While doing research for the video on the History of Randy’s Donuts, I discovered that there were 5 remaining locations of the Big Do-Nut Drive-In still standing, so I decided to bust a mission and visit them all.
The 1st stop on the mission is in Bellflower, where Big Do-Nut Drive-In #8 still exists, although it’s selling bagels instead of donuts these days as Bellflower Bagels. Other than knowing this location was opened in 1959, not much else is known about the history of this location.
Two things to note about this location: It has the smallest donut (or bagel now) of the remaining Big Do-Nut Drive-In locations and the donut is on a pole and not directly on the roof as the others.
Since this spot is more known for selling bagels these days, I opted for a cranberry bagel with cream cheese and it did not disappoint, it’s a solid bagel.
The 2nd stop is Compton, where Big Do-Nut Drive-In # 5 is still selling donuts as Dale’s Donuts. Other than knowing that this location was built in 1955, not much else is know about the history of the building.
This was the first stop on the mission that had donuts, so I opted to keep it classic and grab a glazed raised donut, because raised were the first type of donuts that were offered at the Big Do-Nut Drive-In.
Now if you’re wondering what the difference is, raised donuts are made like bread, where the dough is left to proof before it’s fried. Making them lighter and chewier. And cake donuts, like their name implies, are made like cake with a batter, making them a little more dense and filling.
The raised donut at Dale’s was really good–chewy, not too sweet, and a pretty good size–and ended up being my favorite amongst all the ones I tried.
The 3rd stop is Gardena, where Big Do-Nut Drive-In #3 is still serving up donuts as Donut King II. No idea if there was a ever a Donut King I. Other than knowing that this location was built in 1954, not much else is know about the history of the building.
The glazed raised donut here was pretty good.
The 4th stop is South L.A. where the OG Do-Nut Drive-In #1 is still selling donuts as Kindle’s Do-Nuts. This location was opened in 1950 by Russel C. Wendell, who then sold in 1976 to Robert Eskow, who then sold it to Gary Kindle, who renamed it Kindle’s Do-Nuts and that’s what it’s remained these last five decades.
Notice that this location hyphenates Do-Nuts just like the original Do-Nut Drive-In used to and it’s still serving up some really good raised glazed donuts.
The 5th and final stop is Inglewood, where Do-Nut Drive-In #2 is now known as the World Famous Randy’s Donuts. This location was opened in 1953 by Russell C. Wendell, although for some reason, Randy’s claims it was opened in 1952.
Wendell sold this location to Robert Eskow in 1976, who renamed the business to Randy’s Donuts and Sandwiches after his son Randy. in 1978 Eskow sold the Inglewood Randy’s Donuts to his cousins Ron and Larry Weintraub, who kept the name and operated it as a single store for 37 years.
It was during their tenure that Randy’s gained its cult status. The Weintraub brothers made the shop available for filming, which led to hundreds of appearances in movies, TV shows, music videos and even video games.
In 2015, the brothers decided to retire and sell the business to somebody who would keep the tradition alive, but also move the brand forward. They sold Randy’s to Mark Kelegian, who has turned Randy’s into a worldwide brand.
I did this mission over the course of a weekend because Dale’s Donuts closed early on the day when I hit up the other 4 locations. The drive wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be, but I definitely needed a nap after eating all those donuts and driving all day.
References:
“Do-Nut Opening Draws Throngs” by Staff, The Southwest Wave. Aug. 10, 1950.
“Do-Nut Drive-In Opens New Store in Inglewood” by Staff, The Southwest Wave. July 9, 1953.
“Southside Firm Opens New Unit This Week-end” by Staff, The Southwest Wave. June 24, 1954.
“Big Do-Nut Drive-In Grand Opening to Feature Free Doughnuts, Coffee” by Staff, The Evening Vanguard. Aug. 18, 1955.
“Opening Set for Drive-In Taco Stand” by Staff, The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. Nov. 13, 1959.
“Big Do-Nut Taco Drive-Ins Open New Valley Location” by Staff, The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. March 25, 1960.
“Giant Doughnut has Successful Show-Biz Career” by Jim Radcliffe, The North County Times. May 24, 1997.
“Iconic Randy’s Donuts Began as Part of the Big Donut Chain” by Sam Gnerre, The South Bay Daily Breeze. June 21, 2014.
“Randy’s Donuts Says It’s Been Famous Since ’62. History Tells a Different Story” by Chris Nichols. Los Angeles Magazine, June 4, 2021.
“Presenting…Randy’s Donuts!” Ad in The L.A. Times. Feb. 6, 2022.
“Roadside Giants” by Brian and Sarah Butko Pg. 38-40
“An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles” by David Gebhard and Robert Winter Pg. 113
“Made in California” by George Geary pg. 178-181 and 240-243