Pile of doughnuts(© Pixtal, Jupiter Images)
However you spell it, the doughnut is a traditional American delight.
From their early days feeding World War I soldiers to Homer Simpson chomping a pink frosted on the flat screen, the doughnut has long been an integral piece of American culture. And now with the Atkins Diet obsession behind us, doughnuts are more popular than ever. Classic mom-and-pop shops continue to thrive while adventuresome bakers push doughnuts in a sophisticated new direction. But no amount of confectionary wizardry can hide the fried, sugary, down-to-earth charm that makes the doughnut the ultimate comfort food. As a fanatic of all things doughnut, I've put together a list of the 10 best doughnut shops I've encountered coast to coast.

Frittelli's Doughnuts and Coffee (Beverly Hills, Calif.)
350 N. Canon Drive, #6
(310) 276-1408

Mmm ... Frittelli's. Where to start? This high-end doughnut and coffee shop on a wealthy commercial Beverly Hills block serves such delicacies as Meyer lemon zest glazed, key lime and plain cake infused with Tahitian vanilla. The shop offers doughnut and coffee pairings and packs their rings in elegant Tiffany-style blue boxes. Hang around long enough, and you're likely to see a celeb cramming her Gucci bag with crullers.

> Find Beverly Hills restaurants
Sweetwater's Donut Mill (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Multiple locations
Self-proclaimed peddler of "big, gooey" donuts and known for its rustic, local atmosphere, Sweetwater's offers traditional flavors alongside more decadent donut fare like New York Cheesecake and Peanut Butter Cup. But the shop's tendency toward child-like indulgence is best experienced through its obsession with candy bars: check the Heath Crunch, Snickers and Mounds varieties.

> Find Kalamazoo restaurants