As far as chain's go, I grew up going to DD every Sunday with my dad and later Tim Horton's when we moved to Buffalo. I slightly preferred DD over Tim Hortons for doughnuts and the other way around for the doughnut holes. I came across my first Krispy Kreme as an adult and never went crazy for the hot doughnut thing. IMO, the cake doughnuts at Dunkin Donuts are much better than Krispy Kreme. The yeast doughnuts at each place aren't comparable. I feel like they are two totally different products and recipes.

But I wouldn't necessarily call either place "the best doughnut." Doughnuts aren't something I've really seeked out to try while traveling in the US so I haven't noticed as many non-chain places compared to other food categories. I'd love to look for them and try them out, but my scale already hates me for my other secret food indulgences.