Red’s Donuts: Monterey-Seaside donut dynasty turns 60

Red’s Dawns : The Monterey-Seaside down-home donut dynasty turns 60. - Monterey County Weekly

Ever been to Red's Donuts? Me neither. But a LOT of people have. 60 years worth of people! Owned by Matthew O'Donnell (his sister Kathy helps), are celebrating 60 years of donut sales from their Alvardo Street location. I don't know if my sister will remember this, but when we first came here (I was looking at potential places to live), we drove down Alvarado Street and I pointed at Red's Donuts, made a comment about how quaint it looked, and then proceeded to take a picture of it:

Matthew and Kathy's dad Herman "Red" O'Donnell, opened shop in 1950 in downtown Monterey. The Seaside location opened in 1964 and relocated in 1986 to it's current location on Fremont Blvd. Red's sells about 300 DOZEN donuts each day. If you would like to read more about their family, business, and the glazed beauties, follow the link to the article above.

Pros: friendly atmosphere, they obviously know what they are doing, tradition, about 20 donut varieties, $0.70 donuts, $7 dozen, old-fashioned prep methods, no machinery, "each wad of of dough is hand-rolled and cut into the shape." Want an early donut? Go to Red's at 4 am.... I know one of these days I'll get a bag full of donut holes or one of those twisty ones. (When I do I'll update my thoughts!) MMMMMMMM!!!

433 Alvardo Street Location:
Mon - Sat: 6:30 am - 1:30 pm
Sun: 6:30 am - 12:30 pm
(813) 372 - 9761

1646 Fremont Blvd Location:

Mon - Fri: 4:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sat - Sun: 4:00 am - 2:00 pm

(813) 394 - 3444