EAST BAY INSOMNIAC

KING PIN DONUTS

2521 Durant, Berkeley • 843-6688

I have to admit, I’m a Happy Donuts guy. Maybe this is because I have yet to try a King Pin Donut (update to follow)? Or perhaps it is because by the time I arrive at Durant, I want some Yogurt Park. So, I defer to a Yelp reviewer by the name of Ezra Justin L. who said the following:

“I have never had a better donut when it was hot. After eating a HOT, you-just-saw-the-dude-frying-the-donut donut, you will understand why fat people are fat and why they come here to stay that way. I highly recommend the HOT glazed original. Anything off the fryer is great but this, my friends, is the ideal donut. I guess you could call it the “cocaine” of donuts. I was gonna give it a 4-star review because nothing is really PERFECT, but man, 4.5 stars— round it to 5.”

 OPEN UNTIL: 12AM

PARKING: street

REVIEWS:

HAPPY DONUTS

940 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 526-3839

1041 Gilman St., Berkeley 524-9816

The Happy Donuts chain joyously caters to your donut needs. Their merry edibles include donuts, cookies, brownies, bearclaws, and more donuts.

OPEN UNTIL: 24 HOURS (Albany) • 10PM (Berkeley)

PARKING: lot

REVIEWS:

YOGURT PARK

2432 Durant, Berkeley • 549-0570

SERVING: frozen yogurt

OPEN UNTIL: 12AM

PARKING: street

WEBSITE: Yogurt Park

THE EBI REVIEW: Yogurt Park distinctly reminds me of the spirit and time in which the East Bay Insomniac project began. In 2003, The Larry Sanders Show was on late night syndicated rabbit-ear-receivable television. Quite often, immediately prior to inquiring if his pants made his ass look fat, Garry Shandling (as Larry Sanders) would send a studio minion out for frozen yogurt. I found this captivating and hunger-inducing.

Enter Yogurt Park. Open until midnight with large servings, nonfat flavors and ample toppings, this brightly-lit little takeout joint often has a small crowd of like-minded sweet-toothed night owls. Due to an upturn in competition in the last couple years from trendy gelato, Yogurt Park feels dated in a good way. A gigantic large will only set you back $2.75 ($3.40 with 2 toppings). Although equally delicious, you can’t even get a picolo at Naia for that price. Just browse Yogurt Park’s wall of accolades for proof of their staying power (since 1977!) Butter pecan and cappuccino flavors recommended.

MORE REVIEWS:

MERRITT RESTAURANT & BAKERY

203 E. 18th St, Oakland • 444-6955

SERVING:

• chicken and waffles
• burgers
• sandwiches
• breakfast
• pastries

OPEN: 1AM (Sun-Thurs) • 2AM (Fri-Sat)

PARKING: lot

REVIEWS: