Nomad Donuts

As San Diegans experienced this Wednesday, it was wet and miserable from the storm and if you had to take the freeways, it totally sucked.  This coming from me, the person with the five minute commute. I know, wah wah wah, right. But man, it was a white knuckle drive for me until I got to surface streets.

(the random store on the corner of 30th and University is going out of business!)

I had the day off to attend several appointments and from the 805 all the way up the 94, it was a damn nightmare with traffic crawling along. Out of frustration, I got off on the 94 instead of going up to the El Cajon Blvd exit. I thought to take the "long way" up 30th to get where I wanted to go....

I'd read Darlene's latest Zagat SD post on a new donut place in North Park (linked at the end). If you are heading north on 30th, look for this mural. It's in that building, sandwiched between Oscar's Upholstery and Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill. There is no signage yet except for their logo's banner in their front window.


This reminds me, I have a coupon for the Hawaiian place next door that I should use before it expires. I got here around 8:30 and luckily, it was not crowded at all. They open early on weekdays and close at 4 pm or until they run out.

As you walk in, a vintage desk for the coffee accoutrements, maps serving as decor in fitting with the "nomad/traveler" theme...all with the tantalizing scents of freshly made gourmet donuts in the air.



Their coffee is from Zumbar. I ordered a large iced which was $2.50.

Their menu changes daily and they use quality ingredients hence their higher prices. I ordered the fritter for Bert, the chocolate old fashioned for TC and for Bert and I to share, the strawberry/black pepper/basil and pomegranate rosewater. This set me back $15.50.  The guy working here was super nice; the baker was also there chatting with a few customers.  They also had donuts cleverly displayed on travel books (in keeping with their nomadic theme)...


The ones I didn't get, the apple peanut butter and the (ugh) blue cheese, caramelized onions and pear, along with their lavender caramel and Mexican chocolate biscotti.


Racks of fresh donuts ready to be served...

My box of four plus my iced coffee (pre-sweetened)....


The pomegranate rosewater donut (it was supposed to be yeast but they had it as "cake" since they were still experimenting). This was shot on top of one of my rock Christmas cd's on top of my dashboard. Lovely. It's also turned with the bite not facing the camera, haha. The pomegranate flavor was faint and went surprisingly well with the rosewater. Very fresh!


I saved this for TC, the chocolate old fashioned with vanilla bean glaze.

For Bert, the savoryfritter with sun dried tomato, prosciutto, raspberry jam and rosemary (you can see the flecks in the glaze)...


The glaze for this was still wet (fresh), the strawberry balsamic black pepper with basil. I would have liked this more without the black pepper which was a bit of a jarring flavor. The combo reminded me of the strawberry Szechuan peppercorn ice cream I had at Humphry Slocombe n San Francisco.

Once again...

You can see the vanilla bean seeds in the glaze...

My least favorite, the strawberry/black pepper/basil. Something about herbs and black pepper on a donut doesn't do it for me. Plus, the glaze was wet which I didn't enjoy having to touch. On the other hand, Bert liked it and polished it off.

We both wished there was more prosciutto in the savory fritter and that is was bigger too (especially at $5 a pop). Great flavors here. Could have used some cheese, maybe.

Some murals along a detour on 30th.  Street parking sucked nearby but a couple of blocks away wasn't too bad.

For the record, it took me AN HOUR to get from my house in Chula Vista to North Park! WTF, 45 minutes to get to the 94. Aaargh!!!! (screams and shakes fists)!!!  The donuts and coffee made my morning a little nicer before going to the hospital to meet up with Bert.

Who else went to Nomad Donuts?
It was Darlene's hot off the press post from Zagat SD that prompted me to make the visit in the shitty rain this past wet Wednesday:
"5 Reasons to visit Nomad Donuts", December 2, 2014

Recent articles about Nomad Donuts from SD Eater's Candice Woo:
"Donut Wire" April 29, 2014
"Internationally inspired donuts headed to North Park" July 15, 2014
"North Park's new donut destination is now open" December 5, 2015

Nomad Donuts
4504 30th St. (between Madison and Monroe)
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 431-5000

nomaddonuts.com and their facebook page where you can view their flavors of the day
Y***, a few days ago there was only 1 review, now there are 9 and no doubt, the number will increase as the buzz builds.

Like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to the unique flavors (pricy that these donuts are though) which change daily, guaranteeing repeat customers. That being said, I would go again to check them out. Just earlier this morning, I saw that they had a passionfruit jalapeno donut and chocolate chipotle. For their soft opening, they had a charred blueberry creamcheese! OMG...

One thing I'd like to add that I'm quite happy with is that the chef, Kristiana Zabala (formerly the pastry chef at Bertrand at Mr. A's) is Filipina! According to what I've read, they are willing to take suggestions about donut flavors and due to owners'  international leanings, will offer many exotic flavors in the months to come. I'm personally hoping there will be a donut incorporating beloved Philippine flavors like ube (purple yam), jackfruit, mango, and coconut!

 I hope they do well in this stretch of 30th Ave. I'm sure in due time this area will be developed like the corner of 30th and University, with up and coming eateries and a newly opened Fall Brewery. I wouldn't make this a daily habit and I can guarantee that this will be a new hipster hot spot.