National Donut Day only comes around twice per year. Yes, you heard that right – the fried doughy treats are so good they are celebrated once on June 1^st and a second time on November 5^th.

Yet, no matter the reason or the season, any day is special enough to drive through Houston in search of your next donut fix.

First things first

Preparing for such an epic occasion requires not only mental and physical fortitude, it requires the right kind of vehicle. You might think touring in a small compact car would be your best bet, but after so many donuts you may want to spread out. A truck, you say? There just isn’t enough room for the donut tour entourage.

A SUV is just right, and we powered through our tour in none other than the Chevrolet Traverse. There’s double sun roofs (letting in fresh air will keep you alert), a lot of storage (you’ll want to take some donuts to-go) and, most importantly, ample room for your entire donut tour team and then some.

We’ve curated a list of some of the tastiest donut shops in Houston. Several are independently and locally owned, but all are worthy of celebrating National Donut Day on November 5^th.

Christy’s Donuts & Kolaches

This Montrose institution has traditional donuts, fritters and bear claws, and is a throwback to a simple, no-frills donut shop. Customers swear by the kolaches and everyone gets a free donut hole with their purchase. Christy’s Donuts & Kolaches doesn’t care about Instagram-worthy lighting or the latest sprinkles, but they do care about making a darn good donut. Get there early, the small parking lot fills up quickly during the mid-morning donut rush.

River Oaks Donuts

Any tour of Houston would not be complete without a trip to the most glamorous ZIP code in the city, River Oaks. Home to millionaires, mansions—and some very tasty donut treats. This donut shop offers not only traditional donuts but also a variety of filled donuts and cake donuts, plus quite a selection of specialty donut holes. (For those counting calories.)

Hugs & Donuts

Gourmet donuts at their best! There is always a great vibe in the shop and their menu has a great variety, divided into three categories: Simple Donuts, Something Extra Donuts and Adventurous Donuts. Definitely try the Homer Yeast DOHnut, the Daily Vegan Cake Donut or the Seasonal Jam Filled Donut.

Mrs. Donuts

This quaint little donut shop located in Houston’s Energy Corridor is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee with your donut. Great customer service, low prices and tasty donuts and kolaches have made this Memorial donut shop a neighborhood favorite.

Hurts Donuts

It isn’t an accident that we saved this one for last, because these donuts are BIG, even by Texas standards. Hurts Donuts prides itself as being a “rebel in the donut world” and their donuts are oversized to prove it. Large and topped or filled with a generous amount of extras, they just might put you in a donut coma. If you want to try more than one, we strongly suggest your donut tour entourage step in to share the goodness. Check out their website for a giggle, we love the photos in the menu section.

Cover photo Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Gabi De la Rosa lives in Houston with her husband and three children. You can usually find her at a great local restaurant or out exploring HTX with her family. Visit her on Instagram @gabioftheroses_htx