Do you remember the old commercial, with the guy who had to get up early in the morning to make the donuts?…He kept saying…”I have to make the donuts”…he was an advertising icon. Fiction… I don’t think so… actually exists (and in real life he looks a bit like the actor)… but he doesn’t work for the big chain that made the saying famous… he’s a Greek immigrant, businessman named George Vlandis, owner of Coffee An Donuts in Westport CT.

George, along with his wife, son Elias, and daughter Stacey, own Coffee An, a local donut shop in Westport Connecticut, USA. Coffee An has become a national and now international destination for one thing… The donuts… possibly the best on the floor!

Coffee An Donuts are amazing, unlike any donut or muffin you can find anywhere (when you see my photo, you’ll see that I’ve enjoyed a few, way too many :). They are big, moist and flavorful. The bakery box has about a dozen varieties, from plain to coconut-coated to my favorite…chocolate-coated. If you’re there and they’re not busy (which is rare), ask Andy or Mike (two of the few non-family members working the counter, they remember everyone’s name, what they eat, know what is happening in the world and always with a friendly smile) to make you my special donut, a glazed donut with hot chocolate coating – it is the sinfulest pleasure one can enjoy.

When you arrive, don’t expect to be “wowed” by a glitzy, modern vibe usually expected in a premier community like Westport, but expect to be touched by its charm. The front of the small store, in a nondescript 5-store strip mall, has photos of George and his family meeting with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, as well as senators, congressmen, celebrities and local officials. The counter has 12 stools and the seating area has 6 small tables that flank the front door. Everyone chats, through the counts and at the tables…it’s a very social and friendly environment. It is a meeting place for business meetings and moms…both find the food excellent and the atmosphere comfortable.

The other wall has the menu, specials, and a public bulletin board with business cards and flyers from local businesses who know this is the epicenter of all networking. If you want to know what’s happening in the city or on the national news, Coffee An has 411.

A few years ago, we were renovating our house and I started going to Coffee An, both for breakfast and lunch, almost every day, since we didn’t have a kitchen for a while. I have become a “regular” there, getting to know the other regulars and making friends with many of them. This is a place where construction workers and hedge fund managers sit at the counter and chat on the same level. There are families, who send their Christmas cards, which are taped to the wall, along with the drawing on the back of the place mats, by the children… crayons are provided in a Crayola tin that must be 20 years old .

Every morning, except for 2 weeks in July, when George and his family are on vacation (good for them, bad for everyone else…), the family gets up early to make sure the donuts and muffins are fresh. every day. Coffee An only serves breakfast and lunch so you need to be there by 3pm or you’ll miss out. Whatever is left over at the end of each day is donated to the local men’s shelter… my opinion, I think they make sure there is always some left over every day!

On a weekend morning, the line is out until 11:00 am, with people lining up to bring back the sinful treats to their family and friends. We have friends who come in from out of town, who are just as excited to have coffee and donuts as they are to visit…but then maybe the donuts are the reason they visit…? Anyone who has ever been to Westport in the last 20 years; check out the little donut shop called Coffee An.

So when you’re on the East Coast, in New York City or Boston, and you want to say you’ve had the best donuts on the planet…it’s worth the trip to Westport, CT to visit this little Let’s Donut Shop. they know he found out online… and that he’s visiting from a faraway place, George and his family will feel right at home…