VG Donut & Bakery
Today
Kate and I returned to the World’s Best Bakery – VG Donut & Bakery in
Cardiff by the Sea. For years I have been telling everyone I know that VGs is
the Best Bakery in the World and today I reconfirmed that assertion. Last night
I joined Kate at the Romance Writers of America awards ceremony in Anaheim (Kate
was nominated for an award, but didn’t win it) and today we were driving to San
Diego to visit my mother and brother. Of course I was driving down the old
Pacific Coast Highway through all of the beach towns and had to make a stop at
VGs. It’s located across from the entrance to the San Elijo State Park and
across the railroad tracks in a small non-descript script mall. But believe me all
the locals know VGs and can direct you to it. I bought two buttermilk bars (my
favorite) and a coffee, Kate had a cake donut and we purchased a dozen cookies
for my mother.
We
first came here in the summer of 1970, before we were married, during a surf
trip to Ensenada. I had to stop to show Kate the break at Cardiff by the Sea, a
favorite spot during my high school days. It was still morning, I pulled into a
Flying A gas station (remember them?) to fill up and asked the gas attendant
(yes that was in the days when an attendant pumped the gas) –
“Where
do you buy donuts around here?”
“Right
over there,” he said without hesitation and pointed to VGs. “Best donuts in the
world, bar none.”
Well
we purchase several glazed donuts, freshly made that morning, and he was right.
They were the best donuts we have ever had. So from that point on (over 42
years) every time I’m in San Diego County, I go out of my way to get to VGs.
In
1968 Jim and Betty Mettee bought the shop, named it “VG” for Very Good, and the
whole family then learned to how to make donuts. Joe Mettee, their son, now
owns the shop and his children are bakers, thus VGs is a third generation
family business. In 1970 the shop occupied one small retail location; now it
has expanded to two. When you walk in, the sweet aroma of freshly baked donuts,
cakes, and breads knock you over. The place is jammed with ovens, fryers, and
baking equipment. In front of that stands a store length case filled with fresh
goodies. There is barely any room to customers to stand and only two small
tables inside to sit at. But, they have tables outside for customers to relax and
enjoy their purchases.
VGs
is now a full service bakery specializing in the old fashion style of baking
and is an institution for locals seeking a morning coffee and bakery goody.
Donuts are baked twice a day starting at 4:00 am and 4:00 pm. They also
specialize in wedding cakes and catering to local business events.
Next
time you are in San Diego County – at choice surf spots like Cardiff, Swami’s
or Encinitas Beach – I insist, you have to go to VGs. Check out this great
video of VGs on YouTube.
106 Aberdeen Drive
Cardiff,
CA 92007
Phone: 760-753-2400.
Email: info@vgbakery.com
(No Orders Please).
4 comments:
Loren, you're killing me! I remember VG's as my uncle would bring home donuts from there on Saturday mornings after he went to the flea market (which I think was at the Del Mar fairgrounds...).
Also, when you stopped there with Kate in 1970 I was living there then on Mozart Avenue! Man, small world, amigo.
el space vato, would you not agree with me that VGs donuts are the best in the world?
Yes, I absolutely agree that VG's doughnuts are the absolute best... though I have heard of a mythical sounding doughnut place up in Portland, OR. We'll have to research further.
Until then, VG's rules!
Loren -
Best donuts bar none and always worth stopping at after surfing Cardiff.
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