better about how early I was awake and on the road on a Saturday.

On this day, Sidecar's menu touted a mix of staples such as their Maple Bacon, seasonal specials like Huckleberry and a few Cinco de Mayo-inspired ones.

I was only marginally successful in narrowing down the scrumptious-sounding options and selected three doughnuts for the road. 

It was love at first bite for me and the Passion Fruit doughnut ($2.75), an airy, delicate raised doughnut coated with a perfectly tart fresh passion fruit glaze. I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider turning my car around to buy a dozen more of these. 

Equally delightful was the pillowy Strawberry Basil ($3.50), a raised doughnut dunked in a strawberry glaze and flecked with bits of freshly torn, piquant basil.

After one look at the Samoa Doughnut ($2.50), the self-restraint I exercised during Girl Scout Cookie season flew out the window. This cake doughnut topped with shredded coconut, caramel and chocolate drizzles hit all the notes of the addictive cookies but with a far more satisfying bite and purer flavors thanks to its fresh, homemade components.

Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee exemplifies what doughnut-aficionados love about the confection and why I won't just eat any 'ole doughnut. When they can be this good, there's just no reason to waste your time with lesser versions.

Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee
www.sidecardoughuts.com
270 E. 17th St., #18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 887-2910

Read the original on: Noms, Not Bombs