A Little Taste Of Europe Has Wisconsin Locals Lining Up Early For Freshly Baked Treats

Somewhere in Wisconsin, one small bakery sells between 30,000 and 36,000 Polish doughnuts around a single holiday. That day is Paczki Day, and the recipe behind those doughnuts has stayed in one family for more than 90 years.

Four generations have rolled, filled, and sugared these treats. The filling list runs from raspberry and prune to peanut butter French creme and custard. Choosing just one feels a little unfair.

I like that the sweet stuff shares counter space with rye bread, pierogi, and something called kneecaps. Yes, kneecaps. They’re small, fluffy donuts topped with a soft dollop of lightly sweetened cream.

Folks drive in from Green Bay, Upper Michigan, and even Illinois for a taste of this old-world baking. And with recipes passed down through four generations, every bite comes with a little family history that makes these treats even sweeter.

A Family Recipe Has Been Making Doughnut History For Over 90 Years

Four generations. That’s how long one paczki recipe has been passed down inside the family behind Smurawa’s Country Bakery. The recipe has been in use for more than 90 years. Most of us can’t keep a sourdough starter alive for a month, so that’s seriously impressive.

Paczki are traditional Polish doughnuts, and they’re richer than your average glazed ring. They’re round, puffy, and packed with filling from the inside out.

Here, they aren’t saved only for special occasions. The bakery sells paczki every single day, which feels like a generous decision for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Greg Smurawa is the current owner, and the business is still family-owned and operated. That kind of continuity is rare in a world full of chain coffee shops and factory pastries.

The baking keeps an old-fashioned approach, with goods made fresh from scratch. You can taste tradition without needing a passport or a long flight to Krakow.

Wisconsin has plenty of bakeries, but few can point to a recipe this old. I can’t imagine leaving that history off my order. Honestly, the first paczek should come with a small thank-you note to great-grandma.

Good Luck Picking Just One Filling From This Lineup

Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, blueberry, and prune are only the opening act. The paczki filling list at this bakery keeps going long after you think it’s done. Fruit fans can also grab lemon, apple, or poppyseed. Each one brings something different, from bright and tangy to nutty and old-world.

Then the creamy side shows up. French creme, chocolate French creme, cream cheese, and custard all make an appearance. Peanut butter French creme is the curveball here. It sounds like something a kid would invent, and somehow that’s exactly the appeal.

Double chocolate rounds out the rich options for anyone who believes more cocoa is always the answer. Plain paczki are available too, for purists who want the dough to shine.

Here’s a practical tip for a group trip. Buy a mixed box, cut each paczek in half, and let everyone sample a few flavors. That plan saves you from filling regret, which is a real thing. You’ll also find your new favorite faster than ordering one at a time.

Poppyseed is a classic Polish choice if you want the most traditional bite. Prune is another old-school pick worth trying.

Kneecaps, Turtle Pretzels, And Other Treats With Personality

Kneecaps might be the funniest name in the whole pastry case. They’re small, fluffy donuts finished with a soft blob of lightly sweetened cream in the center.

That cream is the kneecap, in case you were wondering. Once you see one, the name suddenly makes perfect sense. The apple fritter is another standout worth knowing about. It’s been described as fresh and light, even compared to spun gold.

Turtle fans get options too. There’s a turtle pretzel and shortbread turtle cookies, which feels like a delicious commitment to caramel and chocolate. Cream puffs show up on the menu as well. So do cherry roll-ups, Raspberry Stix, cupcakes, and peanut squares.

Morning pastry lovers can look for a strawberry-rhubarb Danish or a cherry turnover. Both lean fruity and buttery, which is a solid way to start a day.

Pound cakes come in flavors like Almond Poppy Seed, French Creme, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Custard. They travel well, making them a smart pick for sharing later. The selection changes, so don’t panic if one item is missing. Treat it as an excuse to try something new.

Save Room In Your Bag For Rye Bread And Garlic Cheddar Rolls

Doughnuts grab the headlines, but the bread deserves its own fan club. Rye breads are one of the bakery’s best-known highlights. Several kinds of rye are often on hand. That gives you a chance to compare styles and find the one that fits your sandwich habits.

Rye is a big part of Eastern European baking. It has a deeper, earthier flavor than plain white bread, and it pairs beautifully with sausage or cheese. Garlic cheddar rolls are another popular pick. They bring savory, cheesy energy to a counter that otherwise leans sugary.

I’d grab a few rolls for dinner and a loaf for the week. Bread from a scratch bakery makes even a basic grilled cheese feel fancier.

Need a cake for a party? Pre-made cakes are often waiting in the cooler, and staff can add writing on top. Custom cakes are possible too, including themed designs for birthdays. You can also call ahead for special items, which is smart for big orders.

A loaf of rye might not be flashy. Still, it’s the kind of purchase that keeps paying off all week long.

Pierogi And Bigos Prove This Place Is More Than Sweets

Plot twist: you can have lunch here, too. Smurawa’s Country Bakery serves a lineup of savory food that goes well beyond bread. Polish dishes lead the way. Pierogi, cabbage rolls, and bigos, a hearty hunter’s stew, all appear on the menu.

Sandwich and burger choices sound like a passport stamp collection. Options include Bavarian Pork, Krakow, Pastrami, Prime Rib Steak, and Beef Brisket.

Classic picks are covered as well. There’s a hamburger, cheeseburger, double burger, bratwurst, Polish sausage, hot dog, and chili dog.

Sides keep things very Wisconsin. Cheese curds, onion petals, chili cheese fries, a walking taco, and something called a Polka Pickle are all possible picks. That Polka Pickle name alone deserves an order. It’s hard to resist food that sounds like it comes with dance moves.

A small frozen section also stocks German and Polish meats and pierogi. That’s handy if you want to bring a little Europe home for dinner. My move would be savory first, then dessert. A cabbage roll followed by a paczek sounds like a very balanced plan.

Grab A Booth, A Coffee, And A Look At The Cookie Jars

A cookie jar collection lives inside this bakery. It’s one of those charming details that makes a quick stop feel more like a visit. The collection adds personality to the room. It also fits the old-school, family bakery vibe perfectly.

You don’t have to eat in the car. There’s a large seating area, including a dining area with booths. An in-house coffee shop sits right alongside the bakery. Coffee and a fresh pastry are a combination that never really needs improving.

The atmosphere leans calm, and service is professional and friendly. The team is small, but the owners openly praise their staff. Music plays in the background, adding to the easygoing feel. It’s a pleasant spot to slow down for a few minutes.

I like the idea of sitting in a booth with a kneecap and a hot cup. It feels like a tiny vacation before the rest of the day starts. Bring a friend and split a few treats at the table. You’ll get to sample more, and nobody has to explain the extra pastry.

Paczki Day Turns This Bakery Into A Full-On Celebration

Between 30,000 and 36,000 paczki. That’s how many this bakery sells around Paczki Day, the Polish doughnut holiday before Lent. Paczki Day falls on Fat Tuesday. In many Polish communities, it’s the last big chance to enjoy rich treats before the season of giving things up.

Lines have formed even on the Saturday before. Dozens of cheerful people have waited for their turn at the fruit-filled and cream-filled options. That number of doughnuts takes serious planning and long hours. It’s a huge task for a family-run bakery with a small staff.

Planning a Paczki Day run? Arrive early and know your flavors before you reach the counter. Calling ahead for special orders can help, especially if you need a big box. Coworkers will appreciate it, and you’ll look like a hero at the office.

Paczki are sold every day here, so you don’t have to fight the holiday rush. Still, the festive buzz makes the big day feel special. Think of it as Wisconsin’s sweetest winter tradition. Few events make a whole region crave the same doughnut at once.

Set Your Alarm Because The Best Stuff Goes Early

Mondays and Tuesdays are normally off the table. The bakery stays closed both days, except for special occasions like Paczki Day, so plan accordingly. Doors open early on the other days, often at sunrise or before. Weekend hours run shorter, especially on Sunday mornings.

Hours can shift, so check before you head out. A quick look saves you from staring sadly at a locked door. Timing matters for freshness. One happy customer timed a visit to snag a peanut butter paczek fresh from the kitchen.

Early birds also get the widest selection. Popular items can sell out, especially on busy weekends and holidays.

Paying is simple, since the bakery takes both cash and cards. A grab-and-go option helps if you’re short on time. Can’t make the drive? Check whether delivery is available in your area before placing an order.

Delivery is handy, but nothing beats picking from the full case in person. Seeing every tray at once is half the fun. My advice is simple. Go early, go hungry for options, and never schedule your visit for a Tuesday.

The Drive To This Small Village Is Easier Than You Think

Green Bay folks have it easy. The bakery sits a short drive northwest of the city, in the village of Pulaski. You’ll find Smurawa’s Country Bakery at 204 E Pulaski St, Pulaski, WI 54162. It’s convenient for anyone traveling along Highway 32 through town.

Customers come from all over Wisconsin. Some travel from Upper Michigan and Illinois just for authentic Polish doughnuts. Even Door County visitors have made the trip. A real old-world bakery is apparently worth a detour.

Pulaski has strong Polish roots, which makes it a fitting home for paczki and pierogi. The village even hosts Polka Days, a lively community celebration.

Visiting during Polka Days means busier streets and a festive mood. A fresh apple fritter makes the crowds much easier to handle. Sodas like Twiggs, a local favorite, are sold here too. Grabbing one makes the snack stop feel complete.

Pack a cooler if you plan to buy frozen meats or pierogi. A long drive home is no excuse to skip the good stuff. Wisconsin road trips often need a sweet pit stop. This one earns its spot on the map.