photo credit: flickr

via: USA Today 

USA Today listed three Chicago businesses in its list of the 12 best, even beating New York City, which snagged two spots on the list.

Dinkel's Bakery (dinkels.com‎)

On Lincoln between Rosco & School (3329 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL - Lakeview),

German immigrant Joseph Dinkel opened this Chicago institution in 1922, and it's remained in the family ever since. It's changed very little in the past 90 years, and their non-donut baked goods are legendary in their own right. But you haven't truly experienced Dinkel's until you've tasted their handmade donuts. While they've jumped on the maple-bacon bandwagon, you're best off sticking with the classics: try the chocolate cake donut and try to not to weep.

Dat Donuts (datdonut.com)

83rd & Cottage Grove (8251 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago - E. Chatham)

This no-frills donut stand in the front of a barbecue shop is as simple as it gets, and that approach makes for some of the best donuts ever created. While their "Big Dat," which is about the size of your head, will keep the tourists taking photos for years to come. Dat Donuts gets props for its simple approach, and a "handmade plain glazed [that] will send you into a state of quiet contemplation."

* Thank you to Lite fm listener Sharon for letting us know that unfortunately the Beverly/Morgan Park 'Dat Donuts' has closed :(

The Doughnut Vault (thedoughnutvault.tumblr.com)

At Kinzie & Franklin North of the Merch mart in River North (400 North Franklin Street, Chicago)  

River North's The Doughnut Vault is the newest kid on the block, but the consistent lines prove that its among the most popular.  While not an easy place to score your doughnuts at (they're closed Sundays and Mondays, and only open for an hour or so on the days that they are open), once you've made your precious purchase it's nearly impossible to not leave The Doughnut Vault a very happy camper. The menu is gigantic, but narrow down your options to the cake donuts, which are surprisingly light and fresh. From there your best bet is to keep it simple; a light coating of cinnamon and sugar should be all you need to change your opinion of cake donuts forever.

The three highlighted shops are also geographically diverse, which means whatever part of the city you're in, you'll find easy justification to break that diet.