The Fate of Czech Restaurants in Chicagoland

Czech Plaza has announced it is closing at the end of December 2020. Really a sad situation, they were done in by the pandemic. They were also not able to really get in on the outdoor dining thing in the summer because they lacked space and are located on busy Cermak Road. The owner of the building (not the owner of the restaurant) is trying to sell it. So we have lost both Little Bohemia and the Riverside Restaurant, both in Riverside over the past few years, as well of course as Klas.

What's left? Well Bohemian Crystal in Westmont seems to be open, as well as the Westchester Inn, and the McCook Bohemian Restaurant. If anyone ventures to go to these, I would check first as restaurants seem to close abruptly sometimes, change hours or their menus, or they are only doing carry out business now, although some are defying the Governor's orders and allowing in house dining. There is also Cafe Prague, in the city, but it does not look like they have much Czech food on the menu. If anyone else knows of a Czech restaurant in Chicagoland, please post here. Some may say the Golden Pheasant in Elmhurst, and the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle but I'm not sure these are really on point for Czech Food.

Please note many of these places don't have websites but they do have Facebook pages and a presence on Yelp.

Czech Plaza was where I fell in love with my husband. Sad it is closing.loved their liver dumpling soup.

Oh noooo.... this is by far the best Bohemian restaurant around. Amazing authentic food, friendly & enthusiastic service, great bar, live music. We've been going there as long as I can remember.

There are 3 restaurants that we love & were determined to do frequent take-out to help them make it through all of this & Czech Plaza was at the top. The other 2 are Yum Thai in Forest Park & Luong Loi in Wheaton.

Am truly hoping they'll be able reopen in a new location... based on the comments on their FB page regarding the closing, they had quite a following (understandably)!

I agree I hope they reopen somewhere sometime. I've lived in Wheaton many years and I don't think I have ever been to Luong Loi.

Definitely a cute, hidden gem in downtown Wheaton... family run, such great Vietnamese food w/some Chinese items for those who don't like a/o want to try Vietnamese. BYOB.

And good news on Czech Plaza, they are now staying open thru January 11, 2021:)! Fingers crossed that they're trying to work something out to stay open!

Update: They will be open until Jan. 11.

Community members are working to save the Klaus Building, a nearly century-old structure that once housed a Czech and Slovak restaurant in suburban Cicero in the hope of restoring and reopening the venue with a restaurant, bar, museum, and event space. Czech community leaders in the area have formed a 501c3 to purchase and rehabilitate the building, and aim to raise $500,000 via GoFundMe.

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/6/21/225 ... -pizza-day

This is good news. I also heard the murals still survive in the building.

toria wrote:This is good news. I also heard the murals still survive in the building.

That is very good news. We held the first LTH holiday party at Klas, and the hand-painted-on-wood murals on the second floor were a big selling point. It would also be a shame if the huge "life of Washington" murals on the first floor were trashed. Glad to hear the community is coming together to save, but man, Klas has a lot of real estate there.

Bohemian Crystal Restaurant is feeling sad.

Dear Customers,
With huge regret we have to inform you that after 41 years in business we are closing our restaurant, Bohemian Crystal.
Our last day will be Sunday October, 2nd.
We would like to thank to all our customers for their long term loyalty and friendship.
Please, come to visit us before the front doors of our restaurant will be closed for good.
Your Bohemian Crystal Restaurant Team

Cathy2 wrote:

Bohemian Crystal Restaurant is feeling sad.

Dear Customers,
With huge regret we have to inform you that after 41 years in business we are closing our restaurant, Bohemian Crystal.
Our last day will be Sunday October, 2nd.
We would like to thank to all our customers for their long term loyalty and friendship.
Please, come to visit us before the front doors of our restaurant will be closed for good.
Your Bohemian Crystal Restaurant Team

Bummer - a great place. At least Westchester In is still going strong

zoid wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:

Bohemian Crystal Restaurant is feeling sad.

Dear Customers,
With huge regret we have to inform you that after 41 years in business we are closing our restaurant, Bohemian Crystal.
Our last day will be Sunday October, 2nd.
We would like to thank to all our customers for their long term loyalty and friendship.
Please, come to visit us before the front doors of our restaurant will be closed for good.
Your Bohemian Crystal Restaurant Team

Bummer - a great place. At least Westchester In is still going strong

Agreed... super bummed. Only 2 left in the Chicago area which is hard to believe.
We've eaten at and have done carryout from Westchester Inn a few times recently and it's as good as ever. Haven't been to McCook Bohemian Restaurant yet but will need to give it a try.

Might be time to start digging out my Mom's and Grandmother's recipes!

While we have indeed lost a few good Czech places, Cafe Prague is still open. I was there once in late fall of 2021 and again late spring of 2022 and had good Czech meals and beer both times.

Cafe Prague
6710 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 427-7587
https://www.cafepraguechicago.com/

Hi,

I am meeting a friend at Cafe Prague this week. I am really looking forward to it now more than ever.

Regards,
CAthy2

muehleisen wrote:While we have indeed lost a few good Czech places, Cafe Prague is still open. I was there once in late fall of 2021 and again late spring of 2022 and had good Czech meals and beer both times.

Cafe Prague
6710 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 427-7587
https://www.cafepraguechicago.com/

WOW does that look good