Primo donuts

Two Ethnic Classics to Sweeten Valentine’s Day

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Primo Donuts and Gourmet Gift Baskets have come to symbolize the best of holiday traditions.

We don’t have to even say, “be still my beating heart, because here are the sweet, serene hearts. And they are all plump and formally dressed with red roses especially and only for Valentine’s Day. And ready to gift and eat any day of the year!

Primo Donuts in LA serves up the most vibrant, gorgeous heart donuts for Valentine’s day

Primo’s Donuts, Original Location:  2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (parking in back lot).

Westwood:10948 Weyburn AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90024 

Irresistible Primo Donuts in LA tops its vibrant, gorgeous heart donuts for Valentine’s day


Read the story of the shop at:

//localfoodeater.com/tag/primo-donuts/ and //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/

Adding another heart to the holiday, Celia Primo, “Mrs. Primo” celebrates her 90th birthday this month. Ralph Primo Sr.  celebrated his 90th birthday during the 2020 World Series when his favorite team, the  Dodgers won.

Celia and Ralph Primo, founder-owners of historic Primo Donuts LA celebrate Celia’s 90th birthday this Valentine Day week

Founded in 1956 by this husband and wife team, Los Angeles beloved Primo’s Donuts is consistently ranked as one of the top donut shops in the city. The family run business spans three generations and 63 years in business.  “Regulars” and destination customers fill the no-nonsense little place for a traditional donut shop experience of daily fresh-baked donuts including the renowned Buttermilk Bar.  www.primosdonuts.com


Read about //localfoodeater.com/tag/primo-donuts/ and //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/

Primo Donuts in LA open up at 7 am for Valentine’s day

For all of those foodies looking for last-minute Valentine’s Gifts, GourmetGiftBaskets.com always has several offerings that should delight nearly everyone.

//www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com offers Valentine’s Day gifts boxed in every size and shape
//www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com offers Valentine’s Day blondies and brownies in a snazzy box

Here are just a few of the most-popular gifts this season. To see the entire Valentine’s Day collection, go here.

We served these special treats at a life celebration party and it was perfect //www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com offers Valentine’s Day

Traditions, many of them centuries old, are high on the list of magical things about holiday. One of our favorites is the Valentine cookie gift box.  Here it is represented here by Gourmet Gift Basket, complete with a thoughtful gift card. It shows how American entrepreneurial creativity evolved a British Christmas tradition into a year-long custom for all occasions. //www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com

Local Italian Primo’s Donuts “Deliver”on National Donut Day

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) All the news, delicious and cautionary:  I’ve eaten more donuts since being introduced to Primo’s Donuts two years ago than pretty much my entire life.  That’s because they were best when fresh.  And Primo’s are fresh.

And I just learned that National Doughnut Day is celebrated in the United States and other countries on the first Friday of June of each year. It all started with an event by the The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to honor those of their members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. It became the most requested snack by military men before long. And my dad remembered the ladies delivering donuts right near the front!

So I’ve already happily celebrated National Donut Day before I even knew this before its official start on June 3.  Everyone can pick up orders at the  LA locations or by ordering online via Goldbelly.  Primo’s Donuts, a family-owned LA staple since 1956 is a true story of an immigrant family of several generations.  

Primo’s donuts come in festive colors and in cake and fried versions

Read about //localfoodeater.com/tag/primo-donuts/ and //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/

Primo’s Donuts served at home fresh out of the box is perfection


A special discount using code GOLDB3LLYIT for $20 off your first purchase exclusively on //www.goldbelly.com/primos-donuts.  Reserve your pre-paid donuts for pick-up now at //www.primosdonuts.com/menu. Primo’s Donuts (both Sawtelle and Westwood locations)  

Primo’s Donuts are now available to ship on Goldbelly


Primo’s Donuts: Sawtelle: 2918 Sawtelle Blvd. Westwood:10948 Weyburn AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90024 

Primo’s Donuts for the chocolate and maple flavor lovers!

Primo’s Donuts, a family-owned LA favorite since it opened in 1956 by husband and wife, Ralph & Celia Primo has been consistently ranked as one of the top donut shops in the city since its opening. Second generation owner Ralph, Jr. oversees the Sawtelle store and third generation, grandson Nick oversees the Westwood location, with manager,Amelia.

Westwood Primo’s Donuts, Manager, Amelia (left) with Primo Donuts third and second generation, Nick, who oversees the store, and son Ralph, Jr. who oversees the original

Primo’s Donuts cake doughnuts come in plain, maple-iced and glazed in chocolate and cherry.  The donut texture has been described as  “magnificent—sensationally moist and hardly bogged down by oil, definitely one of the very best cake doughnuts that we’ve ever encountered in our fair city.”

Classic Primo’s Donuts fill the case
Primo’s Donuts at 8 am on Sunday on Sawtelle while refills were being made in the back. Three people line inside when I arrived and when I left, a line of 10 inside and out fresh donuts

By the way, Primo’s Donuts has cake and fried donuts. A cake donut is made with a sweetened dough that’s leavened with the help of baking powder, and is extruded into oil to cook. It’s firm, often with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft, cake-like interior – think jelly donut.

A yeast donut made with a yeast dough is cut out into a shape before being fried. They’re light and airy, but have a chew and slight yeast flavor.

Donut Cakes for Dad’s or Grad’s or Any Occasion

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) When I wanted to take something special but small to my cousins for a birthday on their visit to Palm Springs, I asked Primo Donuts do a decorated donut for the “birthday boy.” I had in mind the sourdough doughnut the shape – and size – of a large potato. Little did I know we would be starting a family tradition. (see the birthday card I got this week below!)

We already loved the Dodger donuts and Easter donuts so much we have done articles on them both. //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/

Primo bakery manager, Wendy Navarro, and second generation Primo family member, Celine, had something different in mind. I could sense their excitement, which amounted to enough care and concern for a wedding cake. So when I turned up for the delivery I was startled, and pleased, with a donut the size of a cake!

Primo Manager Wendy Navarro showing us different festive donut decorations

Wendy told us that requests for the large donuts “cakes” only started two years ago. A customer made a request for Primo’s to make a big donut the size of a birthday cake because it was her favorite dessert.” Founder and owner, Ralph Primo, Sr. made the “donut cake” for her. The founder still comes in to decorate, and you can really “taste” the fun, festive addition he makes.

Wendy showed us the most popular donut cake, and most requested: a chocolate donut with different color sprinkles.  It already has the feeling of party confetti.

Another version of a celebration donut “cake!”

Wendy and the Primo family have no idea if donut cakes are made in Italy. We asked a few of our Italian chef friends and they had never heard of it either.

When we asked if there were any outstanding or surprising requests, Wendy laughed. “Yes we have many different requests and always try to accommodate our clients. It’s crazy to even order such a large donut! About a month ago a woman asked us to make a donut with “will you marry me” when she was going to propose to her boyfriend. And, of course, we did.

–  

A variety of festive donuts plus a shirt to go along as a gift

Much to our surprise, and our delight at being a little bit original, there have not been many orders for the “cakes.” “We’ve only had about ten requests since they were first made,” reported Wendy. 

This would would be unusual to Angel Food Bakery in Chicago. Their donut cakes and celebratory donuts are so popular they ship them all over the country by way of Goldbelly. Angel Food Bakery ships its Congrats Grad Donuts nationwide on Goldbelly. They bake up this treat for graduates from kindergarten to graduate school

The donut cake at Primo is in the $15 dollar range, and the celebratory donuts are close to $25 a dozen. And you can pick them up yourself. Goldbelly doesn’t charge a delivery fee but the donuts are $79 a dozen.

The whimsical motto of the bakery founded by Katy Gerdes in 2012 is: “Every time the team at Angel Food Bakery, one of Minneapolis’ best bakeries, pulls a creation out of their ovens, an angel gets its wings.”

Primo’s Donuts, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (parking in back lot).

A card making a new family tradition.

Our Must-Try and Why Palm Springs Ethnic Eats

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Palm Springs casual crowds; inside ultra elegant young French owner’s eponymous Benjamin Perderean’s elegant shop. He wears the “pantone” shirt he made famous on Grace & Frankie

(Gerry Furth-Sides) We were happily surprised that our top Palm Springs places are ethnic or ethnic-influenced, with all the affection and care paid to guests as to the food. These few joyous days we spent in the town after the “official” season turned out to be filled with crowds happy to be out, as we were, and given all the more reason to do so by these places.

Me in Palm springs! Tangelos from a tree nearby, and my own 1920 adobe casita

My cousin and partner rent the adobe house in Cathedral City from a friend who grew up in it. His dad was Dwight Eisenhower’s physician.

Lulu’s

Everyone in town knows Lulu’s, a rousing cross of brash South Miami Beach night club and NY deli energy. The place lives up to its many accolades and awards and makes any stranger feel a part of Palm Springs energy at its highest.

The menu is an internationally-influenced, fashionable one that really tries to please everyone and make sense at the same time. For example, there is an “Impossible Burger” vegan burger by trade name, AND Lulu’s own much tastier and less expensive black bean vegan burger AND a Wagyu burger. I ordered the Wagyu was happy with the substituted (slightly burned, skimpy) yam fries (delicious cole slaw the other option which was shared at the table with another order). I could not photograph it. And I did not care.

Why? We had to wait 15 minutes to be acknowledged by an impersonal staff – between busier lunch and dinner service- and then had to beg Lulu manager, Hunter, to turn on the misters. This he did. He also got our favorite waiter, James, to bring out a complimentary cotton candy. We gave it to the next table , where the recipient’s birthday was the following day, just like my host! You just are not surprised to find such fun happenings at this place. And they gave us a tiramisu to go instead.

Lulu’s (2019): a rousing cross of brash South Miami Beach night club + NY deli energy
Lulu manager, Hunter, and favorite waiter, James, offers complimentary cotton candy to make a meal into a party

//Lulupalmsprings.com, Lulu’s 200 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327. 5858)

Tri-lussa

The most accommodating, and not surprising to be Italian! Dark and cavernous in a very Roman way with just enough of a front outdoor patio to make it feel cozy even in a shopping center. Communal tables of attractive middle eastern families lingered even at closing time, no one on that patio wanted to leave.

Tall, romanesque interiors and just enough of a private patio
Trilussa, Cathedral City, with generous portions of classic, hearty Italian food and a salad and after-dinner drink included!
Other guests even complimented my hosts on their shirts at Tri-lussa, Cathedral City!
//(www.trilussarestaurant.com) Trilussa, 68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234, (760) 328-2300

Le Vallauris

Even though owner-founder, Paul Bruggemans sold Le Vallauris in Palm Springs last year, partner-chef and brother Tony still oversee restaurant dining or catered events of 50 in the historic, 1927 landmark Spanish home or parties straight up the mountain behind them. The original, signature naturally cooled patio still thrives, albeit without the whimsical elegance it once had, starting with the flower plants replaces with Sansevieria trifasciata (mother-in-law tongue succulents). Entrees are unnecessarily bigger in size and price (some at $50)

I relished every bit of the the exquisite yet wintery sweetbreads/ signature thymus gland (the best I have ever had), and the Warm Duck Confit Terrine in Filo Dough with Dried Fruits and Nuts, sublime even in the 100-degree evening.  

A Le Vallauris birthday soufflé’s plus superlative sweetbreads and duck confit in filo
Le Vallauris’ signature lobster taken out of the shell and replaced, plus seafood

LeVallauris, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92262, (760)325-5059.  For details, menus and information, please visit: www.LeVallauris.com.

Tac/quila

Tac/Quila.was the answer both my hosts and I came up with simultaneously for the best Mexican/most indigenous cuisine. Somehow, although we are in the southwest, “southwest” cuisine never includes California. Here, Tac/Quila, billed as “Mexican/southwestern” is California influenced with a menu you have to really study because you want to order it all.

The extraordinary crab cakes, not really a California staple, are bursting with crabmeat so there is no room for filler, and dotted with tiny, festive diced red and green pepper ($16 for two that would make one meal with a small salad). My guest said he has had equally good: in Baltimore!

Grilled veggies and fruits, including avocado, and subtle, beautifully seasoned sauces are a trademark, along with the serene, southwest decor that is a recipe to enjoy and linger over food and drinks.

Tac/Quila fare with the extraordinary crab cakes in the middle! The Mexican Corn, tried and true, is made special off the cobb with just the right amount of lemon zest and parsley along with the requisite mayo, cotija cheese, paprika, cayenne pepper,
Husband and wife owners, Liz and Mark, greeting guests daily at Tac/Quila

Tac/Quila, (//tacquila.com) 415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, (760) 417-4471.

Primo Donuts

We started our trip with a pick up at Primo Donuts (for our Primo story please see //localfoodeater.com/celebrate-the-world-series-and-more-with-historic-primos-donuts-la-baseballs/. The idea was to take a birthday donut (one without a hole) with TIM written on it for our co-host’s birthday. Celia, daughter of the Primo’s, got on the phone with manager Wendy to order. You would have thought we were talking about making a wedding cake for 100 with so much thought put into the idea by them.

When I picked up “the donut” plus three other small ones, it turned out to be actual cake size with “Happy Birday” written on it! And Wendy added three more donuts! It set the fun, hilarious mood for the visit, and we’ll be talking about this for years.

Founded in 1956 by husband and wife, Ralph & Celia Primo, the highly ranked Primo’s Donuts family run business spans three generations. 

Primo Donuts manager, Wendy, finishes our order to show off in Palm Springs

Primo’s Donuts, www.primosdonuts.com, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 900964, (310) 478-6930

Celebrate the World Series and More with Historic Primo’s Donuts “LA Baseballs”

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Celia & Ralph’s celebration  2020 World Series “Dodger Donuts” at Primo’s Donuts

Henry is smiling behind that mask for Celia & Ralph’s 2020 World Series “Dodger Donuts” celebration  at Primo’s Donuts

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Acclaimed Primo’s Donuts, a family-owned LA favorite since 1956, is currently serving “Dodger Donuts” to celebrate the 2020 World Series.  Owners Ralph and Celia Primo, avid Dodgers fans, invite everyone to share their excitement about the Dodgers being in the World Series, which they hope will help the Dodgers being home a  Series victory to Los Angeles.

Ralph Primo Sr. also celebrates his 90th birthday during the World Series, and a Dodgers win would be the perfect gift.

Celia & Ralph’s celebration  2020 World Series “Dodger Donuts” at Primo’s Donuts at home

“We really love the Dodgers, they are our Dodgers,”  say Celia and Ralph.  “We watch every game, and we are there rooting for them like we do every year.  They are going to make it this year, go all the way, and make us very happy.”

Founded in 1956 by husband and wife, Ralph & Celia Primo, Los Angeles staple Primo’s Donuts is consistently ranked as one of the top donut shops in the city since its opening. The family run business spans three generations and 63 years in business.  “Regulars” and destination customers fill the no-nonsense little place for a traditional donut shop experience of daily fresh-baked donuts including the renowned Buttermilk Bar.  www.primosdonuts.com

The famous buttermilk bar and jelly cake donuts at Primo’s Donuts

Primo’s Donuts cake doughnuts come in plain, maple-iced and glazed in chocolate and cherry.  The donut texture has been described as  magnificent—sensationally moist and hardly bogged down by oil, definitely one of the very best cake doughnuts that we’ve ever encountered in our fair city.

A cake donut is made with a sweetened dough that’s leavened with the help of baking powder, and is extruded into oil to cook. It’s firm, often with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft, cake-like interior.  The jelly donut below is what the best cake donut looks like.  (A yeast donut made with a yeast dough is cut out into a shape before being fried. They’re light and airy, but have a chew and slight yeast flavor.)

The Primo’s Donuts jelly (cake) donut inside

This celebration follows more good news from the summer. Primo’s Donuts recently announced they have a planned opening of a new shop in the former Stan’s Donuts location in the heart of Westwood Village this fall.  According to Ralph and Celia Primo, “We were so upset when we heard that Stan’s had decided to close its doors early due to COVID-19. There aren’t many family-owned mom and pops like us left that bake donuts fresh every morning, and we have always felt that we shared the same type of customers and vision for our businesses. The location in the heart of Westwood Village is so iconic, and we are honored to have a chance to open our doors here. We wish Stan the best in his retirement.”

Celia & Ralph’s 2020 celebration includes opening a Primo’s Donuts location on the site of the shuttered Westwood favorite, Stan’s (photo courtesy Primo Donuts)

The Primo’s own story is just as sentimental.  Celia and Ralph Primo “happened to” purchase the failing doughnut shop on a whim back in 1956. The story is that one spring day, the family was driving down Los Angeles’ Sawtelle Boulevard when their toddler spotted a  giant plywood donut sitting atop a nondescript strip-mall storefront. He insisted on having a donut.  So Ralph Primo went in to buy donuts for their son, and came out an owner.

Celia & Ralph Primo on their wedding day over seven decades ago.  (photo courtesy Primo Donuts)

The Primos had been on their way home after a disappointing day of house hunting, one of their first steps in  “fulfilling their American dream”.  At the time, Ralph Primo was a night student, looking to take on a second job for the summer.  When he asked the shop’s owner about being hired part-time, owner, Paul Hodges, told him the help he needed after failing for six months in the business, was a new owner. Primo remembers asking the price, which Hodges told him was $2000.

When he returned to the car with the bag of donuts, Primo told Celia they had just bought the shop. The plan at the the time was to “run the business for a year – build it up – then sell it and we’ll get a better house, ” according to Ralph.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Primo’s Donuts, 2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (parking in back lot).

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