Paczki Day 2023: Where To Find Paczki Near Joliet

JOLIET, IL — Paczki Day is less than two weeks away, and Joliet's bakeries are already getting phone calls for orders of the beloved deep-fried Polish confections. This year, Paczki Day is set for Feb. 21 or Fat Tuesday, one day before Christians around the world start the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday.

For those who have never tasted a paczki, pronounced pownch-key, they are Polish doughnuts, usually filled with jelly. Paczkis sell like hot cakes across Chicagoland as many bakeries start taking orders for them weeks in advance. Here's a roundup of some places where you can buy paczki in Joliet.

Joliet's Donut Den

Donut Den is at 3043 Theodore St.

One of Joliet's favorite bakeries, Donut Den is already taking pre-orders for Paczki. In years past, Donut Den often sold more than 10,000 paczkis. However, the weather makes a huge difference in terms of sales. Donut Den is open from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

For Paczki Day, Donut Den will typically have the following flavors: strawberry, cherry, apple, blueberry, lemon, apricot, custard, cheese, French silk and fresh strawberry. Custard and strawberry have been Donut Den's two biggest sellers in years past.

This will be Donut Den's first Paczki Day without longtime owner, Bruce Aronson, who died last April at St. Joe's hospital at age 63. "He was a great boss, an even better friend and most importantly family," Donut Den posted on Facebook at the time. "He was taken from us too soon, but will never be forgotten."

Home Cut Donuts

There area two locations in Joliet for Home Cut Donuts, one on the west side at 815 West Jefferson Street. Te east side location is at 1317 East Washington St.

Employees at Home Cut Donuts on West Jefferson Street told Patch that both locations are now taking pre-orders for Paczki.

People can place their orders inside both Joliet bakeries or over the phone.

The first batch of fresh Paczki will be available for customers on Feb. 17, and the Paczki will be sold through Fat Tuesday.

The Jefferson Street Home Cut Donuts is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The east side Home Cut Donuts is open 5 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

The phone number for the Jefferson Street bakery is 815-727-3511. The number for the Home Cut on East Washington Street is 815-726-2132.

Milano Bakery

Milano's is located at 433 South Chicago Street near downtown Joliet

Another popular place in Joliet for paczki is the Milano Bakery at 433 South Chicago Street along the entrance into the city's downtown. Milano's stays open 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday. The bakery is closed Sundays.

Employees at Milano's told Patch they are already baking fresh Paczki and have them available through at least Fat Tuesday.

The phone number for Milano's to place retail orders is 815-727-2253.

What's your favorite paczki place in the Joliet area? Let us know in the comments!

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Paczki Day: Donut Den Ready For Year's Busiest Day

Home Cut Donuts In League Of Its Own: Ferak Food Column

Milano Bakery: 'Everybody Needs To Stay Calm'