With an impressive 4.77 rating across all user-driven platforms online (108 total votes and…read morecounting), you would imagine Fresh Donuts would live up to the hype. On paper - actually on an Excel spreadsheet I created - those scores rank them as the third best donuts in Middle Tennessee! Having now eaten at the entire top 25 donut spots, I can provide my impartial review. I found this tiny, unassuming shop in a strip mall with no sign. Unlabeled with a lackluster, no-frills interior, you'll find the secret store adjacent to a Fantastic Sam's southwest of downtown Columbia. In the first few bites, I realized that the donuts at Fresh Donuts were shockingly mediocre for such lofty ratings. But you must consider that a Columbia 4.77 isn't a Nashville 4.77. In a smaller town with fewer bakery options, ratings are always going to be skewed higher. That's true throughout the country. To pull off a 4.77 in Nashville is nearly impossible unless you have a really special product that distinguishes itself among some serious competition! So you must temper your expectations in a town of fewer than 50,000. The maple frosted donut here, my favorite donut flavor, wasn't bad. But it struck me as average and unremarkable. The cinnamon twist wasn't as light and airy as some of the exemplary versions you'll find in Nashville, and the cinnamon was nearly undetectable. While the donuts were fresh even in the late afternoon with a dwindling supply, which is impressive and lives up to the name Fresh Donuts, I wouldn't make this a destination for Nashvillians who are thinking of driving an hour down to Columbia. If you happen to be in Columbia, yes, this is a good stop for donuts. But don't make a road trip out of it just to sample what are allegedly the third-best donuts in the region. They simply aren't what the ratings imply, and I made the trip so you wouldn't have to.

Vefy friendly and great donuts. I think someone was malicious marking it as closed. Good price…read moreand stays busy

Best donuts. Great choices and good customer service. Never disappointed. They have incredible…read morecroissant breakfast sandwiches.

Donuts seemed like any others but this place is filthy. Can't get past the dirt to eat there.read more

The donuts are so yummy and it is the perfect treat. I like how I can eat it with a mini fork and…read morenot get all dirty. I liked how it was in a trailer. The vibe inside was trendy. Service was friendly and quick

The little silver Airstream reflects the sun on a Saturday morning, a gleaming beacon beckoning…read morecustomers to their mobile bakery at the Franklin Farmers Market. If that doesn't attract your attention, the smell of fresh donuts wafting across the booths will. Founded in 2010, these are the classic, old-fashioned cake donuts of yesteryear, hence the name. You'll probably never find out how good most of their flavors are. The three Saturdays we've arrived within two hours of their opening, Ellie's only had the cinnamon sugar variety remaining. It is what it is. But even that style, the most basic of donuts, is exemplary. You'll notice the quality. Ellie's may not make my top five donuts in Middle Tennessee (unless I can get my hands on that elusive maple), but they're tasty, nonetheless. Warning: It's a cash-only food truck, so come prepared.

The box of doughnuts I purchased... Top row: chocolate,…read moreglazed, old-fashioned, old-fashioned, maple, glazed, old-fashioned. Bottom row: blueberry, chocolate, glazed vanilla cream, glazed doughnut. Apple fritters not pictured. Never knew this place existed till I read reviews on Yelp. People saying they came from all over to try the pastries. Had to join the crowd and try them myself. Some, I was eager to get, weren't available when I went. They said they didn't make as many, when schools were in session. I'll have it go back in the summer, when sales increase. Anyway, the ones I chose today were delicious. My favorite was the Maple Old-fashioned (yum yum!) Hope they have that every time I go because I will want it again and again.

I've been trying to make it to this place for years!! While the daily closing time is listed as…read more3:00 p.m., the store actually closes when they sell out of donuts. And as popular as this spot is, they sell out well before 3:00 every single day! So on several occasions over the past five years, I've driven an hour down to Lewisburg at 1:00 or 2:00, only to find a closed store at the end of a fruitless trip. Finally, I made the pilgrimage to the Lewisburg Donut Shop on a weekday morning and found it open! Hallelujah! And indeed, the donuts did not disappoint. The apple fritter is among the best I've had, almost as good as Fox's in Green Hills. But that maple with a soft, yeasty, melt-in-your-mouth dough is astounding! I can understand the lofty ratings now!

Best donuts in town. Always a favorite for my family! Service is great. I wish they had a way to…read moreorder online in advance.

How do I know these donuts are the best in the area? My husband and I were in the Jingo Java line…read moreand they recognized our donuts/croissant sandwich immediately! For the best experience at this no-frills spot, show up early for a wide selection! We ordered a variety including a twist, pink sprinkles, and sugared donut. They were all solid choices and I also added on a croissant breakfast sandwich. My sandwich was heavier than expected, not very flakey but more of a soft bun in a croissant shape. We heard their apple fritters were amazing when eaten hot and fresh, but sadly they were out by the time we arrived. We'll have to come earlier next time!

Always fresh and delicious! Luckily they are located near our house, so it's easy to stop in and…read moregrab some donuts on a weekend or when we have our granddaughter. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Establishment is clean and welcoming.

This place is amazing, I honestly don't know why it doesn't have more reviews. Just make sure to…read moreget here early. They do run out quick, because they are so delicious. Also the owners are so incredibly nice. Please come check them out, you won't regret it!

Donuts were good and aplenty on a Sunday afternoon. Went to Daylight Donuts first but they ran out…read morefor the day, so ended up at Donut Palace. There were seriously a lot of donuts. They were on average $3.50-$4.00 each. Extremely expensive. I've come from LA where family owned donut shops were in every corner, so I'm always in search of these small shops in TN. I've been never a fan of dunkin. Glazing was a bit much but didn't mind it too much. I've paid a lot for desserts before but never this much for donuts. I have to say that at this price, you would expect gourmet donuts. HOWEVER - I would actually very much prefer this over those gourmet ones nonetheless. Something about the Asian donuts just tastes much better :)

Absolutely disgusting. Shop was filthy, don't know how they have not been shut down by health…read moredepartment. Way over priced and the donuts were nasty. Spent $25.00 took one bite and stopped at next garbage can and threw them away. It was that bad. Place smelled like raccoon grease. I now have to go home and change my clothes because I smell just from stepping in for two minutes

Amazing service! Donuts are 10/10…read moreGreat prices! So many different choices for donuts! Go get some donuts!!!

We've always been loyal to Corinth Donuts especially those glorious lemon-filled ones that actually…read morecontain lemon. But since everyone in town keeps hyping up Max's Donuts like it's the holy grail of baked goods, we figured we'd give it a shot today. So we grabbed a "lemon-filled" donut from Max's... and let's just say, the lemon must've called in sick. Nada. Zilch. Just an empty pastry with trust issues. Final verdict? I'm still riding hard for Corinth Donuts. Team Filling Forever.

Yummy donuts! Perfectly soft, sweet, fresh and delicious! Very friendly staff! Would highly…read morerecommend you stop in!

Very unique style donuts that taste amazing. Cinnamon rolls are my favorite ever. Best donuts in…read moresumner county

Donuts are priced really well please do not go out of business the flavor is on point and the…read moreselection is beautiful service is quick and easy all I ask is more stock unless you get there before 11:30 no donuts would recommend

Came here to get donuts for teacher appreciation week. I waited almost 6 min for someone to come to…read morethe window. When she finally came, she didn't listen to my order. She came with the wrong stuff. When I repeated my order to her she went to the back and got the donuts out with her hand! No paper no tongs absolutely disgusting I won't be back this place has gone down hill bad.