Passed by Monarch Donuts dozens of times without giving it a second thought. Some good press about the apple fritter and, more importantly, the good works of the owner moved us to stop by. We were not disappointed. The fritter is light, not overly sweet, and delicious. Moreover, Jonathan the owner is a humble, warm, and welcoming man. He truly made our day. Thank you, Jonathan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Apple Fritters
Michael Uzmann
As a faith-based business occupying what was once home to a tailor Monarch Donuts is another example of “do not judge a book by its cover,” owner Johnathan Ung’s tiny space working on three key principles and greeting guests from 5am until selling out daily.
“Do your best, be kind and love your mother” recited to a woman in line, a seemingly simple list to most, Monarch’s flavors eschew fancy in favor of old-fashioned excellence whether one selects a soft cake cogwheel or a yeasted ring topped by glaze and crunchy Streusel.
Low priced in comparison to LA artisans, though certainly not lacking for quality when biting into the Chocolate and Maple mix atop soft fried Dough, early arrival will be necessary to snag an Apple Fritter loaded with Fruit amidst a pillowy matrix beneath Cinnamon Glaze.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Doughnut, Apple Fritters
Tom
Place closes long before 9am, tried multiple times and always sold out. Please change hours!
Kerri Drake
This will be the best customer service and donut review I will likely ever do in my life. So, I'm traveling for work and I always bring donuts in for my crew working onsite at least once during our installs. I just happened upon Monarch Donuts and I probably got there at about 8:30 am on a Tuesday. There was one gentleman in front of me and he took a dozen donuts. He wanted all they had left and the owner, Jonathan Ung said he was leaving the remaining 6 for me in case I wanted a donut. He had exactly 6 left, which one was an apple fritter. I typically buy a dozen since I have about 8 crew but I took the 6 and just thought we could split them in half. I told Jonathan that I'd come back tomorrow morning and buy a dozen. He then explained to me that once he sells out, he's out and he closes. Did I mention that he has a walk up window and only accepts cash? Also, did I mention that he waits on all his customers and he greeted me, a perfect stranger, with "Hiiii Sunshine". It was immediately disarming and felt so welcoming. He then continued talking with me and asked me why I was buying the donuts, not to be nosey, but curious. We chatted a bit about my job and the reason for the donuts and then he told me to text him that night if I'd like to put in an order to hold a dozen for me for pickup Wednesday. When he gave me my box, I noticed this article taped to the box of donuts. This was 'his story'. I went onto my venue to work and gave the donuts to my team and decided to take his story off the box to read later in my hotel room.
I read the entire story and not only was this his story but it wasn't about donut making, but an honest, raw, feel good story that was so captivating and sweet, it brought me to tears. Jonathan is an amazing human being and he shows that through his friendly, kind and awesome customer service. The donuts and apple fritters are a BONUS! Best apple fritter I've ever had in my life. Soft, pillowy mounds that just melt in your mouth leaving you wanting more.
This brings me to Wednesday morning, (the next day) and it was about 7:00 am and Jonathan texted me that he was already sold out and close to closing for the day, but that he had my dozen held and wanted to know where to 'deliver' them? I sent him my address at my hotel and 10 minutes later, Jonathan delivered them himself to my room, with a smile. He greeted me at the door with a "hiiii sunshine" again and I said "wow, service with a smile that goes above and beyond anything I've ever experienced".
It's people like Jonathan Ung that make this world a better place.....one donut......one smile......one "hi sunshine" at a time.
Do yourself a favor, run...don't walk to Monarch Donuts EARLY any morning and meet and chat with Jonathan....and while you're there...you should get a donut or apple fritter as well!!!!!!! The real treat is meeting such a wonderful human being. Thank you Jonathan for the best 'donut' experience I've ever had. I won't ever forget you or Monarch Donuts and if I'm ever back in Arcadia, CA I will definitely come by to say...."hi sunshine". You put sunshine back in my life! God Bless you and your Mom always. Your Gramma is looking down from above with love, pride and adoration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angelina Lim
SO GOOD! I will never go to another shop again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Helen ortega / grabow
Amazing donuts and an amazing owner the only place to go when craving donuts get there early he is always sold out by 9am
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jim Gebis
Friendly service. Good selection early on Saturday morning at 700am.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Apple Fritters
Timothy “Tbone” Zuniga
I loved it and very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spyro Ananiades
They're the best. They're always happy and it is infectious. Great donuts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Doughnut
Ryan Machado
Best donuts in California and best fritters in the world hands down.
His doughnuts are the 'Best!"
Get their early B4 they are ALL GONE!!!
My favorite is Jonathan's Grandma's apple fritter!
'BEST DONUTS EVER!"
DELICIOUSLY FRESH,TASTY TIME!¡
🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩
Davidincalif
Fantastic donuts! Best in the area. Also a great owner who donates donuts on Sunday to Vintage church in Pasadena. Try both! You will be happy you did
Erica Suarez
My family and I were in the area and my son wanted a donut. Monarch happened to be the closest. Boy were we lucky enough to stumble across Jonathan and his amazing story. The passion he has, and his perspective on life only adds a cherry on top of the delicious and fresh donuts he creates. I wish I lived closer because my goodness, they were beyond great!
Images In 360
We are on holiday and came across this place on an early morning walk. The croissants are huge and perfectly made, not greasy or oil soaked but just perfectly moist. The donuts ? are to die for, again not greasy or oil filled but perfectly cooked and so many different varieties to choose from. The guy running the shop is a real gent, will do anything to help. You have to get there early because this place is so popular it is usually sold out by 8-8.30am. We will be visiting every day we are here, nothing like a fresh donut ? or croissant to start the day.
Passed by Monarch Donuts dozens of times without giving it a second thought. Some good press about the apple fritter and, more importantly, the good works of the owner moved us to stop by. We were not disappointed. The fritter is light, not overly sweet, and delicious. Moreover, Jonathan the owner is a humble, warm, and welcoming man. He truly made our day. Thank you, Jonathan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Apple Fritters
As a faith-based business occupying what was once home to a tailor Monarch Donuts is another example of “do not judge a book by its cover,” owner Johnathan Ung’s tiny space working on three key principles and greeting guests from 5am until selling out daily.
“Do your best, be kind and love your mother” recited to a woman in line, a seemingly simple list to most, Monarch’s flavors eschew fancy in favor of old-fashioned excellence whether one selects a soft cake cogwheel or a yeasted ring topped by glaze and crunchy Streusel.
Low priced in comparison to LA artisans, though certainly not lacking for quality when biting into the Chocolate and Maple mix atop soft fried Dough, early arrival will be necessary to snag an Apple Fritter loaded with Fruit amidst a pillowy matrix beneath Cinnamon Glaze.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Doughnut, Apple Fritters
Place closes long before 9am, tried multiple times and always sold out. Please change hours!
This will be the best customer service and donut review I will likely ever do in my life. So, I'm traveling for work and I always bring donuts in for my crew working onsite at least once during our installs. I just happened upon Monarch Donuts and I probably got there at about 8:30 am on a Tuesday. There was one gentleman in front of me and he took a dozen donuts. He wanted all they had left and the owner, Jonathan Ung said he was leaving the remaining 6 for me in case I wanted a donut. He had exactly 6 left, which one was an apple fritter. I typically buy a dozen since I have about 8 crew but I took the 6 and just thought we could split them in half. I told Jonathan that I'd come back tomorrow morning and buy a dozen. He then explained to me that once he sells out, he's out and he closes. Did I mention that he has a walk up window and only accepts cash? Also, did I mention that he waits on all his customers and he greeted me, a perfect stranger, with "Hiiii Sunshine". It was immediately disarming and felt so welcoming. He then continued talking with me and asked me why I was buying the donuts, not to be nosey, but curious. We chatted a bit about my job and the reason for the donuts and then he told me to text him that night if I'd like to put in an order to hold a dozen for me for pickup Wednesday. When he gave me my box, I noticed this article taped to the box of donuts. This was 'his story'. I went onto my venue to work and gave the donuts to my team and decided to take his story off the box to read later in my hotel room.
I read the entire story and not only was this his story but it wasn't about donut making, but an honest, raw, feel good story that was so captivating and sweet, it brought me to tears. Jonathan is an amazing human being and he shows that through his friendly, kind and awesome customer service. The donuts and apple fritters are a BONUS! Best apple fritter I've ever had in my life. Soft, pillowy mounds that just melt in your mouth leaving you wanting more.
This brings me to Wednesday morning, (the next day) and it was about 7:00 am and Jonathan texted me that he was already sold out and close to closing for the day, but that he had my dozen held and wanted to know where to 'deliver' them? I sent him my address at my hotel and 10 minutes later, Jonathan delivered them himself to my room, with a smile. He greeted me at the door with a "hiiii sunshine" again and I said "wow, service with a smile that goes above and beyond anything I've ever experienced".
It's people like Jonathan Ung that make this world a better place.....one donut......one smile......one "hi sunshine" at a time.
Do yourself a favor, run...don't walk to Monarch Donuts EARLY any morning and meet and chat with Jonathan....and while you're there...you should get a donut or apple fritter as well!!!!!!! The real treat is meeting such a wonderful human being. Thank you Jonathan for the best 'donut' experience I've ever had. I won't ever forget you or Monarch Donuts and if I'm ever back in Arcadia, CA I will definitely come by to say...."hi sunshine". You put sunshine back in my life! God Bless you and your Mom always. Your Gramma is looking down from above with love, pride and adoration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SO GOOD! I will never go to another shop again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing donuts and an amazing owner the only place to go when craving donuts get there early he is always sold out by 9am
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendly service. Good selection early on Saturday morning at 700am.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Apple Fritters
I loved it and very delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They're the best. They're always happy and it is infectious. Great donuts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Doughnut
Best donuts in California and best fritters in the world hands down.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Doughnut, Apple Fritters
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Apple Fritters I ever had .
His doughnuts are the 'Best!" Get their early B4 they are ALL GONE!!! My favorite is Jonathan's Grandma's apple fritter! 'BEST DONUTS EVER!" DELICIOUSLY FRESH,TASTY TIME!¡ 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩
Fantastic donuts! Best in the area. Also a great owner who donates donuts on Sunday to Vintage church in Pasadena. Try both! You will be happy you did
My family and I were in the area and my son wanted a donut. Monarch happened to be the closest. Boy were we lucky enough to stumble across Jonathan and his amazing story. The passion he has, and his perspective on life only adds a cherry on top of the delicious and fresh donuts he creates. I wish I lived closer because my goodness, they were beyond great!
We are on holiday and came across this place on an early morning walk. The croissants are huge and perfectly made, not greasy or oil soaked but just perfectly moist. The donuts ? are to die for, again not greasy or oil filled but perfectly cooked and so many different varieties to choose from.
The guy running the shop is a real gent, will do anything to help.
You have to get there early because this place is so popular it is usually sold out by 8-8.30am.
We will be visiting every day we are here, nothing like a fresh donut ? or croissant to start the day.
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