Where to Get Paczki in the Chicago Area on Fat Tuesday

From bakeries to breweries, here's where to find the Polish pastry in Chicago on Mardi Gras.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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As Mardi Gras is celebrated across the country, Chicago has its own tradition of Paczki Day, where people line up at bakeries to get a taste of the delicious Polish pastries. This article provides an overview of the holiday and a list of some of the best places in the Chicago area to try paczki.

Why it matters

Paczki Day is a longstanding tradition in Chicago's Polish communities, dating back to the 1700s. The pastries are a way to use up ingredients like lard and sugar before the fasting of Lent. This article highlights how the tradition has evolved and expanded to become a beloved part of Chicago's culinary culture.

The details

Paczki are deep-fried flat dough pastries filled with fruit or cream and topped with powdered sugar. The tradition of eating paczki on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, began in Poland and spread to Chicago and other cities with large Polish populations in the 20th century. Some of the top places to get paczki in the Chicago area include Deerfield's Bakery, Kasia's Deli in Ukrainian Village, Orland Park Bakery, and Marz Community Brewing Co., which even makes a paczki-inspired beer.

  • Paczki Day is celebrated every year on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
  • On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, lines were already forming outside Chicago-area bakeries as customers waited to get their hands on the traditional Polish pastries.

The players

Deerfield's Bakery

A bakery in Deerfield, Illinois that is known for having one of the largest and most eclectic varieties of paczki on the North Shore, including flavors like pistachio, apricots, blueberries, and paczki filled with fresh strawberries and cream.

Kasia's Deli

A deli in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago that is better known for its pierogies, but also offers high-quality paczki, including flavors like rose and prune.

Orland Park Bakery

A bakery known for its Atomic Cake, which features a paczki version filled with bananas, custard, fresh cream, strawberries, and fudge.

Marz Community Brewing Co.

A brewery in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago that celebrates Paczki Day by offering a paczki-inspired double milk stout with cocoa nibs.

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The takeaway

Paczki Day has become a beloved tradition in Chicago, with bakeries and even breweries offering creative takes on the classic Polish pastry. From traditional fruit and cream fillings to unique flavor combinations, there are plenty of options for Chicagoans to indulge in the sweet treats and celebrate the last day before Lent.