The goodies at Sandy Pony Donuts are hot, fresh, and made-to-order. And the best part? They’re right by the beach. Sandy Pony’s signature sugary glazes and creative flavors fill donut boxes from Annapolis to Bethany Beach, but their beachy summer vibes originate from Virginia’s quirky Chincoteague Island location. “That is where it all began!” says owner Brea Wang. “We started out of a 16-foot trailer in spring of 2015. A lot of the donut names are after the wild ponies who roam the land on Assateague Island.”
Surrounded by the island’s idyllic waterfront and seasonally open during warmer months, this sweet treat staple is housed in two wildly colorful food trucks. Each is emblazoned with images of the assorted donut varieties as well as Sandy Pony’s well-known logo of a red-maned pony sporting pink pearls. Like many of the donut names, the iconic mascot pays homage to the island’s famed wild horse herd and annual pony swim, where hundreds of wild ponies are guided across the Assateague Channel.
Photos courtesy of Brea Wang
The mouthwatering menu at Sandy Pony embraces the island’s themes, featuring coconut creations like Sea Foam and the honey glaze and bacon-topped Porky Pony. Wang says Porky Pony is a crowd favorite, along with Ms. Sandy, Surfer Dude, and Aww Shucks. Stop by the Chincoteague trucks for a taste of these whimsical morsels and a real “mom-and-pop” vibe, as Wang describes it. Sandy Pony caters to gluten-free diets and offers açaí bowls, bubble tea, and dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan-friendly smoothies, too. SandyPonyDonuts.com
This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2024 issue.
