RESTAURANTS: Sweet, fried … and addictive

It’s hard to imagine a world where a simple doughnut, the ubiquitous coffee companion, would roll its way past the diner door and become the hot new thing to eat. But it has —- with the help of these local spots where fried round things, with or without holes, are revered.

Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen

Duck’s has become a favorite for lots of baked goodies, and its granulated-sugar-and-cinnamon-coated mini doughnuts are dangerously addictive. These cakey wonders come the size of a regular doughnut, too, but it’s the minis that will melt in your mouth. They’re also available in the pastry case at Dancing Goats, the hip coffee joint on East Ponce de Leon in downtown Decatur, across from Watershed.

111-D New St., East Decatur Station, Decatur. 404-371-8823,

Plaza Fiesta food court

Journey inside this Hispanic wonderland on Buford Highway and head for the food court, where among vendors that serve tacos and gorditas, you’ll find churros, the scrumptious fried street food that’s like a long doughnut. Go for chocolate or dulce de lece. Trust me.

4166 Buford Highway, Atlanta. 404-982-9138, www.plazafiesta.net

Holeman & Finch

You may want to fill up on souse or a burger with a house-made bun, but save room for this gastropub’s glazed doughnuts, sugared and stacked two to a plate. Better make it two orders —- you won’t want to share.

2277 Peachtree Road, Suite B, Atlanta. 404-948-1175, www.holeman-finch.com.

Sublime Doughnuts

Having lived in New England, where local doughnut shops are as sacred as the Patriots, I can see that Atlanta has never really had a doughnut master. But Kamel Grant has broken the city’s sad streak. These doughnuts should come with a warning label.

535 10th St., Atlanta. 404-897-1801, www.myspace.com/sublimedoughnuts

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Yes, these doughnuts are still that good. I don’t care that the shops are lfranchised and the stock is publicly traded on the NYSE. Original glazed? Heck yeah, especially when the neon “Hot Doughnuts Now” sign is glowing. But there’s really nothing more satisfyingly seductive than a cream-filled Krispy Kreme.

Various metro Atlanta locations