Where To Get The Best Paczki In Chicago Area

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's paczki time!

Yep, it's that time of year again, Fat Tuesday!

Every year before Mardi Gras -- also known as Fat Tuesday -- people, particularly in the Midwest (and many European countries), devour a Polish pastry called paczki (punch-key).

Why is strawberry whip cream paczki, our best seller? Simple, fresh fried paczki, fresh strawberries and sweetened, whipped, heavy cream, simple.... #paczki #fattuesday #realbread #localbakery #downtownevanston #shopevanston

A post shared by Bennison's Bakery (@bennisonsbakery) on Feb 17, 2020 at 4:30am PST

As is Polish tradition, eating paczki is the Catholic way of indulging in a sugary pastry before fasting for Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26), the day after Fat Tuesday.

But the tradition, dubbed "Paczki Day" in Chicago, has become a big hit amongst all types of nationalities.

So, what exactly are paczki?

Well, they are donuts usually filled with fruit jelly, cream, custard or pudding. Some paczki are sprinkled with white icing and orange zest, while others don powdered sugar.  

They're BACK!!! Paczki are finally here. Call us or stop by to order yours- today's selection is going fast, but we'll have more tomorrow, through the weekend, and of course on Tuesday! #webersbakery #bestbakeryinillinois #pączki #paczkiday #paczki

A post shared by Weber's Bakery (@webersbakery) on Feb 20, 2020 at 5:48am PST

The bottom line, however, is that they are DELICIOUS!

And while they can be enjoyed year-round, they are especially delicious on Fat Tuesday. 

Where can you get paczki? Well, I thought you'd never ask. 

Back by popular demand: Paczki Donuts for #MardiGras -- As Chicago's best donut shop, it's our civic duty to celebrate with these delectable delicacies, including our Vanilla Pasty Cream, Chocolate Pastry Cream, Cannoli Cream, Cherry and King Cake donuts. Available now through Feb. 25.

A post shared by Stan's Donuts & Coffee (@stansdonutschicago) on Feb 23, 2020 at 6:02am PST

Here are some of our favorite bakeries in the city and surrounding suburbs.

Smacznego!

• Andy's Deli
  • 4021 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60624
  • 5442 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
• Bennison's Bakery
  • 1000 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201
• Bridgeport Bakery
  • 2907 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
• Cakes and Beyond Chicago
  • 6126 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
• Delightful Pastries 
  • 5927 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 (They serve 'Drunken Paczki' which include "Drunken Paczki" include Vodka & Vanilla Bean Custard, Jameson Whiskey Chocolate Custard and Moonshine and Lemon filled!)
• Hanna's Bakery 
  • 231 East Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
• Kolatek's Bakery and Deli
  • 2445 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60707
• Montrose Deli
  • 5411 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
• Oak Mill Bakery
  • 4747 N Harlem Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706 
  • 5747 S Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
  • 8012 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714
  • 2314 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
  • 2490 S Wolf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018
• Polish Paczki Cafe 
  • 7210 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60656
• Rich's Fresh Market
  • 3141 Thatcher Ave, River Grove, IL 60171
• Stan's Donuts
  • 181 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601
  • 535 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
  • 259 E. Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611
  • 750 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611
  • 26 E. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60605
  • 1301 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607
  • 1560 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
  • 2800 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657
  • 3300 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
  • 529 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523
  • 17W615 Butterfield Rd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
  • 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
• Sweet World Pastry 
  • 5450 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
• Szymanski Deli & Liquors
  • 6016 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634
• The Chow Brothers
  • 205 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
• Weber's Bakery
  • 7055 W Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
• Witek's Bakery
  • 8807 95th St, Palos Hills, IL 60465