Officially, Paczki Day is Tuesday, February 21 this year, but paczki season is already underway. In Poland, the sweet, filled doughnuts are traditionally eaten on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, not the Tuesday, which in some corners of the city means that Paczki Day will fall on Thursday, February 16. Either way, many of the city’s bakeries are mixing and frying and filling, and the festivities will go on all weekend. For the record, paczki is pronounced “POONCH-key.” Or maybe “PAUNCH-key.” Or somewhere in between the two. But definitely not “PACK-zee.”
Some of Chicago's most adored paczki palaces have closed since last year’s holiday: century-old stalwart Dinkel’s Bakery and Jefferson Park’s Sweet World Pastry. Other prominent players have not yet shared menu and ordering details. Stay tuned for an update when their plans come together.
Meanwhile, this list has been updated with even more places find these delicious doughnuts. There are truffled options and items infused with giardiniera for those looking for new approaches.
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