Fat Tuesday is right around the corner and you know what that means: paczki. These pillowy, sugar-coated Polish doughnuts (pronounced "poonch-key" or "punch-key") are typically reserved for the last day before Lenten season and in Chicago, you’ll be able to find them at many of the best bakeries. They come with a variety of delectable fillings, ranging from classics like raspberry jelly and chocolate custard to unique flavors such as limoncello, and are simply irresistible. Whether you’re grabbing one to enjoy with your morning coffee or picking up a box for the office, we strongly suggest ordering ahead because places will sell out. So indulge in some of the best donuts in Chicago when you order paczki from the following bakeries.
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The Polish pastry specialists at Delightful Pastries keep us on our toes with three "drunken" paczki—named for their fillings, like Jameson-spiked chocolate custard—as well as gourmet selections like passion fruit jelly and rose petal jelly.
How to order: Place your order online or by phone at 773-545-7215; orders must be placed by February 7.
This sweet, family-owned bakery kicks off its paczki celebration on February 8. Browse all of the delicious flavors online—like strawberry jelly, apple cinnamon and cookies and cream with Oreo crumbs—or spring for a dozen for about to try them all.
How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online for pickup. The bakery will stop taking online orders when it hits capacity for the week, so don't wait too long!
J.P. Graziano is bringing back the most Chicago donut of all for Fat Tuesday—a giardiniera paczki. Inspired by a conversation with Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam, the longstanding Italian market and sandwich shop worked with Montclare bakery Il Giardino Del Doche last year to offer them in two flavors: chocolate custard and vanilla custard. You won't be biting into bits of carrot and celery, though, as the paczki are made with Hot Giardiniera seasoning instead of an actual relish blend.
How to order: They're available to order online for pickup or delivery on February 13.
This beautiful French patisserie is known for its over-the-top cakes and decorated cookies, but in honor of Fat Tuesday, the bakers are rolling out six filled doughnuts in flavors like raspberry rose, apple cinnamon and vanilla bean ganache.
How to order: Place your order online for pickup or delivery, or stop by to browse the in-store selection from February 8-13.
This snug, old-school spot has a seriously tasty take on paczki. Choose from varieties including blueberry, rosehip, cheese and poppy seed.
How to order: Call the bakery at 773-581-8500. Orders must be placed by February 10 for pickup on Fat Tuesday.
This bastion of Polish deli fare, imported sweets and Eastern European breads enriched with sprouted grains and other good-for-you ingredients is expanding its year-round paczki lineup with some decidedly non-traditional offerings. Look for quirky flavors like limoncello, tiramisu and rum.
How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can place your order through Facebook or phone (773-637-3772).
Twenty-four flavors of paczki await you at this long-running Humboldt Park bakery. Choose from delectable options like strawberry iced, blueberry powdered, guava iced and PB&J, and plan on pre-ordering if you want the pastries on Fat Tuesday—lines for in-person orders often go down the block.
How to order: Call 773-489-6900 to pre-order.
Have your paczki and drink it too with Paczki Fest at Marz. On February 10, the Bridgeport brewery will release two variants of its beloved Paczki Double Milk Stout and sell paczkis made by Wiliansi Bakery and other guest bakers.
How to order: Visit Marz Community Brewing between noon and midnight on February 10. You can pre-order beer and paczkis here.
It's tough to beat the sugar-dusted, jelly-filled paczki available at Bennison's Bakery in Evanston. Classic flavors like raspberry and chocolate custard are musts, while upgraded options like the fan-favorite fresh banana cream are hard to resist.
How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online with 24 hours' notice.
Pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky, the maestro behind the viral hot dog croissant, is whipping up two versions of the Polish donut for Fat Tuesday. Satisfy the sweet tooth with a vanilla cream or black raspberry paczki (or both!).
How to order: They'll be available first come, first served at Daisies' cafe on February 13.
Celebrate Paczki Day with a variety of options at Heritage in West Town. The European-inspired restaurant will have sweet, savory and vegan paczki, with creative flavors like peanut butter ganache, whipped miso caramel ganache and pimento cheese with Cool Ranch dust. Can't decide? Get a sampler pack to try all the sweet and savory donuts.
How to order: Preorder online for pickup, or order in store (while supplies last) on February 13.
The pastry cases at all Stan's locations are stocked with paczki now through February 13. Guests can choose from chocolate pastry cream, pastry cream, raspberry, strawberry, cannoli and vegan strawberries and cream fillings. Toss in your favorite Stan's classics, too!
How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online.
Firecakes locations in Lincoln Park, River North, Wicker Park and the suburbs are frying and filling dough from February 9–13, with out-of-the-box flavors like blood orange curd, drunken plum and malted chocolate. Depending on how many mouths you're feeding, you can order one, a half-dozen or a dozen.
How to order: Place your order online for in-store pickup or delivery.
Evanston's artisan bakery is rolling out baked paczki for Fat Tuesday, which you can order stuffed full of chocolate pastry cream.
How to order: Order online by 8pm on February 10 for pickup February 13.
Want to keep things simple? Choose from three flavors (raspberry, blueberry lemon and strawberry Nutella), available at all West Town Bakery locations on Fat Tuesday.
How to order: Place your order online for pickup starting at 8am on February 13 in West Town, River North or the Loop.
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