Celebrate Paczki Day in NEPA!
This year, Paczki Day or Fat Tuesday (as some might call it) falls on Tuesday, February 17. (And, before we get too far along – it’s pronounced puhnch-kee). This festive day, just prior to Ash Wednesday, marks the start of the Christian observance of Lent.
Traditionally, to prepare for the prolonged fast leading up to Easter Sunday, in most Polish homes, the stores of lard, sugar, eggs and fruit would need to be consumed. Thankfully, some ingenious bakers put them all together to create the extra rich, sweet, pillowy, fruit-filled, powdered sugar-dusted pastry we’ve all come to know and love.
Here in NEPA, you’ll find this coveted, perennial treat at only a handful of select bakeries and pastry shops and the occasional deli. And it just so happens that we’ve rounded them up below.
Brodheadsville, PA
Babuni’s Table in Brodheadsville is a cozy Polish deli and restaurant serving authentic, old-world comfort food. During Fat Tuesday, stop in for their traditional paczki—pillowy Polish doughnuts filled with sweet goodness. Grab a few to-go, or pair them with classic Polish deli favorites.
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Plains, PA
Bakery Delite in Plains is famous across NEPA for its Fat Tuesday paczki selection. Place your order early and choose from a huge variety of flavors like apple, blueberry, prune, peach, angel, and chocolate cream. These rich, filled Polish doughnuts are a seasonal must.
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Carbondale, PA
Barbour’s Bakery in Carbondale has been baking traditional favorites since 1912, following recipes passed down for generations. Their paczki are a standout during Fat Tuesday celebrations, with locals lining up for these rich, old-fashioned Polish doughnuts. Don’t leave without a box of treats.
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Hazleton, PA
Carmen’s Bakery & Deli in Hazleton is a popular stop for Fat Tuesday donut orders, including their seasonal paczki. Each year, they release a list of available paczki flavors, so it’s worth calling ahead to reserve your favorites. Expect classic, filled Polish doughnuts made fresh.
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Avoca, PA
Cwikla’s Quality Bakery in Avoca has been baking for over 100 years, firing up its original coal-fired oven for everything from pies and cakes to donuts. On Fat Tuesday, their paczki are a must, offering a rich, traditional Polish treat that draws customers from all over.
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Mount Pocono, PA
Krakus Deli in Mount Pocono is a go-to destination for authentic Polish delicacies, especially during Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday. Stop in for their selection of traditional paczki, including classic glazed and zested varieties. It’s the perfect place to stock up for a sweet celebration.
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Scranton, PA
Minooka Pastry Shop in Scranton has been serving classic paczki at the start of every Lenten season for more than 40 years. Choose from all your favorite fillings and flavors, or place your order early by phone or online. Their Fat Tuesday paczki are a longtime local tradition.
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Lake Ariel, PA
Polish Bites at Indian Rocks in Lake Ariel brings authentic Polish comfort food to the Pocono Mountains. Alongside the restaurant’s lineup of homemade pastries and baked goods, you’ll also find fresh, generously-filled paczki, a seasonal favorite and staple on Fat Tuesday.
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Mount Pocono, PA
Polonez Polish-European Market in Mount Pocono is a great place to find authentic paczki for Fat Tuesday. Pick up these traditional Polish doughnuts while browsing the store’s wide selection of deli meats, imported snacks, drinks, and European bakery items. It’s a one-stop shop for Polish favorites.
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Nanticoke, PA
Sanitary Bakery in Nanticoke, one of NEPA’s most famous local bake shops, offers over 100 years of expert paczki making experience. Get there early and choose from favorites like blueberry, apple, black raspberry and prune.
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Newfoundland, PA
Spolem Deli in Newfoundland is a go-to spot for authentic Polish flavors, especially during paczki season. For Fat Tuesday, the deli offers fresh, cream- and fruit-filled paczki that draw locals looking for a classic Polish indulgence made with old-world tradition.
Learn MoreArticle updated from its original version published on 2/21/25.
Pączki at Minooka Pastry Shop
