The day is also known Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. Around metro Detroit, grocery stores and bakeries (especially local Polish bakeries) are ready for the paczki action.

Bakeries across Metro Detroit are getting ready for a rush of paczki shoppers next week looking for a Fat Tuesday treat. Why it matters: Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent — 40 days of pre-Easter prayer and reflection when Christians traditionally forgo indulgences like sweets.

The fried treats were born out of a melding of European Carnival and Catholic cultures that were brought to Milwaukee by Polish immigrants.

In Metro Detroit, the focus is on Polish paczki, and bakeries from all backgrounds roll out the lard and sugar for fruit- and custard-filled confections. Polish bakeries are well-stocked, of course, but even the area's many Italian bakeries get in on the fun with the now-popular and expected cannoli paczki.

We are less than a week away from Fat Tuesday, which is not only the day before the Lenten season begins, but it is also a big day for the deep fried Polish delicacy better known as Paczki.

Pączki, king cake, Swedish semlor: you can find innumerable varieties all across Chicago and the suburbs for your Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras celebrations.

Fat Tuesday is March 4. Here are all the top spots around the city where you’ll find the delicious Polish pastry.