Path of Perseverance for Paczkis Fails to Prevail

For the past 7 years, while living and working in Michigan, I have been spoiled with easy access to the Polish delicacy known as the paczki. A paczki is basically the donut's older, more mature, and more tasty sibling. I first encountered a paczki thanks to a coworker of mine at TechSmith who every year brings in boxes upon boxes of them to work on Fat Tuesday. On several occasions I even went out of my way to help finish off as many of the paczkis as possible in a single day. I don't remember exactly what my best record was, but I'm pretty sure I at least made it to double digits. Either way, paczkis now have a special place in my heart. So this year on Fat Tuesday Katie and I set out in pursuit to find me a paczki here in the Santa Cruz area.

Should have set my expectations way lower, no pazckis at Safeway, our first stop

None at the neighboring coffee shop either

None at any local donut shops

None at this bakery called the Buttery

None at this small corner grocery store across the street

None at this place google claimed was bakery but really wasn't

And none at any of the other grocery stores we stopped at 

Our journey eventually came to an end and... Mission Failed. I settled for two normal donuts to try to console my weary paczki-less soul