Sokvimom Koa wasn’t scrolling through rankings or waiting for an email when she learned the good news.

Instead, she was doing what she does every Wednesday morning: up early making and serving donuts and coffee to early risers at Maricopa’s Blooming Donuts on John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa Fiesta Drive.

“My customers said, ‘Hey, did you watch TV last night, May 26? Did you read the newspaper?’ I said no. They said, ‘You are one of the best donut [shops] in the USA,’” she recalled.

Blooming Donuts, which has locations in Maricopa and Tolleson, recently earned a spot on DoorDash’s “Donut Day Dozens” list, a national ranking recognizing 100 small- and medium-sized donut shops on the delivery app. The list was released ahead of National Donut Day and recognized shops based on customer ratings, reviews and popularity on the delivery platform.

Despite the accolades, Kao remains reluctant to call her shop the best.

“I never say we’re the best,” she said. “[Customers] say it.”

Instead, she points to everything they do behind the scenes: using high-quality ingredients, refining preparation methods and making customers feel welcome.

“We listen to our customers. They are our family,” Kao said.

 

Blooming Donuts took over Maricopa’s Good Donuts location earlier this year and has earned high ratings and accolades since its Tolleson location opened in 2017. In addition to donuts, the shop serves sandwiches, coffee, smoothies and boba tea.

Kao said she hopes the national recognition encourages more people to support local businesses.

“This shows that Maricopa has outstanding local businesses that can be recognized beyond the community,” she said. “I’m proud to represent Maricopa and our wonderful community.”