Niguel Donuts: 35 Years of Mom and Pop Success

Family Business Driven by Hard Work and Integrity

This mom and pop shop is celebrating 35 years in business, going back to their first location, Donut Queen, in Fresno, CA, which opened in 1987.

Niguel Donuts owners, husband and wife team Tony and Mony, overcame enormous hardship to make a new life in the United States and establish their business to provide for their family. Their story of survival, determination and integrity was recently told to us by their daughter, Chhary, who has been running the store with her husband, Jeff, since 2019 when Mony was injured. 

Escaping Danger in Cambodia

Mony and Tony had met in a refugee camp after fleeing Cambodia to escape the war that killed an estimated two million people in the late 1970s, including most of Mony’s family. 

“She had to leave, it was either that or die.  A lot of people unfortunately had to leave their kids behind."

Chhary was a newborn baby when they fled, and Monyhad to hide her infant daughter in order to get her safely to the US.

“She escaped, and I was hidden in a backpack. They gave me medication so I was sleeping for most of the journey.  She escaped, got to the Thai border. Then my Dad, Tony, had to leave where he was in Cambodia and came to the Thai border, so they ended up being together. They met in the refugee camp.  We were being sponsored by a Christian group in the US, we came to Portland Oregon, stayed there for a little bit and ended moving to Los Angeles. So that’s where it all started.”

On their way to Portland, the family had a connecting flight in Seattle. Chhary, only a year old, was crying, wanting something to eat. Tony asked a man who had bread to share a small piece with his daughter, but the man refused. Frustrated, Tony noticed an airport restaurant advertising 99 cent hamburgers. Tony waited in the long line with his only dollar but fell short a few pennies because of tax. When Tony came back empty handed Mony was frustrated by the experience. At that moment Mony decided in order to make it in this new land, the best way was to start her own business. With that experience, Mony vowed never to treat a customer that way. Mony says that her faith has helped her survive through all the ups and downs.

Learning the Donut Shop Business

“My dad was a chef working at Chinese restaurants and he hated it. He remembered walking around the Los Angeles Zoo one day like an old man because the work was so hard on his body. He told himself I want to be my own boss.”

Tony worked for free at a donut shop, Foster’s Donuts in Glendale to learn how to bake donuts. They saved money, and moved to Fresno where they opened their first store, Donut Queen.

“He didn’t know the business though, they barely knew English. All they knew was how to bake donuts. It wasn’t perfected, but my Mom and Dad they were able to start from then on.”

Fair Price for Good Food

In 1987 they sold glazed donuts for 35 cents, and now in 2021 the price has only gone up to $1.15.

“All my parents know is to be hardworking and honest.  They’ve been able to keep the recipe from then until now. Nothing’s really changed.”

Tony and Mony went on to own other stores in Ventura and Fresno, before settling in Orange County when they bought Niguel Donuts in 1998.  They love the weather here and haven’t gone anywhere since. 

Chhary and Jeff Help Run the Shop

Chhary began running the shop with her husband Jeff in 2019.  Chhary previously worked in healthcare and Jeff attended Cordon Bleu in Pasadena to be a chef.  As Jehovah's Witnesses, Chhary and Jeff were arranging their circumstances to possibly work as missionaries.  When Mony was injured in 2019, Jeff and Chhary's preparation was delayed due to Covid-19, allowing them the availability to help at the donut shop.

The Pandemic and Beyond

While the future is uncertain for Niguel Donuts, they are thankful to have made it through a tough year.

“Business has been down, but because of my parents keeping things simple, and because its family, we’re all able to make those adjustments to continue to at least do the best we can to survive these hard times.  But the good thing is people want comfort food, especially during this time.”

Chhary and her family's favorite part of the business is serving their beloved customers and being a special part of their lives. 

"We all know each other by name.  Our customers are part of the family. Our customers love the nostalgia of donuts, and they leave happy-its a guarantee.”

A Sampling of Treats at Niguel Donuts:

Visit Niguel Donuts

31161 Niguel Rd # M, Laguna Niguel, California 92677

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Learn the Origin of the Iconic Pink Donut Box

See the LA Times story on the history of donut shops (and boxes) in CA:

Why are doughnut boxes pink? The answer could only come out of Southern California