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Best Bets For Paczki Day Grub In Detroit

Paczki Day, which is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, falls on February 21 this year. Everyone who lives in New Orleans is familiar with Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, but Detroiters enjoy celebrating by eating paczki, a popular Polish doughnut filled with fruit and topped with glaze or powered sugar, from their favorite restaurant or bakery alongside a Polish beer or coffee. This Fat Tuesday, after you've had your 1st and 2nd Paczki from one of the best Paczki shops, stop by one of the following restaurants.


Hours: Mon to Thurs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri to Sat -11 a.m.to 9 p.m.; Sun- 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Polonia Restaurant
(credit: polonia-restaurant.net)

Polonia Restaurant, known for its homemade stuffed cabbage, has been in business for more than 40 years serving homemade Polish and Eastern European food. This restaurant is a favorite of Anthony Bourdain, host of the Travel Channel's "No Reservations," and offers up authentic cuisine like beef goulash, pierogies, and homemade sauerkraut. You can even catch authentic Polish music upon your visit, so sit back and enjoy the tunes while eating your Polish dish.


Hours: Mon to Thurs - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri to Sat - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday Live Music: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring Authentic Polish Bands

If you enjoy dancing and drinking in a homey atmosphere with your paczki, Krakus is the place to be. Krakus Restaurant serves homemade Polish food and specializes in pierogies, pork chops and stuffed cabbage. Portions are large, so if a full dinner is too much, you have the option to order half dinner plates. Great for family reunions or friendly gatherings, Krakus is open on Sunday for private parties of more than 30 people.

Polish Village
(credit: thepolishvillagecafe.com)


Hours: Mon to Thurs - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri to Sat -11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun - Noon to 9 p.m.
The restaurant only accepts cash for dining in

Rich with history, Polish Village was originally a gentleman's hotel built back in 1925 and was converted into a cafe in the mid 70s. With dishes such as sledzie w smietanie (herring in sour cream) and placki ziemniczane (potato pancakes), you may need some help choosing what to order. Luckily there are descriptions beside every dish for us non-Polish speaking people. Polish Village serves delicious dill pickle soup, pierogi and golabki (stuffed cabbage). All dinners are served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and vegetables.


Hours: Mon to Sat - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lukich's is a family-owned restaurant that serves Polish and American food, and great vegan and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is known for making the best pierogies and potato pancakes in the area. If you are not in the mood for Polish food, order roast turkey or fish. If you're in a rush, take out is also available.


Hours: Tues to Sat - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Two Sisters Restaurant has been in business for more than 25 years serving homemade Polish fare. The restaurant specializes in serving dill pickle soup, crepes, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and kraut, chicken dumplings and pierogies. Carry out is available for customers who are on the go. Stop by Two Sisters for your next Polish meal and enjoy a paczki served with a glass of milk on Fat Tuesday.

Yvette Collins is a freelancer in the Detroit area, writing about sports, food, health and traveling. You can read her work on Examiner.com.


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