I've been going here since I moved to Annapolis. The best place to get fresh, delicious, melt in the mouth donuts.

They sell the best donuts I've had anywhere and this covers six countries. My only gripe is they sell out fast, fast. Get there early if you want variety. The staff is nice and thoughtful. Once they only had one variety left so they threw in a cup of fresh coffee. If you're in Sharpsburg MD try Burkholder's Baked Goods which also sells very good donuts. read more

What an unassuming phenomenal donut shop. This place is a tiny store front in a not super easy to get to strip mall from the intersection it's located off of - but if it's donuts you're after then make the journey. It's a cash only establishment so you know they're good - people are willing to come back and carry cash on them for these pastries. You can opt out of a box and have them bag your donuts to save you some $$$. These donuts are fresh, and if you want your pick of the litter show up as early as you can - and trust me it's going to be worth it. These donuts are soft, fluffy, melt in your mouth, juicy when they should be, crunchy when you want them to be - they're the best donuts I've had in MD and I've had my fair share. A few places come to mind when I think of a good donut near me, but Carlson's is at the forefront! read more

Higher prices, lower quality. My son, who has been enjoying their doughnuts since he was little, asked if we could grab a dozen from here. I decided to stomach the high price and grant his wish. Walking in it all looked the same. Amazing looking doughnuts, same friendly people, same paper sign. The prices have changed- $14 a dozen! Wowzer. As long as the doughnuts are as good as I remember it would be worth it. Sadly, my chocolate covered cake doughnuts aren't. They're still better than grocery store chains, but nowhere near the quality they used to be. Before I would tell everyone how amazing their doughnuts were. As the prices rose, we visited less and less. And then covid happened. So after a 3 year hiatus we returned and while stood good it isn't up to the standard, or price, they were. read more

The best donuts, hands down! $10 a dozen is a steal, so I'm not sure what all of the other reviews are complaining about. Dunkin charges the same price, and their donuts are garbage. Seriously stop by and try some, if you get the chance! They're super friendly. It is cash only, FYI. read more

Carlson's Donuts - a box of doughnuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

Carlson has some of the best donuts around. I love that they still operate on a cash only basis again you're going there for the donuts not the ambience the actual store could use a good deep, cleaning another coat of paint and an upgrade ...again you're going there for the donuts and they do have the best donuts around read more

We had our first tasting of these delicious donuts this morning. Tim had strawberry frosted with coconut and I had the marshmallow which both were AMAZING. If you are looking for a bakery that serves deliciousness-this is your place. read more

Carlson's Donuts - a box of doughnuts - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

Delicious donuts! The donuts are made fresh daily. Just a heads they accept cash only and sell out very quickly. My son loves the marshmallow donut! We will not be buying frozen DD donuts again. read more

Seriously those hours are real BOSS! 05:00am-11:00 am. Carlson has me changing my sleeping habits to get there on time; late risers get an old fashioned donut (no offense to the old fashion lovers, my mom actually likes them, but I don't want it) It's really nothing more I can say that hasn't been said, good and cheap. My favorite: that soft.. slightly doughy, rich Chocolate Frosted Donut.. I'll set my alarm now.. read more

Carlson's Donuts - 8/11/2017 I made it right before selling out..MUST GET THERE EARLIER! - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

I arrived at this spot around 7am on a Sunday. There were about 3 cars in the littered parking lot. I parked in front of a vacant store next to the donut shop and walked in. The two workers were helping two other customers, one of which was a regular. He didn't even have to give his order. She just started packing a box full of donuts when she saw him. He gave her a hug and was on his way. I ordered 6 donuts ( two potato donuts, two Boston creams, a blueberry cake and an old fashion cake donut). The total came to $5, which was not bad. I tried the potato donut first. It was everything I read about and more. It had a crisp outside and a fluffy texture on the inside. The glaze was the perfect amount of sweetness. It was heavenly, especially since I put off going to church to come here. I tried the old fashioned cake donut next. I absolutely loved this donut. It was slightly sweet with a nice crunchy softness on the outside. It was love. The Boston Cream donut was just ok. The cream tasted like vanilla pudding but not very sweet. The blueberry cake tasted just like it should have tasted,sweet and rich. If you love donuts, you can't go wrong coming here. I only took off a star because of the location. The parking lot looked kinda sketchy and very junky. The donut shop was quaint and tidy in contrast. Ok. Stop reading. Eat donuts! read more

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The best donuts you could ever taste!! Once you taste them you will not ever look at Dunkin or Krispy the same

Best donuts ever...seriously so satisfying...cash only...just be careful when getting back on telegraph road

Delicious donuts - especially the apple fritters and sour cream. Go early and bring cash and earn your coworkers' everlasting gratitude. Have heard the coffee is meh not have not tried it yet. read more

Cash only. Come prepared. If you want proper donuts instead of the crappy chain donuts that are everywhere, go to Carson's. It's the best in the area that I know of. Donuts are simple so they have to be done well and Carson's respects that fact! read more

I am continuously impressed by the quality and taste of Carlson's donuts. The donuts are always fresh and delicious- definitely the best in Maryland. Highly recommend the potato donuts! read more

I don't like donuts much, but my coworkers do, and this is their fav local donut place. I picked up a mixed variety dozen to take home for my family who was visiting. Wow, everyone LOVED them! I even thought they were amazing and again I am not a huge donut fan. They were really fresh and the guy working the store front was nice. Chocolate covered were the hands down favorite. Cash only- but worth that inconvenience! read more

Go early and bring cash! And get a potato donut! They are SO good. Honestly everything here is so good! No frills place with great pricing and delectable donuts. It's located off telegraph near the McDonald's at intersection of telegraph & reece rd. You probably just never noticed it because it's in a kind of run down, older 4-shop strip. read more

It was okay. Nothing out of this world just ok. Very freshly baked I must say but I would have given a 4 star but unfortunately they only accept cash. It's 2023 there are so many options for payment, cash should not be your only accepted method. Maybe their machine was down but there was a sign that said CASH ONLY! Still worth a try though. read more

Ordered a half dozen donuts. Nice selection. The donuts were very fresh. Unfortunately they didn't have a donut with white cream inside. Only Boston cream. They also didn't have any donuts with sprinkles. My only suggestion is to add more variety of donuts. read more

Great little donut shop . Always find locals there when I stop by. Extra generous on their chocolate frosting. Coffee is not made by a barista, its just good. read more

I bought two dozen donuts for my co-workers. I arrived at 0615 and there were about five (5) people ahead of me. Believe it when they say these sell very quickly. The gentleman serving me was so friendly, patient and courteous, even with a growing line. Now, the donuts. I got a variety mixture. EVERYONE in my office wanted to know where I got them. By 0830 (most arrive between 0730-0830) they were all gone! I only got to try the potato donut and it was delicious!!! I thought the pricing was very reasonable, comparable to Dunkin, but the quality so exceeded the chain stores. read more

Although Carlson is a local favorite, I think their donuts are basically a normal, regular donut. What special about a donut since I have been hunting for a Bavarian Cream which is my favorite and the only donut I will have; it should be kinda crispy from the outside but yet it is soft, not cakey dry. The Bavarian Cream is a powdery donut with delicious custard cream in the inside. See my list of rankings of Bavarian Cream Donut in a donut shop in the surrounding Baltimore area. read more

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Absolutely fabulous doughnuts! Old fashioned favorites that are delicious. Very friendly owners. Cash only business. If you absolutely need a certain doughnut in your dozen, call ahead the day before and place and order. They open early and sell out early. My mother recommends the marshmallow and it's authentic, not that sugar fluff that serves as marshmallow in many bakeries. I prefer the jelly stick. It has a slight crispness and is large enough to split in half. read more

Carlson's Donuts - A dozen doughnuts with marshmallow, apple fritter, and their famous potato doughnut on top. - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

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These donuts are the bombeezy for the low cheddar doe cheesy and they make my tummy soooooo happeezy. Getcha sooooome! read more

Carlson's Donuts - 8$/dozen... Cash only - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

**YOU MUST ORDER AT LEAST 1/2 A DOZEN OF POTATO DONUTS!!!!** The potato donuts kinda resemble a fritter....the least attractive cousin of the glazed donut. I don't know what makes it a potato donut, but it is simply glazed. So don't bother getting actual glazed donuts....Potato donuts will be your new bestie. They're so airy & delicious....and every bite here & there, you will get the tiniest taste of potato chips in your mouth....OMG!! I talked with the manager/baker, she's the NICEST lady I've ever met (at 6 in the morning)!! She told me the ideal time to get here so you'd still have all the options of donuts is by 7:30am! The potato donuts are done by 6:30am! So anytime between 6:30am - 7:30am is your best bet for all the options of FRESH, DELICIOUS, & CHEAP donuts from the BEST donut shop around. I won't even be mad that I have to wake up at 6am to get donuts, that's the struggle of a foodie -- right?! But! If you can't arrive before the birds start chirping, I advise you to call the bakery & reserve the donuts you want! This is critical when you can't come during prime donut time! I'll also definitely recommend (my top faves): chocolate French cruller, & blueberry! They have several other options, I haven't tried them all....but I haven't had a donut I didn't like. I promise that potato donuts will change your life, it sure changed mine. read more

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If you want REAL DONUTS GO HERE. But, I'm telling you if you want selection, go at the butt crack of dawn!! They only make donuts once and what you see is what you get!! I have learned this the hard way. Certain types of donuts will be there one weekend and crumbs will be left the next. Because of this I'm only giving 4 out of 5 because I lose my beauty rest. So, forget about sleeping in on the weekend if you want fresh donuts. This place is worth it though. My husband loves the chocolate covered Crullers (Dunkin' doesn't make these.) and the glaze are wonderful if you get them hot! If you like caky donuts they are really heavy, almost too heavy for me. But, their Cinnamon rolls are good and their chocolate frosted. So set your Alarms and go there, you won't regret it!! read more

Carlson's Donuts has been around for ages and has the best donuts in the Glen Burnie, Fort Meade area. They are only open in the early morning so you need to arrive early. Their donuts are all home made and they serve donut holes by the dozen. I love the apple fritters and the old fashioned donuts. Stop by if you're in the area. read more

I absolutely love telling people (near Annapolis) that I moved down the street from the Carlson's second location. Coming from a gluten free-donut dislike I'm telling you. These donuts made me a believer. The staff is always so helpful to tell you what is their favorite and they have the most delicious donuts you'll ever taste in your life. They are worth a stomach ache for me when someone is in town and I say I'll pick up donuts in the AM. Their best seller they always say is a sour cream donut. Sounds weird, but really just is like a glazed donut. If you go here, you need to remember to pay cash as well as get here early. The pickin's are slim come 10/11AM on a Saturday morning (not sure how week days are!) If you want a delicious treat when you're passing through, screw the chains - go to Carlson's! read more

How I love Carlson's! There is just something about small businesses that really touch my heart. Carlson's is a perfect example. They have the best donuts. If you can get there early enough you can be picky and choose the ones you want but if you're late, like me today, you get what's left lol. I found out today that the owner has been away visiting his family in Thailand for a month and recently reopened the shop back up. I got something better than my French cruller today, I received delightful stories of his family and culture of Thailand. It was such a delight to stand there and talk with him. Plus he threw in a free donut which I'm going to pass on and delight someone else's day with. read more

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

I don't like waking at the crack of dawn, but if you want any variety you absolutely must wake up early. The potato donut is very tasty but leaves a weird after taste, in my opinion. I'd still recommend trying one, you may be surprised! The crueler was a bit way too soft for my liking. The blueberry was absolutely delicious! The Boston, not so much. It had a very weird taste to the filling. I wasn't a fan. They also only do cash. The royal farms across the street has a no fee ATM. read more

always amazing service! donuts are the best donuts you'll ever have! just wish that they took cash and were open maybe longer hours without selling out! i understand this is a family business that's one of a kind so i wont complain much! 10/10 worth waking up at 5/6am for! my favorites are the blueberry, apple fritters, and anything with their thick fudge frosting on top! read more

Class A service and easily the BEST donuts you will find in Maryland. Be prepared to show up early as they will sell out their stock of donuts before closing time. On Saturday morning, my son who had recently been injured and was recovering from a very severe mouth wound, and I showed up at Carlsons almost 2 hours before closing time but they had already run out of donuts. The owners spotted us and unlocked the door and made two fresh donuts for us, and gave them to us FREE of charge and apologized for running out of donuts so earlier. With a big, welcoming smile, the owner told us that she would see us next time for more donuts. Made my son's day. Amazing, class A service, and simply incredible donuts. I used to liive in California where the historic "Red's Donuts" was owned and operated from, but I can attest that Carlson's are even better. They take cash only, so come with some American greenbacks or pop into the brand new Royal Farms to hit the ATM (which has no service fee). You will not leave disappointed! read more

Carlson's Donuts - Chocolate glazed, with the most amazing donut batter you will ever taste. - Donuts Near Me - Severn, Maryland

What these reviews all say is really true-- get there early! We snoozed on Easter morning, and didn't make it through the doors until 8:15am and I watched the last icing with sprinkles donut go in front of my very eyes! We got the potato donut, glazed donut, blueberry donut and a chocolate iced donut. Everything was very good and very fresh tasting. If you're going to splurge on the calories and sweets- this is definitely the place to go. Prices are reasonable but even more importantly, the taste is definitely there! read more

This place is amazing! You have to get there early or your options/variety will be very slim and they only accept cash!

amazing donuts!! service was fast and friendly. small, local donut shop with the BEST donuts

Obviously the potato donuts are life. You don't need me to tell you. Get there early.

I'd been craving donuts and found this place on my bookmarked list, so headed there earlier this week for a sweet treat. I wasn't sure what I wanted, so asked for a recommendation. Without hesitation I was told "potato donut". I've never had one so said sure. I also got a Boston cream filled, since some of the Yelp reviews mentioned it wasn't sweet, and that is right up my alley. I tried the potato donut first and OMG it was divine! Fluffy and crispy and oh so delicious. Kind of like an apple fritter without apples and not so dense. The Boston cream was so so. Too sweet for me, and didn't taste as fresh as the potato donut. So 3 stars for cream filled and 5+ for potato. I'll be back for the potato donuts again, and will try something else too next time. BTW you can get in and out by cutting through McDonald's parking lot behind, rather than the main entrance. read more

Just moved to the area, needed to find a proper donut shop that wasn't Dunkin or KK and boy did they knock it out the park! First off i didn't know it was Cash Only, and i didn't have any cash... they still let me take the donuts and let me go home to get money! They are the nicest people. 100% recommend. Worth the extra 5 minute drive even though I live 500ft from a Dunkin. read more

Those are some tasty donuts. Went at 6am on a Sunday for a dozen donuts to take over a friends house to watch Man City vs Liverpool. My friend called me the next day saying his wife had to know where to get more. Very fresh and homemade. read more

Yummy donuts and friendly staff. I love stopping by to grab donuts for the office once in awhile and the staff are so friendly and welcoming and the donuts are delicious! I definitely recommend this place for donuts! read more