What this town needs is a good ol’ donut shop

That’s what two cousins said when they figured out what vital element Atlantic Beach was lacking. That’s how Island Donuts was formed. It was a lifelong passion for two cousins who have a love for donuts. Island Donuts is owned and operated by two local families. They are passionate about delivering to the locals — and tourists, too, let’s get real — an incredibly sweet, perfect doughnut for breakfast or any time at all.

Also available are classic breakfast sandwiches and good coffee and tea. The St. Augustine shop hours are listed above; we don’t have the deets on the new Atlantic Beach shop — you’ll have to scout it out for yourselves.

These gourmet doughnuts are made fresh every single day. The many tasty varieties at this shop are seemingly multitudinous. Just picture the display cases … Are you ready? Here goes, right off the website: Glazed, Old Fashioned, Glazed Old Fashioned, Chocolate Iced, Chocolate Glazed, Boston Cream, Blueberry Glazed, Lemon-Filled, Raspberry-Filled, Guava-Filled, Island Fritter (pineapple), Cinnamon Roll, Sprinkles, Nuts over Nutella, Death by Chocolate, Strawberry Frosted, Salted Caramel, Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Cinnamon Sugar, Maple Bacon, Heath Bar, Caramel Iced, Butter Finger, Maple Iced, Turtles, S’mores, Kit Kat, Red Velvet, Caramel Apple … whew! … plus seasonal specialties: Pumpkin Glazed, Monster Mash and Peppermint Bark.

And if that cosmic collection isn’t enough, they’ve got breakfast sandwiches, too. You get one egg, a choice of sausage or bacon, a choice of cheddar, American or provolone cheese and the bread of your choice to wrap it all up — croissant, bagel or English muffin. Not full yet? Order an egg & cheese sandwich, a bagel or a croissant. Or just throw caution to the wind and get the Heartstopper Sandwich, which, of course, is double the meat and the cheese. To wash it all down, your options are easier. Coffee and large coffee totes are available, as well as iced coffee, hot tea, Gold Peak cold tea, milk, juice, soda, Gatorade, water and something called Yerba Mate. It’s supposed to be a weight-loss aid, a fatigue picker-upper, a depression reliever and a headache remedy. Try it and decide for yourself.

Since we’ve already admitted that tourists may be lurking around the place, we may as well mention the merch available. They’ve got T-shirts and caps in beachy colors.

Island Donuts down in St. Johns County has racked up four-and-a-half stars and there’s no reason to worry that the new Atlantic Beach shop won’t be just as terrific. Free wi-fi, clean and bright, seating outside, plus takeout. Ya can’t beat that!

Writer Marlene Dryden