Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, hailed by Time Out as “The Best Fried Chicken in America,” “Best Donut Shops in America” by Thrillist, and one of the “Hottest Doughnut Shops in America” by Eater, opened its new second West Coast location in March of 2019 on Main Street in Santa Monica. The popular East Coast-based brand has gained accolades from Angeleno foodies and media alike since the opening of their Downtown Los Angeles store.
The new Santa Monica location will serve the signature Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken menu along with an evolving array of seasonal doughnuts made from only the freshest fruit and produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, and for the first time on the West Coast, local craft beers and wines. The 1,300 square-foot space will be designed by Wayne Sun of Zen Space, and feature an outdoor patio with seating for 30.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken was founded by Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern who grew up playing hockey together, and doughnuts were the reward of choice after games. Inspired by a fond childhood memory, Spaisman and Halpern opened their first Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken in Washington, DC in 2013. “Santa Monica is one of the best beach communities in America, with deep roots in the surf and skate culture; it’s the perfect match for our whimsical approach to doughnuts and fried chicken,” said Elliot Spaisman, Co-founder of Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.
Spaisman and Halpern have teamed up with Art Levitt, a twenty-year Santa Monica resident and a veteran hospitality executive. Levitt was the founding CEO of Fandango, CEO of Hard Rock Café and President at Disney Regional Entertainment, where he developed, launched and built ESPN Zone, Club Disney and other entertainment concepts. With this partnership, Levitt is building upon the Astro Doughnuts food truck, and the Astro Doughnuts Downtown Los Angeles location and developing a new outpost in Santa Monica.
The new location will also offer a rotating beer and wine list and extended operating hours.
For more information and opening updates, follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or visit www.astrodoughnuts.com.
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