Nestled in the heart of the Volunteer State, Cookeville, Tennessee, may be a quaint and charming city, but when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth, it packs a delightful punch. In this article, we’ll look at four of the top spots to grab donuts in Cookeville, and tell you which ones deliver both delectable donuts and great experiences that keep both locals and travelers coming back for more.
4 of the Best Donut Shops in Cookeville, TN
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite donut places in Cookeville. You’ll find that there are really only 2 main competitors in the same league, and we’ll learn a bit more about both them, and a couple of others, in the below article.
1. Ralph’s Donut Shop
59 Cedar Ave, Cookeville
Facebook Page: Ralph’s Donut Shop
Ralph’s Donuts has a long history that has left an indelible mark on the local community. Founded in 1962 by Ralph and Evelyn Smith, this cozy little shop on Cedar Street has been the go-to spot for both residents and travelers for over half a century. The building, once an old bus stop and former grocery store, has seen its fair share of transformations, but the heart of the establishment remains unchanged. This iconic donut shop has stood the test of time, earning its place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Most visitors agree that Ralph’s has a welcoming atmosphere and vintage charm that adds a lot to the experience beyond just the great donuts. Members of the Smith family still run the business today, proving their dedication to serving their loyal following. Ralph’s serves all types of classic donuts, seasonal treats, and is known for their giant apple fritter. If savory is more your style they also have breakfast biscuits and gravy.
2. Big O Donuts
829 East Spring Street, Cookeville
Facebook Page: Big O Donuts
Big O is another long-time Cookeville staple that opened its doors in 1973. For many years they were a go-to spot for Tennessee Tech students due to their location close to the campus and 24 hours a day service. They have since had to move a little further away, and are no longer open all day. This surely lost them a few followers but die-hards know they still offer the same delicious donuts.
The selection at Big O Donuts is ever-changing. As any good donut shop they always offer the classics, but also like to keep things interesting with an ever-changing array of inventive flavors and specialty offerings. I’ve seen some amazing, decorative donuts for holidays, cartoons, sports, you name it. On top of all their great donut choices they have smoothies, coffee and an array of breakfast biscuits. You can even call ahead to get an order set aside or have something specialty made.
I personally stop in here when I’m craving something sweet and have never been disappointed!
3. Dunkin’
1545 E 10th St, Cookeville
980 S Jefferson Ave, Cookeville
Website: Dunkin’
As a national chain, Dunkin needs no introduction. Its presence in Cookeville offers a familiar taste of home for those who grew up with this brand. Dunkin’s menu features classic donuts, donut holes, muffins and more alongside their signature coffee beverages. In recent years they’ve really focused expanding their coffee selection to keep up with chains like Starbucks.
There are a few locations in Cookeville, so if you want something close, quick and convenient then you’ll never be too far away. However if you are looking for quality over speed, I highly recommend going to Big O or Ralph’s over Dunkin’.
4. Donut NV
Website: Donut NV
Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar donut shops, Donut NV takes the concept of donut crafting on the road. Donut NV is a charming food truck offering mini donuts, coffees and lemonade in a variety of flavors. Their mini donuts are bite-sized and can be customized to suit your preferences whether you like things plain or covered with candy and other interesting toppings.
I thought they had a funnel-cake like flavor, which matched up quite well with where I tasted them, at a harvest festival. And that is the main drawback with Donut NV – they are a food truck and you never know where they are going to be. In Cookeville you can be sure to run into them at outdoor fairs and other events, and they are worth a try if you see them. They would be fun to hire for a big outdoor party if you wanted to include some sweet treats. But you won’t be able to find them outside of special events.
Summary
If it’s not obvious already, Ralph’s and Big O are the clear winners in town. These donut shops have a long history in Cookeville and are well-known and loved by locals. As to which one is better – well that’s a tough competition and you might have to visit both to decide.
I think the majority of social chatter tends to suggest that Ralph’s is the more popular of the two, but I challenge you to try both and judge them just on their donuts. The taste, the size, the freshness, just on the food itself. Forget about all the other things… who produces the best donuts?
The inside of each of these main 2 are quite different. Ralph’s takes the top prize there with its quaint little diner style seating and drive-thru. However, if we are looking at just the best tasting donuts in Cookeville, that’s all out the window. So give them all a try yourself!