Wheeling is known for many creative culinary concoctions: the cold-cheese square-cut DiCarlo’s, the Alligator soup at Coleman’s, or the sloppy dogs of Tito’s. Yet, one conundrum of the Wheeling area is the highly disputed “best local doughnut.”
When I first moved to Wheeling, the nostalgic stories of Greene’s Donuts became a regular lore to initiate me into the culture that is our town. Some locals will argue the supreme creams of Reisbeck’s Paczki or mouth-watering viral sensations of Bite Me Bakery in Centre Market. Greene’s certainly still holds a place in how Wheeling-ers give directions and discuss the nostalgic sweets of their youth.
From Artisanal Indulgence to Shared Moments: Euphoric Doughnuts
The newest donut brick and mortar, Euphoric Doughnuts, was founded by Cameron Mitchell, who won Show of Hands in 2024 and the city’s heart with their reimagined rich brioche-style doughnuts. Their signature is fresh daily-made donuts topped or filled with premium ingredients. Euphoric Doughnuts are eye-catching creations.
“They are edible artwork, creative and artisanal indulgences you’ll want to talk about or share with friends,” said Mitchell.
While the confectionary treat is a beauty to look at, the real beauty of the donut is the moments it creates.
“A family bought a box of donuts and walked just a few feet away. I watched as they opened it right there and started sharing the donuts with each other, passing them around, taking bites, smiling, nodding in approval. I just stood there, kind of frozen, watching them enjoy it together. It reminded me that what we are really doing is creating shared moments. That simple scene of joy and connection drives me on the hard days,” said Mitchell.
And this today, Friday, June 6th, those sweet moments will multiply—Euphoric is celebrating National Donut Day with a special giveaway:
The first 50 people in the door at his Wheeling location (7:30am–2:30pm)—get a FREE donut of their choice from flavors like Birthday Cake, Cookie Butter, Churro Cheesecake, and more.
Rolling Joy: So Nuts for Donuts and the Mobile Doughnut Machine
Donuts bring people together, and just as there are many ways to share moments, there is more than one way to roll a donut in Wheeling. So Nuts for Donuts, established in 2022, began as a moving, grooving donut machine that has flourished into a staple of Wheeling celebrations.
Jake Nelson, owner/operator and donut enthusiast, believes that donuts are as American as Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.
“Donuts are woven deep into the fabric of America. One accepted origin story of donuts, as we know them today, comes during WWI when mostly women from the Salvation Army, looking to fill the stomachs of troops on the front line, would use the limited supplies at hand and race along the trenches cooking and serving to all manner of hungry frontline soldiers. The love of donuts came back to the States with them, and donut empires the likes of Dunkin and Krispy Kreme would soon follow. In many ways, that initial idea has inspired us to go out in our vehicle and likewise find and feed all the front-line workers in the trenches across the Ohio Valley,” said Nelson.
So Nuts for Donuts are not only made fresh every day but fresh at every stop. The entire cooking and creating process is done within the confines of their modified short bus. A true kitchen on wheels, So Nuts has the unique ability to drive directly to the front doors of wherever donuts are needed and get to work making 100s to 1,000s of donuts customized to each customer’s desire.
Wheeling has no shortage of incredible bakeries and designer donuts that make our town a little sweeter for locals and visitors.
“To this day, when traveling, it is always a big part of the trip to stop at a local donut maker and get to enjoy the unique take they have on delicious golden rings!” said Nelson.
Check out one of Wheeling’s unique takes by visiting Euphoric Doughnuts and So Nuts for Donuts this summer!
And if you’re heading to WesBanco’s Pepsi First Fridays Concert Series tonight, June 6th, don’t miss So Nuts for Donuts on the Northwest Elevated Patio—overlooking the Ohio River. They’ll be serving up hot, fresh donuts to pair perfectly with the music, the sunset, and the start of summer in Wheeling.
