Did you ever buy a lopsided donut, one with a handle on it, and discover that it was the best donut you ever ate in your life? If you bought your sinker at Lou’s Living Donut Museum, you are in for a real treat. Lou’s is one of those hidden gems of old San Jose—not the kind you find in every shopping center, but a place where quality, friendliness and patriotism prevail. How many donut shops can you name where the employees raise the American flag and sing the Star Spangled Banner every morning? How many donut emporiums have their own little theatre where touring school children can see a video on donut making? How many donut shops have displays of World War II aircraft, pictures and displays of American Independence, such as a copy of the Declaration of Independence, pictures of George Washington and memorabilia of the area?
The current owners are the Chavira family: father Ralph, mother Connie, and sons Richard and Charles. Richard is the chemist/magician, who comes in to work every night (except Saturday) at 11 p.m., blending and preparing the five different kinds of potato flour using his secret recipes; but the main ingredient is love. His work schedule is soon followed by Ralph arriving after midnight and then at about 3 a.m. by Connie.
The founder of Lou’s Donuts was Lucius Ades, a highly decorated bomber pilot of WW II. Although released from service in 1945, he didn’t start the Naglee Park neighborhood donut shop until 1955 because his employer wanted to transfer him to a different locality. Lou managed to buy a fine donut recipe from Manley’s and set up shop on East Santa Clara Street near Coyote River. Lou’s became a neighborhood hangout until bad health forced him to sell in 1981. During his years in business, Lou trained many youngsters, among them the two Chavira boys. When it came time to retire, he would only sell to the people he had faith in: namely the Chaviras, although he was offered $100,000 more by a Stockton merchant.
When you are looking for something very special, find a back street near the Children’s Discovery Museum. At the corner of Delmas and Auzerais, give yourself a treat – visit Lou’s Living donut Museum.
Oh yes, why a lopsided donut? The owners want to give you full value, so when the donut hole is punched out of the dough, it is stuck on the side and you get a whole donut!
Leonard,
Thanks for the nice piece and the heads-up on this local treasure. I will definitely go out of my way to purchase future ‘sinkers’ at Lou’s.
One thing that’s got me puzzled – given the bay area is ACLU ground zero – how has Lou’s managed to avoid the wrath of the ACLU brown shirts all these years?
Lou’s is one of the greatest treasures of San Jose. Some soul in a city that desperately needs it. Also, the best donuts that I’ve ever tasted anywhere. Try these and you’ll agree with me that Crispy Creme suck.
I don’t like donuts, but after reading this post, it makes me wanna go to Lous and get a donut.
Novice – Give it a rest. Lou’s is a treasure to all—regardless of political persuasion. It is a little piece of Americana in a city that is all too barren of any character. I may not agree with their politics but I frequent the shop often and find my spirit renewed by this little oasis of small town friendliness.
Why you attempt to lower the bar of this discussion escapes me.
Let the rest of the world go to Krispy Kreme.
Lou’s has the best damn donuts in the world. Period.
An oasis of Americana?
Flavan, you just made my point.
I think all those holes stuck on the sides is what is giving me my weight problem!
Those donuts are too good for words!
Lous donuts is a good place for donuts, but Stan’s in Santa Clara is still THE BEST!
In our college days, we used to wait at the shop at 1 in the morning for fresh doughnuts; there was always a waiting line. Now, its twenty years later, and this is still the best donut in town. If you want a donut, don’t waste your time going anywhere else.
Good Day:
I was also a Pilot with the 389th Bomb Group at Hethel England and met Lou at one of our 389th Bomb Group reunions at Tucson some time before he died.
I was at the “Museum” on the very last day when KGO TV and the media were there to cover the closing of this little treasure.
I’m told that the new owners would turn the store into a Mexican Restaurant and that they would never throw away the memorabilia, photos, models, newsprint articles, etc.
I’ve wondered what happened to all of these things. One of my close buddies in the 389th in England was Lt. Austin Alsop from Salt Lake City. I believe that he was Lou’s Co-Pilot.
Austin’s brothers are anxious to find any photos of Austin especially with his crew. I’m certain that there should be photos of him with this memorabilia.
Is there anyone out there who know what happened to all of this memorabilia; who has it; and where it can be seen?
Thanking you in advance for you time and courtesy.
Bob Meuse
(650) 969-2433
Mountain View,CA