CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's Fat Tuesday, the day before Christians begin observing Lent, and a day to indulge. Many are indulging on that calorie and cream or fruit-filled bakery favorite, the paczki.
"This is a big deal. This is a big deal," Patty Schumpf said as she chuckles while waiting in line before 5 a.m. to pick up more than three dozen paczkis at Orland Park Bakery.
Owner Tom Major has half of a vacant storefront next to his bakery filled with thousands of orders. He said it took 100 people working three days straight to put out the 65,000 paczkis to fill Tuesday's order.
He said the way his bakery makes paczkis is labor intensive. He said the paczki is fried, dipped in icing and then cooled. That's when the paczkis are cut in half and a filling put inside. He said he doesn't just squirt filling into the treat as some bakeries do.
Maggie Liskewicz said she ordered three-and-a-half dozen a couple of weeks ago so she wouldn't "miss out."
"I keep coming until Easter," she said.
WBBM Newsradio: So, you don't just come here for Fat Tuesday?
Nonetheless, Carol Brannon especially likes the buttercream flavor because they're "gooey....yummy."
