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February 16, 2021

Roll N Donut Cafe & Douangchay's Kitchen sells a variety paczki on Fat Tuesday
Michelle Moreno
Roll N Donut Cafe & Douangchay’s Kitchen sells a variety paczki on Fat Tuesday

Features, News • February 16, 2021

On the quest for the perfect paczki? Look no further than these local bakeries

By

HUNTLEY – Individuals don’t have to be religious or even Polish to enjoy these donut-like pastries that are filled with a variety of cream or fruit fillings. The Polish tradition of Paczki Day has been celebrated since the Middle Ages to commemorate Fat Tuesday or the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, in order to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs, and fruit in the household due to these items being forbidden by Catholic fasting practices.

While some might mistake paczki for the average jelly filled donuts, these spherical, fried treats are made from a richer dough and can either be glazed or topped with powdered sugar.

Though a few big-name supermarkets like Walmart and Jewel in Huntley offer their own variety of paczki, some might argue that those don’t compare to the ones made fresh at local bakeries.

Individuals looking to support a Huntley bakery can try their luck at purchasing paczkis at Morkes Chocolates.

Morkes Chocolates may have sold out of their decadent paczkis today, but according to their website, they will be selling them tomorrow, Feb. 17. Morkes offers traditional paczki flavors like cream or apple filled, but doesn’t stray from unique twists such as their new paczkis, the chocolate yummy whip with black raspberry or expresso. Morkes opens at 7 a.m. and it is recommended that those interested in purchasing their paczkis to call ahead at (847) 458-8585.

Unfortunately, most bakeries around Huntley will only be selling paczkis today, Feb.16 and even then, many of them have sold out of these popular Fat Tuesday treats. However, these bakeries will be selling freshly made paczkis until supplies last.

Konrad’s Bakery in Lake in the Hills located on 9531 Ackman Rd will be opened until 6 p.m. and will have a limited supply of paczki to buy in store. They have the traditional flavors including strawberry, custard, and lemon, but also includes specialty flavors like fresh strawberries with chocolate mousse or cherry with cream cheese to name a few.

Deli 4 You may not be the most average small-town bakery in Algonquin, however seeing as this grocery store specializes in Polish dishes and other specialty foods from Poland and Europe, there isn’t a more convenient place to pick up some authentic paczki.

Located on 1601 S Randall Rd in Algonquin, Deli 4 You’s bakery will be making fresh paczki all day until closing at 8:00 p.m., including classic flavors like rose, plum, apricot, and vanilla custard. Some of their more unique flavors include Nutella and black currant. Which again will be baked fresh continuously throughout the day.

These other local bakeries may already be sold out of paczki for this year, but they deserve an honorable mention, for those that want to check them out next year.

Country Donuts located at 181 Virginia St in Crystal Lake has been a hot spot for these Fat Tuesday treats for years. Country Donuts dedicates the six days before Ash Wednesday to sell their paczkis. This year, Country Donuts stated that this was their most successful year yet, selling over 3,000 donuts in those past six days. They are open 24 hours a day and fill their paczki with a combination of real butter cream and fruit or custard filling.

Roll N Donut Café & Douangchay’s Kitchen offers a unique dining experience as it features freshly made donuts alongside a menu that includes southeast Asian dishes from Lao, Thailand, and Vietnam. Located on 3907 W Algonquin Rd in Algonquin, this little family-owned café starts selling paczkis the weekend before Ash Wednesday and continues to sell them until Fat Tuesday. They mostly maintain traditional flavors of paczki though they do make flavors like apple with cream. Interested buyers of these treats must act fast as this café opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Of course, this no way encompasses the many bakeries that sell paczki, but it does give residents an opportunity to support a few local bakeries around the Huntley area, either this year or future Paczki Days to come.

A final note to add, for those confused about how to pronounce paczki, the most agreed upon pronunciation appears to be poonch-kee.