It may have been dark and rainy early Tuesday morning, but that did not stop the scent of fried dough and sweet, sugary fillings from wafting through the air as Orland Park Bakery marked its busiest day of the year, Paczki Day.
“It’s my day off work, but I purposely set my alarm for 5:30 for this,” Christina Gutierrez, of Orland Park, said, who stood in line when the store opened. “It’s become a tradition.”
Just like Gutierrez, almost everyone enjoys a delicious paczki and this Fat Tuesday, celebrated on March 4, the suburban bakery, located at 14850 LaGrange Road in Orland Park, put a number on just how many cooked up: more than 70,000.
“We are crazy busy all day long,” Orland Park Bakery employee, Dolores Damin, said. “It’s really amazing seeing everyone come in and out.”
Damin said the bakery has been preparing for this day for months, offering paczkis a month prior and all throughout the Lenten season.
“This year, we’ve made more than we ever have before,” she said.
The deep-fried, sugar-dusted pastries, traditionally enjoyed as a final indulgence before Lent begins, drew long lines and a flood of online and in-person orders as customers stocked up ahead of the Christian holiday.
For Casey Czyszczon, of Homer Glen, the day wouldn’t have been complete without a visit.
“They (Orland Park Bakery) made our wedding cake, so obviously, we come here every year – the way that they slice the paczkis is definitely unique,” Czyszcon said, adding strawberry was his go-to flavor.
Mokena resident, Linda Huculak, disagreed. “For me, it’s the butter cream,” Huculak said. “This bakery has been offering amazing treats for many years and the paczkis are just the best.”
Orland Park Bakery offered nearly 20 flavors to satisfy every taste. Classics like custard, strawberry, cheese, blueberry, fudge, cherry, pineapple, raspberry, and apple were stacked alongside more unique options like atomic, cannoli cookies n’ cream and Huculak’s favorite, butter cream.
“We are literally jammed packed all day long,” Orland Park employee, Cameron Gonzalez, said. “We have people waiting outside in their cars since before five in the morning.”
Marion Marganski was one of those early risers, who stopped on his way to work at the Citgo Refinery in Lemont on Tuesday to pick up three dozen paczkis of every variety.
“I have been doing this for years,” Marganzki, of Midlothian, said. “The guys at work would be furious if I didn’t show up with these today.”
Orders for the sweet treats were taken online ensuring customers could claim their paczkis and king cakes before they sold out. At Orland Park Bakery, the day was more than just a sugar rush; it was a testament to the enduring love for a once-a-year treat that brought people together, one bite at a time.
They have Thee Best Packzis Ever! 💜