Papa Jake's Donut Shop, a small cream corner building with a painted sign and a wooden bench outside, on West 16th Street in Sedalia.

Sedalia, Missouri

We start at half
three in the
morning.

Papa Jake's Donut Shop has been on the corner of West 16th for a long time, and the case is fullest the moment we open.

3:30 AM to 12 noon

Wednesday through Sunday

Closed Monday and Tuesday

1200 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301

When we are open

Early, and not for long.

We are a morning shop. The fryer is going before four and the doors are shut by noon, five days a week. If you have driven over on a Monday and found us dark, that is why.

We also sell out. Not every day and not everything, but often enough that it is worth saying out loud rather than letting you find out at the counter. The earlier you come, the more there is to choose from.

Opening hours for Papa Jake's Donut Shop
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday3:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday3:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Friday3:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday3:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday3:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Card and debit welcome. Free street parking right outside.

The display case at Papa Jake's, filled with iced long johns, coconut topped donuts, glazed and sugared rings, jelly filled donuts, cream filled twists and donut holes.
The painted Papa Jake's Donut Shop sign, black hand drawn lettering and a moustached baker on white inside a red and white checkerboard border.

What is usually in there

Come and look
in the case.

We do not run a fixed menu and we are not going to pretend otherwise. What is in the case is what we made that morning. This is the sort of thing you will usually find, and the earlier you get here the more of it there is.

  • Marshmallow long johnsTwo different people have written a review about this one on its own.
  • Glazed raised ringsThe ones going straight into the box at six.
  • Cake donutsSugared, powdered and cinnamon.
  • Twists
  • Jelly filledRaspberry, and a darker berry.
  • Cream filled
  • Cinnamon rolls
  • Chocolate iced
  • Donut holesEasier to hand round than whole donuts.

No promises on any one thing being there when you arrive. That is the honest version and we would rather say it here than at the counter.

4.8 out of 5, from 322 reviews on Google

In our customers' own words.

The best donuts you will ever find in this town and possibly even the next town over. [...] I got up at 3:30 am this morning just to go get their fresh donuts.

Grace GaylordMay 2026

I have been going here for over half a century and the donuts are as good today as they were then

Danny SayersMarch 2026

Always enjoy my marshmallow long john only from papa Jake's. Yum

JanetFebruary 2026

I wanted to get my nursing staff something after a difficult week. I gambled and got donut holes, rather than donuts. They were ecstatic! Holes are much easier to eat on the run between patients. These are the best in town.

Nan NuessleNovember 2025

I live out of town now and cannot find anything that comes close to the taste of Papa Jake's Donuts! Love the twists, donut holes and marshmallow long Johns.

Tracy O'BrienSeptember 2025

Donuts were very good. They have remodeled the inside and it looks nice. Not much room to sit but it's ok.

Theresa PattonDecember 2025

Inside

There is a table
if you want one.

We redid the inside, and there is room to sit with a coffee and a long john if you would rather not eat them in the car. It is a small room. That is part of the point.

The wall by the door is covered in framed photographs and clippings that have been collecting for years. Have a look while you wait.

Best of Sedalia 2026

We were nominated for Best Donuts in Sedalia in the Sedalia Democrat's Best of Sedalia, and Ari Jacks was nominated for Best Server.

Voting has closed. Thank you to everyone who put us forward.

Inside Papa Jake's: the glass front door with the hours decal, a Papa Jake's floor mat and a wall of framed photographs.
A two person table by the window at Papa Jake's, with a neon open sign and a hanging plant.

Find us

On the corner of
West 16th.

Papa Jake's Donut Shop

1200 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301

3:30 AM to 12 noon, Wednesday to Sunday

Address
1200 W 16th St
Sedalia, MO 65301
Parking
Free street parking outside.
Getting in
Wheelchair accessible parking and a wheelchair accessible entrance.
Paying
Credit and debit cards accepted.
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