What's the Best Spot for Paczki in Troy? You Said Knapp's

Tuesday is Mardi Gras — or as it's better known around here, Fat Tuesday. And in Metro Detroit, that means one thing: pączki.

Sugar, eggs and fat are traditionally combined to create pączki, traditional Polish doughnuts filled with fruit or cream and dusted with powdered sugar or glazed.

The Polish tradition is to celebrate the last six days of Carnival, known as zapusty, beginning on Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek) when pączki (fried doughnuts) are eaten. In America, pączki can be found in bakeries on Fat Tuesday or Pączki Day, Feb. 12.

The baking and consumption of pączki began as a practical matter. Pączki were made as a way to use up the lard and eggs that were prohibited during the ancient observance of Lent. Now, they’re part of a last-minute binge on sweets before the sacrifice begins.

So what's the best spot to find paczki in Troy? Last year, we asked Troy Patch readers as part of our Readers Choice series where you can find the best doughnuts or pączki in town. Forty-two percent of respondents chose Knapp's Donut Shop.

Suggestions from Troy Patch users on Facebook included:

• Kristen Amaro Forster: The Polish Culture Center at 15/Dequindre? Meijer has some tasty ones too.
• Harriet Lober Weiner: Ridley's, 17/John R
• Rachel Habbel Hullinger: Polish!!!!! Only way!!

What's your favorite spot to pick up paczki around Troy? Let us know in the comments below!