Dunkin’

Originally known as Dunkin’ Donuts before beginning a rebrand in 2019, Dunkin’ operates over 14,000 locations across the world, including roughly 15 in Orange County. After exiting California during the 2000s due to disinterest in both its donuts and coffee, Dunkin re-emerged in Orange County with a new Laguna Hills location in 2015, then expanded to nine other cities here.

Once known primarily for its wide selection of donuts and regionally (northeastern U.S.) popular drip coffee, Dunkin’ today offers a large number of drinks – generally heavily sugared – as well as a small and clearly declining collection of donuts and afternoon “PM” sandwiches. Unfortunately for donut fans, options that previously included delicate crullers and a wide variety of flavors have given way to handfuls of largely frosted or glazed frycakes and filled donuts.

The service experience has also dropped off dramatically. On our most recent visit to an Irvine Dunkin’, the counter remained unstaffed for nearly 10 minutes, and remained snail-paced when someone returned to process orders already placed and paid for with a touchscreen. While your experience may vary, it probably won’t be great.