It's Packzi Time: Where to Find the Fat Tuesday Treat

Shannon Antinori contributed to this article

For many area residents, Fat Tuesday — which falls on Feb. 9 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 readers suggestions on a few places to get your paczki fix, both near and far.

• Central Continental Bakery, 101 S. Main St. in Mount Prospect
• Heidi’s Cake & Pastry, 1469 E. State St. in geneva
• Herb’s Bakery, 1020 Larkin Street in Elgin
• Dimples Donuts, 328 E. Wilson Ave. in Batavia
• Village Market, 891 E. Geneva Road, Carol Stream
• Family Foods, 2 South 501 S. Illinois Route 59, Warrenville
• Country Donuts, 3091 US Highway 20, #101, Elgin
• Lilac Bakery, 348 S. Main St., Lombard
• Jarosch Bakery, Inc., 35 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village
• Sauers, 788 Army Trail Road, Carol Stream
• Country Donuts, 181 W. Virginia Ave., Crystal Lake
• Piece-A-Cake Bakery, 304 N. River St., East Dundee
• Konrads,9531 Ackman Road, Lake in the Hills
• Peterson’s Tasty Delight Bakery, 1720 W. Algonquin Road, Hoffman Estates
• Spunky Dunkers, 20 S. Northwest Highway, Palatine
• Oak Mill Bakery, 2314 E. Rnad Road, Arlington Heights
• Sweet T’s, 20 S. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights
• Kalinowski European Style Bakery, 901 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights
• Deerfield Bakery, 25 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg