Marie's Donuts in Sacramento

Sweet Adventure

While visiting with family in Sacramento, we had a donut adventure.  

It was the last day of our visit with "the kids" and their families. We needed something sweet and special before checking out of the Airbnb.

It was a Sunday morning and our son Scott suggested a walk to Marie's.

Scott pushed the stroller, with 3-month-old Nora. Nora's cousin Charlie took the lead, heading off on the sidewalk.


The weather was lovely and the walk along Freeport Blvd was entertaining. A few dog walkers greeted us. 

The dogs were fun, but not as entertaining as the bold turkey strutting down the center of Freeport Blvd.

Freeport Bakery

​I spotted a colorful building with flowers first.

Then I noticed the neon wedding cake and the words Freeport Bakery.

Nope, not our donut shop. Marie's was just past the bakery.

Early on Sunday

The line wasn't bad at 8:30 am. Evidently the little family-run shop gets big crowds on weekends. 

Marie's is listed #17 on Yelp's 2023  Top 100 Donut Shops of USA.  

Smells and Colors

Heavenly donut smells filled the parking lot on that pretty summer morning. 

As we moved closer to those sweet smells, I studied the classic little building with its glowing neon and the painted donut images. I'll bet it hasn't changed much in 68 years!

Since 1957

Hugo Argento named the donut biz for his wife, Marie. It opened in 1957, which was an excellent year for many things. My birth-year of course.

The business was more successful than the marriage. Hugh and Marie divorced, but the donut shop kept the name and Hugh opened some chains. 

First View

The line moved faster than I wanted it to. I needed more time to study the donuts through the glass.

But suddenly before reaching the open window, a woman asked what we wanted through the glass. I was a bit confused about whether she could hear me or not, but I pointed and hollered. 

Maybe hidden speakers were installed, or perhaps the workers just have good ears. But the team inside the little building was very efficient. Just a  moment later, our box of sweet treats was ready for us at the window.

Hugging Donuts

I stayed with Charlie while she held tight to the donut box. Some in our little group dashed next door to buy coffee. 

Charlie did a quick pose for us, before handing the box over to her Daddy.

We made it back home before sampling our Sunday Morning Treats. I would have taken a photo of our assortment, but they disappeared too fast.

My glazed donut and maple bar were both melt in your mouth classics! 

Next time I want to come for a midnight donut or maybe 5 am! Marie's may close down in the afternoon, but they reopen up at 10 each night!
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