Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras in French, is a time to indulge before the Lent fasting period begins on Ash Wednesday. The practice starts next week for those who partake and concludes with the celebration of Easter. Mardi Gras festivities take place throughout the world and include many different cultural practices.

Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, is a particularly special day in Poland for consuming sweet treats. The main dish of choice are paczki, delicious Polish pastries, similar to a doughnut, that typically include fillings like jam, custard, or fruit preserves. The word "paczki" is plural for "paczek," which means "little package" in Polish. These pastries were originally created as a way to use up ingredients like sugar, lard, and fruit preserves before the Lenten fasting period. Over time, the tradition of enjoying paczki spread to various cultures and regions, becoming a beloved delicacy beyond Poland.

If you’re looking for some pleasant paczki to indulge in through the coming week, treat yourself at these local spots!

bakery unlimited | toledo, oh

4427 SECOR RD | 6660 W SYLVANIA AVE SUITE 3C
bakeryunlimited.com

cafe donuts | TOLEDO, OH

5330 MONROE ST
Facebook.com/Cafedonutstoledo/

geer family bakery | sylvania, oh

8252 MAYBERRY SQ N
Facebook.com/GeersBakery/

main street sweets | SYLVANIA, OH

5639 MAIN ST
Facebook.com/mainstreetsweetssylvania/

haas bakery | oregon, oh

2306 STARR AVE
Facebook.com/Haasbakery/

don's donuts | northwood, oh

2911 WOODVILLE RD
Facebook.com/donsdonut/

walt churchill's market | perrysburg & maumee, oh

26625 DIXIE HWY | 3320 BRIARFIELD BLVD
waltchurchillsmarket.com

fort findlay coffee & doughnut shoppe | findlay, oh

1016 TIFFIN AVE
fortfindlaycoffee.com

monica's baker boy | monroe, mi

5967 E DUNBAR RD | 3545 N DIXIE HWY
monicasbakerboy.com