Polish Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

Although Chicago is often known for being a busy, bustling city, it is also home to some great outdoor activities. There are 31 seasonal beaches, with swimming, volleyball and jogging. The North Park Village Nature Center, on the northwest side of Chicago, has approximately 155 acres of land with beautiful hiking trails amid wetlands and woodlands. Interestingly, Chicago also is home to second largest Polish community in the United States, which is reflected in the many Polish dining establishments.

Red Apple Restaurant

Red Apple Buffet (also known as Czerwone Jablusko, as the sign reads) offers an all-you-can-eat-buffet of various Polish choices. Prices are affordable, especially considering that 50 to 60 dishes are available. As of 2009, the lunch buffet runs $9.49, dinner buffet $9.99 and weekend buffets $10.95 all day. Food choices can include fried and baked fish, Polish meatballs, wiener schnitzel, beef stroganoff and turkey wings. Plenty of vegetarian options are also available, including cheese blintzes, potato pancakes, carrot and raisin salad, pierogi, fresh pastries and sauerkraut soup. European and domestic wine and beer plus a full liquor menu are served. This yummy restaurant is close to Kilbourn Park, which hold Chicago's only teaching organic greenhouse.

3121 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 588-5781
redapplebuffet.com

Staropolska Restaurant of Belmont

Staropolska Restaurant of Belmont is a tasty, traditional Polish smorgasbord. Kids under 4 always eat free. The restaurant is open Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving and prepares special holiday menus. As of 2009, buffet prices are just $7.95 weekdays and $9.95 weekends. Soups and drinks cost extra. Enjoy juicy baked chicken, roasted duck with apples, several kinds of sausage, sauerkraut, several dumpling choices and much more. After eating delicious Polish food, visitors can walk five blocks to historical Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons Park.

5249 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 736-5230
staropolskaofbelmont.com

Szalas Restaurant

Take a trip to Poland without leaving Chicago. When guests step inside Szalas Restaurant, they will dine amid a Polish museum of sorts. The restaurant displays Polish artifacts and antiques like an original horse carriage, winter sleighs and a water-driven rotating mill wheel. There are even souvenirs available for purchase. As of 2009, dinner prices range from $11.25 to $21.95. The menu offers delicious Polish dishes like chicken kiev stuffed with mushrooms, barbecued ribs, stuffed cabbage rolls, sausage, stew and desserts. The restaurant is close to Curie Park, which has baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis.

5214 S. Archer Ave.
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 582-0300
szalasrestaurant.com

Article Written By Sarah Bourque

Sarah Bourque has been a freelance writer since 2006 and is based in the Pacific Northwest. She writes and edits for the local publisher, Pacific Crest Imprint and has written for several online content sites. Her work recently appeared in "The Goldendale Tourism and Economic Development Magazine" and "Sail the Gorge!" magazine. She attended Portland Community College where she studied psychology.

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