My earliest memory of a paczki was in sixth grade. My industrial science teacher was Polish and went all out for the holiday.
He would dress up in his folk attire and travel from class to class with his rolling cart, handing out paczkis to everyone who wanted one. They were amazing and my mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Since then, I’ve been very particular about my paczkis — and the chain store-bought kind just don’t compare to plump and pillowy decadence when they’re freshly made.
Detroit is one of the few places that celebrates Paczki Day, along with Chicago and other large cities in the Midwest and Northwest. It is one of the few holidays that is a big deal here and many people celebrate — even if they’re not Polish.
Here, we’ve rounded up a list of 18 local bakeries that make and sell real paczkis for Fat Tuesday. Plus, find four other local establishments that have joined in on the Paczki Day fun with their unique twists on the delicious delight.
American Polish Cultural Center
- Address: 2975 E. Maple Road, Troy
- Phone: 248-689-3636
Flavors include strawberry, plum, custard, blueberry, raspberry and apricot. Pre-order online or stop by before they’re gone.
Avon Donuts
- Address: 45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
- Phone: 248-333-2121
The paczki flavors at this family-owned bakery are raspberry, custard, cherry, lemon, apple, cream, strawberry and more.
Benny’s Bakery
- Address: 111 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
- Phone: 734-429-9120
Paczki flavors are plain, apple, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cream, chocolate cream, prune and custard.
Chene Modern Bakery
- Address: 17041 W. Warren Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-582-0700
They’re kicking off the 2023 paczki season on Feb. 1, 2023, so you don’t have to wait until Feb. 21. This year’s flavors will be announced soon.
Daily Dozen Doughnuts
- Addresses: 32701 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 11331 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights; 13599 E. Nine Mile Road, Warren
- Phone: 248-439-0068 (Royal Oak); 586-553-9337 (Sterling Heights); 586-552-5039 (Warren)
This year’s flavors are lemon, custard, chocolate cream, vanilla, apple, strawberry and raspberry.
Delightful Donuts & Cupcakes
- Address: 58 Cherry St., Mount Clemens
- Phone: 586-649-7513
This new bakery just opened in downtown Mount Clemens. Stop in or call the store to place your order. The flavors are custard, raspberry, lemon, cream, apple, cherry, blueberry, cannoli and Boston cream. You can have them glazed or with powdered sugar.
Donut Cutter
- Address: 28173 Woodward Ave., Berkley
- Phone: 248-542-4653
The paczki flavors for this year are chocolate cream, butter cream, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, apple, lemon, cherry and custard.
Donut Kastle
- Address: 24555 Eureka Road, Taylor
- Phone: 734-946-8436
Flavors include strawberry, pineapple, lemon, raspberry, cream cheese, chocolate cream, blueberry, apple, cream and custard.
Dos Locos Tacos
- Address: 10337 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-872-6838
Try their classic flavors – raspberry, apricot and Bavarian cream and their specialty flavors – Mexican chocolate, strawberries & cream and PB&J (with chipotle raspberry jelly and peanut butter.
Elliot’s Bakery
- Address: 2636 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton
- Phone: 734-676-1940
Order ahead at Elliot’s Bakery. Try paczki flavors like lemon, raspberry, custard and apple.
Jack’s Italian Bakery
- Address: 18841 Allen Road, Melvindale
- Phone: 313-928-9500
Flavors include cannoli cream, cream cheese, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, prune, custard, apple, chocolate cream, white cream, apricot, blueberry, lemon and pineapple.
Knapp’s Donut Shop
- Addresses: 500 N. Main St., Rochester; 6057 Rochester Road, Troy
- Phone: 248-652-4343 (Rochester); 248-813-8370 (Troy)
The usual flavors include apple, blueberry, cherry, buttercream, Bavarian cream, strawberry, raspberry, lemon and prune (upon request).
New Palace Bakery
- Address: 9833 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-875-1334
It offers some unique flavors — buttercream, strawberry cheesecake, triple chocolate, orange creamski and peanut butter and jelly. But it also has some classics — strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, custard, lemon, apple and prune. The bakery is not taking any online orders; you can call or visit the bakery to place an order in advance.
Paris Bakery
- Address: 28418 Joy Road, Livonia
- Phone: 734-425-2060
Offer the flavors of custard, apple, blueberry, prune, strawberry, raspberry and lemon. Call to make sure Margarita cheesecake and cannoli flavors are available.
Pietrzyk Pierogi
- Address: 1429 Gratiot Ave., Suite 109, Detroit
- Phone: 313-614-9393
Preordered paczkis come in raspberry, strawberry jalapeno, blueberry, lemon custard and vanilla custard. Mix and match options available.
Sugarr Donuts
- Address: 19115 West Road, Woodhaven
- Phone: 734-672-7275
Pre-order any of their paczki flavors, which include custard, lemon, apple, strawberry, cannoli cream filled, pb&j and crème brulee.
The Looney Baker
- Address: 13931 Farmington Road, Livonia
- Phone: 734-425-8569
The flavors this year are raspberry-glazed, apple, lemon, custard and chocolate cream.
Tringali’s Bakery
- Address: 29100 Schoenherr Road, Warren
- Phone: 586-777-9010
Regular flavors include blueberry, lemon, apple, raspberry, custard, buttercream, chocolate custard and strawberry. Specialty flavors include cappuccino cream and cannoli cream filled.
Paczki Day alternatives
Unique flavors and alcoholic paczki beverages are putting a twist on this Polish tradition.
Many places in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor are making their own mark on this holiday in order to attract locals to their spots.
Check out the places below to keep the Pazcki Day fun rolling with paczki beers, classes and more.
Detroit City Distillery
- Address: 2462 Riopelle St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-338-3760
Distributes raspberry paczki vodka every year for Mardi Gras. Order online. It goes on sale Feb. 3 and it will sell out fast.
Rose’s Fine Food
- Address: 10551 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-822-2729
Learn how to make the beloved Polish doughnut at this paczki class. Also, enjoy some Polish-inspired snacks, sausage and sourdough rye bread.
Small’s Bar
- Address: 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-873-1117
It will be offering a ‘Paczki bomb’, which is a shot and a doughnut all in one. They open at 10 a.m. on Fat Tuesday and will be available until they run out.
The Painted Lady Lounge
- Address: 2930 Jacob St., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-874-2991
It will have Buffalo Trace and Fireball paczki available to purchase this year.
Follow Metro Parent on Instagram.
