JD Flannel Donuts and Coffee in San Juan Capistrano, CA
The best donuts in California? That honor, courtesy of Yelp, goes to JD Flannel Donuts in the historic South Orange County city of San Juan Capistrano.
JD Flannel opened its doors in 2019 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier donut shops in the area. On a typical sunny day, you’ll find its outdoor patio buzzing with regulars and visitors. Sometimes lines extend out into the patio as eager patrons wait their turn to approach the glass display case containing their beloved treats.
These aren’t your typical pink-box donuts. They’re made in small batches throughout the day and they’re quite substantial, while maintaining a perfectly tubular donut shape.
Off to the side of the donut display, you’ll find a robust espresso machine that employees use to expertly craft lattes and other beverages. Their coffee drinks are worthy of recognition in their own right.
Some of our favorite menu items:
Brown butter sea salt donut - A buttery donut with a hint of salt that elevates the sweetness.
Boysenberry donut - A seasonal favorite, filled with the tangy and sweet flavor of boysenberries—a nod to California’s heritage.
Vanilla oat milk latte - Creamy, lightly sweetened, and perfectly balanced, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Want to learn more about the story behind JD Flannel? Read on for an exclusive interview with co-owner Dave Rhode!
Meet Dave Rhode, Co-Owner
Tell us about your journey to opening JD Flannel!
Dave Rhode, Co-Owner
John and I have been friends for over 45 years. We both had long careers in the corporate world. On a fishing trip in Montana, we talked about building a business together that would authentically serve people. John had a special connection over Sunday morning donuts with his father, and I had connected with my mom over coffee. So we started there. We bought a small turkey fryer from Sears, and over months of R&D came up with our basic dough recipes. From there, we found a location and hired amazing people along the way.
What makes your donuts unique?
Our donuts are made-from-scratch throughout the day in small batches. They have no artificial flavors or preservatives. Our menu changes every month and offers flavors that are traditional, unique and seasonal, gluten friendly, and gluten free/vegan. We like to say that we have donuts for everyone.
What is your most popular item on the menu and why?
The Brown Butter Sea Salt is the most popular donut on our menu. It has vanilla cake dough, with a browned butter glaze and dusted with Maldon Sea Salt. Our dough is designed to be a little crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The subtlety of the flavors allows our customers to pick up all of the ingredient components in every bite.
What do you like about being located in San Juan Capistrano?
We absolutely love San Juan Capistrano. It sits roughly halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles. It is a diverse community that supports small businesses. It sits just inland from the coast where people from all over the world vacation.
What do you hope visitors will take away from a visit to JD Flannel?
Simply, our hope is that visitors will come away from a visit to JD Flannel with a memorable experience. We believe that memorable experiences happen because of the food and the service. We feel a deep responsibility to deliver on both to everyone that comes to the shop.
