#2 in America. Voted by You. Thank You, Medford.
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
We have to sit down for this one.
Happy Place Homemade has officially been named the #2 Best Donut Shop in America in USA TODAY 10Best's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.
Number two. In the entire country. Out of every beloved bakery, every legendary corner shop, every donut institution that's been perfecting their craft for decades — a little scratch-made spot in a converted bank on Stokes Road landed second place. We're still pinching ourselves.
Here's the part that means the most
This wasn't handed down by a panel of judges or a magazine editor. The 10Best Readers' Choice Awards are decided by public voting. Real people. Our people. Every vote that pushed us to #2 came from someone who pulled through the drive-thru, grabbed a booth with their kids, or texted a friend "you have to try this place."
So when we say thank you, we mean it from the bottom of the donut case. You didn't just vote for a shop. You voted for the strawberry-frosted-donut feeling, the Saturday morning tradition, the after-practice soft serve. You voted for your happy place. And you put it on the national map.
The underdog detail we can't get over
Here's what makes this almost hard to believe: we opened on January 23, 2026. We're not even a year old.
While we were figuring out our morning rush and dialing in the perfect glaze, you all were quietly telling the rest of the country about us. To go from "the new spot in Medford" to second-best in America in a matter of months — in one of the most competitive, most opinionated food categories out there — is not something we take lightly. It happened because this community showed up, again and again.
What you'll find when you visit (and now you really should)
If the ranking brought you here for the first time, welcome. Here's what we're about.
Everything is made from scratch using old-school techniques and a whole lot of love. Our cake donuts are mixed fresh every single day and made right in front of you, all day long, then hand-glazed, dipped, and drizzled into the case.
The Classics — original glazed and chocolate, done right.
The Signatures — where we get to play. Inside-Out Boston Crème, wildberry cheesecake, s'mores, banana crumb, brown butter.
The Minis — powdered sugar, sugar-coated, or cinnamon toast. Pair them with our soft serve and you've built yourself a donut sundae.
Add in hand-spun shakes, creamy soft serve, and La Colombe coffee, and you've got a spot worth lingering in — exactly what founder and Medford native Tyler Gerber set out to build. A place the town could call its own. Turns out, the whole country agrees.
Come celebrate with us
A #2 ranking in America is the kind of thing you dream about. The fact that you gave it to us makes it mean everything.
So come raise a donut with us. The case is full, the soft serve machines are swirling, and there's a fresh batch with your name on it.
Happy Place Homemade 📍 690 Stokes Road, Medford, NJ
Happiness… served daily.
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