Food News

Back Door Donuts, the Oak Bluffs shop known for its late-night doughnuts, was the only New England business to make USA Today's top 10.

One of Martha’s Vineyard most beloved food spots just received a national stamp of approval.

Back Door Donuts was named the No. 4 best doughnut shop in America in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, making it the only New England shop to crack the top 10 this year.

The annual rankings are determined by reader votes from a list of nominees selected by an expert panel. Last year, Back Door Donuts ranked No. 5. The shop moved up one spot this year, and the top spot ultimately went to Donald’s Donuts in Zanesville, Ohio.

The Oak Bluff’s institution celebrated with a message to customers on its website: “We did it, fritter fam,” the shop wrote. “From late-night lines to early morning cravings, this one’s for you. Thanks for showing up, spreading the word, and making us one of the best in the U.S.”

USA Today highlighted the shop’s decades-long history and signature late-night service.

“The shop has been selling hot donuts at all hours from the bakery’s back door since 1971,” the publication wrote. “Back Door Donuts specializes in apple fritters, raspberry jelly donuts, and a variety of other fried donuts.”

The business dates back to 1948 when it first opened as Walmsley’s Bakery. Today, visitors can still line up outside the Vineyard location on summer nights for warm doughnuts fresh from the fryer.

Can’t make it to Martha’s Vineyard? Back Door Donuts operates a pop-up out of the side door at Loretta’s Last Call near Fenway, serving its iconic apple fritters among other treats nightly from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.