Where to Nosh on Hamantaschen for Purim in Chicago

Purim is yet another Jewish holiday that follows a familiar “we were nearly wiped out, we survived, let’s eat!” template, and in this case, the food is hamantaschen — triangle-shaped cookies that are said to resemble the hat worn by the villainous Haman, the Purim story’s primary antagonist. Celebrants also often partake in the custom of getting completely smashed.

Traditionally, hamantaschen are stuffed with fruit preserves and poppy seeds, but modern bakers have branched out considerably with contemporary flavors like guava and brown butter with white chocolate. The holiday begins at sundown on Monday, March 6 so the cookies’ annual window is closing rapidly, but there are still quite a few places in the city to pick up hamantaschen.

The Bagel: This Lakeview deli landmark is selling hamantaschen this year in apricot, raspberry, prune, chocolate, and poppy seed. 3107 N. Broadway, Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Bennison’s Bakery: The 85-year-old Evanston bakery is taking a traditional approach to its hamantaschen fillings: raspberry, chocolate, apple, apricot, poppy seed, and classic prune. Cookies are available for pre-order and in-store pickup through Wednesday, March 8. 1000 Davis Street, Evanston, Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Big Fat Cookie: The local small-batch baker is making modern hamantaschen this year in flavors like Oreo chocolate chip with fudge, brown butter sprinkles with a white chocolate center and sugar rainbow, and triple chocolate with a caramel center and Maldon salt. They’re available to ship and for prepaid pickup through Friday, March 10 at the Big Fat Cookie kitchen near Goose Island. 1332 N. Halsted Street, Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Defloured Bakery: Andersonville’s gluten-free bakery is shaking things up this year with familiar and novel hamantaschen submissions that range from apricot, cherry, and poppy seed to M&M’s cookie dough and Nutella. 1477 W. Balmoral Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Goddess and Grocer: This Chicago caterer and cafe mini-chain has Purim treats for those who move quickly. Flavor options include raspberry, poppy seed, and Nutella, and they’re only for sale on Monday, March 6. Call ahead to locations in Bucktown, Gold Coast, River North, and Fulton Market to make sure they’re still in stock. Hours vary by location.

Manny’s: One of Chicago’s most storied delis is keeping it old-school with fillings like poppy seed, lemon, apricot, and blueberry. They’re available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery via Toast. 1141 S. Jefferson Street, Open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Masa Madre: True to its mission of making Jewish treats with Mexican flavors, Masa Madre this year is filling its hamantaschen with hibiscus and guava jam. They’re available by a half and full dozen for prepaid pickup at various locations around town, and for online pre-orders. They’re available through Friday, March 10.

North Shore Kosher Bakery: One of the city’s last kosher bakeries is offering hamantaschen in two sizes this year — plain cookie and yeast-risen. Fillings include chocolate, poppy seed, raspberry, and lemon. 2919 W. Touhy Avenue, Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

Steingold’s of Chicago: A landmark for Chicagoans with Jewish deli cravings, Steingold’s is featuring red berry and apricot hamantaschen. Fans should move fast, as they’re only offered on Monday, March 6 for pickup or delivery via Toast. 3737 N Southport Avenue, Open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.

Tel Aviv Kosher Bakery: This old-fashioned kosher bakery sells hamantaschen with all the traditional fillings — raspberry, apricot, lemon, poppy seed, prune, chocolate, and custard. 2944 W. Devon Avenue, Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Zeitlin’s Deli: The virtual deli is offering its traditionally inclined hamantaschen for delivery and pickup at a few breweries, markets, and synagogues around Chicago. They’re available individually or by the half-dozen in five flavors: apricot-orange, strawberry, apple butter, chocolate, and poppy seed.