Where to get a free doughnut on National Doughnut Day, plus boozy doughnuts

If you’re a doughnut lover, you understand the need to celebrate fried dough daily. Because there are few things better than an apple fritter, a glazed doughnut or a cruller fresh out of the fryer.

If you’re looking for an excuse to buy a dozen for the office (not like you need one), today is National Doughnut Day. The Salvation Army takes credit for this food holiday on its website, attributing its origins to the French battlefields of World War I, where Salvation Army workers served doughnuts and coffee to soldiers.

And some people (including my dad), just call every other weekday “doughnut day.”

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However it started, it’s here to stay. And as with any completely valid food holiday, there are freebies and specials. Here’s where you can get a free doughnut today, and a boozy one too.

Dunkin’ Donuts is offering customers a free doughnut of their choice, while supplies last, with the purchase of any beverage, at participating locations nationwide.

Joan’s on Third is giving away glazed doughnuts shaped like a “J” from California Donuts to the first 100 customers at each Joan’s location.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is giving customers a free doughnut of their choice at participating locations.

Plan Check is offering $2 doughnuts at all three restaurant locations. They include Ernesto Uchimura’s Space Age doughnut at the Fairfax location, made with marshmallow fluff, astronaut neopolitan ice cream and pistachio ice cream; the Strawberries ‘n Cream doughnut at the Downtown Los Angeles location, made with vanilla sugar, pastry cream, fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream; and the Root Beer Float doughnut at the Sawtelle Boulevard location, served with vanilla bean ice cream, root beer sprinkles, root beer froth and a cookie straw.

STK is giving guests a complimentary glass of prosecco with the purchase of a “drunkin’ donut” in the bar or lounge area of the restaurant nightly from 6 to 8 p.m. The boozy doughnuts include the Cocoa Bomb, made with vanilla lemon custard and hazelnut liquor; the Fruity Rebel, made with cereal custard and raspberry liquor; and the Not Your Daddy’s Donut, made with cherry bourbon custard and orange liquor. The doughnuts will be available until June 30. 755 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 691-7851, www.togrp.com.

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Apple fritters rock my world. Follow me on Twitter @Jenn_Harris_