The best doughnuts in the world, in our humble opinion, of course, were born right here in North Carolina. New residents aside, even some natives of the Tar Heel State don’t realize the history or the humble beginnings of the famous Hot and Now glazed doughnut from the famously popular Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are rooted in what is now Old Salem.

Let's face it: as comfort food goes, doughnuts from Krispy Kreme are the cream of the crop.
Google Maps/Jui-Fan Lin
When Vernon Rudolph began his Krispy Kreme company in 1937, the idea was to sell his glazed doughnuts to grocery stores.
Krispy Kreme
He rented a spot in Salem and started the company in July. Soon after, he was selling them out the side door to the public, too.
By the 1940s and 50s, the company had opened a small chain of locations.
Krispy Kreme
People couldn't get enough of the yeast doughnuts made from scratch at each location.
And here we are more than eight decades later, still driven for a taste of the sweet sensations.
Google Maps/John Hill

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Regulars know that when the Hot and Now sign is illuminated at any Krispy Kreme store there are hot and fresh doughnuts coming out of production.
Google Maps/James Douthit
For those in the know, just the lighted sign can elicit salivating taste buds to make those who see it do a u-turn to double back for a dozen.
What's better than a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, freshly baked and boxed to go?
Google Maps/Rev. Edward Baleke
The real question here is: how many will actually make it all the way home?!
Of course, Krispy Kreme is also known for their specialty doughnuts, too. Their seasonal offerings make die-hard fans clamor to nearby locations the day they're released.
Google Maps/Brandon Fortune
Did you know one of the biggest doughnut chains (and the best one in America) got its humble start here in North Carolina?
Google Maps/William Blair

It’s hard to drive by a Krispy Kreme without the urge to pull in for some doughnuts, wouldn’t you agree?

What other famously popular foods do you know of that were invented right here in North Carolina? Keep reading for a look at the very spot where Pepsi-Cola was invented in North Carolina.

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