Fat Tuesday marks the last day of gluttony before Lent, a time of sacrifice, begins with Ash Wednesday. In Chicago, it also means hundreds of people will line up outside bakeries for a taste of paczki, the Polish doughnut-like dessert.
Pronunciation may vary from person to person (POONCH-key, PUNCH-key and PONCH-key are all considered acceptable), and the deep-fried dough may come filled with custard, fruit, or simply dusted with powdered sugar.
Here’s where you can go for paczki in Chicago. Call ahead to check on availability.
Dinkel’s Bakery features flavors including cheese, chocolate, apricot, strawberry, custard with powdered sugar and Parisian lemon. Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. $17.89/dozen, $1.69 each. 3329 N. Lincoln, 773-281-7300, www.dinkels.com.
Bridgeport Bakery sells flavors including apple, blueberry, peach, pineapple, plain and prune. Check their Facebook page for the full list and call for pricing and hours. 2907 S. Archer Ave., 773-523-1121, www.facebook.com/Bridgeport-Bakery
Old Warsaw Buffet in Harwood Heights sells paczki daily, and is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fat Tuesday. 4750 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights. 708-867-4500, old-warsaw-buffet.com
Oak Mill Bakery offers a variety of paczki and mini paczki for Fat Tuesday. Fillings include rose petal preserve and Nutella, while flavors for kids include chocolate sundae and cookie monster. Multiple locations, www.oakmillbakery.com
Flavors at Kolatek Bakery include mocha, tiramisu, chocolate chili, caramel bacon and rum. Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2445 N. Harlem Ave., 773-637-3772, www.kolateksbakery.com
Firecakes Donuts features three flavors: raspberry and blood orange jelly, chocolate custard and Meyer lemon. $2.19 for small, $2.67 for large. 68 W. Hubbard St., 312-329-6500, open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 2453 N. Clark St., 773-666-5277, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., www.firecakesdonuts.com
Bohemian House will offer paczki (Bavarian cream-filled and topped with dried fig ice cream) during lunch (starting at 11:30 a.m.) and dinner (5-10 p.m.) on Fat Tuesday only. 11 W. Illinois St., 312-955-0439, www.bohochicago.com
Order online to try Do-Rite Donuts’ key-lime, chocolate Nutella and raspberry paczki. 50 W. Randolph St., 312-488-2483, open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $2.75 single, $14.95 half-dozen; 233 E. Erie St., 312-344-1374, open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., $24.95 assorted dozen. Limited quantities. www.doritedonuts.com
