Sandy Pony Donuts has been a local favorite for a decade, but its recent cameo on Apple TV’s Pluribus has taken this Coastal Delaware business to a new, elevated level of visibility.

What began as a small food truck inspired by the wild ponies of Chincoteague is now a regional favorite with immensely loyal customers, creative one of a kind flavors made fresh in house, and a surprising appearance on a recent major streaming platform. 

This blend of local charm, family-driven entrepreneurship, and visibility makes Sandy Pony Donuts an ideal feature for the start of our Local Business Spotlight Series. And with more to come in this series, be sure to follow our blog!

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How Sandy Pony Donuts Got Its Start

Sandy Pony Donuts began in April 2015 on Chincoteague Island. The founders, Brea Reeves and Ben Wang, shared a vision rooted in creativity, hard work, and community connection. 

Growing up together in Maryland, they paired Brea’s passion for food with Ben’s business and construction experience to build something memorable.

Their first venture was a simple food truck serving hot, fresh donuts made to order. Word spread quickly. 

The line grew longer each week, and by the end of that first summer the Sandy Pony name had already become a local favorite. 

After experimenting with recipes for months, they launched 24 flavor combinations that continue to define their menu today.

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From Food Truck to Regional Favorite

As demand grew, the couple expanded into permanent storefronts in Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, and Annapolis, while continuing operations in Chincoteague. 

Each new location held onto the same fresh, made-to-order philosophy that made the original truck so successful.

Customers embraced not only the donuts but also the wider menu, which now includes various items such as:

• Bubble tea
• Fresh locally brewed coffee
• Açaí bowls
• Smoothies

The strong community support helped sustain the business as it grew from a seasonal attraction to a year-round favorite on Delmarva.

A Menu Built on Creativity

The heart of the Sandy Pony experience is the menu. Every donut is fried fresh and customized on the spot. 

Guests can choose from the shop’s 24 signature flavors or design their own creation. Gluten-free options are also available upon request.

Some of the standout signature donuts include:

• Ms. Sandy – Honey Glaze and Cinnamon Sugar Donut
• Surfer Dude – Honey Glaze, Cinnamon Sugar and Mini Chocolate Chips Donut
• Blueberry Pie – Blueberry Glaze, Powdered Sugar And Graham Crackers Donuts
• Porky Pony – Honey Glaze, Cinnamon Sugar And Bacon Donut
• Sea Foam – Honey Glaze And Coconut Donut
• Mary Lee-Mon – Lemon Glaze, Powdered Sugar And Graham Crackers Donut
• Misty Mint – Mint Glaze And Mini Chocolate Chips Donut
• Dirty Banana – Banana Glaze and Oreo Crumble Donut
• Yabba Dabba Doo-Nut – Honey Glaze With Fruity Pebbles Cereal Donut

With options ranging from simple to playful, the menu shows how much variety can exist within a single made-to-order donut.

A Sweet Surprise: Sandy Pony Donuts on Apple TV

This year, Sandy Pony Donuts reached a new level of visibility when its donuts were featured in the Apple TV series Pluribus, created by Vince Gilligan. 

The opportunity began nearly two years earlier, when the production team contacted Brea and Ben to ask whether their donuts could appear in the show.

What the owners expected to be a small background cameo turned into a major feature. 

The production team requested around 100 dozen donuts to be shipped overnight to New Mexico, where the show was filmed. 

The staff spent long hours frying and glazing, packing each donut carefully so it would arrive intact for filming.

The donut featured most prominently in the series is the shop’s popular, Ms. Sandy, a classic honey glaze and cinnamon sugar donut.

Scenes from the early trailer, including one in which a character licks the donuts before placing them back in a box, sparked immediate national interest and many calls to the shops' various locations. 

Once the trailer was released in July, Sandy Pony Donuts received calls and messages from people across the country asking whether the business was even real. The publicity alone was tremendous. 

The visibility boosted interest in Sandy Pony merchandise, inspired new customers to visit Delaware locations, and showcased a beloved local business on a global stage.

Celebrating Ten Years and Looking Ahead

As Sandy Pony Donuts celebrates a decade in business, the owners continue to lean into their mission: bringing joy through fresh, unforgettable donuts. 

Despite unexpected national attention, the business remains rooted in Delmarva and committed to the communities that supported it from the beginning.

Their growth now includes additional ventures owned by Brea and Ben, such as 19Dough1 bagels, Soft Swirl ice cream, and the lifestyle shop Hapa Surf Co., all located near their Bethany Beach Sandy Pony Donuts location. 

Still, the Sandy Pony Donuts brand remains the heart of their story. Sandy Pony celebrates its 10th anniversary this year & they are thankful for all of the support they have received from the publicity of the show. 

If you want to visit Sandy Pony Donuts, here are their locations in Coastal Delaware:

• Bethany Beach – 115 Garfield Parkway, Unit 2
• Bethany Beach (Drive-Thru) – 32919 Coastal Highway
• Dewey Beach – 1905 Coastal Highway #5

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Whether you visit for a classic cinnamon sugar donut or try one of their bold flavor combinations, every visit offers a fresh taste of what has made this small business so special.

If you enjoy learning about local businesses shaping Coastal Delaware, follow our blog for more upcoming stories like this!

Sources: Coastal Point, WBOC, Baltimore Magazine, About Sandy Pony, Sandy Pony News