Paczki Day is upon us

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday or simply the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a day commonly known throughout the Southland as Paczki Day (and according to my Polish friends pronounced Poonch-ki).It is the day to pig out on fruit- or custard-filled doughnuts in preparation for the sacrifices that will be made during Lent, which starts on Wednesday.

Bakeries across the Southland are churning out thousands of the golden-brown pastries. Many bakeries now take preorders but all will have doughnuts available starting as early as 4:30 a.m. Just be prepared to wait.

Here’s what some readers had to say:

Joan Eckel says, “The best paczkis come from Orland Bakery. Be prepared for long lines when you go to pick them up. Wish they offered them during the year, but not so.”

Bob Caraynoff likes the “New Deluxe Bakery in Chicago Ridge, next to Jack & Pat’s.”

Doris Wickert was clear on her choice, “Definitely Weber’s Bakery!”

Here are some of the favorite places for paczki in the Southland:

• Orland Park Bakery, 14250 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. 708-349-8516. www.orlandparkbakery.com Their Web site says paczki are available during Lent.
• Weber’s Bakery, 7055 W. Archer Ave., Chicago. 773-586-1234. www.webersbakery.com
• Nielsen’s Bakery, 2053 Ridge Road, Homewood. 708-957-8899. www.nielsensbakery.com
• Irene’s Bakery, 120 E. 154th St., Harvey. 708-331-0783.
• Tuzik’s Bakery, 4955 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. 708-422-0099.
• Wolf’s Bakery, 3241 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park. 708-422-7429.
• Pticek & Sons Bakery, 5523 S. Narrangansett Ave., Chicago. 773-385-5500. www.pticeksbakery.tripod.com
• Fleckenstein’s Bakery, 19225 S. LaGrange Road, Mokena. 708-479-5256. www.fleckensteins.com
• Steffen’s Bakery, 714 State Line Road, Calumet City. 708-251-1518. www.steffens.com
• New Deluxe Bakery, 10731 S. Ridgeland Ave., Chicago Ridge. 708-229-2718.