Universal Donuts

4.5 stars. My rating has dropped ½ a star due to donut availability before or around 10am. This is the 3^rd visit in a row & yet again– no lemon filled donuts. The lady said that they had only made a few & did not offer 2 make me some. Last time– no chocolate covered custard filled ones. Boo hoo hooo. Perhaps the donut gods are against me.
Someday soon– the lemon & custard filled donuts shall meet once again in the pink box of deeeliciousness. And the world will be a happier place. Lol

JALAPENO HAM AND CHEESE CROISSANT!!! Size of a mountain and filled with jalapenos.
The croissants are reason enough to come. My only complaint is that the ham is folded up in the center so you don’t get any distribution throughout.
Oh…and they make the best buttermilk bars. They’re like bricks! Absolutely amazing!
They accept American Express! BUT charge extra 25 cents.

Really good donuts and a large selection of other food. I will say that the ham and cheese croissant sandwiches that they have are saltier than most other donut places but still an overall good donut shop

Been going to this place since 1990’s and they service has always been really good and the donuts are at consistency. We usually go for the glaze donut and their chocolate bars.
Kiddos love their donut dots…

Love this place, service is great, donuts always taste fresh. Always open when you need a late night donut. Owner always happy to provide service. Good coffee.

So disappointed in their BOTH the regular ham and cheese croissant, and the croissant sandwich with egg and bacon.
I ordered the regular ham and cheese croissant without the egg and bacon, which would cost $ 1 more. Price came out to be $ 2.75, which is the price that is stated on the board. I walk out but decided to get the sandwich also so I walk back into the store and order another ham and cheese croissant, but added egg and bacon this time. Price comes out to be $ 3.95… So I asked if this is the combo because there was a picture of a croissant sandwich with eggs and bacon AND a drink for $ 3.95. She said no, and that it was different… I didn’t want to argue but I hate it when people try to take advantage. My price should’ve been $ 3.75 — the price that it says on the board (I know this BC the one I bought less than a minute before that was the price that was on the board). I am not one to complain about 20 cents but I hate it when people try to take advantage and raise the price depending on who you are. That is just discrimination.
Not only was the service horrible and NOT friendly, the croissants werent great. The regular ham and cheese croissant tastes like any other croissants, except the distribution of the ham and jalepeno were just bunched up together. I want to have my ham and jalepebo in every bite, not 3 inches width worth of ham and cheese in just one area.
The sandwich was even worse. The croissant top and bottom were toasted, but the ham was COLD, and the egg was just luke warm. It didn’t taste like it was cooked all the way either. Now I’m just hoping I don’t get salmonella from uncooked eggs.
Very, very disappointed in the service and the food. Would not come back.

Got the Jalapeño Ham & Cheese Croissant ($ 2.55) with egg and bacon (extra $ 1) for the first time and it was really delicious. They have a variety of donuts and their service is fast/​friendly. This place is a bang for your buck!

I always come here like every other pay-​day week to buy donuts for my coworkers. I usually head over to Universal Donuts 15 minutes earlier than the usual time I leave my house and let me tell you, I actually arrive 10 minutes earlier to work because of this donut trip. It’s funny because I am usually late to work by about 5 minutes. Usually I am in and out of the donut shop within 5 minutes. So I can definitely say Universal Donuts is helping with my punctuality.
When I arrive to the parking lot, I always find a parking spot right away, hop out of my car and run inside. Usually there isn’t a line, but when there is, it’ll be your turn within 30 seconds to a minute. I ordered 2 dozen donuts when I visited and I was super impressed that they could fit 2 dozen donuts into a pink box that could fit inside my Jansport backpack (which I actually tried doing). I chose my 2 dozen donuts and the total came out to about $ ¹⁴⁄₁₅ which is a steal! If you ever want donut holes, they’re $ 1 for a dozen. You can always call to pre-​order your donuts too.
They’re donuts are delicious! My favorite ones are the Coconut ones and the Cream filled ones! Typing this out makes me wish it was breakfast hour already, so that I can go buy a dozen right now! Their service is excellent! They employees are really warm and welcoming, which is definitely a great way to start off your morning! If you’re ever in the neighborhood or you’re stuck on the 10 freeway and you’re by the Santa Anita exit, you should definitely get off the freeway and spare 5 minutes to grab a dozen donuts and and your morning coffee!

Went here two days in the row and I love it! Only donut shop in the El Monte area that I go to! I recommend this place to all my friends and family :)

This place is awesome! The employees are really nice and helpful.
Best things to try here our there ham cheese croissants with jalapeño!
Donut holes are sooooo bomb its not only fresh but has this quality of taste that makes u want to come back. If i wasnt on a diet i would always be here.

I’m use to going to another donut shop but stopped by here cause I had already passed my usual spot. I’m going to come here from now on. Best donuts I’ve had in a long time. Crispy crust, fluffy inside, not dry and not too oily. Just the right balance of everything you want in a donut.

Yummm! Close and delicious. Definitely a good mom and pop donut shop with an amazing ham, cheese and jalapeño croissants for only $ 2.55! You can add bacon or egg for an extra 50 cents! I will be back. :)

I live a block away and always pass by this shop. It looks old on the outside but I was surprised by the customer service and food quality! The cashier was really nice. I got half a dozen of donuts, $ 1 donut holes, and 2 egg ham cheese bacon croissants for only $ 12. The donuts were fresh and tasty. The croissants were humongous and so delicious! Great food for the price. I would definitely come back.

The softest, most yummiest donuts in EM! Seriously, the best! Friendly service too. Good variety to choose from. Dozen is $ 7.45. Accepts CC with $ 0.50 charge.

what i love about this place is how their donuts are not overly sweet like krispy kreme. for a mom n pop shop, this is pretty awesome. been buying my donuts here 10+ years!

The old man that worked was nice. Now it’s all young people. The donuts are still good. Sometimes they run out :/​I don’t drink coffee but I got the ice cream a couple times. Right after the club or the bar is the perfect time to go.

DEFINITELY try their ham&Cheese croissant with bacon and egg plus jalapeño. SO GOOOD. Their boba drinks are very delicious too.

The ham and cheese croissants are so good here. The donuts are always fresh. The owners are very friendly and the place is always clean. You won’t be disappointed!
Was the service good? Hell yeah!
Will I return back? Hell to the yeah!

Been here once with a friend who lives in the area that took me here. I had my doubts at first looking at the outside (inside none too better), but you know the saying, «never judge a book by its cover.»
We got the ham and cheese croissant and WOW was it good! Very savory, and it really hits the spot!
The staff here is also really cool, very friendly and talkative! Not hum-​drum like other places i go to so the bright attitude made it a better experience (especially for a doughnut shop). Would def come back for the service and the food!
Overall: Service and Friendliness is what makes this place! Def would come back for the sandwich too!

Great place
Friendly people with good service
Their ham and cheese croissant is delicious! Donuts seems to always be fresh
Prices are good too
Really good location too! it’s right off the fwy