If you’re reading this and you’re on your way home on Fat Tuesday, stop by any of the Polish bakeries in town to pick up some traditional Lenten sweets and pastries.  It’s almost as good as being drunk in New Orleans or half-naked in Rio today!

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Why Pastries? What are Pączki?

Nougat Bakery and Delicatessen on Urbanspoon

The idea is that Catholics used to give up things like lard and sugar for Lent, so they would splurge and make a whole ton of sweet things to eat for Tuesday thru Thursday.  The most popular of these desserts, at least in North America, are pączki.

If you’re wondering where there are Polish bakeries in Kitchener/Waterloo:

  • Nougat Bakery on Queen, east of Highland. Just the best fancy deli/cafe in town.
  • Mike’s Deli, Lawrence near Victoria and Belmont. Never been, but the butcher in me is curious.
  • Glogowski Euro Food on Highland near Westmount.  It’s a very large grocery store that carries a lot of Eastern European bread, deli, pastry, dairy, etc.

If you’re in Guelph, there are several there as well:

  • Klops Meat & Deli – 500 York Road, 519-837-8705
  • Romex Deli & Meat – 11-130 Silvercreek Pkwy N., 519-836-0307

If there are any other sources for good paczki in town, on Mardi Gras or otherwise, feel free to comment!