New upscale San Francisco cafe has donuts flying out the door
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco has a new local donut hot spot and it has a Michelin-starred pastry chef.
What we know:
George's Donuts & Merriment on W. Portal Avenue officially opened on Wednesday – and sold out within hours.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported on the popularity of the shop.
The upscale donut cafe serves more than just the usual glazed treats.
What they're saying:
Pastry chef Janina O’Leary's brioche doughnuts, sprinkled classics, crullers and crème brûlée donuts crowned with gold flakes were all selling fast.
"I think the really fun part has been that we are literally frying, and they're kind of flying out the door," O'Leary said. "I just fried crullers, and I'm going to glaze them and I think probably they're going to leave the door in like 15 minutes."
O'Leary said the pace of business has been both stressful and exciting.
"At least we know that everybody is having a super fresh donut, which is pretty cool," she said.
O'Leary said she uses fresh local ingredients. And besides donuts and coffee, the menu also includes wine, hand-crafted sandwiches, salads and house-made focaccia.
The backstory:
The shop is named after George Cawog, born 1931 in Berkeley, whom is family members called "King George."
When he was 25, Cawog opened "George's Laundry" on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland in 1956, according to the company's website. He was known as "The Shirt King of Oakland."
Cawog would often take his grandchildren to a neighborhood donut shop, and the current George's hopes to be a "tribute to those enchanting moments of joy, laughter and family," the company said.

A man enjoys a donut at George's Donuts & Merriment on W. Portal Avenue on Jan. 15, 2025

An employee puts donuts on a shelf at George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

An employee rolls dough at George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

Pastry chef Janina O'Leary.

George's Donuts & Merriment in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025

An employee at George's Donuts & Merriment works at a window in San Francisco. Jan. 15, 2025