Editor’s Note: The video in this story is from a previous report.
As people head back to work Tuesday after the long Presidents Day weekend, beads will be flying, crawfish boiling and parades rolling in New Orleans as the city celebrates Mardi Gras.
To many, the day is known as Fat Tuesday. But in Chicago, many celebrate it as Paczki Day, lining up outside bakeries to get a taste of the delicious Polish pastries.
As the day continues, here’s an overview of the holiday, and a list of some of the best places in the Chicago area to try Paczki.
What to know about Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday is the final day of Carnival season, taking place the day before the start of Lent. The name comes from the literal English translation of the French phrase “Mardi Gras”. In New Orleans and all across the country, the day is celebrated with parades, balls and festivities.
In the Catholic tradition, the Lenten period begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras. The Tuesday before is seen as the last day for feasts and merriment, as Lent is observed as a time of sacrifice and fasting. The Encyclopedia of Alabama– the state where Mardi Gras was first celebrated in the U.S.- says Fat Tuesday refers to the practice of eating a fattened calf to prepare for fasting during Lent.
What to know about Paczki Day
Paczki Day is the name for the Polish tradition that occurs on Mardi Gras every year in preparation for the season of Lent. The name for the celebration comes from the Polish pastries traditionally consumed on the day, deep-fried flat dough filled with fruit or cream and topped with powdered sugar.
The celebration began in the 1700s, when people traditionally attempted to use the ingredients that would otherwise go to waste during Lent, including lard and sugar.
The tradition of paczki-eating on Mardi Gras quickly expanded to Chicago and other communities where large numbers of Polish people settled during the 20th century.
Tuesday, lines with hungry customers could already be seen forming outside of bakeries.
Top places to get Paczki
NBC Chicago’s Food Guy Kevin Pang shared his picks of the top four places in the Chicago area to get paczki:
Deerfield’s Bakery (Deerfield): Deerfield’s always had one of the largest, most eclectic varieties of paczkis on the North Shore. You’ll find flavors like pistachio, apricots, blueberries, as well as paczkis sliced in half and filled with fresh strawberries and cream. Kasia’s Deli in Ukrainian Village might be better known for its pierogies, but their paczki’s are—not surprisingly—second-to-none. You can pre-order its paczkis for pick-up Tuesday, which includes flavors like rose and prune. Orland Park Bakery is known for its Atomic Cake, filled with bananas, custard, fresh cream, strawberries and fudge. Of course, on special days it comes in paczki form. Marz Community Brewing Co. in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood takes part in Paczki Day in standard fried dough form, but as brewers they’ve also created a drinkable paczki beer version: a double milk stout with cocoa nibs.Hence then, the article about where to get paczki in the chicago area on fat tuesday was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Where to get Paczki in the Chicago area on Fat Tuesday )
Also on site :
- TTW Announces Top 50 Nightlife Travel Destinations in the World for 2026
- 'Barbie' Star Shares Emotional Tribute to Eric Dane
- This Terrible New Olympic Event Must Be Exiled From the Games Forever