Picture this: a tiny yellow building in downtown Ocean Springs where folks happily queue down the sidewalkβsometimes for hundreds of feetβjust to get their hands on fried dough circles. Sounds crazy, right?
But when those circles are made with a secret family recipe featuring potato flour, suddenly the madness makes perfect sense. Since 1960,
The Tatonut has been proving that Mississippi knows a thing or two about creating legendary breakfast treats thatβll make you question every other donut youβve ever eaten. π―
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How The Tatonut Shop Won Everyoneβs Hearts
The Mohler family opened The Tatonut in 1960 with a game-changing idea: what if we swapped out some all-purpose flour for potato flour? Turns out, that wasnβt just a good ideaβit was a brilliant stroke of genius that would create what locals call βthe only real donut.β
The reduced gluten content from potato flour creates an impossibly light, fluffy texture that literally melts in your mouth. Weβre talking about donuts so ethereal they practically float off the tray.
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This isnβt hyperboleβreviewers have driven seven hours just to taste these beauties, with one declaring the shop deserves its ranking as the #10 donut shop in the United States. π
But hereβs where the story gets even better. When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, supplies became scarce and the Tatonut staff had to get creative. Instead of tossing the irregular dough edges theyβd normally discard, they decided to fry them up.
Those scrappy little piecesβchristened βKatrina Piecesββbecame such an instant sensation that they earned a permanent spot on the menu. Talk about turning a disaster into deliciousness!
Itβs this kind of resourcefulness and community spirit that makes The Tatonut more than just a donut shopβitβs a Mississippi institution. πͺ
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The shop has weathered more than just hurricanes, though. In January 2021, the Ocean Springs community faced heartbreak when owner David Mohler passed away, and the shop closed its doors.
Locals wondered if theyβd ever taste those magical donuts again. But Davidβs daughter Katelyn stepped up to carry on the family legacy, proving that sometimes the sweetest recipes are the ones passed down through generations. When the shop reopened, the lines returnedβlonger than ever. Thatβs the power of a truly beloved local business.
Three generations of Mohlers have now kept this donut empire running, and the consistency shows. Some employees have worked there for over 20 years, creating the kind of institutional knowledge that means your donut is made exactly the same way it was in 1960.
The shop proudly proclaims itself home to βthe only real donut,β and after one bite, you might just agree.
Forget those big chain placesβthis is the kind of family-owned operation that makes you believe in the power of doing one thing exceptionally well for over six decades.
Their philosophy is simple: fresh donuts made daily, gourmet coffee, and keeping customers happy enough to wait in those famous lines. π
What really seals the deal is how The Tatonut has become the beating heart of Ocean Springs.
Travelers from around the world have tasted donuts in dozens of countries, yet they keep coming back here, declaring these the best theyβve ever had. One reviewer dramatically proclaimed theyβd never loved anything more than these donutsββsorry my children,β they joked, βbut you will never be a TatoNut donut.β
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Another mentioned eating a dozen donuts a day for three months straight, calling each bite βthe flesh of god.β Now thatβs devotion! The shopβs combination of quality, history, and community connection creates something special that canβt be replicated by any corporate bakery. Itβs quintessential small-town America at its finest, where everyone knows the secret password to happiness is spelled T-A-T-O-N-U-T. π
Food Highlights
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Persian (Cinnamon Roll): This cinnamon-swirled masterpiece is what happens when a cinnamon roll and a donut have a beautiful baby. Multiple reviewers call it their absolute favorite, praising its soft, pillowy texture and perfect sweetness.
Cookie Butter Cinnamon Roll: One food critic who drove seven hours rated this as the second-best pastry theyβve ever eaten at any American donut shopβhigh praise indeed! This unbelievably soft pastry features exquisite cookie butter frosting thatβll blow your mind. π€―
Original Glazed Tatonuts: The shopβs signature item showcasing that famous potato flour recipe. Reviewers consistently compare these to Krispy Kreme, except lighter, fluffier, and somehow even better. Theyβre so popular that showing up after 9 AM might mean theyβre sold out!
Katrina Pieces: Born from necessity during Hurricane Katrina, these irregular dough pieces are now a beloved menu staple. Theyβre the ultimate example of turning lemons into lemonadeβor in this case, dough scraps into deliciousness. π
Blueberry Cake Donuts: Family favorites that showcase The Tatonutβs mastery of cake donuts. Unlike typical dry cake donuts, these beauties stay moist and tender thanks to that magical potato flour formula.
Chocolate Covered Bavarian Cream Filled: Rich chocolate coating meets smooth Bavarian cream in this decadent treat. Itβs the kind of donut that makes you close your eyes and sigh with happiness on the first bite. π
Atmosphere
The Tatonut occupies a charming yellow building on Government Street in downtown Ocean Springs, complete with street-side appeal that draws crowds from early morning until closing.
Inside, youβll find bright cherry-red chairs at wooden tables that create a cozy, retro vibe perfect for savoring your fresh donuts. The shop also features adorable outdoor patio seating where you can people-watch while inhaling your glazed beauties. Expect kitschy 1950s memorabilia on the walls that celebrates the shopβs vintage roots.
The friendly staffβsome whoβve been there for two decadesβkeep those famously long lines moving quickly, maintaining the welcoming, hometown feel that makes this place special. Fair warning: parking can be tricky since itβs downtown, but finding a spot is a small price to pay for donut perfection. π ΏοΈ
Bottom Line
Historic Legacy: Over 65 years of family operation means tried-and-true recipes that have stood the test of timeβand hurricanes!
Unique Recipe: That secret potato flour formula creates impossibly light, fluffy donuts you literally canβt get anywhere else.
Award-Winning Quality: Ranked #10 in the United States among donut shops with a 4.802-star average across review platformsβthese accolades donβt lie.
Community Institution: This is the heart of Ocean Springsβa beloved gathering spot where locals and tourists unite in their love of exceptional fried dough. Supporting local never tasted so good! π
Worth the Wait: Yes, there are lines. Sometimes really long ones. But every single reviewer says itβs absolutely worth it for donuts this transcendent.
Address: 1114 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
π (228) 872-2076
π Tue-Sat: 5:30 AM β 5:00 PM | Sun: 7:00 AM β 1:00 PM (Closed Mon)