How to Find Paczki in Greater Milwaukee for Fat Tuesday 2026

Fat Tuesday falls on February 17, 2026, and for families across the Milwaukee area, that means one thing: it's time to hunt down the best paczki. These rich, golden-fried Polish pastries stuffed with jam, custard, or creative fillings represent the final indulgence before Lent—and Milwaukee's strong Polish heritage means you'll find some of the country's most authentic paczki right here. This comprehensive guide covers 50+ locations across the North Shore, Milwaukee proper, and surrounding suburbs, organized geographically so you can plan efficient pickups with the kids in tow.

Whether you're seeking the traditional prune-filled paczki your grandmother made or adventurous flavors like Brandy Old Fashioned or Biscoff cookie, this guide has you covered. Pre-ordering is essential at most bakeries—popular spots sell out days in advance—so bookmark this page and start planning now.

Related: Where to find King Cakes in the Greater Milwaukee Area

What makes paczki special

Before diving into where to find them, let's address a common question: aren't paczki just fancy jelly donuts? The answer is a resounding no. Traditional paczki use a much richer dough with more eggs, butter, and milk than standard donuts. Authentic Polish recipes include a splash of grain alcohol in the dough, which evaporates during frying and prevents oil absorption, resulting in a lighter, fluffier texture.

You'll recognize a properly made paczki by its pale stripe around the middle—this "belt" indicates the pastry was fried in fresh, properly heated oil. The shape is a flattened sphere rather than a ring, and the interior should be soft and pillowy without collapsing when bitten. Traditional fillings include powidła (plum butter), rose hip jam, and prune, though American bakeries have expanded into raspberry, custard, and increasingly creative options.

The tradition dates to medieval Poland when Catholics needed to use up forbidden Lenten ingredients—lard, butter, sugar, eggs, and fruit—before the 40-day fast. While Poland celebrates Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) the week before, Polish-American communities in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit merged the tradition with Mardi Gras, making Fat Tuesday the main event.

North Shore communities

The North Shore offers several excellent options ranging from artisan bakeries to convenient grocery store pickups, making it easy for families in Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, and surrounding communities to grab paczki without a long drive south.

Donut Monster — Whitefish Bay

This husband-and-wife-owned artisan donut shop has become a North Shore favorite for families seeking creative, high-quality paczki made without artificial colors or flavors.

• Address: 5169 N. Elkhart Ave., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

• Phone: (414) 988-2910

• Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 8 AM–1 PM (special Fat Tuesday opening for pre-orders, typically 7–11 AM)

• Flavors: Raspberry jam, apple brown butter curd, vanilla pastry cream, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate cream

• Pricing: 6-pack (two of each flavor): $20 | 12-pack: $38

• Pre-order: Required at donutmonsterorder.square.site

• Deadline: Typically February 15, 2026 (Saturday before Fat Tuesday)

The apple brown butter curd is a standout that kids love, offering something different from standard fillings. Their brioche-style dough is lighter than traditional paczki, making these a good choice for younger family members.

Kurt Schulz Delicatessen — Brown Deer

A hidden gem in historic Brown Deer Village, this family-owned German-style deli produces traditional paczki alongside their famous pastries and deli sandwiches.

• Address: 8752 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer, WI 53209

• Phone: (414) 354-1004

• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 6:30 AM–3 PM

• Flavors: Cream cheese, raspberry, lemon, prune, cinnamon raisin

• Pricing: $2.50 each | $25 per dozen

• Pre-order: Highly recommended online at kurtschulzdeli.com or by phone

• Deadline: Saturday, February 14, 2026

The cream cheese and cinnamon raisin flavors are unusual finds that set this bakery apart. It's worth combining your paczki pickup with lunch at their deli counter.

Metro Market Shorewood (Grebe's Bakery)

For convenient grab-and-go paczki, this Shorewood grocery store features a dedicated Grebe's Bakery display with fresh paczki during the Fat Tuesday season.

• Address: 4075 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, WI 53211

• Phone: (414) 967-9218

• Hours: 6 AM–10 PM daily

• Flavors: Apple, chocolate-iced buttercream, chocolate-iced custard, white-iced raspberry, sugar-coated raspberry, glazed blueberry, glazed sweet cheese, powdered sugar lemon, glazed prune

• Pricing: $2.25 each | $25 per baker's dozen (13)

• Pre-order: First-come, first-served; arrive early

Sendik's Food Market locations

Sendik's partners with both Grebe's Bakery and North Shore Boulangerie to offer fresh paczki at their Milwaukee-area locations, including setting up paczki stations on Fat Tuesday.

Key North Shore locations:

• Whitefish Bay: 500 E. Silver Spring Dr. | (414) 962-9525

• Mequon: 10930 N. Port Washington Rd. | (262) 241-9525

• Downer Avenue: 2643 N. Downer Ave. | (414) 962-1600 (fresh-fried paczki from North Shore Boulangerie)

Hours: 7 AM–9 PM daily; paczki stations typically 9 AM–6 PM on Fat Tuesday Pre-order: Available at sendiks.com/paczki-pre-order-event (opens approximately 2 weeks before Fat Tuesday)

Donut Monster — Cedarburg

The Cedarburg location operates from a charming 1870 building in the Washington Avenue Historic District, offering the same high-quality paczki as the Whitefish Bay flagship.

• Address: W62 N634 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, WI 53012

• Phone: (262) 421-8121

Historic Polish bakeries and South Side institutions

Milwaukee's South Side remains the heart of the city's Polish community, and these institutions have been perfecting paczki recipes for generations. For the most authentic experience, plan a trip to the 16th Street corridor.

National Bakery & Deli — The crown jewel

Founded in 1925 by Polish immigrant Louis Wisniewski, National Bakery celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025 and remains Milwaukee's most iconic paczki destination. They produce an astonishing 40,000 paczki on Fat Tuesday alone, using 1,800+ pounds of flour, 300+ pounds of butter, and 2,000 pounds of filling.

• Milwaukee (Original): 3200 S. 16th St., Milwaukee, WI 53215 | (414) 672-1620

• Brookfield: 13820 W. Greenfield Ave. | (262) 827-4097

• Greendale: 5637 Broad St. | (414) 423-4620

Hours: Regular 6:30 AM–3 PM; Fat Tuesday opens at 6 AM (lines form as early as 4:30 AM) Flavors: Prune (glazed), raspberry, lemon iced, raisin—all made with traditional butter-based dough Pricing: $21 per dozen Pre-order: Highly recommended online at shop.nationalbakery.com or by phone; deadline typically late January/early February Special features: Live accordion/polka music 6–10 AM on Fat Tuesday, golden ticket giveaways, commemorative t-shirts

For families, this is a must-experience Milwaukee tradition. The festive atmosphere with live polka music makes the early-morning line worthwhile, and kids will remember the experience for years.

Wioletta's Polish Market

Wioletta's Polish Market

Owned by Adam and Wioletta Bartoszek, who immigrated from the Łódź region of Poland, this authentic Polish market offers the widest variety of paczki flavors in the area—16 varieties ranging from traditional to creative.

• Address: 3955 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207

• Phone: (414) 226-5986

• Hours: Monday–Friday 10 AM–6 PM; Saturday 9 AM–5 PM; Sunday 9 AM–3 PM; Fat Tuesday 6 AM–6 PM

Traditional flavors: Prune, rosehip, poppyseed, cherry, apricot, raspberry, Bavarian cream, cheese Premium flavors ($5 each): Nutella, tiramisu mousse, Oreo cookie, raspberry mousse, strawberry cream cheese, rose Pricing: $2.50–$3 each (traditional) | $5 each (premium) Pre-order: Accepted up to 30 days in advance online

The rose and rosehip flavors are exceptionally hard to find elsewhere—these are the most traditional Polish fillings. The tiramisu mousse is a family favorite for those seeking something more adventurous.

Old World Polish Deli — Greendale

For the most authentic traditional experience, this family-owned deli in Greendale delivers old-world quality with hand-crafted paczki.

• Address: 7630 W. Grange Ave., Greendale, WI 53129

• Phone: (414) 855-0470

• Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 11 AM–6 PM; Friday–Saturday 10 AM–6 PM; Sunday 9 AM–2 PM

Flavors: Prune, raspberry, rosehip (rare traditional Polish flavor), Boston cream Pricing: $2 each Pre-order: By phone—highly recommended; available Fat Thursday through Fat Tuesday

This is one of very few places offering traditional rosehip filling. The bilingual staff (English and Polish) adds to the authentic experience.

Polish Center of Wisconsin — Franklin

The cultural hub for Polish heritage in Wisconsin offers convenient drive-up paczki pickup, making this ideal for busy families who want quality without the wait.

• Address: 6941 S. 68th St., Franklin, WI 53132

• Phone: (414) 529-2140

• Supplier: Peter Sciortino's Bakery

• Flavors: Prune, raspberry, Bavarian cream, lemon, strawberry, apple

• Pricing: $21 per mixed dozen

• Pre-order: Required online at polishcenterofwisconsin.org

• Pickup: Fat Tuesday 6 AM–2 PM, drive-up service

Special event: The Center hosts an annual Pączki Party & Mardi Gras Dessert Tasting (February 2026—check website for date). This family-friendly event features samples from seven local bakeries with live accordion music.

Peter Sciortino's Bakery — Brady Street

This historic Italian bakery on iconic Brady Street has been a Milwaukee institution since 1947, now owned by the Vella family. Their approach brings Italian baking expertise to traditional paczki.

• Address: 1101 E. Brady St., Milwaukee, WI 53202

• Phone: (414) 272-4623

• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 7 AM–4 PM; Sunday 7 AM–1 PM; Fat Tuesday 7 AM–4 PM

• Flavors: Prune, lemon, raspberry, Bavarian cream, strawberry, apricot, Nutella

• Pricing: $2.25 each | $13 per half dozen

• Pre-order: In-store or by phone; recommend 48 hours advance for large orders

Scordato Bakery

This family-owned Italian bakery near the Greenfield border brings Italian flair to traditional paczki with creative fillings.

• Address: 5011 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53220

• Phone: (414) 327-8555

• Hours: Fat Tuesday 7:30 AM–5 PM

• Flavors: Raspberry, prune, apricot, lemon, Bavarian, cannoli cream, Nutella

• Pre-order: Call ahead—they sell out quickly

The cannoli cream paczki is an Italian-Polish fusion worth trying.

M&P Polish Deli & Liquors

Located in the heart of the historic South Side Polish neighborhood near the Basilica of St. Josaphat, this authentic deli offers traditional Polish flavors.

• Address: 1215 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53215

• Phone: (414) 643-7733

• Flavors: Rose, tiramisu, traditional varieties

Donut Monster — Third Ward

For downtown families, this Third Ward location in the historic Landmark Building offers the same artisan quality as the Whitefish Bay original.

• Address: 316 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, WI 53202

• Hours: Thursday–Friday 7 AM–3 PM; Saturday–Sunday 8 AM–3 PM

• Flavors: Same creative lineup as Whitefish Bay location

• Pricing: $2.75–$3.25 each | $30 per baker's dozen

• Pre-order: Recommended via website/social media

Western suburbs — Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Waukesha, and Lake Country

The western suburbs offer everything from century-old traditions to creative modern interpretations, with several family-friendly bakeries that make paczki hunting an adventure.

Cranky Al's — Wauwatosa

Known for creative donuts (including their famous "Tide Pod Donuts"), Cranky Al's brings the same inventive spirit to their paczki, producing approximately 14,000 on Fat Tuesday.

• Address: 6901 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213

• Phone: (414) 258-5282

• Hours: Fat Tuesday 6 AM–1 PM

• Flavors: Raspberry, prune, Bavarian cream, lemon, blueberry lemon, pistachio cream, Biscoff cookie

• Pricing: $3 each | $30 per assorted dozen (prune not included in assorted)

• Pre-order: Online; deadline typically the Sunday before Fat Tuesday

The pistachio cream and Biscoff cookie flavors are kid favorites that you won't find elsewhere.

La Tarte — Wauwatosa

This award-winning French-style bakery crafts paczki using family recipes in a charming café setting perfect for a family outing.

• Address: 6742 W. Wells St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213

• Phone: (414) 456-0995

• Hours: Check website for Fat Tuesday hours

• Flavors: Apple, raspberry, cherry, prune, custard, lemon

• Pricing: $2.15 each | 6 for $12

• Pre-order: By phone; deadline approximately one week before

Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe — Waukesha

This family-owned European pastry specialist is famous for their "Top Shelf" booze-infused paczki—a hit with adults but they also offer excellent traditional options for families.

• Address: 1501 Paramount Dr., Suite C, Waukesha, WI 53186

• Phone: (262) 446-2253

• Hours: Fat Tuesday 7 AM–4 PM

Traditional flavors: Bavarian cream, raspberry, prune, lemon, apricot "Top Shelf" flavors (adults only): Bailey's Cherry Bombshell, Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet, Kahlua Mudslide, Raspberry Vodka Shooter, Spiced Bananas Foster Pricing: Traditional $2.75 each or $10/4-pack | "Top Shelf" $4 each or $15/4-pack Pre-order: Online February 14–16; pickup Monday before Fat Tuesday or Fat Tuesday

Beach Bum Bakery — Pewaukee

This award-winning boutique bakery opens at 5 AM on Fat Tuesday, perfect for families grabbing paczki on the way to work or school.

• Address: 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1G, Pewaukee, WI 53072

• Phone: (262) 696-4470

• Hours: Fat Tuesday opens 5 AM

• Flavors: Bavarian, raspberry, lemon, strawberry, prune

• Pre-order: Strongly recommended; customize your box with any combination

Simply Cinnamon Bakery — Pewaukee

This small family bakery famous for cinnamon rolls offers convenient curbside paczki pickup.

• Address: 115 Oakton Ave., Pewaukee, WI 53072

• Phone: (262) 691-4022

• Hours: Fat Tuesday opens 6 AM; drive-up/curbside service available

• Flavors: Raspberry, blueberry, Bavarian cream, apple

• Pre-order: Call to reserve

Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop — West Allis (serves western suburbs)

Serving families since 1977, Aggie's offers an excellent online ordering system with delivery to western suburbs including Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Elm Grove, and New Berlin.

• Address: 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214

• Phone: (414) 482-1288

• Hours: Fat Tuesday opens 6 AM (one hour earlier than normal)

Flavors (8 varieties): Apple with cinnamon sugar, blueberry with sugar, buttercream with powdered sugar, custard with white sugar glaze, lemon with powdered sugar, prune with sugar, raspberry with sugar, strawberry with glaze Pricing: 6-pack $13.50 | Dozen $27 (mix and match) Pre-order: Online at aggiesbakery.com; 48-hour lead time; pickup or delivery beginning around February 10 Delivery: Available to all Milwaukee County and parts of Waukesha County Bonus: Also offers King Cakes in 4 sizes ($18.95–$59.99) with traditional plastic baby included

Aggie's produces 11,000–12,000 paczki on Fat Tuesday and offers skip-the-line pickup for pre-orders—ideal for busy families.

Grebe's Bakery — West Allis

A fourth-generation family bakery since 1937, Grebe's produces a staggering 160,000 paczki during the Fat Tuesday season and supplies many area grocery stores.

• Address: 5132 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis, WI 53219

• Phone: (414) 543-7000

• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 5 AM–3 PM

Flavors (10 varieties): Apple with cinnamon sugar, chocolate-iced buttercream, chocolate-iced custard, white-iced raspberry, sugar-coated raspberry, glazed blueberry, glazed sweet cheese, powdered sugar lemon, glazed prune, seasonal specialties (pistachio cream, Biscoff) Pricing: $2.25 each | $25 per baker's dozen (13) Pre-order: Online, phone, or in-person; deadline Saturday before Fat Tuesday Special event: "Pardi Gras" celebration at OPE! Brewing Co. (6751 W. National Ave., West Allis) featuring paczki + beer packs

The Bake Sale — West Allis

This warm neighborhood bakery offers paczki in convenient pre-packaged sets.

• Address: 6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, WI 53219

• Phone: (414) 543-4230

• Hours: Fat Tuesday 6:30 AM–2 PM

• Flavors: Raspberry, lemon, Bavarian cream, prune

• Pricing: 4-pack $9 | 8-pack $18 | Dozen $27

• Pre-order: By phone; deadline approximately February 10

Southern suburbs — Greenfield, Oak Creek, Cudahy, and beyond

O&H Danish Bakery — Oak Creek

Famous for their 36-layer kringle, this fourth-generation bakery (since 1949) brings Danish baking expertise to excellent paczki, including creative new flavors each year.

• Address: 9540 S. 27th St., Oak Creek, WI 53154

• Phone: (414) 856-1141

• Hours: Monday–Friday 6 AM–6 PM; Saturday 6 AM–5 PM; Sunday 7 AM–1 PM

Flavors (10+ varieties): Custard, Michigan/Door County apple, wild blueberry, cheese, prune, lemon custard, Bavarian cream, raspberry, NEW: Dulce de Leche (caramel custard with caramel icing, toffee bits, chocolate chunks) Pricing: $21 per dozen Pre-order: Online through approximately February 27; in-store pickup Fat Tuesday

The Dulce de Leche is a must-try new addition. O&H has been featured in the New York Times Holiday Gift Guide and Food Network.

Jen's Sweet Treats — Cudahy

This community-focused family bakery has an A+ BBB rating and is known for delivering paczki to Milwaukee police departments on Fat Tuesday—a sweet tradition.

• Address: 4745 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, WI 53110

• Phone: (414) 940-0725

• Hours: Tuesday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM; Saturday 7 AM–3 PM

• Pre-order: Call ahead recommended

Grocery stores and convenient pickup options

For families seeking convenience without sacrificing quality, several grocery chains partner with local bakeries to offer fresh paczki.

Sendik's Food Markets — Multiple locations

Sendik's partnership with Grebe's Bakery and North Shore Boulangerie makes them the best grocery option for quality paczki. They set up dedicated paczki stations on Fat Tuesday (typically 9 AM–6 PM).

Key locations: Whitefish Bay, Mequon, Downer Avenue, Wauwatosa, Delafield Pre-order: sendiks.com/paczki-pre-order-event (opens ~2 weeks before Fat Tuesday) Pricing: $5 for 4-pack (via Grebe's pre-order)

Pick 'n Save / Metro Market — Multiple locations

These Kroger-owned stores carry Grebe's Bakery products through an expanded distribution partnership.

Locations: Throughout Milwaukee metro area Availability: First-come, first-served during Fat Tuesday week

Woodman's Markets

This employee-owned Wisconsin chain receives Grebe's products and offers 24-hour access at most locations.

Closest to Milwaukee: Menomonee Falls (W162 N9235 Pershing Ave.)

Costco — Bulk option

Costco carries Stan's Donuts paczki (a reputable Chicago-based bakery) in cream and strawberry flavors—ideal for large gatherings or classroom treats.

Locations: Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Pewaukee Note: Membership required

Grebe's Bakery distribution network

Grebe's delivers fresh paczki to 200+ locations including Speedway gas stations and Open Pantry stores throughout southeastern Wisconsin—convenient for last-minute pickups.

Family planning tips and pre-order deadlines

Critical deadlines to remember

Bakery Pre-order Deadline Notes National Bakery Late January/Early February 40,000 paczki—order early Wioletta's Polish Market Up to 30 days in advance Largest flavor selection Aggie's Bakery February 10, 2026 Offers delivery Grebe's Bakery Saturday, February 14 Baker's dozen (13) Cranky Al's Sunday, February 15 Creative flavors Sweet Perfections February 14–16 "Top Shelf" boozy options Donut Monster Saturday, February 15 Required for pickup Kurt Schulz Deli Saturday, February 14 North Shore hidden gem

Arrival times for walk-in purchases

Popular bakeries see lines forming before dawn on Fat Tuesday:

• National Bakery: Lines start 4:30 AM for 6 AM opening

• Grebe's Bakery: Opens 5 AM—arrive early for best selection

• Beach Bum Bakery: Opens 5 AM

• Aggie's Bakery: Opens 6 AM

• Cranky Al's: Opens 6 AM, closes 1 PM

Most bakeries sell out of popular flavors by mid-morning. If you're doing walk-in, plan to arrive before 8 AM.

Making it a family tradition

Turn paczki hunting into a memorable family adventure:

• Paczki taste test: Visit 2–3 bakeries and have kids rate each one

• Geography lesson: Plot your route on a map and discuss Milwaukee's Polish heritage

• Cultural connection: Explain the Lenten tradition and why these treats are special

• Baking follow-up: Try making paczki at home together using a simple recipe

Storage and freshness

Paczki are best consumed the same day, but here's how to extend freshness:

• Room temperature: Airtight container, 1–2 days

• Refrigeration: 3–4 days in airtight container (texture suffers slightly); required for cream-filled varieties

• Freezing: Unfilled paczki freeze well for 3 months; wrap individually, thaw at room temperature

• Reheating: Microwave 10–15 seconds OR 300°F oven for 5 minutes

Pricing overview

Type Per Paczki Per Dozen Budget (grocery) $1.50–$2.25 $15–$25 Traditional bakery $2.00–$3.00 $21–$27 Artisan/creative $2.75–$4.00 $30–$38 Premium/specialty $5.00 $40+

Conclusion

Milwaukee's paczki scene offers something for every family—from the century-old traditions at National Bakery to the creative innovations at Cranky Al's, from authentic Polish flavors at Wioletta's to convenient grocery pickups at Sendik's. The key to paczki success is planning ahead: mark your calendar for pre-order deadlines in early February, decide which bakeries you want to visit, and set your alarm for an early Fat Tuesday morning.

For the full Milwaukee experience, we recommend visiting National Bakery at least once—the polka music, festive atmosphere, and generations of tradition make it worth the early wake-up. For North Shore families seeking convenience without sacrificing quality, Donut Monster and Kurt Schulz Deli are excellent local options. And for adventurous palates, Sweet Perfections' boozy varieties and Cranky Al's creative flavors add excitement to the tradition.

Whatever you choose, remember that paczki represent more than just a delicious treat—they're a connection to Milwaukee's rich Polish heritage and a sweet way to mark the seasons with your family. Happy Pączki Day!