Knead Donuts

For California residents in the greater Long Beach area, Knead Donuts stands out as a unique and innovative destination in the local confectionery scene. Far from a typical neighborhood donut shop, Knead has established itself as a purveyor of gourmet, high-quality fried dough, blending classic techniques with exciting, globally-inspired flavors. This establishment represents a newer generation of California donut shops, moving beyond simple glazed rings to offer an expansive and inventive menu. The shop is celebrated for its inventive creations and its commitment to quality, a combination that has garnered significant local praise and media attention.

Knead Donuts is more than just a sweet shop; it is a blend of cultures, rooted in the Cambodian-American heritage of its owners. This heritage is evident in the shop's unique menu offerings and the authentic, high-quality Southeast Asian beverages that complement its donuts. Patrons often describe the experience as one of discovery, with "delicious with interesting flavors" that span from comforting classics to boundary-pushing sweet treats. The owner, Huey Behuynh, is known for his continuous development of new recipes, ensuring a fresh and exciting selection for loyal customers and first-time visitors alike.

The core of Knead's appeal lies in its dedication to small-batch production, ensuring that many items, such as the famous Crème Brûlée donuts and the classic Tiger Tails, are pulled fresh from the fryer and glazed multiple times throughout the day. This focus on integrity and freshness is what gives their products that distinctive, high-end taste. While some customers have noted a higher price point compared to traditional donut shops, the consensus suggests that the cost reflects the gourmet quality, inventive flavor profiles, and the support of a dedicated local family business. As one customer noted, the quality justifies the price, transforming the purchase into a splurge for a "better product from a locally owned business." The overall experience is consistently lauded for its "excellent" and "friendly services," making it a welcoming stop for a memorable treat.

Location and Accessibility

Knead Donuts is conveniently located in Signal Hill, a highly accessible area near the bustling city of Long Beach, making it a prime location for customers across Southern California.

The exact address is: 2160 E Willow St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA.

Its proximity to major retailers, particularly being "close to Costco," makes it a perfect stop for residents running errands, allowing customers to "stop by for some donuts before or after your shopping trip." The availability of "good parking" further enhances its accessibility for those driving in the area. This strategic location ensures that the shop is easily reachable by car for both Signal Hill and Long Beach residents, solidifying its status as a local must-visit destination.

Services Offered

Knead Donuts provides a wide array of services that cater to various customer needs, from a quick morning coffee run to catering for large group events. The offerings extend well beyond the standard donut selection.

• Gourmet Donut and Kronut Sales: Offering a wide, rotating daily selection of unique yeast-raised and cake donuts, as well as the signature Kronuts (a croissant-donut hybrid).
• Specialty Fillings and Toppings: Customization for certain donuts, such as the Crème Brûlée, where customers can often choose between various fillings like Bavarian cream, Thai tea, or Guava.
• Breakfast and Savory Items: A menu featuring substantial breakfast offerings, including various croissant breakfast sandwiches (Ham, Bacon, Sausage, Turkey, Egg & Cheese) and the unique Polish Sausage wrapped in a baked donut, known as the "Godzilla."
• Specialty Beverages: Serving authentic Southeast Asian drinks, most notably the highly-rated Vietnamese Iced Coffee (available in Regular, Zombie, and flavored varieties like Matcha, Taro, and Coconut), Thai Tea, and a large selection of Milk Teas and Smoothies (e.g., Taro, Lychee, Mango).
• Custom and Seasonal Creations: The shop frequently introduces innovative, limited-time flavors for holidays or special events, such as the past Bailey's Crème Brûlée or the Strawberry Margarita donut with an injectable shot.
• Delivery and Takeout: Services are available through major third-party delivery platforms, providing convenience for local customers.

Features / Highlights

Knead Donuts' reputation in the Southern California market is built on its innovation and dedication to flavor complexity, offering several distinct highlights that set it apart.

• Inventive, Gourmet Donut Flavors: The shop is famous for its creative selection, including unique flavors such as Crème Brûlée, Guava Cream Cheese, Tiramisu, Ube Coconut, Peach Cobbler, and Maple Bacon, providing a step up from traditional donut offerings.
• Signature Kronuts: These layered, flaky pastries are a key feature, available in creative varieties like Strawberry Cheesecake Kronut, Guava Cream Cheese Kronut, and Oreo Kronut. Public reviews, while mixed on pricing, frequently praise the freshness of the Crème Brûlée and Nutella Kronut varieties.
• Authentic Vietnamese Coffee: The "best Vietnamese coffee" is a huge draw for the store, offering a rich, bold coffee experience that is often customized to the customer’s preferred sweetness and milk level.
• Small-Batch Production and Freshness: The commitment to making donuts in small batches ensures a higher quality and fresher product throughout the day, a process that is highly valued by customers who seek the best possible taste and texture.
• Savory and Sweet Balance: The menu successfully integrates savory breakfast items like the loaded breakfast croissants and the "Godzilla," offering a full breakfast option alongside the extensive sweet treats.

Contact Information

For those in Signal Hill, Long Beach, and the surrounding areas looking to contact Knead Donuts, the details are as follows.

Address: 2160 E Willow St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA

Phone: (562) 427-7068

Mobile Phone: +1 562-427-7068

What is Worth Choosing

Knead Donuts is unquestionably worth choosing for any California local who values quality, creativity, and supporting a family-run business that contributes a unique flavor to the regional food scene.

The primary reason to choose Knead is for the sheer innovation in its menu. Customers are consistently excited by the "interesting flavors" like guava and tiramisu, which elevate the simple donut into a gourmet dessert experience. If you are a donut enthusiast eager to try a Crème Brûlée with a perfectly caramelized top, a distinct Tiger Tail, or a creative Kronut flavor, Knead is your destination. The shop is a place for "foodies" who seek out unique and Instagrammable food that is also genuinely delicious.

Moreover, the combination of high-end pastries with top-tier Vietnamese coffee and Thai Tea is a powerful selling point not found at most conventional donut shops. This focus on exceptional beverages, which one review dubbed "the best Vietnamese coffee in the entire world," provides a complete and satisfying experience for a morning treat or midday pick-me-up.

However, it is important for customers to manage expectations regarding pricing and product consistency. While many patrons affirm the freshness and value, one review noted that the prices are high, stating a $4 glazed donut was "okay, not $4 okay," and that a Kronut was "stale." This suggests that while the overall quality is excellent, customers seeking budget-friendly options should be prepared for the gourmet price point, and that freshness, particularly of the flaky Kronut items, can occasionally be inconsistent. Despite this, the overwhelming public feedback, including the "very helpful" and "friendly service" and the fantastic recommendations, solidify Knead Donuts as an essential, high-quality, and inventive choice for baked goods and specialty coffee in the Signal Hill and Long Beach area. The shop offers an experience that is far superior to most large chain or traditional operations.

Knead Donuts

2160 E Willow St, Signal Hill, CA 90755, USA