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Evergreen Park Today
By the People, for the People
Where To Find Paczki On Fat Tuesday In The South Suburbs
Bakeries across the south suburbs are cranking out the paczki for Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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Paczki, a Polish donut filled with sweet fillings, are a popular treat for Fat Tuesday in the south suburbs of Chicago. Bakeries across the region are preparing large batches of the yeasty pastries for the holiday, with many offering the treats as early as Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
Why it matters
Paczki are a traditional Polish pastry that marks the last day before the Lenten fasting season. The sweet treats draw large crowds to local bakeries across the south suburbs, showcasing the area's diverse cultural heritage and the importance of community gathering spots.
The details
Paczki are made by mixing, scaling, frying, cutting, and filling the yeasty Polish donuts with various sweet fillings. Bakeries across the south suburbs, including Fleckenstein's Bakery, Iversen's Bakery, The Velvet Bakery, Witek's Bakery, Wolf's Bakery, and Talerico Martin Bakery, are all preparing large batches of paczki for Fat Tuesday and the preceding Fat Thursday.
- Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Ash Wednesday, is when Poles traditionally eat paczki.
- Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, is when paczki are most commonly consumed.
The players
Fleckenstein's Bakery
A bakery located at 19225 S. La Grange Road in Mokena that is known for its paczki offerings.
Iversen's Bakery
A bakery located at 12948 Western Ave. in Blue Island that is known for its paczki offerings.
The Velvet Bakery
A bakery located at 5168 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn that is known for its paczki offerings.
Witek's Bakery
A bakery located at 8807 W. 95th Street in Palos Hills that is known for its paczki offerings.
Wolf's Bakery
A bakery located at 3241 W 95th St. in Evergreen Park that is known for its paczki offerings.
The takeaway
The annual paczki tradition in the south suburbs of Chicago showcases the area's diverse cultural heritage and the importance of community gathering spots, as residents flock to local bakeries to indulge in the sweet Polish pastries before the start of Lent.
