On a busy stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard, a family-run bakery is turning the humble cinnamon roll into a full-on Valley event. All About the Cinnamon, run by high-school sweethearts Lindsay and Lawrence McDonald along with their son Dominic, pairs oversized, frosting-heavy buns with hip-hop shoutouts and an unapologetically loud toppings bar. Weekend lines and social buzz have turned the shop into one of Sherman Oaks' most talked-about sweet stops.
The shop currently serves 28 hip-hop-themed flavors and sells individual "cinnabuns" that run roughly $8 to $13, according to ABC7. The outlet also notes that the McDonalds promoted a sweet-potato cinnamon roll for Juneteenth and have a Father's Day box available to preorder on the bakery's website, and that the storefront is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. "The support for us as a small business means more to us than anything," co-owner Lindsay McDonald told the station.
From Pop-Ups To A Permanent Corner
The McDonalds first built a following at pop-ups and weekend markets before settling into a permanent storefront last fall. Eater LA reports that the shop moved into 4341 Van Nuys Blvd in September 2025. The move mirrors a broader wave of Smorgasburg alumni turning market momentum into everyday brick-and-mortar spots across Los Angeles.
Buns Named After Rap Icons
Every roll carries an artist's name, from "Big Poppa" to "The Drake," and reviewers say the bakery manages to balance over-the-top toppings with solid, no-nonsense baking. The Infatuation singled out the Big Poppa as a well-executed classic. Community listings and reviews, including HappyCow, highlight clearly labeled vegan and gluten-free options. The shop's larger creations, such as a celebration-sized cinnabun cake, have become go-to orders for birthdays and office boxes.
Family And Community
The operation is very much a family affair. Lindsay and Lawrence say the idea was born during the pandemic, and their son Dominic now helps run the shop, according to a profile by NBC Los Angeles. That family angle has helped turn the compact storefront into a community hub where neighbors and visiting food fans cross paths. The owners say expansion is on the table down the line, but for now they are focused on keeping daily batches fresh and serving the Valley.
What To Know Before You Go
Hours and ordering details are updated weekly on the bakery's website, which lists regular mid-week and weekend hours along with a phone number for preorders. For the latest, check All About The Cinnamon. The business also appears on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's list of approved cottage-food operations, confirming its local registration, per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Expect sell-out windows on weekend mornings, so preordering is the safest bet for boxes.
All About the Cinnamon has taken a simple concept, big buttery cinnamon rolls, and spun it into a local brand that blends family, music and dessert. For Sherman Oaks sweet-tooths, it is a reminder that a small corner shop can still make a big statement.
