Bill’s Donuts (Facebook / T: @billsdonuts / IG: @billsdonutshop)
268 N. Main St. (map it!)
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 433-0002
Open 24 hours
Visited: Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.
At the tail end of a Dayton day trip that included breakfast at Butter Cafe, coffee at Press, the Air Force Museum, Warped Wing Brewery, Wright brothers museums, and more, we found ourselves in a booth at the fabled Bill’s Donuts in Centerville.
Bills’ really cracked us up at first, because of their building. The outside looks like a newer doctor’s office. If it weren’t for the steady flow of cars in and out of the parking lot, and the unmistakable smell of frying donuts, I would have doubted the sign. Of course, then we get inside and there’s that feeling you’ve stepped back a few decades, with the low counters stools, patterned wooden floor, and carved wooden pillars in the wall.
I was worried that the selection might be low, with our late afternoon arrival, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The place was loaded.
Tray after tray of everything you could imagine.
And a consistent crowd of customers to scoop them up.
We spent a minute or two eyeballing the trays.
And eyeballing some more.
Including a gander or two at those maple bacon longjohns.
And then we started making selections. None of the donuts were labeled, so you’ll have to ask what’s what.
We ended up with an assortment. Kudos to that applesauce donut in particular. The one surprise: the longjohns weren’t filled with cream or custard.
All in all, a very fitting way to end the day in Dayton.
I was impressed with the full selection, even at that time of day, and clearly they weren’t slowing down with production.
Bill’s is well known already. I could see that from the responses on Instagram when I shared a photo. But if you haven’t been, well… next time you’re in town.
