Jolly Donut - Sandusky, OH

This place was packed with locals, which immediately tells you that it's going to be good. Grabbed some donuts and a hot chocolate. The servers were great at selling the many flavors of donuts. I had the maple longjohn, blueberry filled, and the caramel delight (think Girl Scout Samoa cookie). All were great. Nice small-town atmosphere. Worth the stop.

Not just a donut shop but also a pretty good diner too. The food was comforting and reasonably priced. I went with the omelette with American cheese and sausage and it was plenty for breakfast. It also came with a side of toast. The dish would be more appealing if the cheese was mixed in the with eggs instead of just slapped on top the dish but it was good

This place was fantastic. From the reasonably priced and perfectly prepared breakfast options, to the absolutely delicious donuts. I brought my three 10 year olds and the wait staff made it such an awesome experience for them. They even brought over a few donut holes for them to munch on which was all the talk on the drive home. I was so impressed I left an over 50% tip. We go to Sandusky twice a year, I will be spending my mornings at Jolly Donut from now on!

If you?re searching for a delightful culinary experience filled with sugar and joy, Jolly?s Donut Shop should be at the very bottom of your list?preferably below a dumpster behind a 7/11. This establishment has truly redefined the concept of ?gritty charm,? where every donut comes with a complimentary side of grime. Upon entering, you?re immediately greeted by the warm scent of stale grease mixed with a hint of yesterday?s regret. As far as donuts, If you?ve ever wanted to experience the thrill of biting

For our first time coming it was amazing! Staff were all so wonderful and friendly! Food was DELICIOUS! Prices were excellent! All in all a great place! Very busy but those ladies kept smiles on their faces and were so great! We will for sure be back!!!!

A blast from the past. Love the interior design of this dinner. Classic Americana, with the sky blue interior chrome trim. The doughnuts we got were delicious, dense & moist. So many different flavors to choose from and prices were all very affordable. I can?t wait to come by and try more of the menu.

Love stopping here every time I'm in Sandusky. This is the best little diner within my 3 hr drive to Cedar Point. Love the food, the prices and the staff.

The food was soooo good I mean delightful I would run to come again if you are ever in the area run dont walk I got biscuit and gravy and if you are a fan like me please try this place

Best donuts! And if you like sausage gravy and biscuits you?re gonna love theres! You won?t be disappointed

Best doughnuts in the area. Breakfast is dirt cheap. Been going there for years. Arrive early as the doughnuts sell out fast.

Donuts are fresh and good. But I definitely felt like an outsider in this shop and not very welcome by the staff or locals. Meh.

Good affordable eats.

If you?re ever In Sandusky make sure to grab some breakfast at the Jolly Donut. Small diner with the sweetest ladies working the counter. They kept my crew fed in the morning with their egg and cheese sandwiches and donuts on those cold Ohio mornings.

New review June 24 2025. We'll this is my first time ever feeling the need to edit a review or drop the rating. This is now a one star place. Absolutely terrible. They still claim they don't have devils food donuts even though the trays seem to have one that resembles it. I picked glazed with chocolate icing. My 2 donuts were stale and the icing had no real chocolate flavor at all. Donuts are tiny and $1.05 a piece. Staff still seem unfriendly just like last time. What the heck happened to this place. 201

Tiny hole-in-the-wall diners like this one seem to always have the best food, the best service, and the lowest prices. Their donuts are INCREDIBLE, and all made from scratch! And less than $2 per donut!! They sell out fast. We got there around 9:30AM and more than 2/3 of their donuts were already gone. My husband was impressed with their raspberry-filled glazed donut. The food includes all the diner breakfast classics. We loved their home fries, which are super fresh. The sausage patties are great, too. Exc

This place was highly recommended on the internet. WHY? The lady server behind the counter was not only incredibly rude but not very knowledgeable about the business. Those donuts were terrible at best. You know, sugar makes things tasty and sweet but doesnt keep dough and cake fresh. Those donuts were absolutely at least 2 days old. That is unacceptable.

Best donuts EVER!!! GREAT prices too.

HORRIBLE!!! (4 stars only so they can?t get it removed) I was part of a group of 4 people and when we came in it was busy so I will give them a little grace however, when we sat down the waitress (a short girl with brown hair) took our drink order and then brought us the wrong drinks. Then she comes over and takes our order. In an hour of waiting we didn?t see her again once to get drink refills or anything like that. By this time the diner is clearing out and everyone who is still here is complaining about

Quaint little hole in the wall joint with great food and service at an incredible value...it was our go to everyday once we discovered it!

Great food for a reasonable price, a nice older diner feel.

They have THE Best Doughnuts by Far!! We bought two dozen with a wide variety! There wasn't a boring doughnut in the box! Every time we go to Cedar Point, it is worth while to get up early to go there!!

Picked up a dozen donuts. The person who assisted me was friendly and the donuts were outstanding: so fresh and tasty. Dunkin' charges twice as much for an inferior product. I wish I had a Jolly Donut in my home town!

Busy, small old time diner, excellent donuts

Quick, comical and friendly staff. Cheap, simple breakfast. Found this place such a delight that we stopped in two days in a row while spending time in Sandusky.

Me and my grandma usually always love you guys but today I think you had somebody new or something doesn't care that much but need better customer service waited over 30 min for food and when we asked about it she said 7 tables came at once which weren't true because when we got there they were all eating and went to talk about us with her friend

Delicious doughnuts, I got the western omelet, it was amazing, timely and friendly service, we would definitely visit again

Very good, classic breakfast. Donuts were awesome as well!

One of the 6 donuts we purchased tasted fresh. The others definitely seemed a day old. Good flavors and variety. But not fresh.

Came to Cedar Point for the week and wanted breakfast to start our day We found the prices much more fairly priced than other restaurants within the area Had the breakfast platters and the pancakes were delicious! Service was very good as well Liked it so much we ended up going three straight days Would highly recommend

Great little diner open for breakfast. Service was prompt food was delicious, price was right. We will be back to enjoy this little slice of Americana. What we ordered: Coffee; breakfast sandwich with bacon; biscuits and gravy; home fries; cheese grits.

Small dinner in Sandusky amazing food great service the servers are very friendly the food is all made fresh to order and is the best breakfast I have had in a long time must try this place

Prices are amazing. It?s got a warm friendly small town vibe. Definitely a local hit if you have a small group or more adult group or couple. Staff was friendly and prompt on service. I wouldn?t miss this hidden gem if you?re in the area with the right group

Quaint little dinner with counter stools and booth dinning. Really good place for coffee and great donuts but that's about all. If you're wanting donuts you'll need to get there early or find yourself leaving without any. They only make enough to last until about 10:00 am. The food is not for the picky, and some of the waitresses aren't always on the ball . But if your not too particular about the food or service this place could be for you. ????

Loved it! I've been coming to Sandusky to play music for over a year and just found out about Jolly. My custard filled long johns were perfect. Great for the drive to Louisville. Next time I'll be picking up a full box to bring back with me.

This place is great. Great service and food. Great prices. Loved the doughnut holes.

The food was delicious, better than most dinners we've been to for breakfast. The prices are great. Tbh, they could charge more, but maybe that's what brings ppl in because they're very affordable. Service was also good & friendly.

I enjoyed my breakfast here while on a 9 day roadtrip. It was cozy, comforting and cheap. Paid around $13 for 2 plates of food and 2 coffees when I'd normally pay at least $25 for the same thing elsewhere. I also got 2 donuts. A double chocolate and a strawberry raised. Loved it. I'd come back if I ever passing through again.

The reviews are correct . Great food. I'd pass on the coffee unless you don't like your coffee strong. The staff was quick and friendly. The food was quick and tasty. This is a must visit local food spot. The stuffed pancakes are so good. The Belgium waffle was huge! We should have gotten only one for the kids.

Local eatery that is very inexpensive and serves great food. It was the owner's birthday when we first went there for breakfast. Great food, lots of regular diner breakfast choices, good people who work there. And the best donuts that we took to go. If you want donuts, get there early for the best selection. Plenty of people seem to call in as boxes of donuts were waiting to be picked up.

Love the atmosphere 10 out of 10 would come again

We love eating breakfast here anytime that we visit Cedar Point. Yesterday I had the biscuit and gravy with 2 eggs over medium and bacon. All of it was cooked to perfection and they make a great cup of coffee.

Excellent! I Was in town staying at great wolf lodge. Jolly Donut saved me with an excellent breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, sausages and good coffee. Left the family sleeping back in room. I got to enjoy this gem of a place. Thank You! Jolly Donut

My favorite breakfast diner in town! Food is reasonable priced and consistently tasty! Service is great and they've done a great job to adapt to the new COVID-19 procedures that restaurants currently must follow. They're open daily from 6 AM until 2 PM.

As with all local "hole in the wall " places, this one excels at cooking/serving great comfort foods. The staff is very personable.

Great place and great food. My favorite part it's reasonably priced

Amazing donuts! Although walk in/pickup service not very convenient since it was more of a sit down diner atmosphere. Highly recommend the strawberry filled iced glazed donut!

Good breakfast, ok coffee. Between us we had waffles, biscuits and gravy, French toast, and stuffed pancakes and all were delicious. They also sell day old doughnuts for 3 bucks a dozen so of course we got some to take with us.

Good food, good service, great little place to stop for breakfast. Donut batches go fast, so get there early if that's what you're after. Breakfast food at a very affordable price. Only complaint was that a customer had to tell us to sit where we want, and the waitress would come clean the table.

Only donut shop in the area that rarely has any donuts. They have great donuts and good breakfast. But unless you get there by 9:30am don?t plan on having a good selection. They only make them once in the morning and run out of 80-90% of them by 10. Yet they are open until 2. Again, the breakfast is good, your typical ?greasy spoon? diner style. But without a variety of donuts to choose from, it?s nothing to write home about. Your selection after 10am will most likely consist of powdered fruit filled, cake

This place was recommended by our motel manager. It's your typical Midwest diner with courteous waitstaff and regular locals. The Western Omelette was excellent. Stuffed with breakfast sausage, bell peppers, bacon, and other delicious items, the slice of American cheese melted on top topped this omelette off. Let's not forget about their French toast. With a place that makes their own donuts, their French toast did NOT disappoint. It was honestly probably some of the best French toast that I've ever had. An

SKIP this place! it's really run down a good number of the seats are taped over to hide cracks, the wallpaper is peeling, the seats and tables were FILTHY! the food was mediocre at best, the menu was one of the most limited i have ever seen, and you would find friendlier waiting services at a county jail! At NO time did any waitress smile at us, or say anything beyond what was required to serve us. no 'welcome', no 'thank you', nothing. We got stink-eyed the entire time we were their. So much so, our waitre

Cute old school diner. Food was good. Staff was friendly. Price was right. Only complaint: the donuts tasted like old fry grease.... I hope I just caught them on fryer cleaning day because the doughnuts would have been really good otherwise

Great traditional style donuts

Donuts are out of this world! Recommend ordering a day before unless your an early riser. Always super friendly staff. Breakfast menu really good too. Always busy! If your vacationing at Cedar Point this is a definite must go to for donuts

Great prices with large portions, best breakfast spot around the area. Food is great, good coffee and good donuts. Highly recommend going here for your morning meal.

We, a party of 3, two adults and a 9yo child, stopped in at 11:44am to grab breakfast before a last day cedar point trip before we head back home. they said they weren't taking any more orders for the day because they close at 1pm, an hour and 15 mins before they closed, we always try to support the local business in and around Sandusky and sounding counties when we come, which is almost every weekend. sadly this experience left my wife and I forever turned off from ever trying this establishment again. I

Good deals, tasty food, and friendly staff + locals! A nice small town breakfast diner experience.

Place had really good breakfast and traditional coffee. Price was very affordable. Excessive stirring by this old man next to me, I thought he was intending to pulverize the bottom of his coffee cup but he was unsuccessful at doing so. People were a little odd but provided great service.

The Jolly Donut was anything but jolly. I wanted to treat my family to some good donuts and based on the Google reviews it appeared this place would meet the criteria. We walked in and were first greeted by one of the lady's yelling "Don't start Randy", not in a pleasant tone. We planned on sitting at the bar so while waiting for spots to get cleaned the rest of the family walked down to the showcase to pick out their treats. They told the waitress they wanted to look for a minute. She walked back down wh

It's hard to ruin fried dough covered with sugar, but it's also pretty hard to improve on the regular recipe. Jolly donut manages it really well. They have some chocolate cake donuts covered with peanuts that are just outstanding. Other great flavors you can't find other places are one that tastes like a SAMOA girl scout cookie (caramel covered, rolled in coconut) and the caramel covered, rolled in peanuts. Really nice staff. They always have a smile for you.

This place is outstanding. The donuts were amazing! We got in around 8 and there was still a decent selection of donuts, but I suggest getting there early. We ordered breakfast as well, and the food was pretty good, all around I would give this place 5 stars.

Felt like a good old fashioned diner and I loved every minute I was in there. The food was so good. Like it was hand cooked at home for me. It was an experience well worth driving over an hour to go back to.

The most friendly service with the most delicious donuts! Definitely a hidden gem, I loved it there & the atmosphere made me feel like a kid again. Would absolutely revisit again in the future!

Went here based off the reviews and it seemed like the food would be good! Gunna say the food was pretty awesome and super tasty BUT the service was crappy. We walked in and seated ourselves, the place smelled pretty bad and old and it seemed like there was a film of grease on everything. The waitress was younger and looked like she absolutely didnt wanna be there. Didnt have any people skills and was not nice at all. Didnt offer to fill up our drinks and only came to our table 3 times. The atmosphere was t

Food is okay; donuts are okay- upside is it?s cheap. Customer service sucks unless you?re a regular it seems, unless we happened to catch everyone on their bad day. The majority of the customers there are old (70-80ish age group). We were not greeted whatsoever, sat ourselves at the bar (in front of all the waitress traffic), and no one even made eye contact with us until we said something. It took forever for our food to come out (we ordered 2 eggs, bacon, toast, and a waffle- for the 2 of us); I was so hu

Came into town to visit Cedar Point. First day went in for donuts. Sat right at the counter for 15 minutes without so much as a hello. Got the donuts and they tasted stale. Next day decided to try the biscuits and gravy hoping it would be better. I called the order in ahead of time and asked for utensils and salt n pepper. When I got my order I didn't see either. I asked the lady working for some and she rudely showed me they were in the biscuits and gravy containers. Yea thanks for the gravy soaked packets

My boyfriend and I came to Ohio for our anniversary. We ordered breakfast here and it?s nothing like Michigan diners. We personally loved it! Great donuts friendly people! I would highly recommend ??

Great meal, very inexpensive

Great local breakfast spot. Good people, good food. Fast & friendly.

Good quick breakfast. You don't go here for the ambiance- it's a great spoon diner. But food is good, plentiful and a good bargain. Kids lived there chocolate chip pancakes and donuts. Pleased the whole family.

Easy to see from the road. Small place. Do not carry any good variety of donuts. The taste was substandard that day, as I have had here before and they usually are OK. Even simple White Cream filled donuts were hard to find.

Donuts price was cheap. Everyone was taking dozens to go. Cake donuts were better than the raised donuts, speaking for myself. Quick and friendly service. Was vacationing at Sandusky, wish I lived closer. Great donut place. Two thumbs up!

My wife and kids and I try to get here as much as possible. Great corn beef hash. My son likes mozzarella sticks and sloppy Joes for breakfast. We recommend always. It's truly a Sandusky landmark of food.

Super tasty donuts and breakfast foods! My 8 year old and I are visiting Cedar Point do we decided to try a local place for breakfast. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and kind ??

I ordered my donuts two days prior to picking them up. The order was ready at opening, the staff was very friendly, and the donuts were super amazing. The guys at work and I all thank you for your hard work. It was very much appreciated!

If your not a regular your almost invisable to the staff. I waited 25 min for eggs toast and hash browns. My order was put in first and handled last.

Stopped there for the first time ever, wanted to do something small before we hit the park and we?ll the customer service there was rude. Not one, seemed like no one wanted to be there. Donuts were dry, no napkins or utensils for our to go order. One place I definitely will not be back and if the food was good I wouldn?t even come back because of the service.

We stopped in on our way home from a weekend trip the service was great the doughnuts were off the hook . Prices GREAT!!! If your driving by it's a must stop

Donuts where delicious. Puffy, soft, taste simular to a elephant ear (if you've ever had one) Service and food was ok, small business when it's busy I understand, but Bacon with all the fat looked raw and the small portion of hashbrowns. Maybe smile some, jolly donut

This place is awesome! You have to get their early in the morning though to get fresh donuts because they go fast. The prices are super reasonable. When my boyfriend and I got our total bill we couldn't believe how cheap it was. They serve breakfast and lunch and are only open until 2pm. I wish they were open later because I'm not a morning person but I will make the exception for this place! Totally worth the stop. My favorite thing their are the Bavarian cream donuts! They are so delicious and fresh. Afte

Excellent food and prices were good. Make sure you get a donut as they are some of the best I have ever had. Would return if I'm in the area again.

Sat down and was ignored for close to 20 mins even after specifically asking for service. Out of town and made to feel like it. Go to Diana's instead. Much better selection and value. We dodged a bullet here.

Best donuts around! Homemade vs Dunkin Donuts I'll take Homemade!!! Grew up here with them. Every time I'm in town I'm sure to stop and take some home!! To the person who stated it was run down...its what makes it hv the cozy feeling of home. They focus on the food. I've never had any bad service here. Great coffee too!!

Very small and cramped, could barely walk to the bathroom without getting elbowed a few times. The waitress was very rude and kept rushing us, the table they sat us at was dirty and when we asked for it to be cleaned they wiped it of with a soaked rag and had us sit at a wet table.

Super good food, fantastic service. Great family friendly atmosphere. Will definitely be back.

Very good breakfast with fast service. The coffee wasn't the best, but overall it's very nice. Hopefully next time I'll have room for a doughnut.

Basic breakfast with a local feel but very good donuts for a cheap prices...Excellent choice before Cedar Point for a decent price

great prices. food wasn't that great. We ordered bagel sandwiches and one was burnt. service could've been a little nicer