Where to Get Pączki and Other Fat Tuesday Treats in 2025

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Chicagoans are big fans of dessert – at least that’s the takeaway from compiling a list of sweet treats for Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday, the days in which Christians historically use up all the delectable ingredients that they give up during the period of fasting known as Lent. There are plenty of treats traditionally eaten during this last hurrah of feasting and celebration, from the cardamom-scented semlor of Swedes to the colorful king cake of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras to the famed pączki of Poland, the latter of which have become so popular in Chicago that Fat Tuesday is now sometimes called Pączki Day. (Poles traditionally eat the doughnuts on Fat Thursday, which falls on February 27 this year.) 

By our count (and we probably missed some), over 50 bakeries, restaurants, stores, and other establishments offer pączki on and leading up to Fat Tuesday (March 4 this year), and many of them make hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of the doughnuts. (Take a look at how one popular Polish bakery makes so many pączki this time of year.) Plenty aren’t even Polish; we noted at least three cannoli-inspired pączki at bakeries both Italian and not. Clearly Chicagoans are scarfing down these fried pillows in impressive quantities. 

We’ve put together a list of places that are offering pączki, king cake, and semlor this year. Many places suggest pre-ordering, although some will also have desserts available for walk-ins on Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday. Some places are already selling pączki; some will only have them on Fat Thursday and/or Fat Tuesday. Some spots have minimum order sizes, so you may not be able to get a single pączek. We suggest visiting a website or store or calling ahead to plan your gluttonous holiday. 

We will continue to update the list as we learn of more places. 

Pączki

Alliance Bakery at 1837 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and 1736 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood - Six varieties of pączki available.

Andy’s Deli at 5442 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood

Au Levain Bakery & Café at 4301 N Lincoln Ave. in Chicago's North Center neighborhood - Pączki available in orders of a half dozen, with six different varieties.

Baranowski Bakery at 9560 Grand Ave. in Franklin Park - Nine or more varieties, both traditional and specialty. Also available at Kurowski’s Sausage Shop in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood

Bennison’s Bakery at 1000 Davis St. in Evanston - Twelve varieties of pączki, some available only in a minimum order of four. Also available to pick up from Vanille Patisserie in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and Bitter Pops in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood

Beverly Bakery at 10528 S Western Ave. in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood

Bittersweet at 1114 W Belmont Ave. in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood and at 2019 S Laflin St. in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood - Pączki available in a box of six containing three varieties. 

Chicago Sweet Connection at 5569 N Northwest Hwy. in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood - Thirteen varieties of pączki available.

Central Continental Bakery at 101 S Main St. in Mount Prospect - A vast array of pączki varieties is available, including a Mardi Gras-themed one with bourbon whipped cream.

Daisies at 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood  - Pre-order one of two varieties for pick-up on March 4. They’re also making donut hole-sized pączki garnishes for the Polly Paczki cocktail available at The Violet Hour bar in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood on March 4.

Deerfield’s Bakery at 201 North Buffalo Grove Rd. in Buffalo Grove and 813 Waukegan Rd. in Deerfield - Twenty-four varieties of pączki available.

Deli 4 You Market in Schaumburg, Norridge, Prospect Heights, Algonquin, and Niles - Ten varieties of pączki available. You can only pre-order if you’re ordering more than 50. 

Delightful Pastries at 5927 W Lawrence Ave. in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood - Thirteen varieties of pączki available. Take a look at their pączki operation in our photo essay.

Do-Rite Chicken & Donuts at multiple locations

Doughnut Vault at 401 N Franklin St. in Chicago's River North neighborhood

Ferrara Bakery at 2210 W Taylor St. in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood - Five varieties of pączki available.

Firecakes Donuts in River North, Lincoln Park, and Oak Park - Four varieties of pączki available now until March 4.

Forest View Bakery at 6454 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood

Gurnee Donuts at 4949 Grand Ave. in Gurnee - Ten varieties of pączki available for pre-order or walk-in, including purple ube, a specialty of the shop.

Harner's Bakery at 10 State St. in North Aurora - Ten varieties of pączki available

Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar at 2700 W Chicago Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood - Six creative varieties of pączki that include savory options, plus two vegan varieties, available. They’re also offering a breakfast sandwich on a pączek, and pączki sliders with steak tartare or gravlax for dinner, in addition to a special Cajun and Creole Mardi Gras menu.

Hewn Bread in Evanston, Libertyville, and Winnetka - Two varieties of of pączki available in a four-pack from Evanston and a take-and-bake raspberry pączki kit from Libertyville and Winnetka.

House of Cakes at 6189 N Canfield Ave. in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood

Jarosch Bakery at 35 S Arlington Hts Rd. in Elk Grove Village - Twelve varieties of pączki available.

KD Market in Crystal Lake, Schaumburg, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, and Schiller Park - Eight traditional Polish varieties of of pączki available. 

Kolatek’s Bakery & Deli at 2445 N Harlem Ave. in Chicago’s Montclare neighborhood - Twelve varieties of pączki available.

Kuppie's Bakery at 42 S Villa Ave. in Villa Park 

La Blondina Bakery - You can order one of two varieties of pączki from this home baker, whom our friends WTTW News visited last year. 

Laramie Bakery at 3012 N Laramie Ave. in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood - Numerous varieties of pączki available.

Lutz Bakery at 2458 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood -  Five varieties of of pączki available. Visit or call to pre-order; some will be available for walk-ins.

Mindful Baking at 1942 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood - Four vegan varieties of of pączki available.

Mindy's Bakery at 1632 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood

Mom's, to pick up at Superkhana International at 3059 W Diversey Ave. in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood - This pop-up is once again bringing together chefs and bakers for a four-pack of cheffy flavors like salted lemon and preserved plum. Pre-order for pick-up on March 4, but there will also be a few varieties available for walk-ins in addition to drinks and snacks at the bar.

Montrose Deli in Mount Prospect, Roselle, and two Chicago locations

Oak Mill Bakery in Niles, Des Plaines, Harwood Heights, Arlington Heights, and Chicago - Numerous varieties of pączki available, including premium signatures and “gourmet” varieties that are cut in half and filled with fruit.

Oak Park Bakery at 904 S Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park - Numerous varieties of pączki available.

Orland Park Bakery at 14850 LaGrange Rd. in Orland Park - Twenty-one varieties of pączki available, including a riff on the South Side staple Atomic Cake.

Palermo Bakery at 7312 Irving Park Rd. in Norridge - Many varieties of pączki available, including a twist on viral Dubai chocolate.

Petterino's Pasticceria at 52 W. Randolph St. in Chicago's Loop - Several varieties of pączki are available for pre-order in-person at the cafe. 

pHlour Bakery at 1138 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood - Six varieties of pączki, only available in orders of a half dozen.  

Pretty Cool Ice Cream at 2353 N. California Ave. in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood and 709 W. Belden Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood - They offer a pączki ice cream bar with pączki-flavored ice cream in a chocolate shell dusted with powdered sugar.

Polish Pączki Cafe at 7210 W Foster Ave. in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood - Only one variety of pączki available, a traditional mixed fruit jam with rose, plum, and raspberr.y

Polombia at 500 W. Madison St. in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood - Five varieties of pączki with tropical and Latin flavors are available, since Polombia is a melding of Polish and Colombian influences. They'll also be available at Dovetail Brewery through March 5. Polombia also has a pączki burger available year-round. 

Prisco's Family Market at 1108 Prairie St. in Aurora - Numerous varieties of pączki, including St. Patrick's Day themed ones.

Pticek and Son Bakery at 5523 S Narragansett Ave. in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood - Eighteen varieties of pączki available for pre-order.

Racine Bakery at 6216 S Archer Ave. in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood - Twelve varieties of pączki, some available in both large and small sizes. Also available at Marz Brewing’s Pączki Fest on March 2 in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, where sandwiches on pączki will be available and the brewery will release its annual Pączki Stout.

Reuter’s Bakery at 7177 W Grand Ave. in Chicago’s Montclare neighborhood - Sixteen varieties of pączki available.

Roeser’s Bakery at 3216 W North Ave. in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Seventeen varieties of of pączki available.

Schlegl's Bakery and Cafe at 3915 W Touhy Ave. in Lincolnwood - Nineteen varieties of pączki available, with a minimum of six necessary for pre-order. 

Shop and Save Market in Des Plaines, Bridgeview, Downer’s Grove, Palatine, and two Chicago locations 

Smack Dab at 6730 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood - Three unusual varieties of of pączki, only available in orders of three or a half dozen.

Somethin’ Sweet at 4456 N Kedzie Ave. in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood - You can pre-order eight varieties of pączki.

Spoken Cafe at 1812 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood - Three varieties of pączki available along with Cajun and Creole items. Instructions for pre-ordering pączki can be found on their Instagram.

Stan’s Donuts at many locations in Chicago and the suburbs - Four varieties of pączki available.

Sweet Generation Bakery at 380 W Irving Park Rd. in Wood Dale - Numerous varieties of pączki are available, including some inspired by European candies.

Sylvia's Bakery at 8117 S Cass Ave. in Darien - Nearly 30 varieties of pączki available.

Tag's Bakery at 2010 Central Str. in Evanston - Fifteen varieties of pączki available.

The Violet Hour at 1520 N Damen Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood - This bar is offering a Polly Pączki cocktail featuring cognac, amaro, strawberry liqueur, and a mini pączki garnish from Daisies only on March 4.

Vistro Prime at 112 S Washington St. in Hinsdale - Three varieties of pączki available for pick-up by pre-order on March 3.

Wagner’s Bakery at 2148 W Cermak Rd. in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood

Weber’s Bakery at 7055 W Archer Ave in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood - Thirteen varieties of pączki available.

West Town Bakery at two Chicago locations and in Evanston and Wheeling - Four varieties of pączki available.

White Eagle Deli and Restaurant at 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Niles - Ten varieties of pączki available.

Wiklanski’s Bakery at 6006 W Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood

Wolf’s Bakery at 3241 95th St. in Evergreen Park - Twelve varieties of pączki available.

Wurst Behavior at 4009 N Elston Ave. in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood and Pierogi Kitchen at 1856 W North Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood - Walk-in only, two varieties made in collaboration with chef/owner Art Wnorowski’s mother: rose topped with orange and Dubai chocolate topped with pistachios.

King Cake

Alliance Bakery at 1837 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and 1736 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood

Bennison’s Bakery at 1000 Davis St. in Evanston - Five varieties of king cake available as well as a galette des rois, only available until March 7. King cakes are also available to pick up from Vanille Patisserie in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Big Jones at 5347 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood - Caramel pecan cheesecake king cake available daily in limited amounts after 4:00 pm until March 4.

Bittersweet Pastry Shop at 1114 W Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and at 2019 S Laflin St. in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood

Central Continental Bakery at 101 S Main St. in Mount Prospect - Numerous varieties of king cake with varying levels of decoration are available.

Deerfield’s Bakery at at 201 North Buffalo Grove Rd. in Buffalo Grove and 813 Waukegan Rd. in Deerfield - Two varieties of king cake available. 

Firecakes Donuts in River North, Lincoln Park, and Oak Park - King cake donut available on March 4.

Floriole 1220 W Webster Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood - King’s cake morning buns available until March 7.

Harner's Bakery at 10 State St. in North Aurora 

Hewn Bread in Evanston, Libertyville, and Winnetka

Jarosch Bakery at 35 S Arlington Hts Rd. in Elk Grove Village. Three varieties of king cake available.

Junebug Cafe at 4042 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood - Individual slices are also available alongside the Creole and Cajun food.

Lutz Bakery at 2458 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood

Pretty Cool Ice Cream at 2353 N. California Ave. in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood and 709 W. Belden Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood - They have pints of a New Orleans-style coffee ice cream with pecan pralines and a king cake ice cream bar.

Publican Quality Bread at 1759 W Grand Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and 211 Harrison St. in Oak Park - You’ll get a free pastry if you bring back the ceramic feve hidden in each cake; the feves were crafted by baker Greg Wade himself. The king cake is also available as part of a Mardi Gras feast at Dove’s Luncheonette in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood on March 4. And they have a mini galette for a small version of a king cake. 

Scafuri Bakery at 1337 W Taylor St. in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood 

Smack Dab at 6730 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood - A mini king cake is available in addition to savory Mardi Gras offerings.

Spilt Milk at 811 South Blvd. in Oak Park

Spoken Cafe at 1812 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood - Swirly bun king cake is available alongside Cajun and Creole Mardi Gras food.

Tag's Bakery at 2010 Central Str. in Evanston - Offers king cake and Mardi Gras-themed cookies.

Weber’s Bakery at 7055 W Archer Ave in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood

Semlor

Lost Larson at 5318 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood and 2140 W Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood - Three varieties of semlor available.

Swedish American Museum at 5211 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood

Tre Kronor at 3258 W Foster Ave. in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood