Where to Get Pączki, King Cake, and Other Fat Tuesday Treats in 2026

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The stars have aligned this year to have Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday fall on the same day, February 17. That means Chicagoans will be forgetting the first cold, snowy winter in a few years by feasting on everything from New Orleans' iced king cake to the Chinese glutinous rice cake nin gou. In this heavily Polish city, of course, Mardi Gras is popularly known as Pączki Day, in honor of the filled doughnuts traditionally made to use up fat before the Christian period of fasting known as Lent. There's even a contest for "Chicagoland's favorite pączki" happening now, whose winner will be announced at Marz Brewery during their annual Pączki Fest on February 15. (The Muslim Ramadan also happens to start on the same day as Lent this year.) 

The Polish aren't the only ones to make doughnut-like treats before Lent (and in fact, they traditionally enjoy them on the Thursday before Lent, this year February 12.) There's also the Swedish semlor or semla, whose dough is baked with a hint of cardamom and traditionally filled with almond cream. The Filipino phenomenon Del Sur Bakery & Cafe is offering a tour of those treats, with a box featuring both a pączki and semla, in addition to a Filipino ensaymada. Hey, we need something to get us through the winter: even in March, Italians eat fried zeppole on St. Joseph's Day, March 19; we'll have more on that tradition in March. (Sign up for our free Deep Dish newsletter to make sure you don't miss it.) 

Traditionally, Catholics don't eat meat during Lent ("Carnival," as the Mardi Gras period is known, comes from the Italian for "remove meat"), so there are also some savory indulgences to be had on Fat Tuesday, especially from places like Spoken Cafe that are celebrating in Louisiana style. So let your inner glutton loose with our list of Chicago area spots offering Fat Tuesday treats, and don't worry; there are always fish fries to enjoy in the following weeks of continuing winter. 

Word to the wise: many places suggest pre-ordering, while some say they will have plenty of pastries available for walk-ins. Check individual websites and social media pages or call for the best option. 

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 four-packs, with four different varieties.

Bandol Brasserie & Raw Bar at 100 W Monroe St. in Chicago's Loop neighborhood - Pączki available for pre-order in three 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 - Eleven 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, 2019 S Laflin St. in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, and 850 W Monroe St. in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood - Half dozen pączki available with a mix of three varieties

Chicago Sweet Connection at 5569 N Northwest Hwy. in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood - Twelve 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 February 16 or 17.

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

Deli 4 You Market in Schaumburg, Norridge, Prospect Heights, Algonquin, and Niles - Twelve 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.

Del Sur Bakery & Cafe at 4639 N. Damen Ave. in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood. One four-pack with a variety of donut-ish treats - ensaymada, pączek, fastelavnsboller, and semla - available.

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.

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 - Eleven varieties of pączki available

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

House of Cakes at 6189 N Canfield Ave. in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood - Six varieties of pączki available.

Jarosch Bakery at 111 E. Higgins Rd., 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. 

Kirsten's Danish Bakery at 94 Burr Ridge Pkwy in Burr Ridge

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 - Seventeen varieties of pączki available.

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

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.

Mom's, to pick up at Superkhana International at 3059 W Diversey Ave. in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood - Several pop-ups and industry professionals join forces for a four-pack of pączki in global flavors. Pre-order for pick-up on February 17th in the evening; several flavors will also be available for walk-ins.

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

Morkes Chocolates at 1890 N Rand Rd in Palatine - Seven varieties of of pączki available.

Oak Mill Bakery in Niles, Des Plaines, Harwood Heights, Arlington Heights, and Chicago - Numerous varieties of pączki available, including mini versions.

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 sandwich with fried chicken and hot honey on a pączek "bun."

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.  

Pierogi Kitchen at 1856 W North Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood - Pączki available at the restaurant every day until sold out.

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 raspberry.

Polombia at 500 W. Madison St. in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood - Six varieties of pączki with tropical and Latin flavors are available, since Polombia is a melding of Polish and Colombian influences. Some are also available at Dovetail Brewery in North Center.

Pretty Cool Ice Cream at 2353 N. California Ave. in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood - They offer a pączki ice cream bar with pączki-flavored ice cream in a raspberry shell dusted with powdered sugar.

Prisco's Family Market at 1108 Prairie St. in Aurora - Numerous varieties of pączki.

Pticek &Son Bakery at 5523 S Narragansett Ave. in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood - Numerous 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 February 15 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 varieties 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 nine varieties of pączki.

Spoken Cafe at 1812 W Montrose Ave. in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood - Four varieties of pączki from Do-Rite Donuts available along with Cajun items. 

Stan’s Donuts at many locations in Chicago and the suburbs - Four varieties of pączki available. The local donut chain also supplied pączki to Costco locations in the Midwest.

Sweet Generation Bakery at 380 W Irving Park Rd. in Wood Dale - Numerous varieties of pączki are available.

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 - Eleven varieties of pączki available.

Talerico Bakery at 7334 W 63rd St. in Summit - 

Toni Patisserie at 51 S Washington St. in Hinsdale - Eight varieties of pączki available.

Vistro Prime at 112 S Washington St. in Hinsdale - Three varieties of pączki available for pick-up by pre-order on February 16.

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 - Fourteen varieties of pączki available.

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

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

Witek's Bakery at 8807 95th St. in Palos Hills - Twelve varieties of pączki available.

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

Zeitlin's Delicatessen at 2203 N Clybourn Ave. in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood - Two varieties of pączki available in pre-orders of a half dozen or dozen. 

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. 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 - A Gateaux de Roix featuring creme de cafe and pistachio whip with lemon creme fraiche royal icing is available at the restaurant through February 17.

Bittersweet at 1114 W Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, 2019 S Laflin St. in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, and 850 W Monroe St. in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood

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

Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern at 5215 S Harper Ave. in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood - Small, bundt-style king cakes are available through February 18. If you find a baby inside, as per New Orleans tradition, Daisy's will donate a meal to a family in need.

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 - A king cake donut is available.

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

Jarosch Bakery at 111 E. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village - Three varieties of king cake available.

Junebug Cafe at 4042 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood

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 - A king cake ice cream sandwich is available, alongside NOLA coffee and pralines ice cream pints.

Publican Quality Bread at 1759 W Grand Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and 211 Harrison St. in Oak Park 

Reuter’s Bakery at 7177 W Grand Ave. in Chicago’s Montclare neighborhood

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 - A slice of king cake is available alongside an entirely Louisiana-themed menu.

Tag's Bakery at 2010 Central Str. in Evanston 

Toni Patisserie at 51 S Washington St. in Hinsdale 

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

Semlor

Del Sur Bakery & Cafe at 4639 N. Damen Ave. in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood. One four-pack with a variety of donut-ish treats - ensaymada, pączek, fastelavnsboller, and semla - available.

Lost Larson at 5318 N Clark St. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood and 2140 W Division St. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood - A different variety of semlor is available every week through February 17.

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