Shuttered for three years after Hurricane Irma ripped off its roof, the much-missed south Manatee County doughnut shop Gold Star Donuts recently reopened for business.

The shop is still located in the same spot, 1246 Whitfield Ave., Sarasota, and while the space has been lightly updated, nothing much has changed. Khum Heng continues to make the doughnuts each morning, while family assists, all to the satisfaction of the customers who keep flooding the shop now that it has reopened.

If you've never experienced Gold Star Donuts before, you can expect a broad selection of classic flavors done just right. I love the huge apple fritters, with their crunchy exterior and soft nuggets of cinnamon-dusted apple inside. I'd also recommend the bear claws or the simple, perfect old-fashioned doughnut. Even simple items like a glazed yeast doughnut taste great.

Also incredible: the prices. A mixed half-dozen I recently picked up totaled just $5.45. Welcome back, Gold Star. We've missed you.

Gold Star Donuts is located at 1246 Whitfield Ave., Sarasota, and is open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. For more info, call (941) 755-1225.