Paczki Day In Oswego: Where To Get Fat Tuesday Treats

OSWEGO, IL — Mardi Gras is almost here, and that means it's nearly Paczki Day. What's a paczki? It's a special, once-a-year delicacy, traditionally made by bakers trying to use up all their eggs and lard before Lent begins. For those who don't celebrate Lent, Paczki Day coincides with Fat Tuesday, the last chance to indulge before fasting or giving up treats for 40 days and 40 nights. This year, it falls on Tuesday, March 5.

To the uninitiated, a paczki looks like a doughnut — albeit a fancy doughnut. According to Ingram's Busy Bee Bakery in Downers Grove, a paczki is "an extra large doughball, rich in egg yolks and deep fried just like a donut … topped with granulated sugar, powdered sugar or icing."
From chocolate to fruit filled, area bakeries offer many varieties of paczki, but time is running out to get 'em.

Some bakeries take preorders, but only until Monday. If you don't preorder, be sure to get to your bakery early Tuesday because there could be a line — and many businesses sell out of the pre-Lent treats each year.

Harner's Bakery, 10 W. State St., North Aurora

Offering paczki on Tuesday only. Orders must be placed by Sunday, March 3. Flavors include chooclate creme, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry rhubarb and cream cheese.

The Village Grind Coffee & Tea, 19 Main St., Oswego

Last year's flavors included Bavarian cream, fudge, key lime, lemon, apple, cheese and cherry and fresh strawberry. From 2018:

My Sisters Lil Donut Shoppe, 25 S. Madison, Oswego

As of Wednesday, more than 31 dozen preorders had already been taken. Flavors available are raspberry, apple, blueberry, Bavarian and strawberry.

Donut Den, 3043 Theodore St., Joliet

Donut Den is taking preorders until 4 p.m. Monday.

Home Cut Donuts, 815 W. Jefferson St., Joliet

As of Friday, Home Cut was taking preorders and had these flavors: black raspberry, strawberry, apple and spice, Bavarian creme and angel creme.

Milano Bakery, 433 S. Chicago St., Joliet

Milano said it's selling packzi until Tuesday, with dozens of flavors including apple, apricot, lemon, pineapple, Bavarian, strawberry, atomic, maple bacon, cannoli, coconut cream, key lime and lemoncello. A variety of pre-assorted packs are also available.

Weber's Bakery, 7655 W. Archer Ave., Chicago

New this year, Weber's is offering strawberry whipped cream paczki in packages of four until Tuesday.

Zettlmeier Bakerei, 17016 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park

Zettlmeier's is open from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday with flavors ranging from apple to cheese to buttercreme to lemon, chocolate and Swiss cream.

Orland Park Bakery, 14850 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park

Orland Park Bakery is taking paczki orders now and has served Chicagoland for over 40 years. "Orders are pouring in" the bakery said on Facebook.

Ingram's Busy Bee, 5126 Main St., Downers Grove

Order forms are available on the Busy Bee website for this year's packzi, with flavors including apricot, Bavarian cream, fudge, key lime, poppyseed, cheese and chocolate chip, and fresh strawberry.

Kirsten's Danish Bakery, 94 Burr Ridge Parkway in Burr Ridge

Kirsten's boasts authentic Polish paczki in flavors including fresh apple.

Fleckenstein's Bakery, 199255 S. LaGrange Rd., Mokena and 352 West Maple St., New Lenox

The deadline for online paczki orders has passed, but they will be available in store on Tuesday. Flavors include apple, raspberry, custard, lemon jelly and more.