See What Makes This Little California Doughnut Shop So Successful | TODAY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In this week’s Sunday Closer, NBC’s Harry Smith meets Jim Nakano, who opened Donut Man in Southern California nearly 50 years ago and has been drawing people in ever since.
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See What Makes This Little California Doughnut Shop So Successful | TODAY
when the guy took a bite and just laughed with joy ......we liked that
Robin Williams approves.
I see you carry mice in your pocket as well.... Cheers
Wonder what the secret ingredient is, lol.
Maybe life ain’t so bad huh
It was so innocent and lovely 🥰
Was a prisoner for the United States, finishes college serves in the Navy and then opens up Donut Man. This man really has no hatred.
Christopher Yako Mr. Yako, you “Get it”. Respect. I’m humbled by this man and all that have true grit and integrity.
@@contenderbp This man is pure. Just look at how much care he puts into his work. You don't find men and women like this. He is a true gem.
contenderbp integrity would’ve been blowing the country up
There are thousands more of that generation who fought discrimination and became successful in life. Some were in a unit serving in Europe against Germany who has the most decorated with Medal of Honor recipient 100th infantry battalion.
@@magersenna3124 The USA doesn't have a 100th infantry battalion.
Edit: Actually we do but it's reserves so basically no.
That chuckle when he bit into the Buttermilk bar.. Sold me for sure.
NorthTowNer 😂
I like doughnut very tasty
Rumor has it that the reporter is still laughing with joy till this day.
Not really. He’s talking for the rest of the video.
Sammy NunyaBidness you clearly have a sense of humor XD
Nice
that was such a delightful comment, it made me feel warm inside, and tickled me so much thank you
Only been a week since this video came out, I say let’s check back with him in 20 years and see if his teeth hasn’t caved from all those donuts he devoured lol
I love little standalone businesses like this, they put a lot of pride into their food which makes it better than the rest.
consumers need to support more of these places! Local business = local dollars for the community.
Jim seems like such a humble man. I would love to meet him. ♥️
DeAnna Orr classic Japanese guy. Reminds me of the Nisei business owners like my grandma.
Me too
His family was imprisoned, but still served in the US Navy after, and opened a shop in the US
During WWII a lot of Japanese served in the military. They proved themselves in battle many times.
@Ned Flanders Meanwhile a certain group would have called out for endless reparations. Really tells you the difference in culture.
@@julius1787 are you talking about Jews?
@@julius1787 I can smell the racism from your post.. As a white person i can tell you there's is a big different between slavery and imprisonment and the Japanese did get reparations.
The Japanese and Jews both got reparations why doesnt the blacks got reparations? I know the answer do you? And difference in culture? his shop probably got open due to reparations.
Next time if you want to be racist get your facsts straight.
Fascinating isnt it
They also have peach donuts. This place is really something. If you like doughnuts and around the area. This place will not let you down!
Jeremy Evangelista Have you ever had that butter bar?
It's all seasonal. I have never known them to have strawberry with peach donuts at the same time. They do pumpkin filled ones in Oct.
I love donuts. Deeply. I am both sad and greatful I live on the other side of the country.
I doubt my self control would last very long.
But I need one.
America took everything from him when it wasn't his fault, yet he still served in the Navy and start up a business. Simply amazing and wholesome. What an angel!
Not America, Democrats.
Democrats are heartless and ruthless. They also created the kkk.
Kathy Ly You just have no idea what you’re talking about your statement is completely ignorant of any facts.
@@samuelplacensia753 Awe you need a hug! ^^
And he still says the american dreams.
God Bless this man. Gave back to the country that took everything from him.
How did he "give back"? He went into business and he's made a living selling unhealthy food to low IQ Americans who will travel miles just to eat his high carb sugar confections? He goes home and laughs while shaved American boys polish his samurai sword. Your comment is moronical, you should delete it before you embarass yourself. *muah*
EVIL UBUNTU Noone loves you my dude, sorry to tell you that
@@armantas2001 Really? I guess I'll just drink this bleach again. Thanks for letting me know! 😫
not the first time. still happening.
EVIL UBUNTU 🤷🏾♂️
I have many fond memories of eating here. My dad’s job moved us to Georgia in the early 80s and when we would go back to visit my grandparents we would always have to get donuts from The Donut Man. One of my many fond memories of SoCal. I can definitely vouch that these donuts ARE hands down better than either a hot Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donut.
Great story!! The best donuts usually come from mom n pop bakery's. I luv how it's open 24/7.
The Donut Man is located at 915 E Rte 66, Glendora, CA 91740
Thank you!!
Thank you
Real one!
Get apple fritters they huge
Victoria G thank you
Was just there two weeks ago. The best donut I've ever tasted and I've tasted from several different countries.
Have you tried Tim Horton yet?
@@Nyxiria-r4g not yet. Will check it out when I get the chance 👍🏻
@@JorisSatyadharma try the blueberry jelly donuts they are absolutely the best!
Ive lived in Glendora my entire life and can honestly say that these are the best donuts I've had, never get tired of them definitely worth the trip if you have the chance!
Yup I live down the street lmao
.
I just checked on Google that a non-stop drive from where I am in Washington state to Glendora would take 17 hours...I do have Monday off too...hhhmmm.
I'm all the way in PHILLY 🤬 if u make the drive plz comment about ur experience thanks
Just hearing about this today and my non-stop drive is 59 minutes. So many close hidden gems.
Timothy Harris I’m 15min away lol
@@flat_life750 Beautiful, grab me two dozen please, nothing with coconut. Start driving North on I-5 for 16 hrs and 45 minutes. I'll meet you and pay you back at the exit.
Do it. Worth the drive.
I'm from Glendora this was the spot when I lived there...I'm glad they're getting more publicity...never change Donut Man
I actually got choked up watching this. What a sweet man. His success is well-deserved. ❤️
Jim has a really awesome personality I envy his joy for what he does.
Omg that strawberry donut looks delicious!!
Ria Lequay it sure is I live 10 minutes away
Mothhberfhuckbrerbdditch I live in the fhgvbvuckinffg uk
My World huh
My World okok
My World nah I’m fine
Glendora resident here, these are some of the best donuts ever my favorite is the powdered sugar covered blueberry birthday cake Donuts.
What a humble man...if only I had a tenth of his heart.
I'm so blessed to live close to this location!
Dangerous!!!
What a wonderful hard working man. So happy for him.
I live in this city. The donuts are truly incredible.
What's the address and what time should I come for it to not be sold out? I'm travelling 24 hrs for this
LAZY CHEF you’ll have to try and get lucky regardless of time. The original In’N’Out is about 20 minutes from there in Baldwin Park as well.
Just don’t do a cost analysis plus/tax measurement of city districts minus the rise in the Dow against your 401k stocks, with the potential raising gas costs from the Iranian war. It’s a horrible way to go about travel. 😉
@@Patmosentertainment lol , so true. live the experience ~
Demi Hamlow I live only 10 minutes away and still haven’t been there. Guess I will be going this weekend!
@@Patmosentertainment thanks! I'll be in the area I'll check it out:)
Those donuts look better than Krispy Kreme and Dunkin donuts
any local food is better than chain restaurant food....
1000%
Gives both a knock out punch🤓☺
Kh4n not always lol but yes that’s what I tell people
Those are bottom level donuts. Not talking about in the videi
God bless hard working man delicious looking donuts
I'm lucky enough to live in Glendora and they are the BEST
Watching this at midnight makes me want to buy the whole shop
Wow! Before seeing this video I already had the utmost respect for the Japanese people and their ingenuity but Jim is heightened EVEN MORE! An fine example of a human being he is for us non-Japanese. :)
We imprisoned him first & now he has imprisoned us. This is the sweetest revenge I've seen!
Killing all of us with Diabetes lol!
& he's low profile with it💯
That's dark
What a kind and humble man. He only feels gratitude . I think he is an amazing American deserving a lot of respect. 👍
0:24 nothing like that manic, irrepressible laughter that comes from a bite of that something
The world needs more people like Jim!!
Wonderful Man and Family! His story is similar to my father's, what great memories of him, Thank you for the Great Story.!
What a humble man that works with integrity. This should be the business model .
You know your food is good when you laugh after the first bite😂
would that be creepy making love?
NyCJT62 😭
NyCJT62 omg lol
Thats the sweetest story ever. We love our Donut Man.
For this man to have survived an internment camp then serve the country who imprisoned him and his family; to have started his own business and is grateful for having achieved the American dream? How many people could accomplish this and be humble afterwards? This man is a Saint.
Wonderful story!!! Congratulations to this man and his family.
🍩🍩🍩🍩This American Dream is Xxxtra SWEET!!!Great Story!!!💖
I got a lot of love for this man and this story. God bless
True American, turns tragedy into his triumph.
Salute to him.
He is a true American dream.
I'm glad that Beautiful donut Shop brings joy to all of its customers, what a lovely owner as well.
So good Harry could only laugh 😂
Antrease Robinson that was so genuine
I know right ☺️
Donut Man is one of the best donut shops ever!! Going there at mid night and getting that warm donut was the best! I miss it since I have moved away!
I literally lived in Glendora and drove by this place multiple times but never went there. Got to go there some day
Ludagen what are you waiting for?
Ok. Have fun!
Some day? I would be there right now!!!!
@@luisperez7420 ok.
@@barfyman-wn3id all hail donuts!
I live in Azusa Ca and I’m about 2 miles from Donut man in Glendora and let me tell you, what I really really love is their amazing Apple fritter. It’s the best apple fritter in the entire country. I’m not kidding. You have to special order it before you go so call them. It’s so delicious and moist and sweet it’s an experience all its own. It’s about half the size of an American football and they’re not that expensive. If you go try one you will not be disappointed.
I was there today and got a dozen donuts including some of their famed strawberry donuts. Today is the start of their strawberry donut season!
I don't even know how I ended up here, but hearing that guy chuckle, and seeing the joy on his face, now I need a doughnut!
I live 5 min from this spot and have never been there. I drive by it all the time. I guess it’s about that time to check it out
I would have to get one of each!!!!! I'm so jealous, no donut shops where I live and the one in the grocery store aren't that great.
He looks really good for being that old.
This is right near my house! First Donut Man get a mention on the show You from Netflix and now this! Congrats Jim!
I live in Hillsboro Oregon I have money and literally nothing to do I’m on my way I’m renting a car and I’m driving there now literally
Ethan Kimsey bring some work
Well Ethan since you are on a pilgrimage there is another Shop in Northern California, Santa Clara to be exact that is well worth your stop. Stan's Donuts. Same family since '58 or '59. You will not be disappointed.
Stan's Donuts 2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
lol, good luck Ethan. Let us know how it is once you've tried it. It's alright I guess, imo. I guess with anything, it's really best when they've freshly made it, so make sure you get the fresh baked ones.
@@scottcalloway4630 So, Donut Stan.
What a sweet, humble man.
Bless Donut Man ♥️
LOOK!! UP IN THE SKY!! ITS A BIRD! ITS A PLANE! NOOOOO!! ITS ..............
D.O.N.U.T.....MAN!!!
Man, what an honorable person. He deserves all of his success. Those donuts are incredible!
2:50 Awsome grandpa Laugh of enjoyment 🍩😋✌
My children and I make it to this place every year for birthdays since 1989 when my twins (boy and girl) were born... Amazing donuts, fresh and quality.
I love that he didn't hold a grudge and he went on to succeed.
Went to Donut Man about a year ago, and this video just reminded me of this place again. I’ll be back this weekend.
I’ve had their donuts and they are very delicious. My favorite donut place. 😋
This is hands down the best ... I used to come here once a week when I lived in SoCal
My husband misses his tiger tails. We moved away from this area 8 years ago:(
Grew up in Glendora and went to school with Jim’s son. Great family; great donuts!
I went here as a kid with my great aunt, my mom and I still talk about these donuts today. Honestly, these put Krispy Kreme's to shame!
Omg same, it was amazing!😮😀
Looks like a place I need to visit one day soon. I love a good donut. I worked as a donut maker in a small bakery in the late 1970s. We made everything in house. We made the best maplebars. They topped with a soft and airy frosting.
I hope he has them at his shop.
Their tiger tails are amazing!!
Hard headed quality, happy for the customer. I love that
In case anybody missed it, Donut Man is located in Glendora, California. I should know. I was raised there. 😊🍩
I can’t stop watching this video. It’s so relaxing to watch.
Same here 🤗
And we go nuts over Krispy Kreme Fundraiser boxes.Smh. This guy needs an East Coast location. 😊
H Eck gate keeping much?
I love donuts. This makes me so happy. I love them even more now.
This donut shop has been on every food show I'v ever seen😁
@Ned Flanders Diner's Drive In's & Dives, Something else on travel channel, & something else I can't remember right now😁
Bless his little heart!
Someone do a review of the buttermilk “giggle” bar! 🤣
He has such a magical voice.
The Doughnut Man opened in California and it was nearly 50 years ago today.
Anyway that was a great story!
The donut guy looks barely 50 ..must have opened the place when he was 2.
What do they do with the donuts they don't sell they never share that though
so that shop popular after 50 years?
I use to deliver to this place as well several competitivers and have seen horrible conditions which I would not send my worst enemies to. This place is top notch very clean good people
Quality over quantity always win ~
China disagrees.
Beautiful story and beautiful people.
Yay I live in the next city and my favorite is to take people that haven’t tired The Donut Man
Good for him. Life well lived.
HAHAHA they subtlety mention Donut Man on Netflix’s “YOU” and now the news is covering it
Such happiness!! Only tasty food can bring about..
How much you got
4
3 for me, 1 for my dad..
Now that's what m talking about!!
The best part about the Doughnut Man is Kings Gym right next door everyone laughs and feels bad for the people that work at that Gym..
When great food can make u just laugh. That's true love
Ahhh, doughnut man!!! i miss you!!!
so proud of being another japanese american here 🙋🏻♀️
May God continue to BLESS HIM!! 🙏
Awesome story! American dream!
im lucky enough to live 15 minutes from doughnut man, definitely a higher standard than other establishments. We always look forward to strawberry season, best place in Southern California by far.
“Donut Man”
Joseph: Kakyoin!
They actually are incredible!
Kk, WHY have I never heard of this most DELICIOUS Donut Shoppe🍩?? It is only my very favorite food and grew-up in Rancho Cucamonga, not far away at all😎:)
You can just bet WILL be visiting to get about a DOZEN or TWO😋!!
You grew up in rancho and have never heard of donut man? That's crazy
@@HIM7070
Agree~Crazy🤯!! We always went to our local shop or Winchells in Upland (on Foothill) while I was growing-up...they sadly closed that location and not sure if any of that chain are even still opened:(
Now in Arizona, yet my Daughter and her family live in the OC so I will most definitely be stopping at Donut Man in the near future🍩😋:)
We live in the city. My son did work there 2 summers when he was in HS. Jim is amassing person.
these guys: “it’s worth the drive out”- “i came from palm springs”
me: living literally two blocks away from doughnut man and i can legit walk there whenever i want✌️
where my other glendora folk at we be gettin the bread🙌
Don’t get mad when u get fat
I'm jelly
I live an hour away. Probably gonna go sometime soon
You also can get diabeetus easily
@@hotwheelinroblox7348 - Never heard of it. I know a guy with diabetes though.
本当に美味しそうな映像ですね。小さくて清潔で可愛いお店、若い従業員たちも丁寧な仕事をしていて好感が持てます。
これからも堅実な経営で100年200年の老舗になっていただきたいです。
Who takes a bite of a donut and stands there laughing menacingly like that...
A happy guy
@@yasirzainal1 so you've done that?
Oh my goodness!! That strawberry delight looks absolutely amazing!!