Baumann's Bakery Packs Them In on Paczki Day

Like turkey is to Thanksgiving, paczki is to Fat Tuesday. The Polish pastry is the delicacy of choice for those looking for one last culinary sin before starting their Lenten diet.

At Baumann's Bakery, 12246 S. Harlem Avenue, the crowds were out in full force grabbing up the 17 varieties of paczki being sold.

"It is our busiest day of the year, busier than before Christmas," said Cathy Baumann, the bakery's owner.

Since it opened its doors 28 years ago Baumann's has been serving up paczki every Fat Tuesday.

Wayne Miller's dad works in the Palos-area and brought home Baumann's paczki every year. He keeps up the tradition and made the afternoon paczki run this year.

"It's a tradition," Miller said. "We've been coming to Baumann's for almost 30 years."

Miller's years of experience have taught him a valuable lesson. If you want to guarantee that you will get your hands on the famous fresh strawberry variety you have to order ahead.

From traditional fillings like poppyseed and plum, to fresh creations like peaches'n cream and fresh apple, there is a paczki flavor for every person.

Nancy Judickas, of Oak Forest, is a regular Baumann's customer and cites cream cheese as her paczki of choice.

"Baumann's is the best in the south suburbs," Judickas said. "I come here all of the time."

Baumann's sees a steady crowd all day with the busiest rush coming in the morning when customers pick up pre-orders on their way to work. Extra help is called in to dole out the thousands of pastries that will be sold.

"It shows that people like having something to celebrate," Baumann said. "We see a lot of familiar faces coming in, but there are always new faces that come in too."

Baumann hopes those new faces that are brought out by the allure of paczki also stop by the neighboring stores along Harlem Avenue and become regulars.

"I hope everyone is able to get a payoff from the crowd that comes out," Baumann said.

Editor's Note: Several paczki were consumed during the writing of this story.

For Paczki Day mayhem in Tinley Park, click here.

For scenes from Orland Park Bakery, click here.