Where to Find Paczki in Illinois: NBC Chicago

Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, is a day of indulgence for many in the Chicago area. While some opt for traditional Mardi Gras food, others celebrate with Polish pastries called Paczki. Pronounced “puhnch-kee,” these fried pastries have a rich history dating back to the 1700s.

During the 40-day period of fasting known as Lent in Christianity, people would use up luxurious foods like lard, sugar, eggs, and butter to ensure that they wouldn’t go to waste. According to the Michigan State University extension, Paczki were a way for families to treat themselves one last time before Lent began with these rich pastries.

While they may resemble traditional American doughnuts, Dobra Bielinski of Delightful Pastries in Portage Park explained that the differences between the two are huge. The Paczki have a different mix of ingredients that make them unique, with eggs, yolks, lemon oil, milk, butter, and plenty of eggs as key elements. Bielinski also noted that Paczki have only a thin glaze on top, and eating it is about savoring the dough as much as the filling.

The tradition of Paczki quickly spread to Chicago and other communities with a large Polish population in the 20th century. Today, people from all backgrounds and religions enjoy these sweet treats.

If you’re looking to get your hands on some Paczki, here’s a list of more than 30 bakeries and grocery stores in the Chicago area serving them up:

**Where to find Paczki in and around Chicago**
– Ace Bakery
– Alliance Bakery
– Andy’s Deli & Bakery Mikolajczyk Sausage Shop
– Bridgeport Bakery 2.0
– Big Kids
– Delightful Pastries
– Do-Rite Donuts
– Firecakes Donuts
– Kolatek’s Bakery
– Huck Finn Restaurants
– Racine Bakery
– Roeser’s Bakery
– Smack Dab Chicago
– Stan’s Donuts
– Vanille Patisserie
– “Original” Ferrara Bakery
– Toni Patisserie and Café
– Weber’s Bakery
– Bennison’s Bakery
– Chicago Pastry
– Deerfields Bakery
– DeEtta’s Bakery
– Donut Den
– Gurnee Donuts
– Harner’s Bakery
– Fleckenstein’s Bakery
– Kirsten’s Danish Bakery
– Kuppie’s Bakery
– Oak Park Bakery
– Orland Park Bakery
– Palermo Bakery
– Wolf’s Bakery
– Beck’s Crown Bakery
– Henze’s Bakery
– Grocery stores like Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Deli 4 You Market, Jewel, Mariano’s, Meijer, Pete’s Fresh Market, and Tony’s Fresh Market also offer Paczki.

Eager to try a Paczki for the first time? You have a variety of options to choose from with plenty of locations in and around Chicago, as well as in Indiana. Whether you’re observing Lent or simply craving a sweet treat, Paczki is a delightful way to indulge before the fasting period begins.

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