Cutchogue Polish Deli Paczkis Flew Out the Door Last Thursday

For co-owner Kate Gryczan, Fat Tuesday was last Thursday.

The crazy rush on Paczkis — a sweet and filling Polish doughnut — happened late in the day last Thursday. As to be expected, she said.

"It's a Polish thing — Fat Tuesday always happens a week before," she said.

Two months ago, Gryczan and her father, Lech (not to be confused with the famous Lech's Market of Riverhead), took over the deli from former owner Adam Sowirka, who ran the place for a couple of years as A Taste of Poland. The store is in the same location tucked away in a small shopping center across the street from on Route 25.

Lech's Polish Deli is still stocked with fresh kielbasa and other Polish meats, produce, breads and food products, but Gryczan said that lunch, dinner and catering service is limited at the moment. She said she plans to refurbish the store's kitchen area to expand upon those services soon.

"Starting up has been difficult," said Gryczan, a Riverhead native. "But aside from the Polish delis in Riverhead, we're the only place from Aquebogue to Orient Point, so people have been coming in to get their regular items."

Have you been to the new Lech's Polish Deli yet?