Chicopee Polish deli fills paczki orders for ‘Fat Thursday’

CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Many of you know about Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday, but for Polish Catholics, Thursday was Fat Thursday and a Polish deli in Chicopee is continuing a tradition by selling thousands of the well-known treat to the public all day.

Customers like Ludlow resident Karolina Gibadlo stopped by Bernat’s Polish Deli in Chicopee to get a cultural favorite to share with her friends and family.

“I am originally from Poland, so this is what reminds me from what I used to buy at the bakeries in Poland,” Gibadlo said.

Inside bunches of boxes at the deli are not your ordinary jelly doughnuts. Say hello to the paczki.

“Paczki is a polish-style doughnut. It’s much heavier than your traditional kind of like Dunkin’ Donuts comparison. It’s not going to be as light and fluffy. It’s going to be a much heavier, more filling dessert,” said Greg Bernat, owner of Bernat’s Polish Deli.

Fat Thursday is the Fat Tuesday for Polish Catholics, which meant many people are looking to celebrate the day with paczkis. Bernat told Western Mass News that this is one of the biggest business days of the year.

“(There is) an influx in traffic and everyone coming in to get specifically the paczki, but while they’re here, they’ll also pick up other items,” Bernat added.

Those who enter Bernat’s could be treated to all different kinds of flavors including raspberry, strawberry, and even the original, prune, but one that also stands out is a berry that barely anyone hears about these days: black currant.

“The currant berry comes in red or black form. I think the red one is a little more tart, but it grows on a small bush, smaller than a blueberry,” Bernat explained.

While selling something like that is good for business, Bernat said he feels joyful when people have a taste of Poland.

“The best feeling is eating them because they’re delicious and with all the different flavors, it’s hard not to find something that tastes great for everyone,” Bernat noted.

Gibadlo has certain flavors she loves to take back.

“I like the ones with the raspberry or strawberry. Those are my favorite and the kids like those too, so I get a mix of both,” Gibadlo said.

If you did not get paczkis on Fat Thursday, it’s okay because Bernat’s sells the dessert Thursday through Saturday every week.