Paczki - Ann Arbor

Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2023 is Paczki Day.

Paczki, traditional Polish pastries, are associated with using up all of the good ingredients in the house before Lent. They are like big jelly doughnuts -- but richer. In the past couple decades, Paczki Day has spread out from Hamtramck to become a tradition in Southeast Michigan.

The singular is paczek, but nobody ever says that. The pronunciation of the word is debated; locals are apt to say punch-key or poonch-key, though a more accurate Polish pronunciation can be heard here. If your keyboard allows it, the real spelling is pączki. Don't forget the little tail on the a, called an ogonek.

Where to get them

Paczki availability varies from year to year and place to place. In the interest of staying (reasonably) timely, please put a [verified] tag on these with a date.

Many grocery stores (e.g. Kroger, Meijer) sell large jelly doughnuts as paczki on Paczki Day, but they're posers.

Real ones are imported from Hamtramck, the epicenter of area Polish culture.

Argus Farm Stop is importing them from Crust in Fenton. Pre-order by Feb 16, 2023, and they will deliver with a grocery order.. [Verified 4 Feb 2023]

Amadeus if you make prior arrangements. [Not verified 2023]

Benny's Bakery in Saline makes 9 flavors. Raspberry, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, apple, custard, cream, chocolate cream, and prune. The tipping varies depending on the filling. They make over 6000 that day and they sell out fast. [Not verified 2023]

Big City Small World Bakery on Miller across from Knight's Market has them in 2019, featuring an elusive tradition prune filling that is hard to find. [CALL (734) 668-7688 TO ORDER!! Noted 4 Feb 2023]

Dexter Bakery is known for their paczki, especially if you are in Dexter, where the Dexter Bakery is well known in general for its donuts and other pastries. [Not verified 2023]

Dimo's Deli & Donuts are also known for their high-volume paczki selling. Their Paczki are available filled with their standard donut fillings: custard, butter creme, apple, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry fillings. [Not verified 2023]

DJ's Bakery would be worth asking. [Not verified 2023]

Dom Bakeries rates highly among stores not focused on Eastern Europe. [Not verified 2023]

Plum Market, said to source theirs from New Palace Bakery. [Not verified 2023].

Produce Station is importing them from Livonia's Paris Bakery for 2023. Pre-order by Feb 14, 2023. [Verified 4 Feb 2023]

Weber’s Inn bakery on Jackson Road bakes them fresh. Advance orders are suggested, but they do have some available for walk-ins too. Available flavors are chocolate, custard, blueberry, raspberry, prune and lemon paczki. [Not verified 2023]

Washtenaw Dairy has them for pre-order, and was sold out of their non-reserved stock by 1030a in 2016. [Not verified 2023]

Both the Zingerman's Bakehouse and Zingerman's Deli will have Pazckis on March 4, 2014 only. Pre-orders are strongly recommended. Raspberry, chocolate pudding, sweet ricotta cheese, rose hip jam, or lemon filled. Available on Fat Tuesday only. Quantities are very limited. Call to reserve yours 734-761-2095. $2.95 each or $30 dozen. [Not verified 2023]