Try them, enjoy them, and vote for your favorite! This tournament-style competition highlights over 50 bakeries, delis, and restaurants competing for a spot in the Sweet 16. Created to raise awareness of Chicagoland’s incredible bakeries, the campaign celebrates one of the city’s sweetest traditions, Pączki Day (Tuesday, February 17). Chicago is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Pączki Day celebrations in the United States, and this campaign shines a spotlight on the locally owned bakeries, delis, and family-run shops that keep this cultural tradition alive.

Our mission is to highlight small businesses across Chicagoland that craft these iconic Polish treats each year. We encourage everyone to explore, taste, and enjoy as many Pączki as you can, and to cast your vote for Chicagoland’s Favorite Pączki. Every vote helps support neighborhood bakeries and ensures these cherished traditions continue for generations.

Our Pączki Sweet 16 Tournament is officially underway — and we’ve now advanced to the Tasty 8! With over 3,000 votes cast so far, the competition is heating up.

Voting to determine the Final 4 is open and closes on Sunday, February 2. The Final 4 will then be announced and voting will close on February 11 at midnight. We will announce the crowning of Chicagoland’s Favorite Pączki 2026 on Saturday, February 15, live at Marz Brewery during their Pączki Fest 2026.

• You may vote once per day
• Voting ends Friday, Feb 11th
• Winner announced on Feb 15th at Marz Brewery
• Have fun, try lots of Pączki, and support as many locally owned bakeries as possible!