Paula’s Donuts

Opened in 1996 during a local lull in quality donut options, Paula’s Donuts quickly developed a reputation for reasonably priced yet aggressively plumped confections – perfectly suited to Buffalo, NY’s culinary preferences. While its shops have grown and moved over nearly 20 years, they’ve remained remarkably plain inside, with relatively little display space and perhaps fewer choices than one might imagine.

Yet in 2019, the small chain created a new variety that captured the local imagination: Cannoli Donuts. Fusing the classic Italian dessert with a soft powdered donut shell, Cannoli Donuts are filled fresh to order rather than sitting out, simultaneously delivering roughly two traditional cannolis worth of sweet cheese and chocolate chip filling, plus all the power of a donut.

There’s pretty much nothing healthy at Paula’s unless you order black, unsweetened coffee and a bagel. If you’re in the area, put any diet you may have on hold, and give the Cannoli Donut a try.