Very good donuts, much better than the chain places and probably would say the best in the area

Minus a moron who wasn't wearing his mask properly or distancing so I yelled at him for the owners, I had a good experience. Tip:This place is THE PLACE so expect a line and if you aren't there early you WILL miss out. So I got there I would say around 8:30 or so and jumped in line there was about 6 or 7 people in front of me. It took I would say about 20 minutes and they were only allowing 2 people in the store at a time which is absolutely fine since is a very small area. I grabbed about 8 donuts a combination of glazed Boston cream add chocolate. The glazed were great, husband loved the cream, I didn't like the chocolate it was just way too rich and sweet but maybe better as a dessert donut. Anyway, decent place and felt like it was work the extra drive. read more

Final found a donut shop that wasn't a chain. The problem is all the donuts are gone before 11 am. On a good day there might still be some left by 10 am. This store is cleaned out so fast. I managed to get ahold of some today and they were pretty good. We served them at a party and everyone enjoyed them. I've yet to try any of there special flavors -- potato or marshmallow. But I will certainly be back to try them because the donuts and apple fritters we ordered were delicious. read more

Carlson's Donuts - Assorted donuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

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They are, by far, the best donuts in this part of Maryland. I haven't gone too far outside the area, so I can't speak on that. The donuts are perfection, and the staff is friendly and efficient. read more

Cash only but worth the visit. The potato glazed will change your life. We get a couple dozen for work each Friday. You walk in pay and walk out. Straight forward. The guy at the front is nice and helpful. read more

I got here at around 0650, and the line wasn't long. The owner is really nice and so are the other employees there. I ordered a chocolate donut, glazed donut, potato donut, raspberry cake donut, apple fritter, and a cinnamon twist donut. The potato donut is the best donut that I have ever eaten. The store is easily accessible, along with plenty of parking. read more

They melt in your mouth. Best donuts ever. Get there early because they sell out quickly.

Nice local donut shop that isn't a chain. I went super early on a Saturday morning around 6. Nice to know that I am not the only person up so early. There were two other people leaving while I was arriving which was a good thing. Due to COVID there's a limit to how many people can be inside. I came too early to try the famous potato donuts. They aren't ready until 6:30 usually. The two I had were the apple fritters and chocolate glazed. The donuts were nice and fresh. I would try them again when I get a craving. read more

Carlson's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

Hole-in-the-wall donut shop with limited hours. Definitely try to come and get some. Every delicious treat is made fresh daily. The owners are there most if not every morning, serving the customers with a smile. So cheap. Cash only. My favorites are the donut holes, sour cream donuts, and the apple fritter. read more

Not really sure what else they could improve on if I'm being honest. Great donuts for a fair price and great service. Been here multiple times and will continue doing so. read more

The donuts at Carlson's are fresh and delicious! My favorite were the regular glazed. My daughters liked the potato glazed donuts. These donuts aren't like Crispy Cream as they have more substance and aren't just a mouthful of sugar. They are soft and fluffy, a little like Shoppers Food Warehouse but smaller and less dense. Overall we really enjoyed them and would definitely return. Bring CASH as they don't take credit cards. The establishment has limited hours and I believe is owned by a lovely husband & wife team. read more

Consistently amazing donuts that are always worth getting up for! Would definitely recommend.

The place is worth the drive! It gives dunk in donuts a run for it's money. Great donuts. And even better customer service!

Overly greasy, cheap, great service, okay donuts and cash only. I try and support local places but after multiple tries I now drive 18 minutes one way to get donuts vs the 2 when I went here. read more

Someone on NextDoor asked where the best local doughnuts could be found, and almost every response said "Carlson's!" I had never heard of them before, but they are easy to get to, located in a nondescript strip mall on 170. They have a lot of styles of cake doughnuts and some other pastries, and those doughnuts are great! Highly recommend. Chewy, moist, tasty, sweet, flavorful. Everything you want in a doughnut and so much better than the big chains. Change my zodiac sign to Torus! I do have to ding them for their terrible coffee. At a doughnut shop coffee should not be an afterthought, and this stuff is clearly made from the absolute cheapest grounds they could find to dump into the three pot decanter station in the corner. Go for the doughnuts, skip the coffee. read more

I had such high expectations of Carlson's and I have had it bookmarked for such a long time on my Yelp profile! I was in the area running errands One Sunday morning and decided to stop in and clear it off my list! There was a very nice Asian man serving customers in this very tiny establishment! I ventured in around 7 am and you could tell people had been patronizing because they didn't have a lot of donuts left! So, I was excited to get some and see if it was with the hype! They gentleman was soo nice and took my order!! I ordered 6 donuts! I orders chocolate glaze, chocolate cake donut, traditional cake and glazed! These donuts were alright!! But nothing to write home about! And as a matter of fact, I haven't been back since my first visit!! They were just alright! I'm happy I at least now know so I can remove it from my list!! The customer service was great! Donuts were just ok!! Laurel Tavern are better in my opinion! read more

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Y'all. Skip KrispyKreme, Skip Dunkin. Get some cash and come to Carlson's. As someone who does not like wasting calories on bad baked goods (or in this case, fried goods), I am always in search for sweets that are worth my time and money. Carlson's donuts has definitely made my list. These are freshly made, hand-cut and fried donuts. I could tell by the shape of their glazed donuts that were not perfectly round ring shapes you get from KrispyKreme. We tried potato, blueberry, jelly, apple fritter, and original glazed. My husband and I both agreed that the original glazed was the best out of all. It has the same pillowy texture of KrispyKreme, but THICKER. Oh it was finger licking good. Tip: Make sure to bring at least $6 in cash-the prices have gone up. Now it's $5.50 for half dozen in a bag, and $5.75 in a box (includes tax), which is still a really good deal. My husband and I are early birds, so we naturally wake up early. Today was one of the few days I was glad to have been up by 6 AM on a Saturday, because it seemed like Carlson's donuts sell out by 8-9 AM! When we walked in around 7, all the flavors already seemed to be available, but people are buying by dozens here. The 3-4 customers before me bought at least a dozen each. I will be coming back here. For sure. read more

Heard about this little hole in the wall and decided to give it a try. Bought a dozen donuts and had such a difficult time choosing flavors. Owner was super friendly and recommended the potato donut (which I've never heard of) and it was so good. Definitely recommend. read more

Do not go anywhere else for donuts ever again. This is where you need to be! Best donuts I've ever had been going here since I was a little kid. read more

The donuts here is amazing and very much good the sizes of them are perfect and a nice treat for that sugar craving

My brother suggested this place. I arrived 5:45 early Saturday morning. Of course it's dark out. I had a hard time finding it as their sign does not light up. Had to turn around but got there. The inside is very small, just a counter. I don't know if it's always this way or they just hadn't finished setting up but none of the donuts had labels so I wasn't sure what was what. My brother said they had some specialty ones but I ended up just going with generic ones. $10 a dozen and they only accept cash (get with the 21st century people!) The donuts were very good! Soft and bigger than you would get at a Dunkin' Donuts. I'd go here again. read more

Carlson's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

Awesome donuts that are unique. Don't go too early or you'll miss out on ones that are made after opening!

If KK get 5 stars, DD get 3 stars, I'd give this place three stars. The owner is super nice. $1.00 a donut, you couldn't beat that. Great location, i live couple minutes from here, very convenient. read more

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Fantastic place. As local as it gets and they have some of the best people around. Donuts are good. People are good. Cash only. read more

They really should update us when they're closed. Drove 45mins for nothing. Woke up very early thinking I was going to have treat.

This place has good donuts. I could end this review right with those first five words but I have to tell you why. When I purchase donuts from this place for my coworkers they immediatly recognize the box. The thing is the box is just a plain white box that may or may not be stained with some cooking oil. The first thing I hear is, "You brought in Carlson's?" Followed by, "Why are you being nice?" "Are we in trouble?" There is a large selection of various donuts you can choose from but I usually go with the standard glaze. They are huge and fluffy with enough body so that you can grab one without crumbling in your hand or dunk in some beverage if you choose. They are not mass made like some other places so if they run out you might have a little wait. In recent years the local mom and pop places like this have been some of my favorite places to go because better tasting food. When it comes to big chains you can get it anywhere but this is local and it is nice to be greeted as I believe they truly appreciate your business more. As Ric P. says in his review I would also suggest getting their early and they do open at 5 AM. It seems like it is a morning ritual for some as the people working behind counter knew exactly what some of the customers coming in wanted and knew their names. Carlson's is a good stop but if you have never been there it is very easy to miss. It is located right at the corner of Telegraph and Reese but the only entrance/exit is located across from the Royal Farms. Most important thing I have to tell you. THEY ONLY TAKE CASH!!!!!! but they will take your desire of wanting a good donut as it will be fulfilled here. read more

Carlson's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

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They might have a monopoly on local doughnuts but that's not their fault. They're expensive but it's worth it to have some good local doughnuts in this local doughnut wasteland. read more

After driving by Carlson's Donuts so many times and seeing that they were closed, I decided to look them up on Yelp to see what their hours and reviews were like. After scrolling thru a few reviews, I finally understood why they were always closed, it was because they had already sold out of donuts!! I made sure the next day to arrive early, I was there by 7 and already seeing people walk out with their boxes of donuts. They only permit 2 people at a time, but the wait was not long. As soon as I stepped into the store, the donut goodness filled my nose. I ordered a dozen mixed donuts for $10 and went on my way. As soon as I got to the car and applied my sanitizer, I couldn't help and eat one on my drive out. I tasted a fresh sour cream cake donut and it was ahhmazinggg. These donuts are awesome! They are fresh, light, and so flavorful. I'm embarrassed to admit after sharing with my family, I had two more! Lol Wonderful place and great service. I will be going again very soon! read more

Carlson's Donuts - Dozen donuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

These are the best donuts in the HOCO area. Bring cash and come early. The good stuff runs out by 8-9 am. Owners are really nice. Mom and pop location. read more

I have been dying to try this place for the longest time. However I am not anything close to a morning person so I did not have the opportunity until my husband so kindly surprised me with donuts from Carlson's one morning. He got a nice variety of a dozen donuts and all the ones I had were very good. I am a huge fan of both the old fashioned/sour cream type donuts and the unglazed plain ones, and Carlson's made a delicious example of both of those flavors. My husband liked his chocolate glazed and chocolate dipped donuts. He even enjoyed the blueberry one which he was not anticipating, said that it tasted like a good blueberry muffin. Anyway, if you are in the area early definitely check this place out, great donuts and the price is really reasonable, although they are indeed cash only. read more

I've been looking for a good donut place in the area that's not chain since I'm told the donut place in Lexington Market I love so much has closed. This place had great reviews on Yelp so I've been wanting to try this place out for a while but was never able to wake up early enough during the weekend to get it. I managed to get myself to the place around 8:30am one Saturday morning and of course they were out of their popular potato donuts. Ended up getting 2 Boston cream, 2 chocolate glazed, blueberry glazed and sour cream donut. They were all very delicious but I liked the chocolate glazed the best. The texture of the donut is almost like the one at the market and you can definitely taste the freshness. The owner guy was so friendly and nice too even though I was little indecisive and wasn't even sure how many donuts I was going to get initially. I'll definitely try to stop by again to try their infamous potato donut. read more

Carlson's Donuts - Front of store - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

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Best donuts in Maryland! I absolutely love their plain glazed donuts. Only issue is they run out of them because they are sooooo good!

Go support a local favorite!! I have been going here for years. Go early if you want to get first dibs. And bring CASH. Some days even at 5am there will be a line. And even before closing 11am people are rushing to get what is left. The reason I love this place is that they are a very small local business not a big chain donut store. Everything is freshly made in house and they're super kind. Owner always has a smile on his face! This isn't one of those "fancy" making donut places. It gives a neighborly small town feel. There isn't a sitting area, it's more of a grab and go. Just sit in your car or eat it at home/office. This is more known for the donuts so don't expect amazing coffee. It's regular brewed coffee. And nothing wrong with that at all. Parking is ample although I'd advise being cautious since there is a huge pothole near the parking slots. Still hasn't been fixed since 2016 ‍ anyways go get y'all some donuts and support a local gem! read more

These donuts are delicious! I'm from Cali and couldn't find good "Cali style" donuts until I found Carlson's. They are very fresh and tasty! He does sell out fast so get there early. Definitely a must try! read more

Best donuts in Md hands down!! Great service, get there early they sell out fast! My sisters always go there on there way down to Florida every winter. read more

I really wanted to like this place after hearing such great reviews from my co workers. But I'm sorry to say it's a thumbs down for me. Pro: Lady at counter was nice Custard was good Con: Donuts were to heavy Filled powder donut hardly had and sugar Donuts were to dry not airy All donuts looked sloppy made No care for presentation I could go on and on about these donuts. But I come to realize that east coast donuts are not good. read more

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I would always ride pass Carlson's and say I've got to try this place out. Well I did and the donuts were so fresh and soft. I was greeted warmly and yes, it is cash only. The raspberry filled donut was delicious. Go early for your choice of selections, I arrived around 7:00a. read more

Good fresh donuts. $1 ea or $10 for a dozen. Got a glazed, sprinkle, and raspberry jelly. Would love to try more. read more

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The smell as soon as you hit the door was yummy! The staff was knowledgeable and patient in explaining all of the different varieties. The quality of the donut was delicious. Not overly sweet, soft, and delicate. Will definitely be back for a dozen to share with my coworkers. read more

They open early on a Saturday which is nice. It's a tiny walk in shop, pleasant folks, but unfortunately just basic donuts if you arrive early. I was on the hunt for specialty donuts and it would have been nice if they were available when they opened. read more