National Doughnut Day is June 7, and Jersey Shore shops are celebrating with deals

National Doughnut Day falls on Friday, June 7, and shops around the Jersey Shore are celebrating.

But originally, the "holiday" was about so much more than warm doughnuts and deals.

According to a Duck Donuts news release, National Doughnut Day, which is celebrated the first Friday of June, "was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to honor women who served [doughnuts], known as 'doughnut lassies,' to soldiers during World War I."

Cinnamon sugar doughnuts from Duck Donuts.
Cinnamon sugar doughnuts from Duck Donuts.

Who knew that enjoying one of America's favorite treats could be patriotic?

On Doughnut Day, Duck Donuts locations will offer a free cinnamon sugar doughnut per guest, no purchase necessary. Here are other places to find deals at the Shore on Friday.

Main St. Donuts, Belmar and Matawan

The Belmar Bomb topped with dulce de leche from Main Street Donuts in Belmar and Matawan.
The Belmar Bomb topped with dulce de leche from Main Street Donuts in Belmar and Matawan.

This isn't your average doughnut shop. Owner Joe Rizzuto studied at The Culinary Institute of America, and has had a lifelong passion for baking.

For Doughnut Day, both locations will be handing out a complimentary doughnut with every purchase.

Try the Belmar Bomb, a chocolate doughnut with dulce de leche filling, drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with toffee; or the Blueberry Crumb Cake, a vanilla doughnut topped with blueberry, drizzled with vanilla and crumb streusel.

Go: For Belmar: 705 Main St.; 732-681-2100; For Matawan: 141 Main St.; 732-696-8883, mainstdonuts.com.

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Once Bitten Donuts, Red Bank

An assortment of drinks and doughnuts from Once Bitten Donuts in Red Bank.
An assortment of drinks and doughnuts from Once Bitten Donuts in Red Bank.

This shop, known for doughnuts, ice cream and coffee drinks, will be offering a free classic doughnut with any drink purchase on June 7.

Specialties include The Devil Made Me Do It, a chocolate cake doughnut with triple chocolate icing, chocolate brownie chunks, chocolate flakes and a double chocolate drizzle; and the Glazed and Confused, a sour cream cake doughnut dipped in traditional glaze.

Doughnuts could also be served a la mode, with ice cream from iconic brand Gifford's of Maine.

Go: 88 Broad St.; 848-308-2411, oncebittendonuts.com.

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Sundae Donuts, Long Branch

This is another one that marries doughnuts with ice cream. All Sundae Donuts locations are known for zany doughnuts, doughnut-infused homemade ice creams, doughnut-topped milkshakes and more.

On June 7, the Pier Village location will be hosting a National Doughnut Day party with BOGO doughnuts, doughnut decoration, music, crafts and games.

Try options like a chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake, topped with a classic chocolate doughnut and vanilla sprinkles, or go simple with a classic glazed.

Go: 15 Morris Ave., #118, Pier Village; 732-851-8484, sundaedonutspv.com.

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Top That! Donuts, Point Pleasant Beach

A selection of doughnuts available on National Doughnut Day at Top That! Donuts in Point Pleasant Beach.
A selection of doughnuts available on National Doughnut Day at Top That! Donuts in Point Pleasant Beach.

Doughnut Day is extra special for Top That! this year because it's also their 10th anniversary.

The shop, which is usually only open until 3 p.m. on Fridays, will be open until 5 p.m. on June 7. Every child 12 or younger gets a free doughnut of their choice from the following specials: Sticky Fingers (glazed); Cookie Monster with blue glaze and Oreo crumble; French Toast; and the Springsteen, a plain glazed doughnut with red, white and blue sprinkles.

Go: 210 Ocean Ave.; 732-899-2552, topthatdonuts.com.

More shops to try

Bavarian cream filled brioche doughnuts with strawberry glaze from The Baker's Grove in Shrewsbury.
Bavarian cream filled brioche doughnuts with strawberry glaze from The Baker's Grove in Shrewsbury.

The Baker’s Grove in Shrewsbury will be offering two special doughnuts on June 7: Bavarian cream filled brioche donuts with strawberry glaze, and French Crullers with strawberry glaze. Go: 524 Broad St.; 732-243-3249, thebakersgrove.com.

Broad Street Dough Co. is a certified kosher bakery with locations in Freehold Township and Oakhurst. Try options like Belmar Bliss, a blueberry powdered sugar doughnut; and Shrewsbury Fields, glazed with strawberry and vanilla. Go. For Freehold Township: 177 Elton Adelphia Road; 732-303-9000. For Oakhurst: 2005 Route 35; 732-531-1401, broadstreetdoughco.com.

Ob Co's Donuts is a classic doughnut shop that has served Toms River since 1953. Get there early because when they're out, they're out. Try classics like strawberry iced and cinnamon apple cider, or specials like Apple Fritter and Brooklyn Jelly. On June 7, they will be giving away a free plain cake, cinnamon sugar or powdered doughnut per customer, no purchase necessary. Go: 547 Fischer Blvd.; 732-270-3882, obcosdonuts.com.

2023 National Donut Day specials at Broad Street Dough Co. in Freehold and Oakhurst.
2023 National Donut Day specials at Broad Street Dough Co. in Freehold and Oakhurst.

Purple Glaze Donuts in Asbury Park has tiers of fanciness when it comes to doughnuts: "Plain and Simple," like glazed and powdered; "Classics," like Bavarian and the namesake Purple Glaze with blueberry glaze and purple sprinkles; and "Fancy and Filled," like Key Lime Pie with vanilla icing, crushed graham cracker crumbs, Key Lime filling, whipped cream and mini yogurt chips. They also have gluten-free and vegan options. Go: 516 Summerfield Ave.; 732-361-5308, purpleglazedonuts.com.

Uncle Dood's is a Toms River staple, known for specialties like the Werewolf Fuzz, with maple icing and toasted coconut; the Vanilla-O, with vanilla icing and Oreo crumble; and the PB Cups, with peanut butter icing and chocolate sprinkles. Go: 4 Robins St.; 609-462-3517, facebook.com/UncleDoodsDonuts.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: When is National Donut Day? Jersey Shore shops offer deals June 7