LTHForum.com

I am looking for good Polish food in Chicago area preferably in expensive.

Here's one for a start:

Zascianek
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=26942#26942

Antonius

I thought Lutnia was quite nice. Haven't been there in two years however. It has a liquor license.

Jolly Inn is my favorite Polish restaurant. Dinner buffet costs around 7.50 and includes soup. Very fresh and authentic Polish food!


Jolly Inn Restaurant
6501 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL

Try Helen's in Wood Dale.
Not gourmet by any means. Good, hearty, basic polish food buffet style.
If good and inexpensive is what you want, Helen's is the place.

Helen's Restaurant
339 E Irving Park Rd
Wood Dale, IL 60191

Dear cas,

I say this in the affectionate tone of the caring older sister. Well, OK, maybe more in the tone of the cranky aunt who has too many cats. But still, with tender, feminine affection:


If you use the search function of the board, check the 'search all terms' box and enter 'polish restaurant' or 'polish deli', many inexpensive riches will be revealed to you. There are Polish restaurants on the north side, the south side, and in many suburbs. You can even drive on Milwaukee Ave., pick one at random, and do pretty well. And we won't even go into the prepared food at the [many] delis.

Doing it this way will relieve you of the suspense of waiting for more people to reply to you.

And if you search for a specific dish [say potato pancake, or white borscht] you may get a more specific answer.

There is much info here to be found.

Gently,

Aunt Giovanna

I made it to Lutnia last night. Several things came to mind. “Let’s do the time warp again” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mareva’s, the old Polish restaurant that used to be on Milwaukee.. The pierogi that the non-English-speaking Polish caretaker for my ex-wife’s grandmother used to make. And the “Save this Restaurant” feature in a well-known local magazine.

I wish I’d taken my camera. Despite it being 8 p.m. on a Friday night, there was only one other table occupied.

The hard-boiled half eggs with a light mayo made a great amuse bouche (what's Polish for amuse bouche?).

Flames from the Roast Duck Flambé (under the “Hearty Meat Dishes” section of the menu) reached at least three or four feet high from the tableside prep cart. The zurek (aka white borsch) was a little salty, but a very tasty accompaniment, served with another half a hard-boiled egg. The included gnocchi and pickled beets went well. My companion’s pork tenderloin was also nicely done, with similar accompaniments.

And the bill, with several glasses of wine, came to just a little over $50, not including tip.

There may be comparable places in the city, but I’m not aware of any. I may have to go back soon.

Lutnia
5532 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
(773) 282-5335

I went to this place several times in the closing years of the last century and dug it quite a lot.

The clear plastic globe windows on the facade, Caesar salad and (if I recall correctly) goulash prepared tableside, the Liberace white piano, and the faded gentility of the enterprise resonate endearingly.

Save this restaurant? Yes.

Hammond