HERO

"This breakfast shop has Nashville locals covered whether they prefer to start their day the sweet or the savory way. Starting with brioche dough, the doughnuts here are hard to pass up, topped with classics like vanilla glaze, strawberry, chocolate, or sprinkles, with special filled donuts available seasonally. For a heartier breakfast, opt for a protein-packed power plate or loaded hash browns." - Kellie Walton

"Over in Wedgewood Houston, the recently opened Hero Doughnuts and Buns holds court with its brioche-style yeast doughnuts that take two full days to make before they hit the bakery’s shelves. Hero originally started out as a pop-up in Birmingham, Alabama before spreading its wings throughout the South with its “OG” vanilla glazed, pistachio, and cereal milk doughnuts. Keep an eye out for the bread pudding doughnuts and apple fritters — they’re on a limited run and sell out fast." - Eater Staff

"Giant sandwiches can solve a lot of problems, but predominantly just hunger, or if you’re apologizing to someone for having already eaten their giant sandwich “by accident.” Luckily Brooklyn Hero shop has 20 or so of them to choose from to leave you either very full or in the good graces of a friend or lover. There are lots of good options here, but we’re partial to the Nashville hot chicken, which is topped with red cabbage slaw and pickled shallots, and the porchetta and rabe (they sneak some hot peppers in that one too). BHS also has a variety of pastries and coffee drinks, along with a selection of fresh pastas, charcuterie, and some really lovely Sicilian sodas you can take to go." - Max Bonem