Randy’s Donuts is a bakery and landmark building in Inglewood, California. Built in 1953, Randy’s Donuts was the second location of the Big Donut Drive-in chain which had ten locations in the 1905s. The brain-child of donut machine salesman Russell C. Wendell, the giant donut served as a beacon to all those in need of sweet baked goods.
Wendell sold the individual stores to better focus his attention on his Pup ‘N’ Taco chain which was sold to Taco Bell in 1984. Randy’s Donuts and Sandwiches opened with two locations in 1976 and the location beloved by California movie studios was sold to the current operators in 1978.
This location is an example of programmatic architecture that was common in California throughout the 1920s and 30s but started to wane in popularity by the 50s. With the building design of Henry J. Goodwin with its giant donut on top, the world can be grateful that the trend held on as long as it did.
Randy’s Donut Facts
- The 24-hour drive-in is located at 805 West Manchester Boulevard.
- Randy’s Donuts can be seen by many planes flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- Randy’s has been featured in Iron Man II, Big Bang Theory, Entourage, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Dope, Californication, California Girls, 2012, Mars Attacks!, Volcano, Get Shorty, Earth Girls Are Easy, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Simpsons, Arrested Development, Victorious, The Golden Child, and many, many more.
- Randy’s Donuts has been consistently named one of the top donut shops in the country for over 60 years.
- “Crème Brulee donuts are not available!”
