CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s Fat Tuesday, which in Chicago and the suburbs means it’s Paczki Day!
Paczki are a traditional deep fried polish doughnut, usually filled with jam, cream filing or fruit and topped with powdered sugar or glaze.
Jarosch Bakery has been an Elk Grove Village favorite since 1959.
It now has a brand-new location at 111 E Higgins Road, with classic recipes and a dozen Paczki flavors.
The sweet Chicago-area staple is stepping into a new chapter just in time for Paczki Day.
Customers were lined before 4 a.m. on Tuesday at one of the oldest bakeries in Chicago, Weber’s Bakery.
Having worked at the family-owned bakery since he was a child, Michael Weber says popularity for the big event continues to grow each year.
With a large Polish community in Chicago, it’s now evolved to a beloved tradition for all Chicagoans.
“When I started 45 years ago, it was not even anything to write home about. And I was off on Mondays. My dad was off on Tuesdays. He didn’t even come in for his day off. Now we are around the clock, pulling all nighters and it’s just become such a Chicago tradition. It’s one of the ‘funnest’ times of the year,” Weber said.
Weber says they tend to add or change flavors, depending on what customers like year to year.
But of course, always keep the traditional flavors, as well.
Weber’s Bakery will be open until 3 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent for many Christians.
Pope Leo is urging Catholics to embrace fasting, reflection, and community.
Lent is the 40-day season of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter.
Among other Protestants, such as Baptists and other evangelical groups, traditions vary. Some observe Ash Wednesday and Lent, others don’t. But they often have their own penitential and ascetic traditions. Many Pentecostals, for example, fast for a period in January to consecrate the year ahead.
Members of another of the world’s largest religions are also about to embark on their season of prayer and fasting. The start of Ramadan and the start of Lent may fall on the same date – for sure within the same week – this year.
AP News contributed to this report.
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