Officially, Paczki Day is Tuesday, February 13 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 8. 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 in recent years, including century-old stalwart Dinkel’s Bakery, Jefferson Park’s Sweet World Pastry, and Beth’s Little Bakeshop in suburban Evanston. Other prominent players have not yet shared menu and ordering details. Stay tuned for an update when their plans come together.
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