Some mornings call for a warm, sugary glazed donut and a quick stop on the way to work or school. On Clemson Road in Columbia, one donut counter has been answering that call for years.
This guide covers what locals love, what they wish were better, and how to plan a smart visit. Grab a napkin, because the glaze talk starts right away.
A Donut Stop on Clemson Road
Picture a busy stretch of Clemson Road, a car full of hungry kids, and a sign promising donuts. That is the everyday scene at 110 Clemson Rd in Columbia, SC 29229, home to a Krispy Kreme donut shop.
The shop belongs to a long-standing donuts and coffee chain known for a variety of donut flavors and shapes. Besides the famous glazed rings, the menu also includes coffee and frozen drinks.
It is the kind of place people swing into for a single treat or a whole box for the office.
On Google Maps, the location holds a 4.2-star rating from about 1,500 reviews. That is a big crowd of opinions, and it tells you plenty of people keep coming back.
It also means you will find a mix of happy stories and a few frustrated ones.
Most feedback circles around a handful of topics. Visitors talk about the glaze, the drive-thru, mobile ordering, coupons, and specialty donuts.
Each of those gets a closer look in the sections ahead.
So think of this article as a friendly scouting report. You will learn what shines, what can wobble, and how to time your trip so the odds land in your favor.
Whether you live nearby or are just passing through Columbia, knowing the details helps.
Roots of a Familiar Chain
Familiar names can be comforting, and few donut names feel as familiar as this one. The company is described as a longtime chain, and the Clemson Road shop carries that same recognizable look and menu.
For many customers, walking in feels like visiting an old friend. You already know the classic glazed donut, the boxes, and the case of treats lined up behind the glass.
That predictability is part of the charm for a quick stop.
Older reviews give a peek at how the shop has felt over time. Several years back, visitors described the place as nice and clean, with friendly staff.
One guest remembered good service even when the store was pretty busy with only three workers on the clock.
First-timers have written that they love the brand in general and wanted to see how this location compares. Some left pleased, noting clean surroundings and hot donuts.
Others noticed the donuts seemed a little smaller than at other locations, a comment that shows up more than once.
That mix of praise and small gripes is a theme you will see again. The brand name brings high hopes, especially for fresh glazed donuts.
When the shop hits those hopes, customers are thrilled, and when it misses, they speak up quickly.
Original Glazed, the Undisputed Star
Seventy mentions. That is how often the word glaze pops up in reviews for this shop, far more than any other topic.
If you had to guess what people come here for, you would not need a second try.
Visitors describe the classic glazed donuts as still living up to the hype. One happy customer summed it up simply: stick to the donuts and it is an easy win.
Another admitted the whole trip was worth it for hot donuts fresh off the line.
The Original Glazed is the simple ring most people picture when they think of this brand. It is light, sweet, and coated in a thin sugary shell.
When it is warm, fans say it practically melts.
Of course, a star this popular gets judged closely. A few guests have complained about glaze that was too hard to eat or donuts that seemed old.
Those reviews usually sound disappointed because expectations for the glazed donut run so high.
Here is a helpful tip. If you are building a box and cannot decide, starting with a few Original Glazed is the safe bet most regulars would recommend.
You can always add fancier flavors once you know the basics are on point that day.
The Hot Light and Its Promise
Few things make drivers hit the brakes faster than a glowing hot light. When it is on, the message is clear: fresh donuts are coming off the line right now.
At its best, the light delivers exactly what it promises. Reviewers talk about classic glazed donuts that are always worth the stop when the light is on.
A recent first-time visitor said the donuts were fresh, and another praised hot donuts straight from the line.
Not every visit matches that dream, though. Some guests say they stopped because the light was finally on, then got home to find stale donuts.
One person reported the hot light was on in both the app and the store, yet the donuts were cold.
A few longtime reviewers have also noted the light is not on as often as they would like at this location. That can make it feel like a lucky break when you do spot it.
It is worth keeping your expectations flexible rather than counting on it every single time.
So what should you do? Treat the light as a good sign, not a guarantee.
If your donuts feel off, calling the shop or using the brand contact page is the route the owner responses point customers toward.
Seasonal Flavors and Specialty Picks
Key lime pie in donut form? Believe it.
One reviewer named the Key Lime Pie and cheesecake donuts as personal favorites, and they are a fun break from plain glazed.
Specialty donuts get a handful of mentions, and the shop rotates limited collections. Customers have written about a Summer Collection, Peanuts Holiday donuts, and an assorted mini option called dots.
There are also honey buns and cinnamon rolls on the menu, based on delivery orders people described.
Lemon filled donuts earn a couple of mentions too, mostly from fans who wished they were in stock. One visitor noted that when favorites were missing, everybody in line started changing their order.
That tells you how quickly popular items can run out.
Sold-out specials have caused headaches for some delivery customers. A few people reported collections missing from orders or entire orders canceled when a holiday donut ran out.
A family who tried the assorted dots also felt they did not look like the pictures.
The takeaway is simple and a little playful. Specialty donuts are where the shop shows its creative side, but timing matters.
Going earlier in the day or checking the app before you drive over may help you snag the flavor you are craving.
Coffee Cups and Frozen Drinks
Honesty time. Coffee is on the menu, along with frozen drinks, but reviewers rarely rave about it.
Even a five-star fan said the coffee is just okay and not really the reason to come. Another guest was blunter, describing it as tasting mostly like water.
When the donuts are the headline act, the coffee seems to play a quiet supporting role.
Drink orders have also sparked some of the tougher reviews. One customer who ordered drinks for coworkers said several were watered down, one hot coffee arrived in a cup with ice, and add-ins were wrong.
Another visitor could not get a latte because the counter worker said the machine could not be cleaned during a busy stretch.
None of that means you should skip a drink entirely. A simple coffee alongside a warm glazed donut is a classic pairing for plenty of people.
It just helps to keep your hopes set at a sensible level.
If you do order a more complicated drink, double-check it before you pull away. That quick look at the cup can save you a phone call later.
And if coffee is your top priority, you may want to treat this stop as the donut half of your morning.
Drive-Thru, App Orders, and Delivery
Not everyone wants to park and walk in, and this shop gets that. The drive-thru is the second most talked-about topic in reviews, with 36 mentions.
Plenty of people grab their dozen without leaving the car. It is handy for busy parents, early commuters, and anyone craving a late treat.
Just remember to peek inside the box before driving off, since at least one reviewer noticed wrong donuts only after getting home across town.
Mobile ordering comes up about ten times as well. Using the app can make pickup quicker, and one guest praised the staff for patiently helping when the app was acting up.
That kind of help turned a stressful moment into a five-star visit.
Delivery through apps is available too, though it has produced mixed results. Some customers said items were missing or orders were canceled when flavors sold out.
Refunds sometimes took longer than they hoped.
A smart strategy is to match your ordering style to your needs. For simple glazed boxes, the drive-thru or app pickup tends to be smooth.
For specialty collections, ordering early or confirming availability can help avoid surprises at your door.
Coupons, Freebies, and Price Talk
Everybody loves a deal, and customers here clearly hunt for them. Coupons appear in a dozen reviews, and free donuts get a handful of mentions.
One visitor had trouble accessing coupons in the app, and the staff stepped in to fix it. Another customer described ordering an Original Glazed dozen that was supposed to be free as part of a larger order.
Deals like these can make a sweet stop feel even sweeter.
Price is a common topic, too. Several reviewers say the donuts and drinks cost a bit more than expected, calling the visit a little pricey.
Still, one of those same guests said you cannot beat hot donuts fresh off the line.
For a real-world example, one delivery customer spent over $40 on a Summer Collection, a four-pack of honey buns, and a dozen including delivery fees. Years ago, a reviewer mentioned a double dozen promotion for $13.
Prices change, so those numbers are just snapshots.
Want to stretch your dollars? Check the app for coupons before you go, and consider sticking with glazed boxes if budget matters.
A few reviewers also noticed donuts seemed smaller than they remembered, so deals help balance that out.
Faces Behind the Counter
A smile can make a donut taste better, and several guests swear by certain team members. Reviewers have praised employees as professional, friendly, quick, and full of helpful suggestions.
One regular said a favorite staffer has served them on multiple visits and is always the same kind presence. Another guest loved how fast their order moved and how cheerful the service felt.
Even a customer who missed out on lemon filled donuts appreciated how patient and respectful the young employee was.
Not every story is so sunny. Some reviewers describe unfriendly or rude interactions, especially at night.
One family said a worker threw boxes on the ground when they switched from a six-pack to a dozen, and another guest felt ignored at the register even though the store was empty.
Phone service has drawn complaints as well. A customer said repeated calls went unanswered during a busy afternoon, followed by a tense conversation about a missing drink.
The owner responses encourage people to share details through the brand contact page.
So service here seems to depend a lot on who is working. Many visitors say they would still return and simply hope for a different person next time.
A little patience on both sides of the counter tends to go a long way.
Hours, Phone, and Planning Your Stop
Early birds and night owls both get a fair shot here. The shop opens at 6 AM every day of the week.
Closing time shifts slightly depending on the day. From Sunday through Thursday, the doors close at 10 PM.
On Friday and Saturday, the shop stays open later, until 11 PM.
Those long hours make it easy to fit in a stop before school, after dinner, or even after a late movie. Keep in mind that some reviewers mention less friendly service late at night, so morning or daytime visits may feel smoother.
Busy stretches can also slow things down.
You will find the shop at 110 Clemson Rd, Columbia, SC 29229. Questions about hot donuts or order issues can go to the phone line at +1 803-419-7746.
The location also has its own page on the Krispy Kreme website with store details.
A quick checklist can help. Check the app for coupons and specialty availability, look for the hot light as you pull in, and review your box before leaving.
Those small steps can turn an ordinary donut run into a satisfying one.
A Sweet but Honest Verdict
So, is this Clemson Road donut counter worth your time? For glazed donut lovers, the answer leans toward yes, with a few asterisks.
The strengths are easy to spot. Fans rave about the classic glazed donuts, especially when they are hot, and specialty flavors like key lime pie and cheesecake have loyal admirers.
Long hours, a drive-thru, mobile ordering, and coupons add real convenience.
The weak spots are just as clear. Freshness can be hit or miss, coffee gets lukewarm praise, and service quality seems to swing depending on the shift.
Some customers also feel prices are high and donuts are smaller than before.
This stop suits families picking up a weekend treat, coworkers grabbing a box for the break room, and anyone chasing that warm glazed moment. It may frustrate people who want perfect coffee or who rely heavily on delivery for limited-edition flavors.
Knowing that upfront helps you set the right expectations.
With a 4.2-star rating from around 1,500 reviews, most visitors walk away happy enough to return. Go in with a simple plan, keep it classic, and check your order before you leave.
Chances are, you will drive off with sticky fingers and a grin.
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