Polish Restaurant in Chicago
 

Some friends are coming for a visit early May. One of the requests they have is that we dine at least once at a good Polish restaurant. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

try red apple at 3121 N. Milwaukee Ave. or staropolska at 5249 W. Belmont Ave. both are good family run places and reasonably priced.

Another good choice is Sawa's Old Warsaw on Cermak in Broadview.

Thank you so much, I appreciate your help. I'm looking forward to both the visit from my friends and trying one of these restaurants.

There are several more in the Brookfield Zoo area. One called "Little Europe" we go to after a zoo visit a couple of times each year. It is Polish/Czech and a neighborhood joint. Not in the city proper, but would be easy if Brookfield was on your agenda.

Restaurant is not in Brookfield itself but South and a little West- about 10-15 minute short drive. Not far from the Broadview suggestion, actually.

I assume you'll have transportation of some sort?

For a very casual place with good food served buffet style, we enjoy Tatra Inn at 6040 S. Pulaski.

We tried Lutnia, a linen tablecloth Polish place, over the weekend, 5532 W. Belmont, would not recommend, high priced, not very good service

A couple that have been recommended to me-Podhalanka at 1549 W. Division and Bobak's at 5275 S. Archer, near Midway. We tried Szalas out that way and loved the atmosphere, thought the food was OK but not great

It's been a couple of years since I tried Hortex 7419 W. Irving Park but when we went we really enjoyed it. Not sure it's still open.

I'm not sure it's still around but Pierogi Inn on the northwest side was the best for pierogis anyway, and it wasn't too shabby for other stuff.

There are some great holes in the wall restaurants on north Milwaukee ave betweeen Diversey and Belmont. Just walk around and you'll find something. The 4 blocks look like little Warsaw on Sundays, actually almost on any days.

My son goes to college in Chicago and just moved in with two roomates who are from Poland. They go to Cafe Lura at 3184 North Milwaukee Ave. The cuisine is supposed to be authentic but he mentioned bands play in the bar, so not sure what kind of crowd hangs out there. Could be interesting!

We retried another Polish place this weekend, Szalas out by Midway airport on Archer. Our first experience there was only so-so but we liked the atmosphere so much that we decided to go again and this time the food was excellent and there was a quartet of musicians, Polish Highlanders, that played in the bar and dining room.

The place is beautifully decorated to look like the exterior of a Polish chalet complete with a porch and water wheel.

After dinner you can head just up the street to Bobak's, a Polish grocery store that is also on Archer.

Yes, and thanks. We are going to try Szalas next time we fly late out of Midway.

Also Bobak's is building a huge branch on 159th St. South and just West of Orland Park (Homer Township)for all of those who are too far to shop on Archer. Very good Polish deli- incredible in store made everything. My guy is addicted to the hot dogs and sausages made there.