It's no secret Chicago has a huge Polish population, many of whom speak English as a second language. Just go down to any public building around here, and you’ll see signs translated for them, along with the standard Spanish. There are so many Polish people here in fact, that it is believed there are more here than in Warsaw! Wow! With so many people, you’re guaranteed to find a plethora of good eatin' around here! So let’s get our pierogi, kielbasa and golabki fix on and check out some of these places below!
Podhalanka (1549 W Division): Okay, so the place looks like a total dump on the outside. Well, if that bothers you, then I say Fine! More Pierogies for me then! And potato pancakes! The place is just so charming inside, like what you’d expect to find at your Nanna’s house in eastern Europe someplace, which it does very well. One problem with that though is the pace at which everything runs around here is just about as fast as Nanna moves, but then again, you can’t hustle love into food. Of course, parking is a pain around here, but since it’s right by the Division Blue Line and just south of Hipster Central, it’s the sort of place you tap while you’re on the go and need some down time.
Red Apple Restaurant: You have two locations to choose from, but I prefer the one up north in Norwood Park, due to the parking issue, unless I’m already on foot in the other neighborhood. Either way, the food is always good and the wait staff are quiet, yet very polite. Just so you know, it is a buffet, in of which most Polish places are, but there is some table service involved. I will say though, if you are on any kind of a restrictive diet, you will be staring at a rather empty plate, because this is good, hearty and inexpensive food, and just about everything has meat or broth in it.
Jolly Inn: This is my other favorite place for buffet style Polish food. I think the blintzes here are better than other places I’ve been to, and the potato pancakes are kept in good rotation so as not to get mooshie from laying out too long. Again, no dieters welcome, because EVERYTHING has meat, butter and dairy on and in it; it does it’s best at being true comfort food. One thing that does irk me though is that even though it’s a buffet and you can eat all you want, each drink you get costs extra, and they don’t bring around enough water.
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