Paczki Day 2021: Where To Find Them In Illinois

ILLINOIS — It's that time of year again: Time for the Polish treat that signifies the beginning of Lent and one last chance to live it up. In Illinois, it's also a sign that spring is not far off — in spite of the repeated snowfall we've seen in the last few weeks.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, is Paczki Day, coinciding with Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent officially starts on Ash Wednesday. But you don't have to be Catholic — or Polish — to enjoy the pastry treat.

Paczki — pronounced "puhnch-kee" — are traditional Polish doughnuts and are a once-a-year delicacy, traditionally made by bakers trying to use up all their eggs and lard before Lent begins.

From chocolate to custard to fruit filled, area bakeries offer many varieties of paczki, but time is running out to get 'em.

While many bakeries are no longer taking pre-orders, you may still be able to get them by stopping by in person. A word of advice: Lines may be long (so mask up and keep your distance), and it's always a good idea to call the bakery before heading out to make sure paczki are still in stock.

Here's a roundup of some places offering paczki through Tuesday:

• Donut Den, 3043 Theodore St., Joliet - no longer accepting pre-orders but will have plenty in store on Tuesday. Open 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Home Cut Donuts, 815 W. Jefferson St. and 1317 E. Washington St. (outlet store) in Joliet. Jefferson Street location open 24 hours. Washington Street open 5 a.m. to noon. This year's flavors include apple and spice, black raspberry, strawberry, Bavarian creme and angel creme.
• Milano Bakery, 433 S. Chicago St., Joliet. Open 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flavors include Valentine (raspberry) and strawberry cream cheese.
• Weber's Bakery, 7655 W. Archer Ave., Chicago. Open 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. No more pre-orders accepted. Pick up procedure info available here.
• Orland Park Bakery, 14850 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park. Open for pre-orders only on Monday and drive-thru paczki pickup; open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Flavors include strawberry, fudge, custard, strawberry cream cheese, strawberry custard, butter cream, apple, raspberry, cherry, cream cheese, blueberry, cannoli, lemon, apricot, peach, poppy seed, pineapple, prune, cookies & cream and plain (no filling).
• Ingram's Busy Bee, 5126 Main St., Downers Grove. Open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Sales out of the store only and no pre-orders this year due to coronavirus. Order form available online; customers asked to have their form filled out before they arrive. Flavors include apricot, Bavarian cream (with powdered sugar or chocolate icing), buttercream, chocolate buttercream, chocolate custard, key lime, lemon, raspberry, apple, blueberry, cheese, cherry, cheese/ chocolate chip and fresh strawberry.
• Kirsten's Danish Bakery, 94 Burr Ridge Parkway in Burr Ridge. Open 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pre-orders likely to stop at noon Monday but will restart on Tuesday. Flavors include strawberry, cherry, custard and cheese and Oreo & cream.
• Fleckenstein's Bakery, 199255 S. LaGrange Rd., Mokena. Closed Monday; open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Pre-ordering has ended, but customers are encouraged to stop in. "We will have plenty of paczki available for sale," the bakery says. Only king cakes and paczki available on Tuesday.
• Morris Bakery, 315 Liberty St., Morris. Open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flavors include peaches and cream, cookie dough, raspberry, apricot, lemon, chocolate mint, Oreo, chocolate brownie, cannoli, cherry, fresh strawberry, cherry, cheese, tropical, chocolate peanut butter, pineapple, birthday cake, German chocolate cheese, blueberry and red velvet.
• Kirschbaum Bakery, 825 Burlington Ave., Western Springs. Open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (closed Monday). Walk-in paczki orders welcome; maximum five customers allowed in the store at one time. Flavors include apricot, raspberry, custard, lemon, blueberry, fresh strawberry and whipped cream and chocolate chip and cheese.

Want more paczki places?

• Find Paczki In Cook County
• Where To Find Paczki In DuPage County
• Paczki Day: Donut Den's Busiest Day Of Year Is Here

What's your favorite place to get paczki? Tell us in the comments.