3 Algonquin, LITH-Area Paczki Hotspots Worth Ordering From

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — For many area residents, Fat Tuesday — which falls on Feb. 21 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 suggestions on a few places to get your paczki fix, both near and far. If we left off your favorite bakery, let your fellow paczki lovers know about it in the comments section.

• Country Donuts, 181 W. Virginia St. in Crystal Lake, is now taking orders for paczki. You can place your order by calling Country Donuts at 815-455-2028. The popular donut shop is offering three flavors: custard, black raspberry and strawberry. All of the pastries have custard inside. You can choose to pick-up your paczki starting on Feb. 16 and continuing through Feb. 21 and the cost for orders is $2 per donut ($24 for a dozen and $48 for two dozen). Country donuts is open 24 hours, seven days per week.
• Morkes Chocolate, which has locations at 11801 Main St. in Huntley and at 1890 Rand Road in Palatine, is now taking paczki orders over the phone. Pickup for paczki is available Feb. 16 to 21. Flavors available include: Bavarian cream, Bavarian cream with chocolate icing, apple streudel, prune, apricot, red raspberry, strawberry yummy and peach. The pastries are available for $4.25 apiece. The phone number for the Morkes in Huntley is (847) 458-858, and the phone number for the Palatine location is (847) 359-3454.
• Deli 4 U Market, 1601 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, is helping area residents celebrate Fat Tuesday and Fat Thursday, which is a Christian celebration for many Polish people that marks the last day of Lent where people are allowed to overindulge, this year. The bakery and will be serving up homemade packzki at its locations through the Chicago area. Pre-orders for a minimum of 50 paczki can be made for pickup, and the Deli 4 U bakeries will also have plenty of paczki available for pickup in smaller orders in the days leading up to and the days of Fat Thursday, which falls on Feb, 16, and Fat Tuesday, according to a post on the Deli 4 U Facebok page. Flavors available include: vanilla custard, Nutella, raspberry, rose, plum, whipped mascarpone with strawberries and whipped mascarpone with blueberries.

Where is your favorite place to get a paczki on Fat Tuesday? Let us know in the comments section.