A sign at Turner Donuts states that the shop is the home of the potato-raised donut – their competitors, Bradenton Donuts, echo this claim. “Spud-nut” copyright aside, Turner’s has the air of a community institution.

On a Sunday morning, a line of customers thirsting for rainbowsprinkled raised-glazed, maple-dipped and custard-and-cream-filled Long John donuts spiraled out the shop’s door. I ordered a cream-filled Long John. The dough was standard, but the cream was airy and not too sweet. Still hungry, I ordered a second raisedglazed donut. This donut was tasty, but not memorable.

Turner’s donuts remind me of the donuts served after church sermons – donuts that are meant to be humble – donuts that are not meant to overshadow God’s words.

In my hometown of Buffalo, N.Y, Paula’s Donuts makes chocolate-frosted angel cream that make me salivate as I think about them. The consistency of their dough is dense, yet light. Words cannot convey its genius. Their filled donuts have such a thick, not too sweet cream filling that I love cutting them in half just to stare at their interior. My ritual is to eat angel cream frosted Paula’s donuts alone so I can savor their decadence. Like a good love affair, Paula’s has heightened my expectations for donuts, thus, donuts that once thrilled me no longer taste as appetizing.

Nonetheless, Turner Donuts has a devoted clientele. In addition to their donuts, which cost $.85 each, Turner makes colossal cinnamon rolls, fruit turnovers and breakfast sandwiches priced at $2.50. The sandwiches are served on croissants, bagels, toast with eggs, cheese and either bacon or sausage.

Evaluation: Clearly Satisfactory.

The cream-filled Long Johns are the best that I have sampled in the Sarasota/Bradenton area – yet, their glazed donuts pale in comparison to Gold Star Donuts. Located at 902 9th Ave W, Turner’s offers its customers affordable grub and free Wi-Fi and is a great study destination for students weary of the ritzy undercurrent of downtown Sarasota.