GLAZED. CROISSANT. DONUT. Three words I never thought I’d see together, but now I know it’s a reality and I cannot stop thinking about it; unfortunately for me, it is so far out of reach! If you’ve been on TikTok lately, like I am, you’ve probably seen Texans losing their minds over this 98-cent donut from H-E-B; a flaky, sugary “croissant donut” that’s apparently so good people are lining up before sunrise to snag one.

Yet, here in El Paso? We don’t even have an H-E-B to line up at! But look at how glorious it is!

El Paso Watching Texans Go Wild for H-E-B’s Viral Donut

Just because we don’t actually have an H-E-B, it hasn’t stopped me from watching all the viral videos with pure, glazed-covered envy. The donut, which is part croissant, part classic glazed perfection, has become the breakfast flex of the fall in Texas. People are driving across cities, setting alarms for 6 a.m., and clearing out bakery shelves like it’s Black Friday.

Meanwhile, El Pasoans are over here wondering: is it really that good, or is this just another Texas thing we’ll have to admire from afar?

It’s not even a new menu item, but thanks to TikTok, it’s having its main character moment. The H-E-B croissant donut has become the latest example of how Texans can take something ordinary and turn it into statewide legend.

Meanwhile in El Paso, we’re scrolling through those videos like, “Wow, must be nice to live in a city with an H-E-B.” Every new clip feels like a reminder that somewhere out there in San Antonio or Austin, someone is living their best flaky, buttery life, and I’m here hoping a gas station donut can compare.

So for now, I’ll just keep watching the croissant donut craze from the sidelines, wondering if it really is as life-changing as TikTok says, or if it just tastes better because it’s from H-E-B.

Until the day El Paso finally gets its own H-E-B (and let’s be honest, we’ll throw a citywide parade when that happens), we’ll just have to live vicariously through Texans waking up before dawn for pastry glory; at least we have a Bowie Bakery!

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Gallery Credit: Joanna Barba