In Mobile, Alabama, the mystic societies have been busily preparing for months, much like the krewes in New Orleans. In nearby St. Louis, the 12 days of partying in Soulard are well underway. In Chicago, however, we do things a bit differently on Fat Tuesday. Instead of tossing beads while tossing back a few drinks, Chicago’s bakers are preparing for what is arguably their biggest day of the year: Paczki Day.

Around the world, Catholics are turning their attention to Lent, a solemn time lasting from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Simply put for those who did not grow up in the Catholic church, it is an achingly long period of time in early spring where Fridays are for fish fries and cheese pizzas and the adults are extra-cranky having given up their favorite vices. 

In order to gird one’s self for the period of fasting to come, it became common throughout the Catholic world to really let loose the day before Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. 

The Polish immigrants brought with them paczki, fried donuts that resemble a bismarck but are much richer due to the huge quantity of eggs and butter (or sometimes lard) used in the dough.

What are paczki?  

While it was the French Acadians who brought the traditions that are most often associated with Mardi Gras to New Orleans—music, costumes, and loads of booze—in Chicago, it was a massive Polish diaspora that’s responsible for defining large swaths of the city. As an overwhelmingly Catholic population, they, too, celebrate Mardi Gras.

The Polish immigrants brought with them paczki, fried donuts that resemble a bismarck but are much richer due to the huge quantity of eggs and butter (or sometimes lard) used in the dough (the singular word is “paczek”). A small amount of grain alcohol, or sprityus, is also often added to lighten the dough. 

After a day-long rise and proofing, the pastries are then fried on each side giving them their signature horizontal stripe. Finally, they are stuffed with any number of fruit- or cream-based fillings and rolled in powdered sugar. 

Plum or poppyseed are very traditional choices but, these days, even the old-world bakeries offer everything from Bavarian creme to alcohol-spiked variants. Don’t get too hung up on the filling though; you’re coming for the impossibly fluffy and rich pastry. The filling should be minimal and is more of an accent than the star player.

How to Pronounce Paczki 

The pronunciation of paczki is often a point of confusion for recent arrivals to the city with most saying it phonetically as patsch-ki. While this is not as great offense as, say, ruining a Vienna Beef frank with ketchup, mispronouncing this revered pastry’s name might raise a few eyebrows or elicit some chuckles. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it is pronounced poonsh-ki. The correct spelling of the word is pączki and that dangly bit under the ‘a’, called an ogonek, indicates the ‘ooun’ sound.

Don’t expect to step into one of Chicago’s finer bakeries and walk out with a dozen just like that on Paczki Day.

Getting ahold of a box of these delightful pastries is a fairly straightforward procedure if, like the bakers, you plan ahead. Don’t expect to step into one of Chicago’s finer bakeries and walk out with a dozen just like that on Paczki Day. Demand is so great that most bakeries require you to place an order in advance as there’s a limit to what they can produce. Call ahead or order online to avoid a disappointing Tuesday.

As any Chicagoan knows, one of the best ways to win the favor of coworkers and neighbors is with paczki. To help, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best spots to find paczki this Tuesday.

Where to Find Paczki in Chicago

Where to find paczki in Chicago
Where to find Paczki in Chicago

Racine Bakery - Garfield Ridge

The standard-bearer, in this writer’s opinion. This southwest side bakery and deli tends towards the traditional, with rosehip, prune, and poppy sharing space with other fruit fillings. You’ll either have to stop in or find a fax machine (remember those?) to place an order in advance but the trouble is well worth it. While you’re there it is a good time to stock up on smoked meats, sausages, and imported cheese.

Bridgeport Bakery - Bridgeport

Paczki-lovers gasped when this 50ish-year-old (no one is exactly sure of its age) near south-side institution announced its closure late last year. However, the panic was short-lived with Bridgeport resident Can Lao jumping in to save the day. He couldn’t stand to see his favorite neighborhood bakery close and in January announced it would re-open with much of the same staff just in time for Paczki Day.

Alliance Bakery - Wicker Park

A new-school entry in a very old-school Polish neighborhood. It is located on Division Street, once referred to as the Polish Broadway, owing to the large number of nightclubs that once entertained the polka-loving Polish residents of the neighborhood in the post-war era. Fillings are upscale, as is the price. Be sure to try the raspberry rose.

Dinkel’s - Lakeview

Located just off the Paulina Brown Line stop, this German bakery has been a neighborhood institution since 1922 (they even have a specially designated loading zone in front of the building). While this is a Bavarian bakery, their paczki are easily among the best for blocks and blocks. While you’re there, grab a Ziggy’s sandwich, made with store-baked pretzel bread and ham from nearby Paulina Meat Market. 

Andy’s Deli - Jefferson Park

I could write a whole article on places to buy paczki in Jefferson Park, the neighborhood famous for its September Taste of Polonia Festival. Andy’s, however, has earned its place as the king of Jefferson Park for its vast array of Polish offerings. There’s honestly not a bad paczki in the bunch here, just be sure to call ahead (no online ordering) or, better yet, stop in and peruse this temple of Polish cuisine before placing your order.

Honorable Mention 

Jewel-Osco - All over the city

Oh no! You didn’t place your order ahead of time! Don’t despair. Thousands of everyday Chicagoans get their paczki from “The Jewels” (yes, despite the signage it is plural, ask a Chicagoan). Are they as good as any from the bakeries list above? No. They’re basically just jelly donuts. Still, when sharing paczki with friends and coworkers it is the thought that counts, and the pazcki from the Jewels are better than no paczki at all.