With Fat Tuesday approaching on February 17, bakeries across Chicago and its suburbs are preparing for Paczki Day. The Polish doughnut, known as paczki and pronounced “pownch-key,” is a staple of the city’s pre-Lenten celebrations. Traditionally made to use up rich ingredients before Lent, paczki are fried pastries filled with jam, custard, or fruit and topped with powdered sugar.
While classic flavors such as apricot, custard, prune, and rose remain popular, some bakeries are offering new varieties including ube, horchata, and Dubai chocolate.
Heritage Restaurant Partners will introduce savory options at their West Town pop-up at The Beetle in Ukrainian Village. Flavors include pimento cheese with Cool Ranch dust and a sweet raspberry doughnut coated with hibiscus sugar that is dairy- and gluten-free.
Ed Marszewski of Marz Community Brewing in Bridgeport will host Paczki Fest on Sunday at 3630 S. Iron St., featuring traditional Polish dancing and paczki sandwiches. The event also marks the annual release of Marz’s Packzi Double Milk Stout.
Bitter Pops in Roscoe Village will serve a raspberry paczki latte at its coffee bar located at 3357 N. Lincoln Ave.
Block Club Chicago has compiled a list of bakeries, cafes, and restaurants in the area selling paczki for Fat Tuesday. While some offer them year-round or for several weeks leading up to the holiday, most only sell them on Paczki Day itself. Customers are encouraged to reserve their orders by phone or online to avoid long lines or missing out due to high demand.
Some participating Chicago locations include Alliance Bakery (1736 W. Division St.), Ann’s Bakery & Deli (2158 W. Chicago Ave.), Delightful Pastries (5927 W. Lawrence Ave.), Firecakes Donuts (multiple locations), Marz Community Brewing (3630 S. Iron St.), Stan’s Donuts & Coffee (multiple locations), Weber’s Bakery (7055 W. Archer Ave.), West Town Bakery (multiple locations), among many others.
Suburban options feature Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston, Ideal Bakery in Elk Grove Village, Oak Mill Bakery at multiple locations, Orland Park Bakery in Orland Park, Wolf’s Bakery in Evergreen Park, and more.
For those who know additional bakeries selling paczki or wish to see their favorite spot included on the list, Block Club Chicago invites readers to send suggestions via email at food@blockclubchi.org.
