The office I work at has been getting donuts from this family for years and they still come here quite often. I haven't been, personally, but they always talk about how kind the owner is! I'm not huge on donuts because they're quite sweet, but the donuts here are so fluffy it's hard to resist. The original glaze is just the right amount of sweetness. Love to see small family-owned businesses thrive. read more

I love this place! This is my go to place whenever I want donuts. I can not stand places such as Krispy Kreme donuts because it tastes so...artificial, it has like a fake taste to it. This place completely lacks that nasty artifical taste that places like Krispy Kreme has, it has a homemade quality and the donuts are pretty consistent. Been going to this place since I was a child. read more

Went in the late morning and only a third of the cases were filled; not a great variety. The donuts however are pretty fresh though. The prices are very reasonable and that made me decide to switch going to the other donut shop in CV to Donut Express from now on. read more

Once again face covered in frosting looking like a fluffer in a Bukakki porn shoot. No, i'm not talking about a night in the Castro district i'm talking about an orgy of delicious flavor at Donut Express in Castro valley.The Coffee was strong, but the fried dough is the star of this tale. The glazed was so tasty I ate four of them.I'm almost positive the joint i smoked before going here did not alter my opinion of the heavenly donuts served here.Anyhoo, cheap,sugary and delicious but i'll try to not be so high next time i come here and we shall see how you hold up Mr. Donut Express in my next updated review. And yes, i am quite high as of this writing........MMMMDONUTSMMMMMM. read more

I'll preface this review by saying: donuts are very important to me. I spent a lot of time trying to find the best donut joint in Castro Valley, as I go over to my grandparent's house about once a week to catch up with them over donuts and coffee. This place has the best donuts in Castro Valley, without a doubt. Here's why: *The prices are reasonable, meaning they are what you'd expect from a donut shop. regular donuts are under a dollar *The donuts themselves are always delicious; the sugar donuts in particular [my grandpa's favorite] are very good. They use the coarser, granulated sugar, which is preferable. Unlike most donut shops, they don't run out of sugar donuts either. Finally, a place that actually makes enough sugar donuts to meet demand! *They sell french crullers, and they come in plain glazed, chocolate, strawberry or maple. *They have good blueberry cake donuts *They have crumb donuts *They have phenomenal croissants. I'm not usually the type to turn down a donut in favor of any other pastry, but the croissants here are amazing, and sometimes I will go for one instead of a donut....or in addition to a donut, whatever, same thing. Details, details... The man and woman who own the shop are pretty nice and always remember me, and usually there is a friendly older fellow in there strumming his guitar. All in all, this is a good donut shop because they have a good variety of donuts that are sometimes not available other places [or that other places often run out of], they have great croissants, reasonable prices, and parking is surprisingly never a problem. I have always been able to pull up to the curb right in front, or park around back. No problem! read more

Good quality. Fresh. Great service. There is something special about the tradition of great donuts. I love this store.

Overhyped. The donuts were about the same as anywhere else. The classic glazed was soggy. There was a burnt looking croissant in the window and I asked not to get that one and she of course grabbed that one. I asked if she could switch it out and she said she already grabbed it. Okay thanks! read more

I love me a good donut. I have tried fancy donuts and simple donuts. For simple donuts, I definitely prefer going to these hole in the wall, mom and pop shops. We came here on a weekday afternoon, on the recommendation of a 7 year old donut aficionado. She told me this is her "go to donut shop." We walked in about 30 minutes before they were going to close. The selection of donuts was small since it was towards the end of the day. But the gentleman behind the counter was super accommodating. He said he could add glaze and sprinkles to any donut we wanted. He even asked us what type of sprinkles we wanted. The 7 year old picked a simple glazed donut. It was fluffy and still tasted so fresh. I picked a maple bar. It hit the spot. We took a rainbow sprinkled donut home for a 5 year old - who was ecstatic to come home to a rainbow donut. 5 stars for the patience and kindness of the man behind the counter. read more

Swung by this quaint donut shop during my latest visit to the Bay Area while visiting friends (I'm from Denver, CO). The donuts are delightful, billowy and fresh! They even hand-filled a couple of chocolate longjohns to order with a delicious vanilla custard. They have all the classics you crave, and I appreciate their no frills approach to baking these delectable treats. This family-owned local shop is clean, and you can tell they have a loyal following based on how familiar they are with all the patrons. If it's your first time visiting, please note this is a cash only establishment. Also, the young man who runs the counter on the weekend is super handsome and sweet. read more

Best donut place in Castro Valley. Back in the late 90s I would bring these donuts to class for my birthday and every single time my classmates would be astounded by the sheer size compared to others in the area. They also have the best ham and cheese croissant because it's actually fresh. It's not the cold, hard, prefilled croissants from other donut shops. My secret menu tip is you can add egg to the sandwich too and now it looks like they've added bacon to the menu. I'll have to try that next time. read more

Hands down best donuts in the CV. This place always has a great selection and the donuts are ALWAYS fresh. The place is clean and the staff are welcoming. There is a table reserved for regulars which I think is really cute. Everytime I go to this place someone is complementing them on their donuts! The also have a wider beverage selection than most places and they really had my heart when I peeped that they have nesquick. If you like your donuts traditional- this place is a winner all the way around! read more

Fresh fluffy donuts and great service. I was running late to a soccer game one morning so I called ahead and asked the owner to pack up two dozen of donuts for me. He agreed without hesitation. Saved me 15 minutes! read more

My favorite place to get doughnuts! They just taste so much better here! But get here early cause some days he does run out!

Love this place! The owner is awesome and the doughnuts are always fresh and delicious! They make their own bagels and croissants also and they are the best! read more

I have tried the "fancy" kind- and frankly they sort of suck. These are the best donuts. You would think "how can anyone mess up fried bread caked in sugar?" Well- others can. These are light and fluffy and perfect. read more

donuts were so nasty i had a stomach flu all day :( not to mention the staff was extremely rude. When i first saw the donut was obviously stale, I kindly asked for a different donut and they said I would have to pay for both the new one and the old one. Unnecessarily rude and low quality too, unfortunate experience. :( read more

the man at the counter was nice however this is not the donut haven that Rudy's is . After traveling down the blvd i discovered rudy;s was closed for the holiday weekend . I could not disappoint my littles so i made a stop at donut express. the donuts were decent but the chocolate raised my personal donut love was lacking the lusty excitement of the rudys version. They did have Hawaiian Hazelnut coffee which is this places only saving grace. read more

New favorite donut spot! Light and the perfect amount of sweetness. They have cinnamon roll things and apple fritters bigger than my face! You definitely get your money worth. Donut holes, French crueler, and blueberry donut for the boyfriend. Everything is delicious and they are super friendly here! Parking lot in the back or on the street in front. read more

This place is ok....not great, but ok. The owners are very nice. My kids like to walk over to this place because they will make a sprinkle donut to your specifications ont he spot...very important to a 6 year old! The donut are just ok, not spectacular. read more

Donuts were good, big, and they filled the custard donuts when you order them. We had a blueberry muffin, custard, and old fashioned. They were all good but the old fashioned tasted really citrusy. The coffee was terrible. The Prices are great. read more

The boss and I used to come here all the time for coffee and donuts. He would order the mocha and a blueberry scone and I'd go for a mocha and a ham and cheese croissant. The ham and cheese croissant is DELICIOUS. It must be the type of ham and cheese that they use or the croissant itself, but whatever it is, it's good! The coffee is pretty decent too. Not too strong, just enough mocha flavor and tasty. The owners are sweet. They remember customers and their regular orders so the boss no longer has to put in his order. They see him, start on his mocha and hands him the scone. So spoiled. Me, I sometimes change my mind and order something else. read more

Like their donuts better than Rudy. It is so fresh melt in your mouth kind of donut. I also like their Croissants better. Good size and taste better. read more

Love being able to walk to this shop, it's totally a treat for the boys to take a stroll down the Blvd and then when they get here they're totally excited sometimes overly excited. There's usually a man there with a guitar playing and my sons look forward to seeing him there and listening to him play. I like the small town feel, the owner is friendly and a lot of regulars go in and they always catch up on the latest. The donut quality is pretty good too! read more

Tasty and well-priced donuts here! I had the maple bar with custard filling. I could really taste the maple flavor and the custard was excellent, sweet but not cloying. You can get any donut filled and I believe they have a chocolate filling as well. I do think it makes a difference that the donuts are freshly filled. Also got a dozen donut holes which were as expected. Nothing unusual on the menu, just a solid donut experience. Lots of tables if you choose to eat your donut on site; clean interior. read more

I tried most the Castro Valley Donut joints, if not all of them! However, this place have made their donuts light and fluffy. When you chew, it is sooo smooth they literally melt in your mouth...No kidding, I would go back again! CASH ONLY read more

This is one of my favorite donut spots in Hayward the new owners are great and the breakfast and regular sandwiches are so good I definitely recommend for breakfast or lunch. read more

They have the best donuts in the world. James Tran has the most swag in all of Castro Valley. read more

They seriously make awesome donuts, but run out fast. It's a mom and pop kinda shop with a couple that runs it and sometimes their teenage son is there. It's 70 cents per donut. They have croissants, muffins and custard they'll fill your donuts with if you want. They even have a strawberry glaze now! Get there early though, every time I go in past 9:30 they dont have a big selection anymore. It's an old fashioned place, I've been going here since I was a kid and it's always been a hit when I bring these donuts to a party. They have drinks too - milk, soda, juice, water. They have a limited assortment of gum and candy by the donuts as well. Go here! read more

Best donuts in town. Make sure to ask for a James Tran if he is there, he'll hook it up! (Maybe) And if you tip him. He'll hit that dougie and cat daddy for you. read more

Great local donut shop, hasn't changed in years. Donuts are tasty coffee is good. My favorite is the chocolate old fashioned followed by the jelly filled read more

Very fresh donuts with great texture. Many times, I get there too late and favorite donuts are gone. Owners are nice.

I like this place! It's one of those donut joints that the 'regulars' or the 'old timers' have probably been coming to for years. Every time I run in to get a WARM apple fritter (which I try to limit to about once or twice a month), there is that same bunch of 'friends' hanging out at the back tables. Hmmmm, someone might want to check their cholesterol if they are eating there every day... read more

Yes, I admit, I make a pit stop here every morning 7 days a week!! They always seem to be open whatever time I'm starting for work!! The coffee has a taste to it that I crave every morning and don't mind paying a dollar fifty for it either!! Chan and his wife are excellent hard working owners, very nice people!! Oh and don't let me get started on their prize donuts!!! The chocolate glaze is my fave!! It's gooey and fresh tasting!! Excellent! read more

There are only a few donut shopts to choose from in Castro Valley and this is an okay option. Not great but not bad either.

Best donuts I have ever eaten. For years we had been going to Rudys -about 6 months ago my dad brought us donuts from donut express! They were amazing!!! Rudys is still good but these by far are the best raised donuts I have ever had. They are very light and fluffy. They seriously melt in your mouth. Must get at least a dozen donut holes too! Sometimes if you time it just right they are warm! Simply divine!!! Cash only! read more

Maple bar is the antithesis of the World's Faire. Both bars live firmly in place on each end of its spectrum. Light a proper amount of grease and a crunch that sets it apart from others. More like a maple beignet. Strawberry frosting lives atop a few items too. Strawberry is made for old fashions! Try it if you want something slightly different. read more

I love donuts, but I haven't had one in a loooong time. I passed by this mom and pop and decided to roll the dice. Simple shop, a lady sorting donuts up front and a cook in the back making donuts. They had a good variety, and I got a six count. Price was cheap, donuts were good, my craving was satisfied, BUT it's cash only. So bring some cash and so you don't have to go to the ATM in the bar next door like I did...although the bar two doors down was nice and welcoming. read more

Friendly owners. Zesty cappuccinos. Cholesterol-filled, saturated fat-oozing donuts. (Hey, but that's what makes them taste so good!)

I get cravings for donuts in the afternoon. Which is the worst time to get fresh donuts. Rudy's is closed by 12 ish and out by 11 am of anything I want, so that never works out. The donut place by Trader Joes/Dance store keeps changing their hours and are closed all the time in the afternoon now. The place next to 7 eleven usually has donuts all day, but they are not my favorite they are too light and fluffy. They are good, but I like heavier donuts. Finally one day I was desperate so I drove to the other end of town and went to Donut Express. Sad to say, I have lived here for 16 years and never been there. They are not convenient at all for me, since they are on the far side of town and take me at least 15 min to get to. They have the best old fashion donuts, any flavor and plain cake donuts around. I do not buy other kinds so I can only speak of the ones I buy. I love them. Their donuts are not too sweet and I like their batter very much. Rudy's puts some kind of spice in their old fashion and plain cake dough, like nutmeg or cinnamon and I do not like that at all. They have a spice aftertaste. Also theirs can be a bit dry. Of course I am always getting the last donuts of the day with them if I make it in before 12. I will say this Rudy's is the only place you can get a whip cream eclair but you have to call ahead if you want to make sure to get one. They always run out and rarely have one when I get there past 10ish. Their whip cream eclairs are amazing! Delicious. After a lifetime of donuts, I find Donut Express my favorite for old fashion any toppings and plain cake or cake any topping. I wish they were closer to me, but then I would eat more donuts and that is not a good thing. read more

Ok donuts-- not exceptional. I was there at 8am so they were recently fried. Had an old fashioned which was a bit heavy and raised glazed donut holes-- exactly 12. I know this because the guy behind the counter made painstakingly sure by counting them one by one and was determined to give me no more than I paid for. He seemed to be the baker and most likely should have stayed in the kitchen as he essentially grunted as his form of communication. Give me a break! If you are going to take my time to do that at least give me a bakers dozen. They were raised glazed donut holes so they cost about $.03 to make and would have gone a long way for their customer service. I bring up cost because the price was $1.50 for about $.36 of product. Some shops throw in several for free with donut purchases and still seem to be in business with happy customers. 2.5 stars for product -1 star for service rounds to 2 stars. I wouldn't recommend as there are many more donut shoppes in the area with better or equivalent product and far better service. read more