Welcome to The First Course , a weekly newsletter from the Post-Dispatch. Every Thursday, restaurant critic Ian Froeb dishes exclusive insight, news, tips and more from St. Louis' thriving dining scene.

Raised, glazed and amazed: St. Louis’ most essential doughnut shops

A special treat for you this week — a chocolate-glazed, raspberry-filled treat. I spent the past few weeks driving around the metro area, trying as many different doughnut shops as I could. It’s no secret that St. Louis is a great doughnut town, but I was still shocked just how consistently excellent our homegrown shops are, from classic institutions like the Donut Stop and Donut Drive-In to new contender Damn Fine Hand Pies .

Every independent doughnut shop is essential, but here are my picks for St. Lou

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