UPDATED: It's Paczki Time: Where to Find the Fat Tuesday Treat

Written by Shannon Antinori

For many area residents, Fat Tuesday — which falls on Feb. 17 this year — is not complete without the delectable Polish delicacy known as paczki.

Due to the Chicago area’s large Polish population, the fried dough creation has become a staple of the pre-Lenten celebration and indulgence. Filling and icing varieties make the choices almost unending.

But you don’t have to be Polish to enjoy the seasonal goody.

Here are some readers’ suggestions on a few places to get your paczki fix, both near and far.

If we left off your favorite bakery, let us know in the comments section.

• Dimple’s Donuts, 328 E Wilson St, Batavia, (630) 406-0303
• Harner’s Bakery, 10 W State St, North Aurora, (630) 892-4400. According to their Web site, paczki are only available on Feb. 17.
  
• Casey’s Foods, 124 W. Gartner Road in Naperville, (630) 369-1686. From Casey’s Facebook page: “Available for pickup on Monday or Tuesday, we have the following flavors for $1.39 each: Apple, Bavarian, Blueberry, Cherry, Lemon, Prune & Raspberry. We also have Fresh Strawberry Paczkis for $1.99.”
• Garden Fresh Market, 955 W 75th St #1 in Naperville , is advertising a 99-cent paczki deal on Packzi Day, according to the store’s advertisement
• Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, 3115 11th St. (corner of 11th and Route 59) in Naperville,
• Ingram’s Busy Bee, 5126 Main St., Downers Grove
• Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, 94 Burr Ridge Parkway in Burr Ridge, (630) 655-2066. The bakery opens at 6 a.m. on Feb. 17
• Reuters Bakery has locations throughout the suburbs, including in Elmwood Park, Oak Park, River Forest, Melrose Park, Franklin Park, Forest Park, River Grove, Maywood, Stone Park, Bellwood, Northlake and more.
• Kuppie’s Bakery, 42 S. Villa Ave. in Villa Park, (630) 832-0929. (Closed Monday)
• Cathy’s Sweet Creations, this year in its new location at 15515 S. Route 59, Plainfield
• Tony’s Finer Foods, 2300 Route 59, Plainfield/Joliet. According to Tony’s ad, the store is selling four bakery fresh paczki for $2.99.
• Donut Den, 3021 Theodore St., Joliet
• Home Cut Donuts, 815 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
• Milano Bakery, 433 S. Chicago St., Joliet
• Joliet Bakery, Deli & Liquors, 821 Plainfield Rd., Joliet. Flavors include apricot, apple, lemon, strawberry, cherry, custard, cheese, blueberry, French silk and strawberry, according to the store’s Facebook page.
• Harner’s Bakery, 10 W. State St., North Aurora. Offering paczki on Tuesday only.
• The Village Grind Coffee & Tea, 19 Main St., Oswego
• My Sisters Lil Donut Shoppe, 25 S. Madison, Oswego
• Szela European Deli, 1327 Lily Cache Ln., Bolingbrook
• Euro Homeland Deli, 456 N. Weber Rd., Romeoville
• Fleckenstein’s Bakery, 199255 S. LaGrange Rd., Mokena
• Morris Bakery, 315 Liberty St., Morris; hosting “paczki palooza” starting at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
• Orland Park Bakery, 14850 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park
• Sweet Ladies Baking aka Zettlmeier Bakerei, 17016 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
• Weber’s Bakery, 7655 W. Archer Ave., Chicago

Amie Schaenzer and Dawn Aulet contributed to this article.