Oram's again named Pennsylvania's best doughnut maker

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
Updated ·3 min read

BEAVER FALLS – Oram's Donut Shop has defended its crown as Pennsylvania's best doughnut maker.

In a yearly ranking of "The Best Doughnuts in Every State," published last week, Food & Wine magazine told its readers that Oram's, at 1406 Seventh Ave., in Beaver Falls, and a doughnut shop in Philadelphia sell the tastiest doughnuts in the Keystone State.

Last year, Oram's held that "Best in Pennsylvania" title alone, according to Food & Wine's annual story proclaiming the best doughnuts in every state,

This year's article gushed, "In an age when even the most stubbornly classic doughnut makers have capitulated to the visually-minded crowd, not that there's anything wrong with bright colors and brioche dough (if you know what you're doing), one of the finest doughnuts in America comes from a charming little relic called Oram's Donut Shop, in a relic of a town called Beaver Falls, up the road from Pittsburgh."

Food & Wine continued, "If you've ever had a cinnamon roll doughnut before ― which is exactly what it sounds like: two delicious things at once ― chances are you've never had one as epically gargantuan as the number one seller at Oram's, in business since the 1930s. That and a selection of their classic cream-filled, with a schmear of frosting on top ... they're absolutely worth a drive, and from a lot farther than Pittsburgh."

In this Times file photo, Logan Long of White Township gazes at the donuts through the glass at Oram's Donuts in Beaver Falls. He was there with his dad, Chad Long.
In this Times file photo, Logan Long of White Township gazes at the donuts through the glass at Oram's Donuts in Beaver Falls. He was there with his dad, Chad Long.

Oram's, which opened in 1938, originally at 912 Seventh Ave., is best known for its huge cinnamon roll doughnuts.

"That is the donuts that are served in heaven," Monaca resident and longtime customer Rosanne Castronovo Robinson said. "I first found those 50 years ago. I was in Beaver Falls shopping, and smelled a wonderful aroma I never experienced before. It took me a few minutes to find it as the storefront was easy to pass by. I went in and bought two cinnamon rolls at 35¢ each. Took them home and split them with my mom and dad. Oh, my! The flavor is exactly the same today as then. I typically cut in four … and eat one, then two … then three and four."

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Oram's started 2023 by offering a "Best of the Best" showcase featuring the top doughnut specials from the previous year.

"First up is our peanut butter pie donut," the shop's Facebook page said. "It's filled with our homemade peanut butter cream filling and topped with vanilla icing, Oreo cookie chunks and a touch of chocolate drizzle. We first introduced the special last March, and it was a big success."

Food & Wine also gave a share of the Pennsylvania title to Federal Donuts in Philadelphia, praising the "humble little shop selling not only the most carefully-crafted doughnuts ― not extravagant, no gimmicks (at least not silly ones), just really good ― to come down the pike in these parts for some time, but also fried chicken. There are now nine locations around town."

Oram's Doughnuts were named the best in Pennsylvania by a national magazine.
Oram's Doughnuts were named the best in Pennsylvania by a national magazine.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Oram's Donut Shop again named Pennsylvania's best doughnut maker