Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr the southwestern-inspired fruit glazes are excellent; you can't miss the out-of-this-world Margarita raised ring
Danny Trejo's career extends beyond the big screen: the Los Angeles native also operates a successful collection of restaurants. The donut-centric entry into the Trejo culinary universe is Trejo's Coffee & Donuts. The menu spans from ambitious ringed donuts to premium java, and all items ooze a sentimental, distinctly LA-inspired flare.
The hot pink shop immediately pops against an otherwise dreary block of Santa Monica Blvd. The cramped interior is industrial and decidedly modern. The cement walls are painted with pink and slate accents, and the pressed-tin ceilings are personalized with stars. Walk in to find the warmly lit donut display directly to your right. Shelves are decked with plenty of Trejo-themed merch, from T-shirts to tequila. A handful of immobile stools are lined up underneath the narrow counter that runs along the front windows. Modern pop plays softly throughout the shop.
My first few experiences with Trejo's have been sitting takeout boxes, but, finally, I visited the brick-and-mortar. Across each experience, the one-of-a-kind Margarita has been consistently stellar. This vibrant raised donut complements its dynamically tart glaze with a sprinkle of salt, adding up to one of my favorite ringed donuts in the city. The Mangonada is a close runner-up, sporting a sticky, jam-like glaze that achieves an excellent balance of sweetness and spice; I only wish for more candied mango slices. The Fruity Pebble-laden Quinceanera also is nothing to scoff at. Its strawberry buttermilk drizzle nostalgically recalled a sugary bowl of cereal milk. Don't sleep on the seasonal varieties; most recently, the Aleppo pepper-and-strawberry Feugo Fresa packs a pleasant heat and fresh flavor. I have been less impressed by the dark chocolate-y Abeulita, which I found curiously small, dense, and bitter. I also wasn't fond of the Pineapple Fritter. While well-glazed, the dough was underwhelming apart from the few-and-far-between pineapple bits.
Even into the afternoon, the quality of the donuts is sure to be enjoyable. Off-hours may be understaffed, but service remains prompt and friendly. The donuts are all under $4, expensive for the less exciting varieties, but a relative bargain nowadays across the new wave of chic shops. In the future when I'm in the area, I'll be sure to pay Trejo's a visit, even if just for a single Margarita ring.