Where to find the best paczki in Chicago for Fat Tuesday

This sweet, family-owned bakery kicks off its paczki celebration on February 16. Browse all of the delicious flavors online—like strawberry jelly, apple cinnamon and cookies and cream with Oreo crumbs—or spring for a dozen for about to try them all.

How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online for pickup. The bakery will stop taking online orders when it hits capacity for the week, so don't wait too long!

J.P. Graziano is creating the most Chicago donut of all this year for Fat Tuesday—a giardiniera paczki. Inspired by a conversation with Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam, the longstanding Italian market and sandwich shop is working with Montclare bakery Il Giardino Del Doche to offer them in two flavors: chocolate custard and vanilla custard. You won't be biting into bits of carrot and celery, though, as the paczki are made with Hot Giardiniera seasoning instead of an actual relish blend.

How to order: They'll be available on a first come, first served basis on February 21.

The Polish pastry specialists at Delightful Pastries keep us on our toes with three "drunken" paczki—named for their fillings, like Jameson-spiked chocolate custard—as well as gourmet selections like passion fruit jelly and dulce de leche.

How to order: Place your order online or by phone at 773-545-7215; orders must be placed by February 17.

Much to the dismay of longtime fans, this Bridgeport icon suddenly closed in 2019, only to reopen under new ownership months later and close again (though it's now open again weekly on select dates with pre-order). There's no need to fret, as Paczki Day is still on—the bakery will offer walk-in service from February 19-21 so that you can get your fix.

How to order: Place your order online for pickup or delivery.

This snug, old-school spot has a seriously tasty take on paczki. Choose from varieties including blueberry, rosehip, cheese and poppy seed.

How to order: Call the bakery at 773-581-8500. Orders must be placed by February 18 for pickup on Fat Tuesday.

Have your paczki and drink it too with Paczki Fest at Marz. On February 18, the Bridgeport brewery will release three variants of its beloved Paczki Double Milk Stout and sell paczkis made by Bridgeport Bakery, Brunchlox and Zeitlin’s Deli.

How to order: Visit Marz Community Brewing between noon and 8pm on February 18. You can pre-order beer and paczkis here.

This beautiful French patisserie is known for its over-the-top cakes and decorated cookies, but in honor of Fat Tuesday, the bakers are rolling out six filled doughnuts in flavors like raspberry rose, apple cinnamon and vanilla bean ganache. 

How to order: Place your order online for pickup or delivery, or stop by to browse the in-store selection from February 16-22.

This bastion of Polish deli fare, imported sweets and Eastern European breads enriched with sprouted grains and other good-for-you ingredients is expanding its year-round paczki lineup with some decidedly non-traditional offerings. Look for quirky flavors like limoncello, tiramisu and rum.

How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can place your order by Facebook or phone (773-637-3772).

Twenty-four flavors of paczki await you at this long-running Humboldt Park bakery. Choose from delectable options like strawberry iced, blueberry powdered, guava iced and PB&J, and plan on pre-ordering if you want the pastries on Fat Tuesday—lines for in-person orders often go down the block. 

How to order: Call 773-489-6900 to pre-order. 

If you're feeling indecisive, Bittersweet will take the guesswork out of your paczki order this Fat Tuesday with a half dozen pack of the brioche-style doughnuts. Each box comes with three vanilla cream and three sour cherry jam treats.

How to order: Order online for pickup or delivery on February 21. Paczkis will also be available in store on a first come, first served basis on Fat Tuesday.

It's tough to beat the sugar-dusted, jelly-filled paczki available at Bennison's Bakery in Evanston. Classic flavors like raspberry and chocolate custard are musts, while upgraded options like the fan-favorite fresh banana cream are hard to resist. 

How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online with 24 hours' notice.

The pastry cases at all Stan's locations will be stocked with paczki from February 8–21. Guests can choose from cherry, cannoli cream, chocolate cream and vanilla pastry cream fillings. Toss in your favorite Stan's classics, too!

How to order: Paczki are available for in-store purchase, or you can order online.

Firecakes locations in Lincoln Park, River North and the suburbs are frying and filling dough from February 17–21, with out-of-the-box flavors like blood orange curd, strawberry mascarpone cream and chocolate-hazelnut mousse. Depending on how many mouths you're feeding, you can order one, a half-dozen or a dozen.

How to order: Place your order online for in-store pickup or schedule delivery via DoorDash.

Chef Ashley Robinson has crafted an intriguing menu of Fat Tuesday sweets at this bakery located inside From Here On and Revival Food Hall. You can order paczki in botanical flavors flavors like blueberry chamomile jam and raspberry rose cream.

How to order: Order online for pickup or local delivery on February 20-21.

Evanston's artisan bakery is rolling out baked paczki for Fat Tuesday, which you can order stuffed full of chocolate pastry cream.

How to order: Order online by 8pm on February 16 for pickup February 19. 

All Beatrix locations are offering paczkis for one day only on February 21. Guests can choose from vanilla custard with dark chocolate icing and cake crumbs or raspberry coated in powdered sugar.

How to order: You can grab them at any Beatrix location on Fat Tuesday until supplies last.