Bring on the paczki.
Every year, for decades, the beloved Polish pastries known as paczki get their day in the spotlight come Fat Tuesday.
A longtime tradition in metro Detroit, thousands of people get ready for what’s known as “Paczki Day.” The day is practically a holiday and an excuse to indulge in those sweet, pillowy orbs filled with everything from classic prune to custard to flavors and specialty paczki crafted by creative bakers.
Paczki Day, or Fat Tuesday, arrives just before the start of the Christian season of Lent — a time of reflection, giving and fasting leading up to Easter.
The day is also known as Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras.
But around metro Detroit, it’s all about paczki.
Around metro Detroit, grocery stores and bakeries (especially local Polish bakeries) have been selling paczki for weeks.
Bakers are preparing tens of thousands of traditional or specialty paczki, dusted with powdered sugar or covered in a sweet glaze and oozing with jelly, custard or cream fillings.
At Villa Bakery in Garden City, the weeks leading up to Paczki Day are busy. Owner Candy VanLue says they’ll sell more than 34,000 paczki. Over the years, they’ve made a variety of cool and fun takes on specialty paczki in the past — everything from Bumpy Cake to Reese’s Peanut Butter.
While those aren’t on the menu anymore for this paczki season anymore their regular lineup is available through Fat Tuesday.
And if you’re a fan of Bumpy Cake, Villa Bakery has a bonus. On Saturday, Feb. 14, only the bakery is doing a special Valentine’s Day Bumpy Cake paczki. But you’ll need to get there early, because only a limited number of the specialty paczki will be available in-store at $4.75 each.
Now that we’ve got you in the mood for paczki, here’s a round-up of places in metro Detroit where you’ll find plenty of paczki options as well as upcoming paczki events.
Keep in mind prices vary depending on the bakery, the flavor and for specialty paczki.
Many local grocery chains and independent grocery stores also have paczki.
And if you’re in search of paczki early, many of the bakeries listed below open early with special hours.
Events and twists on Paczki
Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
Multiple locations
This local pie company has turned paczki into a pie form. Making its debut is the Not-So Paczki Pie, a limited-time-only dessert, available on Monday, Feb. 16 and Tuesday, Feb. 17. Achatz Not-So Paczki Pie draws inspiration from the beloved paczki and all its flavors in a pie form.
The pie base is a vanilla pastry cream topped with Michigan tart cherries, dollops of whipped cream, a light drizzle of icing and soft-glazed donut pieces.
The Not-So Paczki Pie $26 for a 9-inch pie and $5.50 per slice at its retail locations and the Pie Collective by Achatz locations.
For locations, go to achatzpies.com.
American Coney Island
Detroit
Coney Paczki will be offered on Fat Tuesday starting at 9 a.m. and available until sold out. Each Coney Paczki, $6.85 each, is made with American Coney Island’s famous hot dogs and topped with chili, mustard and onions — all nestled into glazed but unfilled paczki that are split like hot dog buns.
114 W Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; americanconeyisland.com
Eastern Market Brewing Co.
Detroit
Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, is Eastern Market Brewing Co.’s annual Pączki Party. There will be live music. Pączki eating contest and a pierogi pop-up. All of the 2026 Pączki beers will be featured on tap.
2515 Riopelle St., Detroit; easternmarketbeer.com
Detroit City Distillery
Detroit
The distillery’s annual Paczki Day Party runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at its events space, 100 Proof, 1000 Gratiot Ave. in Detroit. Admission is free. The event takes place indoors and outdoors with live music, Polish ice luge, ice carving, merch, an appearance by Mr. Paczki Head and food by Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage Co., along with other Polish favorites available. The distillery is also known for its paczki vodka.
1000 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; detroitcitydistillery.com
Northern Wind Brewing
The first “Supa Dupa Day” takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when Supa Dupa Paczki Cream Ale drops at noon. The paczki ale is made in collaboration with Wyandotte Beer Co. and paczki from Trenton’s Elliott’s Bakery. Doors at Northern Wind Brewing open at noon, and they’ll be serving fresh kielbasa and sauerkraut from Wyandotte’s Kielbasa Joe’s. There’s also pierogi and a grilled peanut and raspberry jelly sandwich made with paczki filling.
3355 3rd St., Wyandotte; northernwindbrewing.com
Wyandotte Beer Co.
Wyandotte
Normally closed on Tuesdays, this downtown Wyandotte Beer Company releases its “Supa Dupa” Paczki cream ale. The ale is a collaboration with Wyandotte’s Northern Wind Brewing and the paczki from Trenton’s Elliott’s Bakery. They’ll be open from noon-10 p.m., serving Polish food from nearby Biddle Hall.
3016 1st St., Wyandotte; 734-556-3231.
Where to get paczki in metro Detroit
Almont Baking Co.
AlmontThis family-owned bakery is celebrating 37 years in Almont. Now run by third generation Andrew Misajlovski and his wife, Brook, ten classic flavors plus a few specialty paczki are offered. Its new flavor this year is Dubai chocolate filled with pistachio cream custard and topped with chocolate ganache and crunchy kataifi plus a chocolate ganache drizzle.102 N. Main Street, Almont; 810-798-2171 or almontbakingco.com
American Polish Cultural Center
Troy
Paczki sales take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, through Tuesday, Feb 17, in the banquet center. Online orders are also being taken and can be picked up anytime through Tuesday. The center has traditional paczki flavors for walk-in customers. On Tuesday, the center opens at 6 a.m., and paczki will be available until sold out.
2975 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-689-3636 or americanpolishcenter.com
American Polish Century Club
Sterling Heights
Paczki will be on sale in the banquet center on Monday and Tuesday. A dozen paczki is $38.99. On Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m., the club will hold its Paczki Day party, with Polish music, Polish street food, a full bar and paczki for sale. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door.
33204 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights; 586-264-7990 or american-polishcenturyclub.com
Avon Donuts
Pontiac
Paczki will be available starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, and 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, until they’re sold out. Flavors include raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, apple, custard and cream.
45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac; 248-333-2121.
Bartz Bakery
Here, the paczki are halal and use vegetable oil. Traditional flavors, from raspberry to cherry and custard, are available, according to its website. Other flavors include cannoli, buttercream, cream cheese and prune.
1532 N. Telegraph Road, Dearborn; 313-562-0986 or bartzbakery.com
Bozek’s Market
The family-owned stores in Hamtramck and Sterling Heights offer a variety of paczki made from a recipe brought over from Poland, according to a previous Free Press story.
3317 Caniff, Hamtramck and 42354 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights; bozekmarkets.com
Cantoro Italian Market
This Italian market’s two locations, Livonia and Northville, have cannoli or tiramisu paczki at $3.25 each, according to its online sales ad. There’s also a variety of fruit-filled flavors, plus custard and chocolate-filled.
15550 N. Haggerty Road, Northville; 734-420-1100 and 19710 Middlebelt Road, Livonia; 248-478-2345; cantoromarket.com
Detroit Donut
Doors open at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, and a dozen-plus varieties will be offered.
9101 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-873-9000.
Donutville USA
Dearborn
Family-owned and operated for nearly 60 years, Donutville U.S.A. offers more than a half-dozen varieties of paczki. At Donutville U.S.A., they use only vegetable oil and no lard. Donutville U.S.A. opened on July 4 in 1966 and is now run by second- and third-generation family members. You can check out Donutville U.S.A.’s paczki-making in a video on its website.
14829 Ford Road; 313-582-0350 or donutvilleusa.com
Dutch Girl Donuts
Detroit
You can place advance orders for a dozen paczki. Choose from fruit-filled or classic varieties.
19000 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-826-6005 or dutchgirldetroit.com
Elliott’s Bakery and Coffee Shop
Trenton
This bakery and coffee shop has been in downtown Trenton for more than 90 years. Elliot’s paczki lineup includes apple, custard, lemon and raspberry.
2636 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton; 734-676-1940 or elliottsbakery.com
GM Paris Bakery
Livonia
Mostly a Polish bakery with some Mediterranean fusion, the bakery and cafe ́ offer paczki, plus it specializes in coffee and coffee drinks, savory pastries, Polish breads and Polish desserts such as angel wings. GM Parish Bakery also sells Jennie’s pierogis. Made from scratch paczki in seven flavors are $3 each (prune is $4) or $36 per dozen.
28418 Joy Road, Livonia; 734-425-2060.
Heritage Bakery
Livonia
Fruit-filled, mousse-filled and specialty paczki, such as banana Oreo split, are available now and until the end of February.
37458 Five Mile Road, Livonia; 734-464-1855 or heritage-bakery.com
Irena’s Café and Bistro
Sterling Heights
Irena’s, within the Srodek’s plaza on Mound Road, offers handmade paczki in a variety of flavors at the bistro and next door at Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage Co.
40211 Mound Road, Sterling Heights; 586-997-0950.
Iversen’s Bakery
Dearborn
In business for more than 100 years, this Dearborn bakery will have a variety of paczki. A specialty paczki of Iversen’s is pistachio-Dubai chocolate. Other flavors are custard, raspberry, lemon, chocolate and cannoli.
22041 West Outer Drive, Dearborn; 313-563-5161 or iversens-bakery.com
Livonia Italian Bakery and Cafe
In Livonia for more than 35 years, the bakery will offer six flavors of paczki on Monday, Feb. 16, and on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Its cannoli paczki is available now through Tuesday, according to the bakery’s Instagram page.
33617 7 Mile Road, Livonia; 248-474-0444 or livoniaitalianbakeryandcafe
New Palace Bakery
Hamtramck
For years, New Palace Bakery has been ground zero for the decadent donuts and is considered paczki headquarters.
Seven different box options with a variety of paczki are offered. Traditional flavors of paczki are $19.95 for a half-dozen and $35.95 for a dozen. One dozen specialty pączki is $45.95 and includes flavors like Cinnacream, its new flavor this year, that is a cream cheese glaze filling topped with cinnamon sugar glaze, powdered sugar and cinnamon, and Cook-zki (Cookie Butter Buttercream) plus others.
9833 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-875-1334 or newplacebakery.com
Polish Market
Troy
This year, the market will have seven flavors, including rose hip and plum. Paczki are $2.25 each or $25.99 per dozen, according to a post on the market’s Facebook page.
2938 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-577-5334 or gopolishmarket.com
Promenade Artisan Foods
Detroit and Trenton
With locations in Detroit’s Fisher Building and its original downtown Trenton, Promenade Artisan Foods, “Craczki” is back this year. Paying homage to Promenade’s owners’ French and Polish roots, the Craczki is made with its scratch-made croissant dough and then filled with its scratch-made cream fillings. According to Promenade’s Facebook page, flavors this year are raspberry lemon or Bavarian cream with chocolate ganache. Individual Craczki are $5.25 each or boxes of four with two of each flavor cost $20.
2627 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit;
734-307-7061 or promenadeartisanfoods.square.site
Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage Co.
Hamtramck and Sterling Heights
Warm paczki from Irena’s Cafe starting at 5 a.m. at the Sterling Heights store. A variety of flavors will be offered, including plum, strawberry, raspberry, rose hip, custard, and lemon. Paczki will also be available at Srodek’s Hamtramck store.
9601 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, 313-871-8080 and 40211 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, 586-250-9090 or srodek.com
Tony Cannoli Sweets & Eats
Southgate and Woodhaven
Six flavors, including cannoli and Boston cream, will be offered at the Woodhaven location. Doors open at 7 a.m. in Woodhaven for paczki sales.
16075 West Road, Woodhaven and inside Trentwood Market in Southgate at 11055 Allen Road; 734-672-6018; tonycannolisweetsandeats.com
Tringali’s Bakery
Warren
More than a baker’s dozen of paczki flavors are available, including its cannoli cream, a top seller made from a four-decade-old cannoli cream recipe. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday.
29100 Schoenherr Road, Warren; 586-777-9010 or tringalisbakery.com
Union Joints restaurant group
Multiple locations
For several years, the Union Joints restaurant group establishments have come up with different paczki flavor options and given their pastries creative names. This year’s paczki flavors, available in two boxes, are:
Old School Box: Apple Brown Butter, Strawberry Shortcake, Bourbon Butterscotch and Churro.
New Wave Box: Nutella Fluff, Fruity Pebbles, Mango and Coconut and a Dubai paczki. You can pre-order at unionpantry.com up until Friday, Feb. 13. Each four pack is $18.
Pickup day is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at its Honcho, Lincoln Yard/Little Yard or Union Rec restaurants. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, individual paczki are $4.50 at Honcho in Clarkston, Lincoln Yard/Little Yard in Birmingham and Union Rec in Ann Arbor.
Villa Bakery
Garden City
This family-owned bakery will have its top-selling cannoli cream, plus custard, chocolate mousse and a variety of fruit-filled paczki. Prices vary.
6237 Middlebelt Road, Garden City; 734-425-6245.
Yellow Light Donuts
Detroit
Both Yellow Light Donuts locations will offer paczki sourced from Almont Baking Co. and dipped in Yellow Light’s signature house-made glazes. On Tuesday, paczki will be available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
14447 E. Jefferson, Detroit, inside the Michigan Central Station in Corktown; yellowlightdetroit.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where to buy paczki in metro Detroit on Fat Tuesday
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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