Cleveland's Best

"Cleveland's Best Coffee" served as my perfect flimsy excuse to check out Daylight Donuts in Cleveland, Tenn. Cute name, cute donut-painted sidewalk and fabulous hours as it remains open until midnight on weekends. There's also a drive-through. All of these factors weighed heavily into my thinking as, of course, I would be comparing this donut place to Ellisville's Donut Palace. I didn't talk donuts with the clerk as much as I talked hours and coffee. Turns out, a lot of Cleveland Friday & Saturday night dates end at Daylight Donuts. Actually let me rephrase, some dates end at the donut shop, others refuel and keep going. As for the coffee, the clerk confirmed it is Cleveland's best and asked if I wanted it "strong." I did, she poured, I sipped, and also I nipped on a glazed donut for balance. The coffee earned its marquee billing, full-bodied without a bit of bitterness. The donut didn't meet Donut Palace standards, but it was 520 miles more available. On my way out, I took a second look at the donut counter and realized glazed wasn't what I should have ordered. This shop boasts delicacies so encrusted in sugar, the coffee--really strong--comes in as a mouthwash back-up. With donuts topped with crumbled Heath bars, crushed Oreos, and--be still my soul--Girl Scout Samoa crumbles, I'm coming back for a wilder walk on the donut side, probably at midnight. And I will bring mom. She is home now and I am going to need a driver.