Delicious real doughnuts, prices were unbelievably affordable. Better wake up early to get in line for this place.

Spalding's makes the best donut I've ever eaten. It's a good thing I don't live nearby or I'd probably gain 20 lbs. within a few months. The only other thing that needs to be said is that the service is excellent too. read more

Traditional family run doughnut shop. Best doughnuts in town, hands down! As others have mentioned, they take cash only.

Spalding's is a hidden jewel in Lexington. The most popular treats are the glazed doughnuts which surpass any doughnut I have ever eaten. The cakes and other treats are delicious as well. It is a simple business which focuses on delicious treats without fanfare. Spalding's has been in Lexington for decades and I hope will continue to be around for a long time. Only one caution is to bring cash - it would be disappointing to stand in line only to realize they do not take any other form of payment. read more

By far the best donuts ever!! Just remember to take cash as they don't accept credit/debit cards and get in line early.

This place is the best! Well worth the traffic jams in the parking lot and the lines. The absolute best donuts in Lexington.

Well, the good and the bad.... The good --the donuts are awesome, the original glazed and the chocolate glazed are without a doubt two of the best donuts I have EVER had. Absolutely delicious. --they are REALLY friendly folks, the kind of people you like giving your business to The bad: --they run out of product before they run out of customers who want their product WAY TOO FREQUENTLY!! They are only open until noon on the days they are open (closed mon and tues) yet they often run out of donuts before they close. That's TERRIBLE customer service. --they ONLY take cash - quite the inconvenience in the year 2011 --they are only open a total of 29 hours the entire week, and then when you take out the amount of time that they are "out of donuts" that number is even less --they offer your donuts in bags or a box, and you have to pay extra for the box, but if you get any more than 4 donuts in a bag you'll have one big ball of smashed donuts --LONG lines that take a long time to get through Between the long lines, lack of inventory, very limited hours they are open, and the fact that if you make it through the long lines and do not have cash (meaning you'll have to leave to go get cash, then wait in line again and they may not have donuts when you make it back through), there are just TOO MANY variables/obstacles involved for the year 2011. I know that will make some of you loyal Spalding fans angry to hear, but they are all facts. I love their donuts but they COULD make the customer experience better for the folks supporting them. read more

Proclaiming anything "the best" is an absurd declaration and one that Yelpers must only hand out to the most deserving of establishments. With that said, Spalding's Bakery is cranking out the best dang donuts in the Commonwealth. English words miserably fail to describe the deliciousness that is manufactured each morning within the holy confines of this bakery on Winchester Road. Perhaps the best descriptors are sounds like "MMMMMMM" and "YUMMMMMM" and "AHHHHHHHH." It's easy to see why this bakery caught the attention of the New York Times. Those rich guys on Wall Street only wish they had donuts this good. read more

Great glaze donuts. Was visiting Lexington and the company had donuts for us. Ask where they came from and they proudly stated Spalding's.

Ugh, it's going to have to be 3 strikes and you're out for me. Not for the quality of the doughnuts, b/c I'm sure that is unparalleled, but b/c of the difficulty in actually BUYING one, especially if you are a Lexington native who ONLY gets to come home around the holidays. It seems as if even if you live in Lexington, MOST of the time, getting a doughnut, even during the published business hours is a crapshoot. But 3 years in a row, I've gotten home to find out that they are closed the entire week I'm here, and this morning, they were there and the lights were on but I guess just doing paperwork or something. I think I'm going to file Spaldings into the "nice childhood memories" box and pretend that they are just gone because nothing should be THIS hard to buy, no matter how tasty they are. I was last able to buy a Spalding's doughnut in 2010, probably b/c Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were on a Saturday and Sunday, so my estimation, I'll have to wait another 3 years until the MIGHT actually be open during their Wed-Sunday business hours. No thanks. So if you are passing through Lexington or read about them in the NY Times, be forewarned that you probably have a 98% chance of leaving their disappointed and empty-handed. Thanks for the memories Spaldings. read more

okay, lets get one thing straight: I DO NOT LIKE DOUGHNUTS. they're too sweet, they're dripping with sticky-icky icing and sugar, and they leave your teeth throbbing with sucrose-pains after eating just one. and then the regret...oh, the regret! but i am here to tell you that Spalding's has made a believer out of me. I craaaaave these every time i come home for a visit and my darling mother is nice enough to get up at the crack of dawn to go wait in line for a bag. they are a wonder that i cannot perfectly describe, but i'll give it a go: they are super light and airy, often with little bubbles and pockets scattered throughout the dough. the doughnut itself is actually kinda 'bready'...it doesn't break off in bite-shaped chunks (a la the doughnuts on The Simpsons), it tears away like the inside of a fine European baguette... the glaze LITERALLY melts in your mouth. it is just the right amount of sweet, and oh. my. god. it is amazing. can't wait to go home in 1 week and get a bag of Spalding's!! read more

Incredible, delicious donuts and super fast service. The glazed are delicious and I'll have to edit this post as I try the others.

No other donuts this good in the world. I have traveled and tried. I don't know if it's because I'm a local but I literally believe that there is no other like these. read more

The doughnuts here are amazing, always tasting great! My favorite is just the regular chocolate iced doughnut, but everything I've had was good. My opinion is that their doughnuts are better than north lime. There's always a line here, but it usually moves quick. read more

a previous coworker ate two spaldings and had a heart attack that afternoon, no joke.

The best tasting ugly donuts around. Gotta get to this place early though, or the place will be closed

The most delicious donuts in the world, in the most charming shop. The employees are a bit older, so there's no rush, but they are attentive and you feel like you've stepped back in time somewhere special when they hand tie your bakery box with string. A place you want to bring your kids while places like this still exist. The donuts are worth the sometimes long line. Bring cash - no plastic accepted at their antique cash register. read more

Every time I come to Kentucky from Chicago I include a stop at Spalding's Bakery. Yes, these are the best dougnuts on the planet. Period.

I love this place! This is my go to when I bring breakfast to my customers. Their donuts are so delicious, the smell when walk into the cute but modest brick building is just heavenly. Their staff is happy and friendly! The only downside is they do not accept credit cards and they are not open everyday but these are very minor. The cream horns are my favorite! read more

Really good donuts. I had a chocolate cake, and an apple fritter. Would pass on the fritter next time. Small parking lot, no seating.

Having left Lexington over 10 years ago, I occasionally have random fits, convulsions, and crying matches when I think of Spaldings. Oh Spaldings, how I miss thee.... read more

Raised donuts are very good. A bit greasy so 2 is a good limit. Didn't care for the sour cream ones.

Totally worth a stop in Lexington if you are on a road trip! Donuts are to die for, and it was great to be in a legit bakery where things are made by hand. Weather was horrible, but the bakery was still packed. Look forward to my next trip to Kentucky - you can bet that will include a trip to Spaldings! read more

The best doughnuts I've ever had. I've never been anything less than amazing with the goodies I've eaten from this place. You should definitely give them a visit whenever you can. read more

Delicious! Plain glazed fresh and warm, it's just delicious. yes, the lines are long, but worth it! The cream filled one also get huge two thumbs up! read more

This is a little gem you must must *must* make a point of visiting. Get up very very early and throw on something warm because you may have to wait in line outside(who does this at a donut shop?!). You'll be in line with the most diverse group of folks from the city and they'll all share this addiction to this place that's gone on for forty years or so.You may just be in luck and only have to wait in the u turn people made line inside ( around the old wooden display cases filled with jam cakes, buttercakes and creme horns). The smell inside is unbelievable...warm and buttery. Some of the same folks from the old place will wait on you (and yes, they understand you just came in for one or maybe two but now that you're here you need a dozen). They'll come hot from the racks and hand packed in a box and hand tied with string from an old antique string spool.They'll ring you up on the same old cash register they had at the old place and they'll understand if you need one or two left out to eat on your way to your car. I usually really limit sweets and I eat at least three by the time I begin to drive away. Just to let you know, the morning Spaldings reopened after being absent from the community for a while, there was an hour and a half wait *outside in the dark and in some windy weather*. Get there really early because they make one batch ..and when it's sold they're closed for the day. read more

Spaldings is the BEST...mouth watering...AND ADDICTIVE!...and is even better warmed up with peanut butter!!!...beyond belief!!

The very best doughnuts in the entire world (and probably the universe). Lines out the door in the worst of weather, and for decades, attest to their quality. read more

I had my first Spalding's donut about 40 years ago. Must have been one of the best things I could have eaten! The only donut I really enjoy. I sometimes buy extra glazed ones and freeze them. They really do well. Just take what you want out of freezer and microwave them for a few seconds. Don't heat too long or they will get hard. read more