PHOTO: Nothing goes with a Lard Lad giant pink donut like a frosty cup of Duff beer. Mmmm..... donut. (Photo courtesy of Jake Skillin)

Nearly every major American city is chock full of donut shops, and freshness is what really sets the top donuts in the country apart from their counterparts. But sometimes, these shops up the ante on the donut-eating experience. Here are five of the most unique donut destinations around the country.

Lard Lad Donuts at Universal Orlando

If you are headed to Universal Orlando and are hankering for a donut, follow in the footsteps of Homer Simpson and head to Lard Lad Donuts for the colossal cake-size donut creation pictured above. It is Springfield’s favorite purveyor of sugary sweets – and you’ll also find coffee, ice cream and more.

Voodoo Doughnut, Portland

This is definitely one of the quirkiest donut shops, and while other outlets have cropped up, the Portland location is the original. Crazy concoctions include Captain My Captain, with vanilla frosting and Cap’n Crunch Cereal and the Portland Cream, which was named the city’s official donut.

Photo via Flickr/Giles Clark

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Café du Monde, New Orleans

New Orleans' signature donut is the beignet and there is no other place that makes them as good as Café du Monde. It is one of the most famous places in New Orleans and a must-visit destination within the city. Top off the experience with a mug of their chicory coffee.  

Photo by Tim Wood

Randy’s Donuts, Los Angeles

Randy’s is most famous for its sign. The giant brown donut on the top of this hole-in-the-wall shop is almost as iconic a symbol of L.A. culture as the Hollywood Sign. It’s been featured in countless films, televisions shows and commercials and can be found in Inglewood, Calif.

Photo via Flickr/Omar Bárcena

Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York

This is the birthplace of the cronut, the half croissant, half donut creation by Chef Dominique Ansel that has dominated donut headlines since its creation. Find these tasty treats in their original home at the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York.

Photo via Flickr/LWYang

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