Royal Pastries & Doughnuts

Someone please explain to me why anyone would give it more than one star? Because I’m shocked at how awful this place really is. They have no selections the 4 times I have been here. They have nothing to choose from and it’s your pretty standard, plain looking donuts. They’re never stocked and the place looks dumpy. And what’s up with the ghetto cardboard sign? It should say «don’t enter“would be more like it.
After taking the pictures, the Vietnamese witch followed me outside asking why I took pictures? Um duh, because it’s to let others know what a dump this place is. Who chases a customer out? Wow!

Was closed just after 11 a.m. on a Sunday. Pretty surprising. Went across the street to sweet lands donuts instead.

This little place has a good selection of doughnuts and a friendly counter. For $ 7.50 you can get a dozen regular donuts, or $ 10 for as many large. My donut expert kids declared them to be really good.

These guys are amazing! Donuts are great and the people working there (I think the owners) are really nice. They always sneak some extra donuts in my bag. Really nice of them! The price is pretty good and cheap than other places I’ve been to. Will continue to come here everyday before work!

The owner is sweet and gave me an extra donut just because. But, there was a hair in my croissant, NO cheese in my «ham and cheese» and the donuts were just not up to pare with the reviews. I was so disappointed I didn’t eat anything and ended up popping a waffle in the toaster.

I love this place for the rare occasions I feel like getting some donuts. The woman working here (who may be the owner?) always insists on giving me extra donuts or donut holes when I insist on giving a tip and it becomes a comical exchange of good will.
The price is as a donut shop should be — just whatever is in your pocket and who doesn’t enjoy the old familiar experience from childhood of pointing to the sprinkled donut that you want.

Just the best donuts ever. The owner is super nice and always gives us extra donut holes.

This is the best donut shop in Lake Forest! I stopped in early on a Sunday morning to pick up a dozen donuts for work and was greeted by a young lady right away. I don’t know why but when I see pastries or sweets behind a glass case I feel like that kid who puts their nose right up to the glass and points at the one they want. They don’t squeeze fillings like custard or jam in the donuts they jazz them up on top which makes them look that much more appetizing. I selected my dozen… bars, old fashioned, blueberry cake donut (yes blueberry), cream filled, and glazed!
Before she closed the box of plenty she filled the top with donut holes… best part Free Donut Holes. I got the box to work and they were gone in a flash. These donuts are soft with a light airy chew, so yummy.

Very friendly and generous. I bought quite a bit, but they threw in a bunch of extras… donut holes, a few other various donuts. Tasty, fresh, and no line.

On a recent craving for a delicious donut (mind you I’ve never had a donut craving and rarely get them) I decided to give this place a try. Very small shop that was on the way so it made sense to stop in. I went on an afternoon weekend so a majority of the donuts had been chosen for that pre soccer game snack for those in a hurry to get their kids to their games or other weekend activity. If I had been up earlier I’m sure I’d have access to a much better variety. I ended up getting a half dozen of a variety of simply sugar, glaze, chocolate, old fashion, and cake donuts. The gal assisting was great and threw in an extra donut for free (seems to be normal if you go later after the morning rush; great idea for customers and getting rid of some extra donuts so as not too let them all go to waste).
The donuts themselves were just what you’d expect. Tasted like any other donut I’d find at any other general donut shop. I couldn’t say that any were memorable or mind blowing but still hit the spot for that sugar craving. Good wise I’d say 3/​5, adding a star for customer service.

Woke up this morning with a donut craving (I’m also 3 months pregnant, so I couldn’t just let it go). After looking at reviews, I decided to drive the extra mile here instead of the donut shop closest to my house. I do not regret this.
Service was great, and she even threw in a couple extra doughnut holes!
I got a variety of doughnuts and although all of them were delicious (I took a good bite out of each one since I couldn’t decide what I wanted), my favorite was definitely the glazed doughnut holes – they were perfect!
It is cash only, FYI, although the prices are so reasonable you could probably get your doughnut fix with spare change in your car if you forget cash :)

Very good apple fritters!

I haven’t eaten donuts more than maybe once a year for many years. On a whim I stopped by this place for the first time last week after a fitting at the tailor next door, only to stop back this week for more; therefore, they deserve a review!
Last week I walked in and was greeted with a hello and a big smile from the woman working that day. What a great way to start off my first experience! Bonus points for this place already.
I ordered a honey-​glazed and a chocolate frosted donut, as well as a ham and cheese croissant to go. The glazed melted in my mouth. Perfectly moist, expertly covered in glaze and just the right touch crunch. Then the chocolate frosted. Oh my yummy’ness! Just enough chocolate, spongy /​springy middle with a slightly crunchy outside. For me perfection with chocolate frosted includes a bit of honey-​glaze on the donut itself, but that’s not the goal of this pastry from Royal, so I give it a big thumbs up anyway. (I ordered another one today!)
Of the 3 items, the ham and cheese croissant was my least favorite but that doesn’t mean that it was bad by any means. It was really good! I like my croissants to have the traditional butter croissant consistency and taste (as compared to those that are really just bread shaped like a croissant). The bottom of the croissant did seem a little doughy but maybe that can’t be helped when there’s gooey cheese and ham in the middle. All in all, though, the taste of the pastry was pretty right on!
Today I have a few new flavors to try including a regular butter croissant so you might just hear from me again soon on this one.
A few notes about the business itself:
Most importantly, they bake their donuts fresh DAILY! And they’re really inexpensive.
It’s a small, cozy, and clean bakery. The décor is not overdone, in fact it’s very simple /​traditional. They only take cash, no credit cards, no checks. I like all of this. Why complicate things? Plus, it helps keep the patron’s cost down too.
I don’t know how busy it gets early but when I’ve been going, about 11 AM (an hour to closing), it’s slow. Early you get a huge selection to choose from. Later you chance that your selection is limited, but you also might get some extra pastries thrown in at no charge if it’s close enough to closing time and there’s left overs they don’t believe will sell.
Royal Pastries has made this long-​time «take-​it-​or-​leave-​it» donut girl into a real fan again!

Wish I knew about this place before… or maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve been making more trips to this place now that I’ve found out about it. Mainly, for my morning donut (s) or filled croissant and hot chocolate.
The baked goods are excellent. Just saw the huge cinnamon bun the other morning, looks like I’ll need to run a few miles before work again.
Service is friendly and not crowded at all in the mornings… for now. ;) There are a few tables if you want to relax as well. Prices are good and the lady usual adds a couple donut holes to my bag, a nice surprise the first time i went here.
«Mmmmmmm donuts» — H.J. Simpson
*Note: Their open hours are from 4am to 12pm. Went there after lunch and they were closed. :(Now I know.

Really surprising that there are no reviews for this place but someone has to start it so might as well be me :)
This place is well hidden. Located on the same corner as the Chevron Station/7−11 Market/​Montessori school.
This is one of the best kept secrets of OC for donuts! I have been buying here for over 7 years and you must try it if your searching for a fantastic donut!
Donuts are always fresh and I do mean fresh! If you want some of their awesome filled donuts (Lemon is a fav) go early because they sell out very quickly!
Filled donuts are soft, fresh with a mean amount of filling! No skimping here!
We have bought donuts here for family, husbands co-​workers and friends and everyone has marveled at how delish they are and where on earth did we get them!
Family owned Asian couple run the place, fast, courteous service and oh yeah don’t be surprised if they give you extra donuts or donut holes :) Course you have to order more than a few donuts to get some free stuff but if your heading into the office on that «Hate Monday» grumble, these might lift your spirits as well as your boss’ and co-​workers, if not your taste buds :)
If you only buy one donut, you’ll be sorry :) Course this is written by a carb addict and I cannot take responsibility for clogged arteries :)

best old fashion doughnuts i’ve had in awhile. I was also introduced to another flower shaped donut know as the french culler, it was absolutely delicious, so light and fluffy! Would definitely go back to try other donuts.