Why Does Tampa Bay Love Doughnuts? Your Answer Is Here

TAMPA BAY, FL — History disputes the origin of the doughnut, according to National Day Calendar.

American Hanson Gregory claims to have invented the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847 while working onboard a lime-trading ship. Only 16 at the time, Gregory said he punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship’s tin pepper box.

According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, an 1803 volume included doughnuts in the appendix of American recipes. However, the earliest recorded usage of the term "doughnut" is found in a short story in a Boston Times article about “fire-cakes and dough-nuts,” published in 1808.

A more commonly cited first written recording of the word is Washington Irving’s reference to doughnuts in 1809 in his History of New York. He described balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat. Another author, William Cullen Bryant, describes doughnuts fried in lard in his book Picturesque America; Or, the Land We Live In, published in 1872.

Whatever their origin, there's no debating America's love of the doughnut. For those willing explore the offerings in Tampa Bay, here are a few Tampa Bay favorites.

Dough, 2602 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa

Nicola's Donuts, 902 W. Busch Blvd., Tampa

Mimi's Mini Donuts, 9454 U.S. 19, Port Richey

Hole In One Donut, 14406 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

Jupiter Donuts, 13002 Seminole Blvd. Suite 7, Largo

Van Dough Mini Donuts, 2519 McMullen Booth Road, Suite 207, Clearwater

Simply Done Donuts, 2109 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

Craving Donuts food truck

D & E Donuts, 1453 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater

Sunshine Bakery, 12698 Starkey Road, Largo

Hole in One Donuts, 39024 U.S. 19 N. Tarpon Springs

Disco Donuts, at the Oldsmar Flea Market

Get Along Donuts & Stuff, 5010 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa

Choco Mini Donuts food truck, 5226 Gunn Highway, Tampa

Local Mini Donut Co., 411 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

Jupiter Donut Company, 32130 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor

Fray's Donut House, 4900 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park

If we overlooked your favorite doughnut shop, let us know in the comments section of this article.