Updated review:
Paula's Donuts, PD for short, is the first ever PD to make the Cheektowaga PD and Amherst PD and Lancaster PD actually seem bearable. I'm not going to comment on the NYPD though.
I really don't understand the hype when it comes to Paula's Donuts. Because they are local and because they aren't absolutely awful, I'd like to give them a three, but I have to lower it all the way down to 2 because (a) they are spoken about by most as if they are the best donuts in the world - they're not even the best in Buffalo - they're barely even better than Dunkin or Tim Hortons. And (b) they are extraordinarily overpriced. It's hard to believe the prices, seriously.
I have had a few donuts from here that I liked (maybe 4 out of 5), but I've had plenty that were 1, 2 or 3 out of 5, and I've never had a donut that was even close to being a 5. They are too heavy, too dry, too crumbly, there doesn't seem to be an ounce of moisture or freshness in any of them. Their coffee is mediocre too.
Obviously it rubs me the wrong way when something is this overrated and that's reflected in the rating. Give them a try and see what you think. But please also try Donut Kraze on Dingens (especially the Sour Creme), which is open 24 hr, and is cheaper, and see if you can taste a difference. To me, Donut Kraze is by far Buffalo's best and PD isn't even half as good.
And no, there are no basketball players here. Otherwise it'd be known as Baller's Donuts.
******* original review
This place is actually owned by 4 Paulas. I may or may not reveal their names later in the review but what I can tell you is that one of them may or may not know Monica Lewinski (who I once met... and I made her blush. In a good way...) And one of them may or may not dance with a cat in a music video and know Simon Cowell all too well. And one of them may or may not know OJ Simpson and look amazing naked. And one of them may or may not have departed this world.
Now on to the donuts. I don't like them.
I know, I know, this sucks to all of you PD fans out there, and I know there are many. But you have to understand, I'm comparing this stuff to Resch's in Columbus, to the Crullers at Biagio's just East of Cleveland, to the Doughnut Plant, to Carpe Donut, and to the wonder that is Dough in Brooklyn. And I just can't get into it. I do like donuts (to some degree), especially when they are wonderful, but these little guys did absolutely nothing for me. In fact the only reason it would get a 3 is because it's a local business and I am supportive of that. In reality it's more like a 2 for me. But then I see how massively highly (over) rated all of PD are and so I am like... nah. I'mma be honest peeps. This is a 2.
I even tried a breakfast sandwich and it was more on the level of Delta Sonic Breakfast Sandwiches than Buffalo Joe's Cafe (who make really good ones) across the street.
So I say to the owners, Paula Jones, Paula Barbieri, Paula Abdul and the family of the late Pope John Paula II, that you should visit the donut shops I mentioned in my 3rd paragraph, and then add a few new items to your menu. And yay for a female Pope. Woo, woo. Raise the roof. Of the Sistine Chapel. Aight. read more