The Un-Tourist's Guide to Chicago
#46
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,090
One of my fave's is Red Apple on Milwaukee Ave. on the north side and the one on the south side near Midway, that I can not remember the name of.
Anyway, if you want great food and ALOT of it, try a Polish buffet (and leave lots of time to eat, it is not a quick meal).
#47
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 139
One of the things I miss most about Chicago is the great all you can eat polish buffets. If you want great, local authentic Polish food, go to a buffet. Don't let them fill you up with a lot of soup first, it just fills up the tummy for better food. It is great as the weather starts to get colder, as the food is hot and filling.
One of my fave's is Red Apple on Milwaukee Ave. on the north side and the one on the south side near Midway, that I can not remember the name of.
Anyway, if you want great food and ALOT of it, try a Polish buffet (and leave lots of time to eat, it is not a quick meal).
One of my fave's is Red Apple on Milwaukee Ave. on the north side and the one on the south side near Midway, that I can not remember the name of.
Anyway, if you want great food and ALOT of it, try a Polish buffet (and leave lots of time to eat, it is not a quick meal).
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,569
Just an FYI, they tend to order for you. I suppose it could be off putting, but my definition of luxury is having someone else make decisions for me, so we loved it.
#49
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,609
Podhalanka is right by our house, and we went last winer. We loved it! The food felt very "wintery" so we've put off going back.
Just an FYI, they tend to order for you. I suppose it could be off putting, but my definition of luxury is having someone else make decisions for me, so we loved it.
Just an FYI, they tend to order for you. I suppose it could be off putting, but my definition of luxury is having someone else make decisions for me, so we loved it.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,569
I've said it before, but anyone who's serious about food should cross reference restaurant names with posts on LTHForum.com, which is a great Chicago food board. Anyway, a lot of LTH posters hate the waiter at Podhalanka who is very pushy and overorders...there are many complaints about him adding unwanted condiments to dishes and upselling dishes so the cost of a meal is significantly more than anticipated. Just a word of warning...
And I'll agree that LTHForum is a great resource for Chicago. It tends to be much more of a community like Flyertalk rather than a bunch of random posts like Yelp or even Chowhound.
#51
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AAMM & ExPlat, Marriott lifetime Plat, IHG Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 23,464
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#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,164
http://mabenka.com
About 78th and Cicero. No buffet last time I was there.
#53
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 141
Just to add a bit of non food talk to this discussion, cuz it's lunchtime and I'm on a diet, when you are downtown, go see the Tribune building on Michigan Ave. Embedded in the facade are rocks from monuments from every state in the union as well as famous places from all over the world. In the 20's Col. McCormick had his reporters bring them back from far off places. Of course back then, you could swipe a section of the Great Wall of China or n Egyptian pyramid and no one would stop you! Some times they even have a moon rock on display, the only one on display outside of the Smithsonian. And the price is right, free!
#54
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,090
You may be thinking of Mabenka near MDW:
http://mabenka.com
About 78th and Cicero. No buffet last time I was there.
http://mabenka.com
About 78th and Cicero. No buffet last time I was there.
#55
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,183
#57
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,090
aktchi-- that is exactly the place I was thinking of, thank you very much.
I am making a December trip to Chicago, but don't think I will have time to get to the South side.
Thank you for figuring it out, they seem to be still in business but don't have a website, the funniest review I saw for them "is look for the 80's style funeral home", yep that is exactly what it looks like from the outside. If you guys have a DO there, ENJOY!!
I am making a December trip to Chicago, but don't think I will have time to get to the South side.
Thank you for figuring it out, they seem to be still in business but don't have a website, the funniest review I saw for them "is look for the 80's style funeral home", yep that is exactly what it looks like from the outside. If you guys have a DO there, ENJOY!!
#58
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,609
Another recommendation for visitors to Chicago:
The Chicago Architectural Foundation's boat tours are the best in the city, but don't overlook their other tours and offerings.
Once a year (usually in October), they coordinate the opening of about 150 architecturally significant buildings, homes and spaces that are normally closed to the public for free open houses. Open House Chicago is an event that's not to be missed if you're an architecture buff!
Also, the CAF gift shop is a fantastic place for more unusual Chicago souvenirs. It's right near the Art Institute, so if you're in the area it would be a shame to miss it:
Retail Shop
224 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
9am 6:30pm, Saturday Thursday
9am 7pm, Friday
The Chicago Architectural Foundation's boat tours are the best in the city, but don't overlook their other tours and offerings.
Once a year (usually in October), they coordinate the opening of about 150 architecturally significant buildings, homes and spaces that are normally closed to the public for free open houses. Open House Chicago is an event that's not to be missed if you're an architecture buff!
Also, the CAF gift shop is a fantastic place for more unusual Chicago souvenirs. It's right near the Art Institute, so if you're in the area it would be a shame to miss it:
Retail Shop
224 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
9am 6:30pm, Saturday Thursday
9am 7pm, Friday
#59
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,183
As a Chicagoan with many Polish friends, I am overly blessed with Polish food, delicious but you have to be in mood for bland. However, company of FT'ers would be an extra enticement.
I hope you are able to visit them sometime during one of your future visits. Reviving old memories can be fun. A 3-4 hr layover at MDW should do it comfortably.
I hope you are able to visit them sometime during one of your future visits. Reviving old memories can be fun. A 3-4 hr layover at MDW should do it comfortably.