Once you begin indulging in what real, homemade food tastes like, you’ll never want to go back to these generic chain stores offering processed food. Americans tend to have a skewed sense of what a real doughnut tastes like. I had my first real doughnut on the east end of Long Island on a farm. It was an apple cider doughnut. It was heaven.

And heaven is what you’ll eat when you visit Doughnut Plant on the Lower East Side New York food tours. Although the establishment itself didn’t come to fruition until 1994, the recipes date back to 1910 when owner Mark Israel’s grandfather started working in a bakery at age 16.  His grandfather, Herman, opened up his own shop in 1934 in North Carolina. It is with his grandfather’s recipes and inspiration that he opens up Doughnut Plant. Flash forward to 2004 and Mark has invented the first jelly-filled square doughnut. Oh, and he opens up a bakery in Tokyo too!

Their doughnuts contain no trans fat, preservatives, artificial flavorings, and no eggs. Just high quality, fresh ingredients, and of course some love. Try a crème brûlée yeast doughnut or perhaps a cake doughnut. Yes, I said cake. Don’t forget to show some love to his homemade churros and cinnamon buns. After you check this New York food tour, you’ll say bye bye to Dunkin.