Until now, Santa Monica’s donut game has been less than stellar. People act like DK donuts and the absurdly-hyped opening of Dunkin Donuts make Santa Monica some kind of celestial donut paradise. Well, it’s not. Until now. Sidecar is giving the city of Santa Monica hope in the form of donuts.

Sidecar sits on an unremarkable block of Wilshire near the tennis courts/meeting place for disgruntled bums that is Christine Emerson Reed Park. But that means it’s far enough away from the Promenade to ward off any obnoxious tourist clientele and even further from Main Street, assuring no hungover 24 year-olds fire-breathing last night’s gin will be stumbling through either. It’s a small space, but they keep the line organized and fast-moving, avoiding any fears of donut claustrophobia. This is definitely a pick-up-and-go situation, so don’t come looking for seats inside. There are some communal tables and a few bar seats out front for your taking though.

photo credit: Holly Liss

As far as the actual menu itself goes, Sidecar has a rotating selection of both weekly and monthly flavors, sweet and savory options, and even a weekly gluten free donut. If you're coming in for a specific flavor, definitely check ahead of time because they change frequently, and no one needs your public rage spiral over a cinnamon donut. Also each one is fried hourly, guaranteeing no matter what time of day you arrive your circular piece of heaven won’t resemble a rock. Ordering tip: if you’re getting a donut to-go, ask to have it put it in a box not a bag. That sh*t will stick right to your perfectly iced (and warm) donut, and you deserve better.

So put down that crusty DK donut and run to Sidecar. Not only will the donuts please you, but the adorably happy and energetic staff will make you forget the fact that a bum from the park next door likely peed on your bike.

Food Rundown

Huckleberry

Think of this as a fancy blueberry donut, but not really blueberry and covered in a thin delicious icing we can't get enough of.

Butter & Salt

This is one of their most popular donuts and we cannot imagine how anyone wouldn’t love it. It’s like saying you don’t like Beyonce. Both are lies.

Saigon Cinnamon Crumb

Reminds of us an Entenmann's coffee cake but with cinnamon. This is a safe choice for a donut lover who wants something more than a basic donut, but isn’t quite ready for the maple/bacon situation.

Maple Bacon

It’s a donut with bacon and a maple glaze. Really special and really delicious.

Country Ham And Egg

This isn’t really a donut. It’s not necessarily a pastry either. We honestly don’t know what to call it. We do know that it completely changes the breakfast game. It’s essentially eggs benedict baked in some sort of bread that really reminds us of the spawn of a donut/roll/beignet. We will absolutely be back for this. Served only until 11:30am.

Choc A Lot

If you’re a chocolate lover, this will soon become your go-to. It’s basically a fluffy brownie-esque donut with some sort of chocolate glaze on top.

Madagascar Vanilla Twist

This is the only donut that didn’t insanely impress us. We’d skip this guy.

Buttermilk Drops

These are Sidecar’s version of a donut hole/munchkin.