(Dined 12/14/15 M @ 11:00am): Just like it was in kindergarten, this shop deserved all the gold stars in the world!
Thanks to fellow Yelp Elite, Geri S. (see...Yelp helps!), I had to make my way to Goldstar Donuts for what seemed like the mother of all apple fritters! I was working at a couple properties in the area so it was totally convenient that I "snuck away" in search of this fabled fried food. Would this be simply another wild goose chase for the best apple fritter!?:
Apple Fritter ($1.50) - Not that I was an apple fritter snob - fuck it...yes I was! - but there was a certain way I liked mine. First, the price was less than other comparable ones I've eaten. Second, it had girth and was the size of my face - IT COVERED MY FACE http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=afRm_N1R77TFkbCX5ABZ4w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Third, there were a ton of apple bits in each bite. Fourth, the overall deep dark brown color was like a beautiful warm sunrise, the thick glaze was always a plus, and it had many crunchy odd crannies, corners, and nooks I liked to break off into small little morsels. Fifth, it was fresh enough as it may've been put out only an hour or so previously with a hint of tiny oil pockets that leaked into your mouth and dripped down your throat. Needless to say, this freakish fritter found a welcoming home in my belly! http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=208-n-kng1kRuLTAXRY3ww&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
[BOBA ALERT - 4.5 OF 5.0 STARS]
Mango Smoothie with Boba - One Size ($4.00 + $0.50) - I heard this being made as the blender bumped, grinded and pureed along for what seemed like eternity. The mango flavoring wasn't overly sweet, I swore there were some mango pieces, and it was cold to the last boba. The boba themselves were good with a nice chewiness, not rubbery, but some were harder than others (I guess the drink was too cold). The price, taste, temperature, and boba consistency would definitely allure me back to try other flavors and drinks. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=iQ75UqmkK3Oe8hTGjAARNA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Service - A kind Asian couple worked - and probably owned - the shop as each of them happily greeted me. I made a direct beeline to the fritters (seriously, you couldn't miss them!), chose the biggest one, waited about five minutes for my drink to be made, paid for my grub, and was cheerfully given a "thank you". Easy peasy!
Parking (Free) - They shared a small tight lot with several other businesses within an outdoor strip mall. Otherwise, there was plenty of non-metered spots along the main drag of Vanowen St. and all surrounding streets (please read all posted signs carefully).
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - Your basic donut shop with large display cases that showed-off many fried goodies http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=L_88W63BJvaUxA7-Kj6-WQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, chilled drinks, and an slight assortment of ice cream. Directly in front of you on the wall behind the order counter as well as along the side walls were colorful laminated price menu boards http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Gb-nk63V7aqW9ku3LVyckw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. The still-life bagel sandwich pictures almost enticed me to order one, but I a man on a mission http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Xl-uiroitHi55UqUN4L7-A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. There were a couple of communal tables of which a handful of homeless folks made themselves at home (yes, this was a homeless-friendly hangout). During this time of day, natural lighting was king as it flooded through the surrounding glass windows. Otherwise, I noticed patches of soul-sucking fluorescent lighting. There was one TV and no background music. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pFoe_gNPCPDP4Ers1WoDwg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Attire - Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
Overall, Goldstar Donuts was exactly that for me, and I owed it all to Yelp but specifically Geri S.. I cringed at the thought of an influx of traffic into this mom & pop joint (for selfish reasons of course). But the explorer in me always believed in sharing all of life's experiences - bad and good - to allow for others to make their own decisions. Just please don't jack-up the apple fritter prices! I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $6.00 BEFORE tip). And, although there was an ATM inside, they accepted my credit card of choice ($0.50 service charge for all credit card transactions)...AMEX! 5.0 STARS read more