Is this "the new Krispy Kreme?"

[Laura]

People here in LA are going crazy for two treats: Pinkberry frozen yogurt and cream puffs from Beard Papa. Both chains have stores in my neighborhood, just across the street from one another. It's not unusual to see a line of people out the door at either spot. But since I despise yogurt in all its forms, I can only tell you about the cream puffs from Beard Papa. Very good. Very very good, in fact. Extremely fresh. Rich without being too heavy. Golden without being fried. In short, yummy... but I don't think they live up to the buzz as being "the next Krispy Kreme." They just are not in the same realm of deliciousness.... or addictive-ness! Anyone else have an opinion on this pressing matter?

You can find Beard Papa stores in Northern and Southern California, Hawaii, and a few East Coast spots. Beard Papa offers vanilla and chocolate fillings every day, plus the occasional quirky flavor like pumpkin or green tea.

Here's a link to the store locations:
http://www.muginohousa.com/main.php?nav=locations

[RIDE]

You know....I HAVE seen the cream puff place in San Francisco and the line was LONG! It was all the rage, and I had to get up close to see what the buzz was all about. I did not try one, but I think after your recommondation, I will surely try one the next time I am in the neighborhood!

RIDE

[meh]

While I would walk 20 blocks on a cold NY night for a freshly-glazed Krispy Kreme, I'd still take a Beard Papa creampuff on any given day.

Krispy Kreme is fat-forward, in-your-face, delicious-for-three- bites food. (note: when hot they transcend to a new plane of deliciousnes, but they are impossible to find hot, so I'm counting my two encounters with same as a karmic reward for good deeds done to the doughnut gods)

Beard Papa, on the other hand, is a sublime sweet and crunchy combination that gets better as you eat it. It's like the difference between a Big Mac and a well-cooked filet with bernaise. Both start with roughly the same ingredients, but end up in entirely different places.

[petecrooks]

I just noticed Beard Papa when I was walking around the Four Seasons in San Francisco trying to kill some time before I had to interview the actors from Superbad. The cream puffs looked good, but it was way too early in the day for me to try them...