Mabenka
7844 S Cicero Ave, Burbank, IL, 60459
Mabenka Menu
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Address :
7844 S Cicero Ave
Burbank, IL, 60459 - Phone (708) 423-7679
- Website https://www.mabenka.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Susan H.
Labas! This delightful, family-owned restaurant has long been a staple within Southside European circles....and thanks to Yelp, an entirely new generation can be gettin' crazy for Kugelis. When I am terribly homesick for my mother..when I'm missing my late-grandmother...when I yearn for the innocence of my Old-country-infused childhood, I turn my heavy heart toward Mabenka. I've yet to find a borscht on par with the varieties served here. I use lamb in my Oma's killer Lithuanian recipe, but their selections seem in keeping with Polish tradition and are immensely enjoyable; no matter how you slurp it, it's a dream. Curl up in a deep booth and enjoy an ice-cold Lithuanian Brew, hearty basket of soft, flavorful sweet & whole-grain breads, scratch-made soups, saucy stews or juicy sausage and butter-rich potato platters that are sure to soothe the spirit...and still leave you enough coin to take in a movie. Better yet...snag a galactic, baked-apple pancake for home and enjoy it with your feet up and your hand placed within your waistband in a manner that would do Al Bundy proud. Oh yesss.... The atmosphere is quiet, extremely casual and low-key. I stick with my favorites, which are Meat Blintzes (that I smother in unsweetened applesauce), Lithuanian Sausage, Cepelinai, Potato Pancakes and Borscht. It's worth the trip here for the Kugelis alone. Wat?! I know...I know. I'm a Kugelis snob..and I have earned that right as I grew up making the dish from scratch with some hardcore old-country women. Trust me when I say there is no better Kugelis than my family recipe, BUT...I will concede that they do a delish dish here. For those unfamiliar with Kugelis, it is the National Dish of Lithuania and is a thick potato pudding brimming with butter, salt and a plethora of bacon. It is traditionally baked in a deep pan til browned..spooned and served up with crispy bacon atop and a mere dollop of sour cream. Their version is sliced and much more loaf-like than my Grandmother's recipe, but it's mouthwatering and in keeping with how many European families choose to make it. I highly recommend it for lovers of all things potato. Skip Grand Duke's and come here instead..seriously. Over the years, they have moved away from German favorites. That's quite disappointing. Polish purists be aware that this is more of a fusion style restaurant where Lithuanian and Czech influences are present and so things may not be exactly as you expect them, but that does not mean they are not yummy. I know peeps truly dig their pierogi, but I think they need to step those up a bit as they often seem dry to me. Note to those who write reviews griping that there's too much potato/dough, everything is fattening or that there aren't more fresh veggies: This ethnic food stems from a long, rich history of people who ate for warmth or sheer survival with what little they could get their hands on and were oftentimes impoverished all while at the mercy of a soil and a climate that wasn't always green-veggie friendly. Tradition: How does it work? There is nothing else like Mabenka around these parts and so a solid five stars it is. Servers are refreshingly polite, kind and eager to see that you are pleased. I always leave with a full tummy and a smile. Save a visit here for a day when you're not watching your caloric intake or cholesterol. ;) Time-honored tradition and cooks who truly know their craft result in meals that feel as they were made by a Helga-fisted loved one. If a comfort-cloaked carb crash is what you seek..come to The Dark Side; we have pumpernickel.
(5)Bobby O.
Are you ready for some heavy European food? I am...here at Mabenka. From soups, to dumplings, to cutlets and pork butts they have it all. The service is good and the menu has a wide variety. I mostly eat lunch here and it is a staple on the southwest side. Family owned it exudes that warm welcome feeling when you first walk in. Parking is ample and it is right off 79th Cicero. KUGELIS!
(4)Bonnie B.
Wonderful homemade soup. And the best homemade food ever. Always good service. My friends and I try to get there often. Never a let down. Auksin (might be misspelled) is the server we always request. She knows exactly what we like & dislike. She knows us very well. If we don't get her I have to say we still have wonderful service, and care.
(5)Raul I.
MY NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT! 1. SUPER friendly service 2. Very attentive and flexible with your order 3. Food tasted GREAT, and many options available So I've lived on the south/southwest side for my whole life and always drove past this place. I don't know why it never occurred to me to try it out until recently and I'm glad I did. Excellent selection of Polish and other European dishes to try. If you're not feeling worldly, you can also choose from your typical american diner staples. I tried the Polish plate, yum! My fellow diners tried the cold and hot beet soup, extra yum! The waitress was super, duper, awesomely friendly and nice. She kept checking up on us to make sure we were ok. And although we took our time deciding where to sit and what to order, she didn't lose an ounce of patience or kindness. She was awesome. The food was DELICIOUS and fresh. Everything is reasonably priced and plenty of parking all around the restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Meghan S.
Normally I'd give this place 5 stars because I am a huge fan of the food, but my last experience was kind of rough due to our server. She was rude and very short with us. But I won't let this stop me from coming here again. The food is homemade and you know it! I'm hoping to be able to avoid this server again . Oh, one more thing, this is the cleanest restaurant I have ever been to!
(4)Frank J.
Some of the best Polish food on the South Side! I have been here several times and NEVER had a bad meal. Prices are fair and service is good. Everything has the home made taste and I think it probably is. This place takes you back to the meals Grandma used to make.
(5)Joel C.
Very Delicious and Cheap!!! This is by far the best restaurant we have tasted in Midway Area... You should try their beet soup and other good food, ask the waitress for recommendation.
(5)Daniel S.
Solid place for polish food, you get quite a lot when you order, I got the polish sausage and dumplings, which were good, also this broccoli salad side that was surprisingly good, also tried some kugelis and kiev, maybe not the best Ive had but not bad
(4)Steve F.
Short of needing a major makeover, this place has solid food in a fun, comforting sort of environment. There was some polka going on in the other room while I ate, and I found it to be enjoyable, considering the generally upbeat nature of the wait staff and patrons. The soups, particularly the beet, and the tripe, were stellar. The specials are cheap, the gnochhi is just right and the various meat dishes I tried were well seasoned and cooked. If you're looking for adventurous flavors and fancy ingredients, this isnt the place for you. If you like homestyle cooking with straight forward, simple flavor profiles, you should stop by. I wont go out of my way to stop here, but if its close and Im hungry, definitely!
(3)Linh L.
My relative came here from Vietnam recently and met a lot of Polish people so he was intrigued about their cuisine. We ordered so much food to try a little bit of everything -- apple pancakes, kugelis, pierogis, beet soup (which is milky), and braised beef over boiled potato dumplings = $27. I didn't enjoy it. There wasn't much meat or veggies with these entrees. Any vegetables we had were very sour. I'm glad that they had hot sauce on the table too. I wouldn't come back again. Overall, the entrees taste like war-food.... There was soooo much potato.
(1)Diana G.
Came here for breakfast and menu has quite a selection. I went with the Mabenka Special and my guy went with the Polish Special. Mabenka Special - 3 eggs, hash browns with onions, 2 sausage patties, toast and juice. Eggs were cooked perfectly. Hash browns were ok, didn't really taste the onions and wished I asked them to make them well done. Sausage patties tasted a bit different, but it was ok when I put some syrup on them. Polish special - I only tried the potato pancake and thought it was different. It was kinda spongy and dense and guess I wasn't expecting that. I wouldn't say they are exactly cheap, but nothing that will break your bank. Also, the waitresses are all very nice. Overall, it was ok, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Would like to go back to try that chicken dish that someone posted up though.
(3)Lauren F.
If you, like me, haven't had your Lithuanian grandmother's cooking in awhile and get a craving for potatoes, bacon, and butter-look no further than Mabenka for some deliciously awesome (although probably not so good for you) Lithuanian and Polish food! We ordered a ton of dishes and shared, as we usually do when indulging in Lithuanian cooking. We tried the Cold Beet soup, Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, Koldunai, and Cepelinai. Everything was delicious but I especially loved the Beet soup and Cepelinai. The Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, and Koldunai were all very good too-its just too hard to live up to my Mociute's! Our server was very friendly, the space is large, and the prices completely reasonable. Definitely a great place to visit for Polish and Lithuanian food in the Chicagoland area.
(4)Damian P.
Polish food galore. I mean seriously I love their food selection. Although my partner wasn't impressed since most of the foods had some kind of pork and he is so not into pork. BUt I digress, this is about me and my dumplings. Oh lord the dumplings are amazing and just everything is so delicious. I love how they bring you this basket of saltines and bread. The bread is really good, some kind of chewy wheatish bread, and just yummy! I think that for the area, it is a staple and I totally love them!
(5)Lupe G.
There once was a ton of awesome eateries where you could get delicious Polish items. This place has some REALLY good dishes but some are a miss. Still, when I'm jonesin' for some Polish LUV & I'm on the south side of the city, this is where it's at! ; )
(3)Loretta P.
My trusty DOP and I decided to go Polish/Lithuanian/German this evening. We both recall passing this unassuming establishment on several occasions, but never stopping in to check it out. Well, we remedied that mistake today! Irma, our server, was charmingly sweet, attentive, and accomodating. What more can you ask for? Let me first say that if you're planning to try Mabenka, you have to prepare yourself. Eat a regular-sized breakfast, then a light lunch, and don your pants with the stretchiest waistband for dinner. Every thing comes with something else! It reminds me of the old school Greek diners. We decided to order several different items, so as to try a bit of everything. We had a 3-item combo entreé that included a veal cutlet, Lithuanian sausage, and a breaded, fried chicken breast. It came with housemade sauerkraut w/bacon, soup or salad, potato pancakes (with applesauce and sour cream), coffee, and bread & butter. For $12.95! Next we got a dozen mixed pierogi (mushroom, meat, and potato & cheese), then Cepalinai (3 large, meat-filled potato dumplings) that came with soup or salad and coffee. We followed that up with an appetizer-sized order of apple pancakes, that came with whole cranberry sauce and syrup, for dessert. Everything was pretty tasty, except for the Cepalinai. But that may just be a cultural thing... Anyhoo, can you say stuffed?? And I won't need to figure out what to have for lunch tomorrow...
(4)David N.
Just like I always remembered.... butter, oil, grease, and more butter. Not sure if Mabenka serves much without rolling it in flour and throwing it in the fryer before serving it to your soon to be busted gut and unbuttoned pants. Despite said butter bath this place still puts out some killer Lithuanian/Polish dishes. A recent family visit netted some EKSTRA beers, beet soup, and flavorful heart-unhealthy grub. My starter beet soup (borscht) was fantastic. Served with a boiled potato, this stuff is sweet, savory, and perfectly paired with its tater counterpart. Split entrees with my wife, and dined on some formidable Potato Pancakes and Potato, Cheese, and Sweet Cheese pierogies. The pierogies weren't as buttered down as most, which should be a good thing, however it seemed to lack the traditional flavor of sweet and cholesterol. Smaller than most too. The Potato Pancakes however were freaking huge. Four potato pancake monstrosities, some sour cream, applesauce, and a warm glass of bedtime. If by some miracle you are able to finish these four beasts, grab the defibrillator and walk your ass to bed. Your going to need to recover from these things. Long story short, Mabenka serves up some traditional, admirable Lithuanian and Polish cuisine, paired with a decent drink and dessert menu, and most assuredly some laughs along the way. Bring the family and your stretch pants, you're going to need them both. CLEAR!!! P.S. Call ahead, it gets busy... and the parking sucks! Good luck!
(4)kelli s.
The food here is very good, much better than grand dukes. I love the beet soup and breaded pork tenderloin and the staff is always very friendly. The best European food around.
(5)C P.
Disappointing! My mother and myself went here over the weekend for breakfast and it was absolutely disgusting. We ordered to share a blueberry waffle and a skillet. The waffle was served as regular waffle with blueberry jelly dumped across the top and the sausage in the skillet was half burnt and the other half was raw. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed with the quality and it resulted in BOTH of us feeling sick the entire day. After living in the neighborhood for over 25yrs we will never visit this establishment again.
(1)Celina B.
jak siÄ™ masz?! GREAT! After I eat at Mabenka. I am a proud polish girl and i love polish food! My grandparents started taking me here when I was younger and I still love it to this day. It's closer to my grandparents though so if they go without me, they still bring me food! They have this soup there. It's pink. You may know it as hot borscht, but I know it as pink soup. It's my FAVORITE! I also go there for their golumpki too. Which if you don't know, is cabbage rolls. The last time I went here with my gramma I got so much food I was in a total food coma. But thats because they offer you soup or salad, and lots of sides! And it's all very reasonably priced. The women that work there are always super nice and always remember my grandparents. They're also very forgiving when you pronounce things incorrectly. My polish would be terrible if it weren't for them. I know that they also have a room for parties and I'm confused as to why I have not yet had a party there yet! Vodka and dumplings?! Hell. Yes. I have no complaints about this place at all. Love it!
(5)Mark H.
Good food and very reasonable pricing. The service was very good and the hostess made us feel like we were at her home. A very nice and relaxed place that has good good and good service. We will be back.
(4)Dave J.
Be sure not to eat for a day or two before coming here. The OUTSTANDING food is plentiful and quite filling. Emphasis here is on Eastern European (Polish and Lithuanian) comfort food, you know, sausages, dumplings, potato pancakes, noodles, pork...you get the idea. I heard somewhere, sometime, that the chef here used to work for the late Pope John Paul II. If that's true, then the Pope ate like a king! This chef is gifted! Everything here is prepared simply. No fancy sauces or garnishes...just straightforward, stick to your ribs food...like your grandma (provided she was from Eastern Europe) would make. Less is indeed more. Decor is a bit kitschy, but adds to the atmosphere and the food. You feel like you're in Grandma's dining room. The waitresses are friendly, and most of them are very attractive. This is where I go when I'm arriving or leaving from Midway Airport, or taking a friend or relative to the airport. I'm glad I don't visit Midway often, otherwise I'd be 50 pounds heavier than I am now. You'd be a bit intimidated by the voluminous menu, with the breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings contained therein. I'll make it easy for you. For the best dining experience, go for either the Polish OR the Lithuanian combination platter. You'll get a little bit of everything, which is a lot. Notice I emphasized the OR part. Because you definitely WON'T be able to finish BOTH combination platters in one sitting. Better yet, order one to eat in the restaurant and order the other one to take home with you. If you're there during breakfast hours, you can't go wrong with potato pancakes. I get excited when I get a request to pick up or deliver a family member or friend to Midway, because I know, without a doubt, that Mabenka is gonna be a part of my journey. Remember these key facts: Waitresses: Easy on the eyes. Food: Will fill your belly. Price: Easy on the wallet.
(5)Johnny B.
Absolutely delicious!!! Read no further...check Mabenka out for yourself!
(5)Dee C.
I had a great meal there, portions are generous and prices very reasonable. I ordered the duck and it looked like they gave me the whole bird. Its almost too much food but this is Chicago right! Attractive waitresses are always a bonus!
(4)Lisa Marie W.
Oh Mebenka, how is it that you did not come into my life sooner? I come from a very european family and my mom use to come here back in the day and said I should try it. I took her and my sister here today to try it for the first time, my mom said she was so glad that they were still good. They are so delicious and filling. We got a kugelis for a starter and it was like a giant piece of tiramsu made out of potato and bacon bits. You seriously need four people to eat it. My mom got pierogis, and borscht, I got borscht as well, they have the best borscht I have ever had, it has mushrooms in it fyi but it is so good and a lovely pink complete with boiled potato :) I could not finish the kugelis so I took it home, I could not finish my borscht so I took it home .Then my entree came- these monster dumplings called cepelinai they were each as big as a baked potato and weighed as much as a can of vegetables. They were so delicious and served with lots of bacon bits and sour cream. They give you the sour cream in packets, I guess it is just easy that way because of how much they go through. I ended up taking home so much food, cause if you actually ate all three of your cepelinai's I think you may like- die. I got my boyfriend a polish plate and took it home for him and he loved it. I will most certain come back for a foodgasm of european proportions, Warning though, this is serious food it is heavy and you get a lot of it so do not over do it. Hardcore European food is not for a light/ picky eater so if you are not a strong eater with a broad palate then maybe it is not for you. But I loved it and have food left over for days!
(5)Mary K.
How many restaurants are there in the Chicago area that serve genuine Polish and Lithuanian food that is really great eating? Believe me, they are becoming few and far between. Mabenka is likely one of the very few left, especially on the south side of Chicago. It's a rather large place that has a restaurant setting on one side, and an area for banquets and parties on the other side. While they do have a parking lot of their own, you'd be hard-pressed to find a space there most of the time, so be patient because your visit WILL be worth the wait. What do they offer? You name it and they have it in Polish or Lithuanian: sausage, soup, pierogi--multiple filling choices, roast pork, dumplings, sauerkraut, roast beef, soups, Kaldunai, Kugelis (TO DIE FOR), and a true variety of other Polish/ Lithuanian fare. Desserts are wonderful, the service was good, and the place is kept pretty clean. If you were raised in a Polish family like I was, or you happen to be Lithuanian, you will not be disappointed. You will be reminded of a different time when you were young, having meals with your family, and find yourself reminiscing about your heritage. A 4-thumbs-up!
(4)JD H.
Love this place. Stumbled upon it while working in Chicago back in the 2000s. Try to come whenever I'm up here. Totally untrendy atmosphere but the staff is very attentive and you just can't get this kind of food anywhere.
(4)Blythe Z.
Oh man do I love Polish food. Being of Polish heritage - I am very picky about my polish food always comparing to grandma's cooking. Lately I feel like the place has slipped a bit... quality of food/cleanliness. I mean, I have been going here for the past 10 years.... we even had my grandma's 85th birthday here which went really well. My favorite is the beat soup. I know it's bright pink and that may be a turn off to some ppl. but it really is the most delicious thing. They serve it with potato which you can cut up and add to the soup = oh it's heavenly. I also they the raisin bread on the table so yummy. I usually order the Polish sampler. Last time I went the service was off - and the food was not so great .... maybe they were having an off day, I'll give them one more try.
(3)Reiahnna J.
The waitress was nice. She gave us bread (different assortments) and asked us what we wanted to have right away. She also kept checking up on us. I ordered Pierogis as an appetizer (3 with potato and 3 with ground beef) and sour cream came with them. I also ordered a white zinfadel to drink. It was a little over $3 a small glass. For dinner, I had one of the Wednesday specials, the roasted leg of lamb with apple mint jelly and brown gravy, fries and vegetables. Soup came with it (noodle soup). The french fries were delicious, but the leg of lamb tasted better when I first got it. Later, it didn't so good cold. I put mint jelly on it and it tasted a little better. Plus, the vegetables tasted fresh. The restaurant was clean and the bathroom was dim, but clean. I gotta go. That food gave me the runs (but it still tasted okay).
(4)Chrissy N.
Have not been here yet, but it's on my list. I do have some info to pass along though. One of the chefs here, Krysztof, was at one time the personal chef of Pope John Paul II. He's been manning the kitchen for 4 or 5 years there. If dear Grandma were still here, I think visiting here would officially be her last wish. She would swoon at the idea of eating food prepared by the man who fed Pope John Paul II. (My sweet Catholic Polish grandmother.) So for Grandma, I will be stopping by soon and will update my review. Eat on, and Sto lat Mabenka, Sto lat. Article with the chef info: chicagoweekly.net/2011/0…
(4)Neko Mimi M.
Authentic, home-cooked, Polish and Lithuanian food. Not quite as good as my dziadek's, but its pretty close. Prices are very reasonable, portions are huge. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Good place to take your not-so-adventurous parents. Favorites: duck, borscht (beet soup, they serve theirs hot only), the Lithuanian combo plate. Only drawback is that if you are vegetarian you are screwed: there are few truly vegetarian options.
(4)Sarah S.
I heart this kind of comfort food.. it reminds me of my childhood.. :) This place stays packed so beware and parking can be a nightmare also.. I usually have lunch items when I go.. from cabbage rolls to sausages to potato pancakes to kraut.. its all good. Service is very attentive and the place is very clean. I would suggest this place for someone who wants to try something new and different if you are not familiar with the cuisine.. I will be going back again and again just as I have for years... that is as long as I find parking ;)
(4)Jeff G.
used to take my grandma to lunch here in the 90s, it was one of her faves, she loved it because it was good polish food. she used to love the white fish special, or maybe it was the salmon. i really don't remember what i thought of the place except that there was a lot of old people in there and that it was cheap happened to be in the area fri, went for lunch. it is still mainly old people eating there, but it did not seem as cheap as i recall. also, they seem to proclaim to be 50/50 split with a polish menu and latvian menu. anyways, food overall was a 3.5 quality, slightly above average, but i rounded up only because everything they made on my plate was homemade. like for example the sauerkraut which was decent, not great, but no one makes homemade sauerkraut. the cold beet soup which i added to my order for $1.50 was very tasty and creamy. potato pancakes were very good. the pierogis however i have to say i was not a fan of, i just didn't like the texture of the dough. but extra points for at least being homemade. on to the fresh polish sausage. it was ok. the waitress told me that "some guy makes it at home and brings it in every day". funny set up, i hope me saying this doesn't get health inspectors out there to check on this polish guy making a living making sausage for restaurants.
(4)Marzena M.
My parents and I have been coming here for so many years. The food is always delicious and fresh! I personally love the kugelis and the red beet soup. Definitely a great find for Polish-Lithuanian food. Beyond the food scope, the atmosphere is relaxed, family friendly, and authentic. The owner and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. The portions are large, filling, and delicious.
(5)Carly D.
I flew in from San Diego and my uncle got the recommendation to this place by a man in Midway airport. Perfect family restaurant with a hefty menu. A wide variety of items that resulted in little confusion to order (as I have never been to a Polish/Lithuanian restaurant), although....dun dun dun daaaa...our server rocked. She totally broke the menu items down. She gave details and recommendations for the food and even beer items. Super friendly young lady, really made us feel welcomed. My grandpa was excited that she spoke polish too and they got to exchange a few sentences, it made my day to see his smile. Customer service gets a two thumbs up...very attentive too. When we got our food we were impressed over the portions and the quality was even better. I had the dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes, meat....delicious. I can't wait to go back to this place when i visit again. Kudos to you Mabenka. You have a fine establishment and the world should know.
(4)Meridith H.
From the outside, it doesn't look like so much, but once you get inside, you're transported to a different place. The carefully arranged kitsch on the walls reminds me of a diner closer to north central Wisconsin than the southern Chicago suburbs. The waitress serves you with cheerfully accented English, and supports your dining experience every step of the way: "Good job!" - noting that I finished my soup "This is a good beer; I don't drink beer, but I remember from my college days that this is a good one." - upon my partner's order of a Lithuanian brew The place is clean and bright and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Prices are low and the quality is good. Get your pierogi fix here until Pierogi fest in Indiana (July 23 -25, 2010).
(3)Alean S.
The food was reasonably good. The veal cutlet was a very large portion, nicely cooked with an ample side of steamed vegetables. Garlic salad dressing had just the right bite. The kueglis serving was way too large to be enjoyable. The chicken needle soup was very good, well seasoned, nicely textured vegetables just the right balance of thin cut noodles. The pierogi were a bit of surprise in shape smaller diameter but much plumper than what I am used to but the flavor was spot on. I had mushroom/kraut and potato/cheese. A companion had potato and kraut. All delicious with a good spice balance. The hot beet soup was a meal in its own right. The rice pudding was a traditional custand based pudding. The only surprise was how loud the oompa band was. Loud but very enjoyable.
(4)Amanda R.
If you're looking for a great home cooked meal, this is the place to go! They offer traditional polish and European meals that taste like they came straight from grandmas house. I'd definitely recommend they're homemade soups and the famous stuffed cabbage with potato dumplings. You won't regret it! Service is great, just beware the area, lots of photo enforced lights!
(5)Johnny B.
I had been to Mabenka a few years ago. I don't often go to the south side. I was very disappointed with this visit. I brought a young date there who also had been there recently. I do not know if the cook/chef was ill or if there had been some "management" changes. We got there at 6:00 on a Saturday night and the place was 1/3 filled. On Sat night, a Denny's is more than 1/3 filled. We were seated on a sit where you want basis as there was no hostess. We got the humongous menu and before we could open it, or waitress asked us if we wanted to order. We asked for some water and my honey asked us what the soup was. We ordered that and I hoped she would take her time to serve. Well in less than two minutes we had soup. Not rushed too much and the place was MT. We mulled through the menu and ordered. In less than 5 minutes, our entrees arrived. My lovely had breaded pork chops (2 huge) and fries. I had 1/2 roast duck with dumplings and sauer kraut. Well, my honies fries is all she could eat. The breaded pork chops, were not pork chops. It looked like deep fried pork shoulder to look like chops. Have you ever had dark pork in a chop? I haven't. The fries were OK. My roasted duck was deep fried, at least to finish it off. Cutting though the fried skin did show some semi dry but edible duck. The kraut and the dumplings were good! My date was a little PO'd and so was I. She has a sweet tooth so she had a piece of apple pie. Good. Well we had some coffee and that was OK. We left without indigestion and a resolve on my part to cross off Mabenka from my go to place on the south side.
(2)Aaron K.
This place was good! I started a new job in Ashburn and was looking for a place for lunch. I dig it a lot. The lunchtime crowd caters more towards Chicago's venerable Polish and Lithuanian senior citizens who love reading the entire menu out loud to one another, but the food is definitely worth a trip back. Good prices, tasty homemade pierogis (I will never learn how to spell that right AND I DON'T CARE OK), and an interior that looks like Grandma's reading room. I'll be going back.
(4)Doug V.
my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Everytime I get to the Midway Airport I try to make the short trip here to eat. Great food, reasonable price, a fun experience. I love all the unique food.
(5)Maven V.
Excellent Polish and Lithuanian foods that took me back to my childhood when I visited Chicago recently. I tried a little bit of everything, including the potato pancakes, polish sausage, dumplings, and other items, and they were all really delicious. It's probably not the healthiest of food, but that's ok. I would highly recommend Mabenka, whether you're familiar with this food or never had it before.
(5)Meela P.
Great service. Potato pancakes were perfect!
(4)Dan E.
I was quite surprised to see this place already has 4 reviews. The extensive menu is Lithuanian/Polish/American with daily specials. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and clientele was mainly older people and a lot of families. I had the Lithuanian combo plate. Everything was tasty and fresh. The combo had a cepelinai (potato dumpling big as yer head stuffed with ground meat) and white (ie unsmoked) sausage. Prices are cheap and the place is spotless. They advertised breakfast specials in the window - its probably a great place for breakfast. Update: on a recent visit: 2 ample entrees served with soup, 2 soft drinks, one coffee plus 2 soups for carryout = $22.65 plus tip.
(4)Martha Z.
Oh what an Atkin's diet nightmare, carbs glorious starchy, meat and potato carbs. That's what you will get here. My personal pick is the Polish Special which is like a special every day and includes a Polish sausage, sauerkraut, 3 slices of pork tenderloin and kopitky. The meal also includes a nice big bowl of soup, borscht for me and a tasty basket of bread. The ambiance is a bit lackluster, but we did have the pleasure of listening to some live polka music that was playing from the banquet room. Hurrah!
(4)Johnny T.
The breaded veal cutlet had no taste at all & the amount of potatoes & gravy you got was too small. The two big pieces of breaded veal you got for $8.95 was the only thing that prevents me from giving a one star review.
(2)magic g.
good polish diner. mixture of polish and american home cooked dishes. fried duck was excellent. interior is very simple and clientèle is on the senior side :)
(3)Laurie W.
Bring on the potato pancakes, great sausages too, old school Polish-Lugan.
(5)Eric M.
Me and my dad have a special love for Mabenka. We stop here every time we drop off or pick up anyone from Midway airport. The food is great and super filling (pace yourself, don't fill up on bread and Polish beers). The interior is decent and is similar to the many Greek breakfast restaurants in the area. The food is delicous and like I said, filling. I feel like I should be trudging threw the snow chopping fire wood and shoeing horses for a few hours before I go in to eat there. Then I would feel more deserving of those steaming plates of sausage and potatoes brought by sexy east European women. The price is good and the service is always very nice.
(5)todd s.
Great Lithuanian dinner (not as good as my Grandmother's, but pretty close). Try the Lithuanian combo plate (kugelis, sauerkraut and Lithuanian sausage, cepelinais) - just don't go swimming afterwards. This is as good as it gets for Lithuanian food at a restaurant.
(5)Elizabeth K.
Golabki! Let me just start there. Golabki (stuffed cabbage) typifies my childhood growing up in within a Polish family in a Polish neighborhood, and it's the ultimate comfort food for me. Mabenka's is delicious. I also love their sauerkraut, which is fresh and doesn't have that icky, stinky, rotting cabbage smell. If you get an entree with a side item, you must get the finger dumplings--forget the potatoes! You can get potatoes anywhere. My entire family loves this restaurant. I'm not a fan of borscht, but my brother eats about three bowls of it when we go there. Their chicken soup is real, honest-to-goodness grandma chicken soup. The Lithuanian sausage (which is the kind of sausage we grew up eating, rather than the smoked "Polish" sausage) is yummy. My grandmother is wheelchair-bound at 88 years old, so unfortunately she can't cook for you. The next best thing: let Mabenka bring out the Polish in all of us.
(5)Brandi P.
I've eaten at this establishment twice now. The service is impeccable, so please tip your waiters/waitresses accordingly because they bust their butts! The food is also very fresh and on point. My favorite: the sweet cheese pierogis! I could stop in every and order these pierogis.. not just because they're delicious but because they are so cheap!!! Give this place a try, the outside may look a bit sketch but the quality of food and service you get on the inside, makes the trip worth your while!
(4)Ashley S.
This is the closest I have ever come to a place that has dumplings that taste like my grandma's !!! Why have I not been to this place sooner?! It's a small little place that packs it in the flavor department!! I had the sampler plate and I got a dozen of pierogis as well. Their sweet cheese pierogis are amazing! Everything I had (sausage, sourkraut, potato pancakes) were great! Just like how I remember! I can't wait to come back here again!
(5)Rosa J.
Book yourself a hotel nearby, because you will be so stuffed and become incapacitated. Mabenka, technically, is located in Burbank, a Chicagoland suburb southwest of the Midway Airport on S. Cicero Ave. Hubby and I wound up there because the Plan A restaurant we wanted to go was closed in observance of Labor Day. I bookmarked "Mabenka" awhile ago because there were many yummy photos taken by Yelp users that appeared to be worth a trip down this way. After walking into the door, I saw the familiar faces: the fellow senior citizens. Please let this 30-year-old Rosa J. become a honorary one because she's technically 68 years old, mentally (She's known to be extremely "old-souled)! Ok, I quickly located "cepelinai" on the menu. "Cepelinai" is a Lithuanian dumpling made out of ground meat, covered by grated potatoes, and topped off with bacon bits. In my layman food language, it resembles a silicon bra (nude bra), except everything is edible and delicious. Every entree came with three (3) dumplings, with sour cream on the side. After finishing one (1) of them, I was full. On the hand, hubby finished his "kugelis," a baked potato pudding. That "kugelis" was monstrous! How he finished this shall remain mystery. Many entrees come with soup or salad, coffee or dessert. I had the cream of sausage soup. I could have called it quits after this bowl of soup. That was awesomely hearty, with a plenty of boiled eggs and sausages inside. Hubby's hot beet soup was equivalently great! We didn't ask for the coffee because our stomachs couldn't house anymore food or liquid. Almost every patron had a "to-go" box in his/her hand, so you could probably tell that you would be served with a generous portion. Our check was $20 and some change, before tip. Oh man, there was no single compliant because my full stomach prevented me from spitting out any negative comment about this place.
(5)MC B.
If anyone has had a Busia or Babcia that cooked, this may be your place. After many years abroad I was excited to see Borscht on a restaurant menu. A lovely big bowl of pink beets, boiled potato, and some lovely rye bread. Many memories of childhood came flooding back. All the old world favourites are prepared perfectly. Friendly waitresses, heaps of good food, and a huge menu.
(4)Lisa P.
Authentic Lithuanian & Polish food. This food can pretty heavy on the starch and carbs, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. The corned beef was tough. The soups and Pierogis were generous. Sauerkraut is fresh and good. Service was very pleasant.
(4)Jan S.
Loved my meal! I had the roast pork loin with sauerkraut, applesauce and fingerling dumplings. The meal came with soup or salad. I chose the hot beet soup and it came with a boiled potato. It was a delicious combination. The pork loin was moist and fabulous! The waitress was really friendly and took great care of us noticing when we ran low on something and offered to bring it before we asked. I didn't care for the fingerling dumplings as they were just starch but my brother had the pierogi dumpling and it was delicious! Definitely going back the next time I visit Chicago.
(5)Anthony K.
It's like having a bunch of grandma's in the kitchen preparing your food. Awesome authentic Lithuanian dishes
(5)Christopher Y.
it's my first time here. my server was kind enough to guide me around the menu. so... i made my own combo: cutlet, polish sausage, roasted pork, with sauerkraut and the dumplings. it's damn good. great service, excellent food, and a very comfy environment.bmore people should come here!
(5)Meghan S.
One word: BORSCHT. Very small restaurant in Burbank. Good service. I didn't try anything else since I'm vegetarian, but my family was pleased!
(3)Carol D.
My husband and I have eaten here many times. The wait staff are very attentive. The food is Great! They have food specials every day, or else you can choose from the extensive menu. We go any time we are looking for our Polish / Lithuanian crave.
(5)Victoria K.
We came here for lunch. The specials are very cheap and pretty good. Soup was amazing. We had borch and their cabbage. By far one of the best soups I had in my life. Entree. We ordered the Lithuanian platter which had stuffed cabbage, sausage sauerkraut, kugelis. Ehh,not so good! Very disappointing since I am Lithuanian. O and cepelinai-zepelin were awful. Baked potatoes instead of real grated Lithuanian cepelinai. My opinion, if you can't make real lithuanian dishes just stick to Polish
(3)Chicago M.
Home cooking just like grandma use to make! Great flavors, good portions, decent value for the price. Will come again!
(5)Richard W.
M-m-m-m good! Home cookin' at its best. My partner had the Lithuanian Combination, my aunt had the pork chops, and I had the Polish Combination. Except for the dumplings (I know, how sad) the meals were excellent - well prepared, well seasoned, very large servings. The prices were inexpensive given the quantity of food - reminded me of visiting Grandma's who never felt we had eaten enough! The restaurant is brightly lit, so not exactly a romantic setting, but everything is neat and clean.
(4)Aaron Jae M.
Stopped here on the way to pick someone up from Midway airport. They have a very nice family friendly restaurant. The service is all very friendly and helpful. I ordered the polish combination plate and it was a ton of food. Way more than I expected. It came with some polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork cutlet, sauerkraut, a bowl of soup, apple sauce, gravy, and some horse radish for the sausage. The soup came out first and it was fast. I got the tomato rice (the soup of the day) and it was delicious and creamy. All the food was hearty and very filling. Classic polish style. One of the best spots to grab food near midway.
(4)Paul G.
Out of the blue to saw the sign outside and thought why not. Stopped by and glad I did!!!! Servers were amazing and friendly. Felt warm welcome and join the family. And ordered chicken with eggs for breakfast. And whoa. I love it!!!! Highly recommended!!! They also serve great bread for dinners! Thank you!!!!
(5)Monica B.
Really like the homemade vibe here!
(4)Pat M.
Just had breakfast here yesterday with friends and we had a variety of breakfasts and we all loved what we ate. Friendly service, clean place, varied choices on menu, loved the accents!
(4)George A.
Potato pancakes were great as was the service.
(4)Bob D.
The menu offers something for everyone. From American classics like pot roast or roasted pork, to Lithuanian kugelis (potato casserole), and Polish staples of perogi, stuffed cabbages and borscht. Everything is solid, but nothing will blow you away. If you want to save a couple bucks and quality is a secondary requirement then this place will not let you down. Huge portions and possibly the cheapest home style eats around, which is saying a lot on the South side. Don't get me wrong, the food would impress an out of towner or any one who doesn't know the options. You can induce stomach splitting heartburn in under 30 minutes, bring home an entire meal and look at some nice Euro trash eye candy all for under ten bucks. The room is a bit dingy, the parking is hellacious, with the front row dominated by pricey euro suv's parked parallel to traffic between Cicero and the building, they just drive over the curb to get in and out.
(3)Faiza A.
I really enjoyed my experience at Mabenka! The restaurant is cozy and has a family feel, and I did not feel out of place like I have at other Polish restaurants. Waitstaff was friendly and prompt. I was happy that to discover that they serve a soup without meat--potato--which was delicious! I was disappointed that kolachkys were not an option for dessert! Hopefully, it was just that day. I definitely plan on returning to Mabenka!
(4)Ramon R.
Food was, well, not good. Service was average at best. Can't see coming here ever again. The food seemed re-heated in a microwave!!!! my wife and I could not even finish it....
(1)Carolyn G.
We love our pergois and were so happy when a south-side relative suggested we meet for dinner at Mabenka. We never would have found this place, otherwise! I made a reservation for seven, with no difficulty. When we arrived, we were a party of eight. "No problem!" They shoved a couple of tables together and we were good to go. Oh, no! I miscounted, and we're actually a party of nine. Again, "No problem!" The added a table setting without even blinking. To start, we ordered several plates of pergois and several plates of potato pancakes. Both were so good (certified heart attack on a plate!)! Then we ordered some entrees, which included soup (borscht!). After the soup, I was so stuffed and took maybe two bites of my Polish Combo plate (sauerkraut, polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork loin). I took the rest home for leftovers tonight. Yes, the atmosphere is lackluster. Think: your great aunt's living room. Flowery decor and lots of elderly folks. However, the service was top notch. I never ran out of water and the servers didn't forget or screw up a single request. You don't find service like that anymore! We'll definitely be back. :)
(4)Jan S.
Loved my meal! I had the roast pork loin with sauerkraut, applesauce and fingerling dumplings. The meal came with soup or salad. I chose the hot beet soup and it came with a boiled potato. It was a delicious combination. The pork loin was moist and fabulous! The waitress was really friendly and took great care of us noticing when we ran low on something and offered to bring it before we asked. I didn't care for the fingerling dumplings as they were just starch but my brother had the pierogi dumpling and it was delicious! Definitely going back the next time I visit Chicago.
(5)Anthony K.
It's like having a bunch of grandma's in the kitchen preparing your food. Awesome authentic Lithuanian dishes
(5)Victoria K.
We came here for lunch. The specials are very cheap and pretty good. Soup was amazing. We had borch and their cabbage. By far one of the best soups I had in my life. Entree. We ordered the Lithuanian platter which had stuffed cabbage, sausage sauerkraut, kugelis. Ehh,not so good! Very disappointing since I am Lithuanian. O and cepelinai-zepelin were awful. Baked potatoes instead of real grated Lithuanian cepelinai. My opinion, if you can't make real lithuanian dishes just stick to Polish
(3)Chicago M.
Home cooking just like grandma use to make! Great flavors, good portions, decent value for the price. Will come again!
(5)Christopher Y.
it's my first time here. my server was kind enough to guide me around the menu. so... i made my own combo: cutlet, polish sausage, roasted pork, with sauerkraut and the dumplings. it's damn good. great service, excellent food, and a very comfy environment.bmore people should come here!
(5)Meghan S.
One word: BORSCHT. Very small restaurant in Burbank. Good service. I didn't try anything else since I'm vegetarian, but my family was pleased!
(3)Carol D.
My husband and I have eaten here many times. The wait staff are very attentive. The food is Great! They have food specials every day, or else you can choose from the extensive menu. We go any time we are looking for our Polish / Lithuanian crave.
(5)Ashley S.
This is the closest I have ever come to a place that has dumplings that taste like my grandma's !!! Why have I not been to this place sooner?! It's a small little place that packs it in the flavor department!! I had the sampler plate and I got a dozen of pierogis as well. Their sweet cheese pierogis are amazing! Everything I had (sausage, sourkraut, potato pancakes) were great! Just like how I remember! I can't wait to come back here again!
(5)Rosa J.
Book yourself a hotel nearby, because you will be so stuffed and become incapacitated. Mabenka, technically, is located in Burbank, a Chicagoland suburb southwest of the Midway Airport on S. Cicero Ave. Hubby and I wound up there because the Plan A restaurant we wanted to go was closed in observance of Labor Day. I bookmarked "Mabenka" awhile ago because there were many yummy photos taken by Yelp users that appeared to be worth a trip down this way. After walking into the door, I saw the familiar faces: the fellow senior citizens. Please let this 30-year-old Rosa J. become a honorary one because she's technically 68 years old, mentally (She's known to be extremely "old-souled)! Ok, I quickly located "cepelinai" on the menu. "Cepelinai" is a Lithuanian dumpling made out of ground meat, covered by grated potatoes, and topped off with bacon bits. In my layman food language, it resembles a silicon bra (nude bra), except everything is edible and delicious. Every entree came with three (3) dumplings, with sour cream on the side. After finishing one (1) of them, I was full. On the hand, hubby finished his "kugelis," a baked potato pudding. That "kugelis" was monstrous! How he finished this shall remain mystery. Many entrees come with soup or salad, coffee or dessert. I had the cream of sausage soup. I could have called it quits after this bowl of soup. That was awesomely hearty, with a plenty of boiled eggs and sausages inside. Hubby's hot beet soup was equivalently great! We didn't ask for the coffee because our stomachs couldn't house anymore food or liquid. Almost every patron had a "to-go" box in his/her hand, so you could probably tell that you would be served with a generous portion. Our check was $20 and some change, before tip. Oh man, there was no single compliant because my full stomach prevented me from spitting out any negative comment about this place.
(5)MC B.
If anyone has had a Busia or Babcia that cooked, this may be your place. After many years abroad I was excited to see Borscht on a restaurant menu. A lovely big bowl of pink beets, boiled potato, and some lovely rye bread. Many memories of childhood came flooding back. All the old world favourites are prepared perfectly. Friendly waitresses, heaps of good food, and a huge menu.
(4)Lisa P.
Authentic Lithuanian & Polish food. This food can pretty heavy on the starch and carbs, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. The corned beef was tough. The soups and Pierogis were generous. Sauerkraut is fresh and good. Service was very pleasant.
(4)Brandi P.
I've eaten at this establishment twice now. The service is impeccable, so please tip your waiters/waitresses accordingly because they bust their butts! The food is also very fresh and on point. My favorite: the sweet cheese pierogis! I could stop in every and order these pierogis.. not just because they're delicious but because they are so cheap!!! Give this place a try, the outside may look a bit sketch but the quality of food and service you get on the inside, makes the trip worth your while!
(4)Susan H.
Labas! This delightful, family-owned restaurant has long been a staple within Southside European circles....and thanks to Yelp, an entirely new generation can be gettin' crazy for Kugelis. When I am terribly homesick for my mother..when I'm missing my late-grandmother...when I yearn for the innocence of my Old-country-infused childhood, I turn my heavy heart toward Mabenka. I've yet to find a borscht on par with the varieties served here. I use lamb in my Oma's killer Lithuanian recipe, but their selections seem in keeping with Polish tradition and are immensely enjoyable; no matter how you slurp it, it's a dream. Curl up in a deep booth and enjoy an ice-cold Lithuanian Brew, hearty basket of soft, flavorful sweet & whole-grain breads, scratch-made soups, saucy stews or juicy sausage and butter-rich potato platters that are sure to soothe the spirit...and still leave you enough coin to take in a movie. Better yet...snag a galactic, baked-apple pancake for home and enjoy it with your feet up and your hand placed within your waistband in a manner that would do Al Bundy proud. Oh yesss.... The atmosphere is quiet, extremely casual and low-key. I stick with my favorites, which are Meat Blintzes (that I smother in unsweetened applesauce), Lithuanian Sausage, Cepelinai, Potato Pancakes and Borscht. It's worth the trip here for the Kugelis alone. Wat?! I know...I know. I'm a Kugelis snob..and I have earned that right as I grew up making the dish from scratch with some hardcore old-country women. Trust me when I say there is no better Kugelis than my family recipe, BUT...I will concede that they do a delish dish here. For those unfamiliar with Kugelis, it is the National Dish of Lithuania and is a thick potato pudding brimming with butter, salt and a plethora of bacon. It is traditionally baked in a deep pan til browned..spooned and served up with crispy bacon atop and a mere dollop of sour cream. Their version is sliced and much more loaf-like than my Grandmother's recipe, but it's mouthwatering and in keeping with how many European families choose to make it. I highly recommend it for lovers of all things potato. Skip Grand Duke's and come here instead..seriously. Over the years, they have moved away from German favorites. That's quite disappointing. Polish purists be aware that this is more of a fusion style restaurant where Lithuanian and Czech influences are present and so things may not be exactly as you expect them, but that does not mean they are not yummy. I know peeps truly dig their pierogi, but I think they need to step those up a bit as they often seem dry to me. Note to those who write reviews griping that there's too much potato/dough, everything is fattening or that there aren't more fresh veggies: This ethnic food stems from a long, rich history of people who ate for warmth or sheer survival with what little they could get their hands on and were oftentimes impoverished all while at the mercy of a soil and a climate that wasn't always green-veggie friendly. Tradition: How does it work? There is nothing else like Mabenka around these parts and so a solid five stars it is. Servers are refreshingly polite, kind and eager to see that you are pleased. I always leave with a full tummy and a smile. Save a visit here for a day when you're not watching your caloric intake or cholesterol. ;) Time-honored tradition and cooks who truly know their craft result in meals that feel as they were made by a Helga-fisted loved one. If a comfort-cloaked carb crash is what you seek..come to The Dark Side; we have pumpernickel.
(5)Raul I.
MY NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT! 1. SUPER friendly service 2. Very attentive and flexible with your order 3. Food tasted GREAT, and many options available So I've lived on the south/southwest side for my whole life and always drove past this place. I don't know why it never occurred to me to try it out until recently and I'm glad I did. Excellent selection of Polish and other European dishes to try. If you're not feeling worldly, you can also choose from your typical american diner staples. I tried the Polish plate, yum! My fellow diners tried the cold and hot beet soup, extra yum! The waitress was super, duper, awesomely friendly and nice. She kept checking up on us to make sure we were ok. And although we took our time deciding where to sit and what to order, she didn't lose an ounce of patience or kindness. She was awesome. The food was DELICIOUS and fresh. Everything is reasonably priced and plenty of parking all around the restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Meghan S.
Normally I'd give this place 5 stars because I am a huge fan of the food, but my last experience was kind of rough due to our server. She was rude and very short with us. But I won't let this stop me from coming here again. The food is homemade and you know it! I'm hoping to be able to avoid this server again . Oh, one more thing, this is the cleanest restaurant I have ever been to!
(4)Steve F.
Short of needing a major makeover, this place has solid food in a fun, comforting sort of environment. There was some polka going on in the other room while I ate, and I found it to be enjoyable, considering the generally upbeat nature of the wait staff and patrons. The soups, particularly the beet, and the tripe, were stellar. The specials are cheap, the gnochhi is just right and the various meat dishes I tried were well seasoned and cooked. If you're looking for adventurous flavors and fancy ingredients, this isnt the place for you. If you like homestyle cooking with straight forward, simple flavor profiles, you should stop by. I wont go out of my way to stop here, but if its close and Im hungry, definitely!
(3)Frank J.
Some of the best Polish food on the South Side! I have been here several times and NEVER had a bad meal. Prices are fair and service is good. Everything has the home made taste and I think it probably is. This place takes you back to the meals Grandma used to make.
(5)Joel C.
Very Delicious and Cheap!!! This is by far the best restaurant we have tasted in Midway Area... You should try their beet soup and other good food, ask the waitress for recommendation.
(5)Daniel S.
Solid place for polish food, you get quite a lot when you order, I got the polish sausage and dumplings, which were good, also this broccoli salad side that was surprisingly good, also tried some kugelis and kiev, maybe not the best Ive had but not bad
(4)Diana G.
Came here for breakfast and menu has quite a selection. I went with the Mabenka Special and my guy went with the Polish Special. Mabenka Special - 3 eggs, hash browns with onions, 2 sausage patties, toast and juice. Eggs were cooked perfectly. Hash browns were ok, didn't really taste the onions and wished I asked them to make them well done. Sausage patties tasted a bit different, but it was ok when I put some syrup on them. Polish special - I only tried the potato pancake and thought it was different. It was kinda spongy and dense and guess I wasn't expecting that. I wouldn't say they are exactly cheap, but nothing that will break your bank. Also, the waitresses are all very nice. Overall, it was ok, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Would like to go back to try that chicken dish that someone posted up though.
(3)Lauren F.
If you, like me, haven't had your Lithuanian grandmother's cooking in awhile and get a craving for potatoes, bacon, and butter-look no further than Mabenka for some deliciously awesome (although probably not so good for you) Lithuanian and Polish food! We ordered a ton of dishes and shared, as we usually do when indulging in Lithuanian cooking. We tried the Cold Beet soup, Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, Koldunai, and Cepelinai. Everything was delicious but I especially loved the Beet soup and Cepelinai. The Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, and Koldunai were all very good too-its just too hard to live up to my Mociute's! Our server was very friendly, the space is large, and the prices completely reasonable. Definitely a great place to visit for Polish and Lithuanian food in the Chicagoland area.
(4)Damian P.
Polish food galore. I mean seriously I love their food selection. Although my partner wasn't impressed since most of the foods had some kind of pork and he is so not into pork. BUt I digress, this is about me and my dumplings. Oh lord the dumplings are amazing and just everything is so delicious. I love how they bring you this basket of saltines and bread. The bread is really good, some kind of chewy wheatish bread, and just yummy! I think that for the area, it is a staple and I totally love them!
(5)Paul G.
Out of the blue to saw the sign outside and thought why not. Stopped by and glad I did!!!! Servers were amazing and friendly. Felt warm welcome and join the family. And ordered chicken with eggs for breakfast. And whoa. I love it!!!! Highly recommended!!! They also serve great bread for dinners! Thank you!!!!
(5)Monica B.
Really like the homemade vibe here!
(4)Lupe G.
There once was a ton of awesome eateries where you could get delicious Polish items. This place has some REALLY good dishes but some are a miss. Still, when I'm jonesin' for some Polish LUV & I'm on the south side of the city, this is where it's at! ; )
(3)Loretta P.
My trusty DOP and I decided to go Polish/Lithuanian/German this evening. We both recall passing this unassuming establishment on several occasions, but never stopping in to check it out. Well, we remedied that mistake today! Irma, our server, was charmingly sweet, attentive, and accomodating. What more can you ask for? Let me first say that if you're planning to try Mabenka, you have to prepare yourself. Eat a regular-sized breakfast, then a light lunch, and don your pants with the stretchiest waistband for dinner. Every thing comes with something else! It reminds me of the old school Greek diners. We decided to order several different items, so as to try a bit of everything. We had a 3-item combo entreé that included a veal cutlet, Lithuanian sausage, and a breaded, fried chicken breast. It came with housemade sauerkraut w/bacon, soup or salad, potato pancakes (with applesauce and sour cream), coffee, and bread & butter. For $12.95! Next we got a dozen mixed pierogi (mushroom, meat, and potato & cheese), then Cepalinai (3 large, meat-filled potato dumplings) that came with soup or salad and coffee. We followed that up with an appetizer-sized order of apple pancakes, that came with whole cranberry sauce and syrup, for dessert. Everything was pretty tasty, except for the Cepalinai. But that may just be a cultural thing... Anyhoo, can you say stuffed?? And I won't need to figure out what to have for lunch tomorrow...
(4)David N.
Just like I always remembered.... butter, oil, grease, and more butter. Not sure if Mabenka serves much without rolling it in flour and throwing it in the fryer before serving it to your soon to be busted gut and unbuttoned pants. Despite said butter bath this place still puts out some killer Lithuanian/Polish dishes. A recent family visit netted some EKSTRA beers, beet soup, and flavorful heart-unhealthy grub. My starter beet soup (borscht) was fantastic. Served with a boiled potato, this stuff is sweet, savory, and perfectly paired with its tater counterpart. Split entrees with my wife, and dined on some formidable Potato Pancakes and Potato, Cheese, and Sweet Cheese pierogies. The pierogies weren't as buttered down as most, which should be a good thing, however it seemed to lack the traditional flavor of sweet and cholesterol. Smaller than most too. The Potato Pancakes however were freaking huge. Four potato pancake monstrosities, some sour cream, applesauce, and a warm glass of bedtime. If by some miracle you are able to finish these four beasts, grab the defibrillator and walk your ass to bed. Your going to need to recover from these things. Long story short, Mabenka serves up some traditional, admirable Lithuanian and Polish cuisine, paired with a decent drink and dessert menu, and most assuredly some laughs along the way. Bring the family and your stretch pants, you're going to need them both. CLEAR!!! P.S. Call ahead, it gets busy... and the parking sucks! Good luck!
(4)kelli s.
The food here is very good, much better than grand dukes. I love the beet soup and breaded pork tenderloin and the staff is always very friendly. The best European food around.
(5)Celina B.
jak siÄ™ masz?! GREAT! After I eat at Mabenka. I am a proud polish girl and i love polish food! My grandparents started taking me here when I was younger and I still love it to this day. It's closer to my grandparents though so if they go without me, they still bring me food! They have this soup there. It's pink. You may know it as hot borscht, but I know it as pink soup. It's my FAVORITE! I also go there for their golumpki too. Which if you don't know, is cabbage rolls. The last time I went here with my gramma I got so much food I was in a total food coma. But thats because they offer you soup or salad, and lots of sides! And it's all very reasonably priced. The women that work there are always super nice and always remember my grandparents. They're also very forgiving when you pronounce things incorrectly. My polish would be terrible if it weren't for them. I know that they also have a room for parties and I'm confused as to why I have not yet had a party there yet! Vodka and dumplings?! Hell. Yes. I have no complaints about this place at all. Love it!
(5)Dave J.
Be sure not to eat for a day or two before coming here. The OUTSTANDING food is plentiful and quite filling. Emphasis here is on Eastern European (Polish and Lithuanian) comfort food, you know, sausages, dumplings, potato pancakes, noodles, pork...you get the idea. I heard somewhere, sometime, that the chef here used to work for the late Pope John Paul II. If that's true, then the Pope ate like a king! This chef is gifted! Everything here is prepared simply. No fancy sauces or garnishes...just straightforward, stick to your ribs food...like your grandma (provided she was from Eastern Europe) would make. Less is indeed more. Decor is a bit kitschy, but adds to the atmosphere and the food. You feel like you're in Grandma's dining room. The waitresses are friendly, and most of them are very attractive. This is where I go when I'm arriving or leaving from Midway Airport, or taking a friend or relative to the airport. I'm glad I don't visit Midway often, otherwise I'd be 50 pounds heavier than I am now. You'd be a bit intimidated by the voluminous menu, with the breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings contained therein. I'll make it easy for you. For the best dining experience, go for either the Polish OR the Lithuanian combination platter. You'll get a little bit of everything, which is a lot. Notice I emphasized the OR part. Because you definitely WON'T be able to finish BOTH combination platters in one sitting. Better yet, order one to eat in the restaurant and order the other one to take home with you. If you're there during breakfast hours, you can't go wrong with potato pancakes. I get excited when I get a request to pick up or deliver a family member or friend to Midway, because I know, without a doubt, that Mabenka is gonna be a part of my journey. Remember these key facts: Waitresses: Easy on the eyes. Food: Will fill your belly. Price: Easy on the wallet.
(5)Pat M.
Just had breakfast here yesterday with friends and we had a variety of breakfasts and we all loved what we ate. Friendly service, clean place, varied choices on menu, loved the accents!
(4)George A.
Potato pancakes were great as was the service.
(4)Lisa Marie W.
Oh Mebenka, how is it that you did not come into my life sooner? I come from a very european family and my mom use to come here back in the day and said I should try it. I took her and my sister here today to try it for the first time, my mom said she was so glad that they were still good. They are so delicious and filling. We got a kugelis for a starter and it was like a giant piece of tiramsu made out of potato and bacon bits. You seriously need four people to eat it. My mom got pierogis, and borscht, I got borscht as well, they have the best borscht I have ever had, it has mushrooms in it fyi but it is so good and a lovely pink complete with boiled potato :) I could not finish the kugelis so I took it home, I could not finish my borscht so I took it home .Then my entree came- these monster dumplings called cepelinai they were each as big as a baked potato and weighed as much as a can of vegetables. They were so delicious and served with lots of bacon bits and sour cream. They give you the sour cream in packets, I guess it is just easy that way because of how much they go through. I ended up taking home so much food, cause if you actually ate all three of your cepelinai's I think you may like- die. I got my boyfriend a polish plate and took it home for him and he loved it. I will most certain come back for a foodgasm of european proportions, Warning though, this is serious food it is heavy and you get a lot of it so do not over do it. Hardcore European food is not for a light/ picky eater so if you are not a strong eater with a broad palate then maybe it is not for you. But I loved it and have food left over for days!
(5)Mark H.
Good food and very reasonable pricing. The service was very good and the hostess made us feel like we were at her home. A very nice and relaxed place that has good good and good service. We will be back.
(4)Mary K.
How many restaurants are there in the Chicago area that serve genuine Polish and Lithuanian food that is really great eating? Believe me, they are becoming few and far between. Mabenka is likely one of the very few left, especially on the south side of Chicago. It's a rather large place that has a restaurant setting on one side, and an area for banquets and parties on the other side. While they do have a parking lot of their own, you'd be hard-pressed to find a space there most of the time, so be patient because your visit WILL be worth the wait. What do they offer? You name it and they have it in Polish or Lithuanian: sausage, soup, pierogi--multiple filling choices, roast pork, dumplings, sauerkraut, roast beef, soups, Kaldunai, Kugelis (TO DIE FOR), and a true variety of other Polish/ Lithuanian fare. Desserts are wonderful, the service was good, and the place is kept pretty clean. If you were raised in a Polish family like I was, or you happen to be Lithuanian, you will not be disappointed. You will be reminded of a different time when you were young, having meals with your family, and find yourself reminiscing about your heritage. A 4-thumbs-up!
(4)JD H.
Love this place. Stumbled upon it while working in Chicago back in the 2000s. Try to come whenever I'm up here. Totally untrendy atmosphere but the staff is very attentive and you just can't get this kind of food anywhere.
(4)Blythe Z.
Oh man do I love Polish food. Being of Polish heritage - I am very picky about my polish food always comparing to grandma's cooking. Lately I feel like the place has slipped a bit... quality of food/cleanliness. I mean, I have been going here for the past 10 years.... we even had my grandma's 85th birthday here which went really well. My favorite is the beat soup. I know it's bright pink and that may be a turn off to some ppl. but it really is the most delicious thing. They serve it with potato which you can cut up and add to the soup = oh it's heavenly. I also they the raisin bread on the table so yummy. I usually order the Polish sampler. Last time I went the service was off - and the food was not so great .... maybe they were having an off day, I'll give them one more try.
(3)Reiahnna J.
The waitress was nice. She gave us bread (different assortments) and asked us what we wanted to have right away. She also kept checking up on us. I ordered Pierogis as an appetizer (3 with potato and 3 with ground beef) and sour cream came with them. I also ordered a white zinfadel to drink. It was a little over $3 a small glass. For dinner, I had one of the Wednesday specials, the roasted leg of lamb with apple mint jelly and brown gravy, fries and vegetables. Soup came with it (noodle soup). The french fries were delicious, but the leg of lamb tasted better when I first got it. Later, it didn't so good cold. I put mint jelly on it and it tasted a little better. Plus, the vegetables tasted fresh. The restaurant was clean and the bathroom was dim, but clean. I gotta go. That food gave me the runs (but it still tasted okay).
(4)Chrissy N.
Have not been here yet, but it's on my list. I do have some info to pass along though. One of the chefs here, Krysztof, was at one time the personal chef of Pope John Paul II. He's been manning the kitchen for 4 or 5 years there. If dear Grandma were still here, I think visiting here would officially be her last wish. She would swoon at the idea of eating food prepared by the man who fed Pope John Paul II. (My sweet Catholic Polish grandmother.) So for Grandma, I will be stopping by soon and will update my review. Eat on, and Sto lat Mabenka, Sto lat. Article with the chef info: chicagoweekly.net/2011/0…
(4)Neko Mimi M.
Authentic, home-cooked, Polish and Lithuanian food. Not quite as good as my dziadek's, but its pretty close. Prices are very reasonable, portions are huge. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Good place to take your not-so-adventurous parents. Favorites: duck, borscht (beet soup, they serve theirs hot only), the Lithuanian combo plate. Only drawback is that if you are vegetarian you are screwed: there are few truly vegetarian options.
(4)Sarah S.
I heart this kind of comfort food.. it reminds me of my childhood.. :) This place stays packed so beware and parking can be a nightmare also.. I usually have lunch items when I go.. from cabbage rolls to sausages to potato pancakes to kraut.. its all good. Service is very attentive and the place is very clean. I would suggest this place for someone who wants to try something new and different if you are not familiar with the cuisine.. I will be going back again and again just as I have for years... that is as long as I find parking ;)
(4)Jeff G.
used to take my grandma to lunch here in the 90s, it was one of her faves, she loved it because it was good polish food. she used to love the white fish special, or maybe it was the salmon. i really don't remember what i thought of the place except that there was a lot of old people in there and that it was cheap happened to be in the area fri, went for lunch. it is still mainly old people eating there, but it did not seem as cheap as i recall. also, they seem to proclaim to be 50/50 split with a polish menu and latvian menu. anyways, food overall was a 3.5 quality, slightly above average, but i rounded up only because everything they made on my plate was homemade. like for example the sauerkraut which was decent, not great, but no one makes homemade sauerkraut. the cold beet soup which i added to my order for $1.50 was very tasty and creamy. potato pancakes were very good. the pierogis however i have to say i was not a fan of, i just didn't like the texture of the dough. but extra points for at least being homemade. on to the fresh polish sausage. it was ok. the waitress told me that "some guy makes it at home and brings it in every day". funny set up, i hope me saying this doesn't get health inspectors out there to check on this polish guy making a living making sausage for restaurants.
(4)Marzena M.
My parents and I have been coming here for so many years. The food is always delicious and fresh! I personally love the kugelis and the red beet soup. Definitely a great find for Polish-Lithuanian food. Beyond the food scope, the atmosphere is relaxed, family friendly, and authentic. The owner and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. The portions are large, filling, and delicious.
(5)Carly D.
I flew in from San Diego and my uncle got the recommendation to this place by a man in Midway airport. Perfect family restaurant with a hefty menu. A wide variety of items that resulted in little confusion to order (as I have never been to a Polish/Lithuanian restaurant), although....dun dun dun daaaa...our server rocked. She totally broke the menu items down. She gave details and recommendations for the food and even beer items. Super friendly young lady, really made us feel welcomed. My grandpa was excited that she spoke polish too and they got to exchange a few sentences, it made my day to see his smile. Customer service gets a two thumbs up...very attentive too. When we got our food we were impressed over the portions and the quality was even better. I had the dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes, meat....delicious. I can't wait to go back to this place when i visit again. Kudos to you Mabenka. You have a fine establishment and the world should know.
(4)Meridith H.
From the outside, it doesn't look like so much, but once you get inside, you're transported to a different place. The carefully arranged kitsch on the walls reminds me of a diner closer to north central Wisconsin than the southern Chicago suburbs. The waitress serves you with cheerfully accented English, and supports your dining experience every step of the way: "Good job!" - noting that I finished my soup "This is a good beer; I don't drink beer, but I remember from my college days that this is a good one." - upon my partner's order of a Lithuanian brew The place is clean and bright and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Prices are low and the quality is good. Get your pierogi fix here until Pierogi fest in Indiana (July 23 -25, 2010).
(3)Maven V.
Excellent Polish and Lithuanian foods that took me back to my childhood when I visited Chicago recently. I tried a little bit of everything, including the potato pancakes, polish sausage, dumplings, and other items, and they were all really delicious. It's probably not the healthiest of food, but that's ok. I would highly recommend Mabenka, whether you're familiar with this food or never had it before.
(5)Alean S.
The food was reasonably good. The veal cutlet was a very large portion, nicely cooked with an ample side of steamed vegetables. Garlic salad dressing had just the right bite. The kueglis serving was way too large to be enjoyable. The chicken needle soup was very good, well seasoned, nicely textured vegetables just the right balance of thin cut noodles. The pierogi were a bit of surprise in shape smaller diameter but much plumper than what I am used to but the flavor was spot on. I had mushroom/kraut and potato/cheese. A companion had potato and kraut. All delicious with a good spice balance. The hot beet soup was a meal in its own right. The rice pudding was a traditional custand based pudding. The only surprise was how loud the oompa band was. Loud but very enjoyable.
(4)Johnny B.
I had been to Mabenka a few years ago. I don't often go to the south side. I was very disappointed with this visit. I brought a young date there who also had been there recently. I do not know if the cook/chef was ill or if there had been some "management" changes. We got there at 6:00 on a Saturday night and the place was 1/3 filled. On Sat night, a Denny's is more than 1/3 filled. We were seated on a sit where you want basis as there was no hostess. We got the humongous menu and before we could open it, or waitress asked us if we wanted to order. We asked for some water and my honey asked us what the soup was. We ordered that and I hoped she would take her time to serve. Well in less than two minutes we had soup. Not rushed too much and the place was MT. We mulled through the menu and ordered. In less than 5 minutes, our entrees arrived. My lovely had breaded pork chops (2 huge) and fries. I had 1/2 roast duck with dumplings and sauer kraut. Well, my honies fries is all she could eat. The breaded pork chops, were not pork chops. It looked like deep fried pork shoulder to look like chops. Have you ever had dark pork in a chop? I haven't. The fries were OK. My roasted duck was deep fried, at least to finish it off. Cutting though the fried skin did show some semi dry but edible duck. The kraut and the dumplings were good! My date was a little PO'd and so was I. She has a sweet tooth so she had a piece of apple pie. Good. Well we had some coffee and that was OK. We left without indigestion and a resolve on my part to cross off Mabenka from my go to place on the south side.
(2)Aaron K.
This place was good! I started a new job in Ashburn and was looking for a place for lunch. I dig it a lot. The lunchtime crowd caters more towards Chicago's venerable Polish and Lithuanian senior citizens who love reading the entire menu out loud to one another, but the food is definitely worth a trip back. Good prices, tasty homemade pierogis (I will never learn how to spell that right AND I DON'T CARE OK), and an interior that looks like Grandma's reading room. I'll be going back.
(4)Doug V.
my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Everytime I get to the Midway Airport I try to make the short trip here to eat. Great food, reasonable price, a fun experience. I love all the unique food.
(5)Richard W.
M-m-m-m good! Home cookin' at its best. My partner had the Lithuanian Combination, my aunt had the pork chops, and I had the Polish Combination. Except for the dumplings (I know, how sad) the meals were excellent - well prepared, well seasoned, very large servings. The prices were inexpensive given the quantity of food - reminded me of visiting Grandma's who never felt we had eaten enough! The restaurant is brightly lit, so not exactly a romantic setting, but everything is neat and clean.
(4)Aaron Jae M.
Stopped here on the way to pick someone up from Midway airport. They have a very nice family friendly restaurant. The service is all very friendly and helpful. I ordered the polish combination plate and it was a ton of food. Way more than I expected. It came with some polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork cutlet, sauerkraut, a bowl of soup, apple sauce, gravy, and some horse radish for the sausage. The soup came out first and it was fast. I got the tomato rice (the soup of the day) and it was delicious and creamy. All the food was hearty and very filling. Classic polish style. One of the best spots to grab food near midway.
(4)Bobby O.
Are you ready for some heavy European food? I am...here at Mabenka. From soups, to dumplings, to cutlets and pork butts they have it all. The service is good and the menu has a wide variety. I mostly eat lunch here and it is a staple on the southwest side. Family owned it exudes that warm welcome feeling when you first walk in. Parking is ample and it is right off 79th Cicero. KUGELIS!
(4)Bonnie B.
Wonderful homemade soup. And the best homemade food ever. Always good service. My friends and I try to get there often. Never a let down. Auksin (might be misspelled) is the server we always request. She knows exactly what we like & dislike. She knows us very well. If we don't get her I have to say we still have wonderful service, and care.
(5)Linh L.
My relative came here from Vietnam recently and met a lot of Polish people so he was intrigued about their cuisine. We ordered so much food to try a little bit of everything -- apple pancakes, kugelis, pierogis, beet soup (which is milky), and braised beef over boiled potato dumplings = $27. I didn't enjoy it. There wasn't much meat or veggies with these entrees. Any vegetables we had were very sour. I'm glad that they had hot sauce on the table too. I wouldn't come back again. Overall, the entrees taste like war-food.... There was soooo much potato.
(1)Meela P.
Great service. Potato pancakes were perfect!
(4)Bob D.
The menu offers something for everyone. From American classics like pot roast or roasted pork, to Lithuanian kugelis (potato casserole), and Polish staples of perogi, stuffed cabbages and borscht. Everything is solid, but nothing will blow you away. If you want to save a couple bucks and quality is a secondary requirement then this place will not let you down. Huge portions and possibly the cheapest home style eats around, which is saying a lot on the South side. Don't get me wrong, the food would impress an out of towner or any one who doesn't know the options. You can induce stomach splitting heartburn in under 30 minutes, bring home an entire meal and look at some nice Euro trash eye candy all for under ten bucks. The room is a bit dingy, the parking is hellacious, with the front row dominated by pricey euro suv's parked parallel to traffic between Cicero and the building, they just drive over the curb to get in and out.
(3)Faiza A.
I really enjoyed my experience at Mabenka! The restaurant is cozy and has a family feel, and I did not feel out of place like I have at other Polish restaurants. Waitstaff was friendly and prompt. I was happy that to discover that they serve a soup without meat--potato--which was delicious! I was disappointed that kolachkys were not an option for dessert! Hopefully, it was just that day. I definitely plan on returning to Mabenka!
(4)Ramon R.
Food was, well, not good. Service was average at best. Can't see coming here ever again. The food seemed re-heated in a microwave!!!! my wife and I could not even finish it....
(1)Carolyn G.
We love our pergois and were so happy when a south-side relative suggested we meet for dinner at Mabenka. We never would have found this place, otherwise! I made a reservation for seven, with no difficulty. When we arrived, we were a party of eight. "No problem!" They shoved a couple of tables together and we were good to go. Oh, no! I miscounted, and we're actually a party of nine. Again, "No problem!" The added a table setting without even blinking. To start, we ordered several plates of pergois and several plates of potato pancakes. Both were so good (certified heart attack on a plate!)! Then we ordered some entrees, which included soup (borscht!). After the soup, I was so stuffed and took maybe two bites of my Polish Combo plate (sauerkraut, polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork loin). I took the rest home for leftovers tonight. Yes, the atmosphere is lackluster. Think: your great aunt's living room. Flowery decor and lots of elderly folks. However, the service was top notch. I never ran out of water and the servers didn't forget or screw up a single request. You don't find service like that anymore! We'll definitely be back. :)
(4)C P.
Disappointing! My mother and myself went here over the weekend for breakfast and it was absolutely disgusting. We ordered to share a blueberry waffle and a skillet. The waffle was served as regular waffle with blueberry jelly dumped across the top and the sausage in the skillet was half burnt and the other half was raw. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed with the quality and it resulted in BOTH of us feeling sick the entire day. After living in the neighborhood for over 25yrs we will never visit this establishment again.
(1)Dan E.
I was quite surprised to see this place already has 4 reviews. The extensive menu is Lithuanian/Polish/American with daily specials. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and clientele was mainly older people and a lot of families. I had the Lithuanian combo plate. Everything was tasty and fresh. The combo had a cepelinai (potato dumpling big as yer head stuffed with ground meat) and white (ie unsmoked) sausage. Prices are cheap and the place is spotless. They advertised breakfast specials in the window - its probably a great place for breakfast. Update: on a recent visit: 2 ample entrees served with soup, 2 soft drinks, one coffee plus 2 soups for carryout = $22.65 plus tip.
(4)Amanda R.
If you're looking for a great home cooked meal, this is the place to go! They offer traditional polish and European meals that taste like they came straight from grandmas house. I'd definitely recommend they're homemade soups and the famous stuffed cabbage with potato dumplings. You won't regret it! Service is great, just beware the area, lots of photo enforced lights!
(5)Martha Z.
Oh what an Atkin's diet nightmare, carbs glorious starchy, meat and potato carbs. That's what you will get here. My personal pick is the Polish Special which is like a special every day and includes a Polish sausage, sauerkraut, 3 slices of pork tenderloin and kopitky. The meal also includes a nice big bowl of soup, borscht for me and a tasty basket of bread. The ambiance is a bit lackluster, but we did have the pleasure of listening to some live polka music that was playing from the banquet room. Hurrah!
(4)Johnny T.
The breaded veal cutlet had no taste at all & the amount of potatoes & gravy you got was too small. The two big pieces of breaded veal you got for $8.95 was the only thing that prevents me from giving a one star review.
(2)magic g.
good polish diner. mixture of polish and american home cooked dishes. fried duck was excellent. interior is very simple and clientèle is on the senior side :)
(3)Laurie W.
Bring on the potato pancakes, great sausages too, old school Polish-Lugan.
(5)Eric M.
Me and my dad have a special love for Mabenka. We stop here every time we drop off or pick up anyone from Midway airport. The food is great and super filling (pace yourself, don't fill up on bread and Polish beers). The interior is decent and is similar to the many Greek breakfast restaurants in the area. The food is delicous and like I said, filling. I feel like I should be trudging threw the snow chopping fire wood and shoeing horses for a few hours before I go in to eat there. Then I would feel more deserving of those steaming plates of sausage and potatoes brought by sexy east European women. The price is good and the service is always very nice.
(5)todd s.
Great Lithuanian dinner (not as good as my Grandmother's, but pretty close). Try the Lithuanian combo plate (kugelis, sauerkraut and Lithuanian sausage, cepelinais) - just don't go swimming afterwards. This is as good as it gets for Lithuanian food at a restaurant.
(5)Johnny B.
Absolutely delicious!!! Read no further...check Mabenka out for yourself!
(5)Dee C.
I had a great meal there, portions are generous and prices very reasonable. I ordered the duck and it looked like they gave me the whole bird. Its almost too much food but this is Chicago right! Attractive waitresses are always a bonus!
(4)Elizabeth K.
Golabki! Let me just start there. Golabki (stuffed cabbage) typifies my childhood growing up in within a Polish family in a Polish neighborhood, and it's the ultimate comfort food for me. Mabenka's is delicious. I also love their sauerkraut, which is fresh and doesn't have that icky, stinky, rotting cabbage smell. If you get an entree with a side item, you must get the finger dumplings--forget the potatoes! You can get potatoes anywhere. My entire family loves this restaurant. I'm not a fan of borscht, but my brother eats about three bowls of it when we go there. Their chicken soup is real, honest-to-goodness grandma chicken soup. The Lithuanian sausage (which is the kind of sausage we grew up eating, rather than the smoked "Polish" sausage) is yummy. My grandmother is wheelchair-bound at 88 years old, so unfortunately she can't cook for you. The next best thing: let Mabenka bring out the Polish in all of us.
(5)David N.
Just like I always remembered.... butter, oil, grease, and more butter. Not sure if Mabenka serves much without rolling it in flour and throwing it in the fryer before serving it to your soon to be busted gut and unbuttoned pants. Despite said butter bath this place still puts out some killer Lithuanian/Polish dishes. A recent family visit netted some EKSTRA beers, beet soup, and flavorful heart-unhealthy grub. My starter beet soup (borscht) was fantastic. Served with a boiled potato, this stuff is sweet, savory, and perfectly paired with its tater counterpart. Split entrees with my wife, and dined on some formidable Potato Pancakes and Potato, Cheese, and Sweet Cheese pierogies. The pierogies weren't as buttered down as most, which should be a good thing, however it seemed to lack the traditional flavor of sweet and cholesterol. Smaller than most too. The Potato Pancakes however were freaking huge. Four potato pancake monstrosities, some sour cream, applesauce, and a warm glass of bedtime. If by some miracle you are able to finish these four beasts, grab the defibrillator and walk your ass to bed. Your going to need to recover from these things. Long story short, Mabenka serves up some traditional, admirable Lithuanian and Polish cuisine, paired with a decent drink and dessert menu, and most assuredly some laughs along the way. Bring the family and your stretch pants, you're going to need them both. CLEAR!!! P.S. Call ahead, it gets busy... and the parking sucks! Good luck!
(4)kelli s.
The food here is very good, much better than grand dukes. I love the beet soup and breaded pork tenderloin and the staff is always very friendly. The best European food around.
(5)Celina B.
jak siÄ™ masz?! GREAT! After I eat at Mabenka. I am a proud polish girl and i love polish food! My grandparents started taking me here when I was younger and I still love it to this day. It's closer to my grandparents though so if they go without me, they still bring me food! They have this soup there. It's pink. You may know it as hot borscht, but I know it as pink soup. It's my FAVORITE! I also go there for their golumpki too. Which if you don't know, is cabbage rolls. The last time I went here with my gramma I got so much food I was in a total food coma. But thats because they offer you soup or salad, and lots of sides! And it's all very reasonably priced. The women that work there are always super nice and always remember my grandparents. They're also very forgiving when you pronounce things incorrectly. My polish would be terrible if it weren't for them. I know that they also have a room for parties and I'm confused as to why I have not yet had a party there yet! Vodka and dumplings?! Hell. Yes. I have no complaints about this place at all. Love it!
(5)Chrissy N.
Have not been here yet, but it's on my list. I do have some info to pass along though. One of the chefs here, Krysztof, was at one time the personal chef of Pope John Paul II. He's been manning the kitchen for 4 or 5 years there. If dear Grandma were still here, I think visiting here would officially be her last wish. She would swoon at the idea of eating food prepared by the man who fed Pope John Paul II. (My sweet Catholic Polish grandmother.) So for Grandma, I will be stopping by soon and will update my review. Eat on, and Sto lat Mabenka, Sto lat. Article with the chef info: chicagoweekly.net/2011/0…
(4)Dave J.
Be sure not to eat for a day or two before coming here. The OUTSTANDING food is plentiful and quite filling. Emphasis here is on Eastern European (Polish and Lithuanian) comfort food, you know, sausages, dumplings, potato pancakes, noodles, pork...you get the idea. I heard somewhere, sometime, that the chef here used to work for the late Pope John Paul II. If that's true, then the Pope ate like a king! This chef is gifted! Everything here is prepared simply. No fancy sauces or garnishes...just straightforward, stick to your ribs food...like your grandma (provided she was from Eastern Europe) would make. Less is indeed more. Decor is a bit kitschy, but adds to the atmosphere and the food. You feel like you're in Grandma's dining room. The waitresses are friendly, and most of them are very attractive. This is where I go when I'm arriving or leaving from Midway Airport, or taking a friend or relative to the airport. I'm glad I don't visit Midway often, otherwise I'd be 50 pounds heavier than I am now. You'd be a bit intimidated by the voluminous menu, with the breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings contained therein. I'll make it easy for you. For the best dining experience, go for either the Polish OR the Lithuanian combination platter. You'll get a little bit of everything, which is a lot. Notice I emphasized the OR part. Because you definitely WON'T be able to finish BOTH combination platters in one sitting. Better yet, order one to eat in the restaurant and order the other one to take home with you. If you're there during breakfast hours, you can't go wrong with potato pancakes. I get excited when I get a request to pick up or deliver a family member or friend to Midway, because I know, without a doubt, that Mabenka is gonna be a part of my journey. Remember these key facts: Waitresses: Easy on the eyes. Food: Will fill your belly. Price: Easy on the wallet.
(5)Lisa Marie W.
Oh Mebenka, how is it that you did not come into my life sooner? I come from a very european family and my mom use to come here back in the day and said I should try it. I took her and my sister here today to try it for the first time, my mom said she was so glad that they were still good. They are so delicious and filling. We got a kugelis for a starter and it was like a giant piece of tiramsu made out of potato and bacon bits. You seriously need four people to eat it. My mom got pierogis, and borscht, I got borscht as well, they have the best borscht I have ever had, it has mushrooms in it fyi but it is so good and a lovely pink complete with boiled potato :) I could not finish the kugelis so I took it home, I could not finish my borscht so I took it home .Then my entree came- these monster dumplings called cepelinai they were each as big as a baked potato and weighed as much as a can of vegetables. They were so delicious and served with lots of bacon bits and sour cream. They give you the sour cream in packets, I guess it is just easy that way because of how much they go through. I ended up taking home so much food, cause if you actually ate all three of your cepelinai's I think you may like- die. I got my boyfriend a polish plate and took it home for him and he loved it. I will most certain come back for a foodgasm of european proportions, Warning though, this is serious food it is heavy and you get a lot of it so do not over do it. Hardcore European food is not for a light/ picky eater so if you are not a strong eater with a broad palate then maybe it is not for you. But I loved it and have food left over for days!
(5)Mary K.
How many restaurants are there in the Chicago area that serve genuine Polish and Lithuanian food that is really great eating? Believe me, they are becoming few and far between. Mabenka is likely one of the very few left, especially on the south side of Chicago. It's a rather large place that has a restaurant setting on one side, and an area for banquets and parties on the other side. While they do have a parking lot of their own, you'd be hard-pressed to find a space there most of the time, so be patient because your visit WILL be worth the wait. What do they offer? You name it and they have it in Polish or Lithuanian: sausage, soup, pierogi--multiple filling choices, roast pork, dumplings, sauerkraut, roast beef, soups, Kaldunai, Kugelis (TO DIE FOR), and a true variety of other Polish/ Lithuanian fare. Desserts are wonderful, the service was good, and the place is kept pretty clean. If you were raised in a Polish family like I was, or you happen to be Lithuanian, you will not be disappointed. You will be reminded of a different time when you were young, having meals with your family, and find yourself reminiscing about your heritage. A 4-thumbs-up!
(4)JD H.
Love this place. Stumbled upon it while working in Chicago back in the 2000s. Try to come whenever I'm up here. Totally untrendy atmosphere but the staff is very attentive and you just can't get this kind of food anywhere.
(4)Blythe Z.
Oh man do I love Polish food. Being of Polish heritage - I am very picky about my polish food always comparing to grandma's cooking. Lately I feel like the place has slipped a bit... quality of food/cleanliness. I mean, I have been going here for the past 10 years.... we even had my grandma's 85th birthday here which went really well. My favorite is the beat soup. I know it's bright pink and that may be a turn off to some ppl. but it really is the most delicious thing. They serve it with potato which you can cut up and add to the soup = oh it's heavenly. I also they the raisin bread on the table so yummy. I usually order the Polish sampler. Last time I went the service was off - and the food was not so great .... maybe they were having an off day, I'll give them one more try.
(3)Reiahnna J.
The waitress was nice. She gave us bread (different assortments) and asked us what we wanted to have right away. She also kept checking up on us. I ordered Pierogis as an appetizer (3 with potato and 3 with ground beef) and sour cream came with them. I also ordered a white zinfadel to drink. It was a little over $3 a small glass. For dinner, I had one of the Wednesday specials, the roasted leg of lamb with apple mint jelly and brown gravy, fries and vegetables. Soup came with it (noodle soup). The french fries were delicious, but the leg of lamb tasted better when I first got it. Later, it didn't so good cold. I put mint jelly on it and it tasted a little better. Plus, the vegetables tasted fresh. The restaurant was clean and the bathroom was dim, but clean. I gotta go. That food gave me the runs (but it still tasted okay).
(4)Neko Mimi M.
Authentic, home-cooked, Polish and Lithuanian food. Not quite as good as my dziadek's, but its pretty close. Prices are very reasonable, portions are huge. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Good place to take your not-so-adventurous parents. Favorites: duck, borscht (beet soup, they serve theirs hot only), the Lithuanian combo plate. Only drawback is that if you are vegetarian you are screwed: there are few truly vegetarian options.
(4)Sarah S.
I heart this kind of comfort food.. it reminds me of my childhood.. :) This place stays packed so beware and parking can be a nightmare also.. I usually have lunch items when I go.. from cabbage rolls to sausages to potato pancakes to kraut.. its all good. Service is very attentive and the place is very clean. I would suggest this place for someone who wants to try something new and different if you are not familiar with the cuisine.. I will be going back again and again just as I have for years... that is as long as I find parking ;)
(4)Jeff G.
used to take my grandma to lunch here in the 90s, it was one of her faves, she loved it because it was good polish food. she used to love the white fish special, or maybe it was the salmon. i really don't remember what i thought of the place except that there was a lot of old people in there and that it was cheap happened to be in the area fri, went for lunch. it is still mainly old people eating there, but it did not seem as cheap as i recall. also, they seem to proclaim to be 50/50 split with a polish menu and latvian menu. anyways, food overall was a 3.5 quality, slightly above average, but i rounded up only because everything they made on my plate was homemade. like for example the sauerkraut which was decent, not great, but no one makes homemade sauerkraut. the cold beet soup which i added to my order for $1.50 was very tasty and creamy. potato pancakes were very good. the pierogis however i have to say i was not a fan of, i just didn't like the texture of the dough. but extra points for at least being homemade. on to the fresh polish sausage. it was ok. the waitress told me that "some guy makes it at home and brings it in every day". funny set up, i hope me saying this doesn't get health inspectors out there to check on this polish guy making a living making sausage for restaurants.
(4)Marzena M.
My parents and I have been coming here for so many years. The food is always delicious and fresh! I personally love the kugelis and the red beet soup. Definitely a great find for Polish-Lithuanian food. Beyond the food scope, the atmosphere is relaxed, family friendly, and authentic. The owner and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. The portions are large, filling, and delicious.
(5)Ramon R.
Food was, well, not good. Service was average at best. Can't see coming here ever again. The food seemed re-heated in a microwave!!!! my wife and I could not even finish it....
(1)Carolyn G.
We love our pergois and were so happy when a south-side relative suggested we meet for dinner at Mabenka. We never would have found this place, otherwise! I made a reservation for seven, with no difficulty. When we arrived, we were a party of eight. "No problem!" They shoved a couple of tables together and we were good to go. Oh, no! I miscounted, and we're actually a party of nine. Again, "No problem!" The added a table setting without even blinking. To start, we ordered several plates of pergois and several plates of potato pancakes. Both were so good (certified heart attack on a plate!)! Then we ordered some entrees, which included soup (borscht!). After the soup, I was so stuffed and took maybe two bites of my Polish Combo plate (sauerkraut, polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork loin). I took the rest home for leftovers tonight. Yes, the atmosphere is lackluster. Think: your great aunt's living room. Flowery decor and lots of elderly folks. However, the service was top notch. I never ran out of water and the servers didn't forget or screw up a single request. You don't find service like that anymore! We'll definitely be back. :)
(4)C P.
Disappointing! My mother and myself went here over the weekend for breakfast and it was absolutely disgusting. We ordered to share a blueberry waffle and a skillet. The waffle was served as regular waffle with blueberry jelly dumped across the top and the sausage in the skillet was half burnt and the other half was raw. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed with the quality and it resulted in BOTH of us feeling sick the entire day. After living in the neighborhood for over 25yrs we will never visit this establishment again.
(1)Alean S.
The food was reasonably good. The veal cutlet was a very large portion, nicely cooked with an ample side of steamed vegetables. Garlic salad dressing had just the right bite. The kueglis serving was way too large to be enjoyable. The chicken needle soup was very good, well seasoned, nicely textured vegetables just the right balance of thin cut noodles. The pierogi were a bit of surprise in shape smaller diameter but much plumper than what I am used to but the flavor was spot on. I had mushroom/kraut and potato/cheese. A companion had potato and kraut. All delicious with a good spice balance. The hot beet soup was a meal in its own right. The rice pudding was a traditional custand based pudding. The only surprise was how loud the oompa band was. Loud but very enjoyable.
(4)Amanda R.
If you're looking for a great home cooked meal, this is the place to go! They offer traditional polish and European meals that taste like they came straight from grandmas house. I'd definitely recommend they're homemade soups and the famous stuffed cabbage with potato dumplings. You won't regret it! Service is great, just beware the area, lots of photo enforced lights!
(5)Martha Z.
Oh what an Atkin's diet nightmare, carbs glorious starchy, meat and potato carbs. That's what you will get here. My personal pick is the Polish Special which is like a special every day and includes a Polish sausage, sauerkraut, 3 slices of pork tenderloin and kopitky. The meal also includes a nice big bowl of soup, borscht for me and a tasty basket of bread. The ambiance is a bit lackluster, but we did have the pleasure of listening to some live polka music that was playing from the banquet room. Hurrah!
(4)Johnny B.
I had been to Mabenka a few years ago. I don't often go to the south side. I was very disappointed with this visit. I brought a young date there who also had been there recently. I do not know if the cook/chef was ill or if there had been some "management" changes. We got there at 6:00 on a Saturday night and the place was 1/3 filled. On Sat night, a Denny's is more than 1/3 filled. We were seated on a sit where you want basis as there was no hostess. We got the humongous menu and before we could open it, or waitress asked us if we wanted to order. We asked for some water and my honey asked us what the soup was. We ordered that and I hoped she would take her time to serve. Well in less than two minutes we had soup. Not rushed too much and the place was MT. We mulled through the menu and ordered. In less than 5 minutes, our entrees arrived. My lovely had breaded pork chops (2 huge) and fries. I had 1/2 roast duck with dumplings and sauer kraut. Well, my honies fries is all she could eat. The breaded pork chops, were not pork chops. It looked like deep fried pork shoulder to look like chops. Have you ever had dark pork in a chop? I haven't. The fries were OK. My roasted duck was deep fried, at least to finish it off. Cutting though the fried skin did show some semi dry but edible duck. The kraut and the dumplings were good! My date was a little PO'd and so was I. She has a sweet tooth so she had a piece of apple pie. Good. Well we had some coffee and that was OK. We left without indigestion and a resolve on my part to cross off Mabenka from my go to place on the south side.
(2)Aaron K.
This place was good! I started a new job in Ashburn and was looking for a place for lunch. I dig it a lot. The lunchtime crowd caters more towards Chicago's venerable Polish and Lithuanian senior citizens who love reading the entire menu out loud to one another, but the food is definitely worth a trip back. Good prices, tasty homemade pierogis (I will never learn how to spell that right AND I DON'T CARE OK), and an interior that looks like Grandma's reading room. I'll be going back.
(4)Doug V.
my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Everytime I get to the Midway Airport I try to make the short trip here to eat. Great food, reasonable price, a fun experience. I love all the unique food.
(5)Maven V.
Excellent Polish and Lithuanian foods that took me back to my childhood when I visited Chicago recently. I tried a little bit of everything, including the potato pancakes, polish sausage, dumplings, and other items, and they were all really delicious. It's probably not the healthiest of food, but that's ok. I would highly recommend Mabenka, whether you're familiar with this food or never had it before.
(5)Meela P.
Great service. Potato pancakes were perfect!
(4)Dan E.
I was quite surprised to see this place already has 4 reviews. The extensive menu is Lithuanian/Polish/American with daily specials. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and clientele was mainly older people and a lot of families. I had the Lithuanian combo plate. Everything was tasty and fresh. The combo had a cepelinai (potato dumpling big as yer head stuffed with ground meat) and white (ie unsmoked) sausage. Prices are cheap and the place is spotless. They advertised breakfast specials in the window - its probably a great place for breakfast. Update: on a recent visit: 2 ample entrees served with soup, 2 soft drinks, one coffee plus 2 soups for carryout = $22.65 plus tip.
(4)Johnny T.
The breaded veal cutlet had no taste at all & the amount of potatoes & gravy you got was too small. The two big pieces of breaded veal you got for $8.95 was the only thing that prevents me from giving a one star review.
(2)magic g.
good polish diner. mixture of polish and american home cooked dishes. fried duck was excellent. interior is very simple and clientèle is on the senior side :)
(3)Laurie W.
Bring on the potato pancakes, great sausages too, old school Polish-Lugan.
(5)Eric M.
Me and my dad have a special love for Mabenka. We stop here every time we drop off or pick up anyone from Midway airport. The food is great and super filling (pace yourself, don't fill up on bread and Polish beers). The interior is decent and is similar to the many Greek breakfast restaurants in the area. The food is delicous and like I said, filling. I feel like I should be trudging threw the snow chopping fire wood and shoeing horses for a few hours before I go in to eat there. Then I would feel more deserving of those steaming plates of sausage and potatoes brought by sexy east European women. The price is good and the service is always very nice.
(5)todd s.
Great Lithuanian dinner (not as good as my Grandmother's, but pretty close). Try the Lithuanian combo plate (kugelis, sauerkraut and Lithuanian sausage, cepelinais) - just don't go swimming afterwards. This is as good as it gets for Lithuanian food at a restaurant.
(5)Johnny B.
Absolutely delicious!!! Read no further...check Mabenka out for yourself!
(5)Dee C.
I had a great meal there, portions are generous and prices very reasonable. I ordered the duck and it looked like they gave me the whole bird. Its almost too much food but this is Chicago right! Attractive waitresses are always a bonus!
(4)Elizabeth K.
Golabki! Let me just start there. Golabki (stuffed cabbage) typifies my childhood growing up in within a Polish family in a Polish neighborhood, and it's the ultimate comfort food for me. Mabenka's is delicious. I also love their sauerkraut, which is fresh and doesn't have that icky, stinky, rotting cabbage smell. If you get an entree with a side item, you must get the finger dumplings--forget the potatoes! You can get potatoes anywhere. My entire family loves this restaurant. I'm not a fan of borscht, but my brother eats about three bowls of it when we go there. Their chicken soup is real, honest-to-goodness grandma chicken soup. The Lithuanian sausage (which is the kind of sausage we grew up eating, rather than the smoked "Polish" sausage) is yummy. My grandmother is wheelchair-bound at 88 years old, so unfortunately she can't cook for you. The next best thing: let Mabenka bring out the Polish in all of us.
(5)Aaron Jae M.
Stopped here on the way to pick someone up from Midway airport. They have a very nice family friendly restaurant. The service is all very friendly and helpful. I ordered the polish combination plate and it was a ton of food. Way more than I expected. It came with some polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork cutlet, sauerkraut, a bowl of soup, apple sauce, gravy, and some horse radish for the sausage. The soup came out first and it was fast. I got the tomato rice (the soup of the day) and it was delicious and creamy. All the food was hearty and very filling. Classic polish style. One of the best spots to grab food near midway.
(4)Bobby O.
Are you ready for some heavy European food? I am...here at Mabenka. From soups, to dumplings, to cutlets and pork butts they have it all. The service is good and the menu has a wide variety. I mostly eat lunch here and it is a staple on the southwest side. Family owned it exudes that warm welcome feeling when you first walk in. Parking is ample and it is right off 79th Cicero. KUGELIS!
(4)Bonnie B.
Wonderful homemade soup. And the best homemade food ever. Always good service. My friends and I try to get there often. Never a let down. Auksin (might be misspelled) is the server we always request. She knows exactly what we like & dislike. She knows us very well. If we don't get her I have to say we still have wonderful service, and care.
(5)Raul I.
MY NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT! 1. SUPER friendly service 2. Very attentive and flexible with your order 3. Food tasted GREAT, and many options available So I've lived on the south/southwest side for my whole life and always drove past this place. I don't know why it never occurred to me to try it out until recently and I'm glad I did. Excellent selection of Polish and other European dishes to try. If you're not feeling worldly, you can also choose from your typical american diner staples. I tried the Polish plate, yum! My fellow diners tried the cold and hot beet soup, extra yum! The waitress was super, duper, awesomely friendly and nice. She kept checking up on us to make sure we were ok. And although we took our time deciding where to sit and what to order, she didn't lose an ounce of patience or kindness. She was awesome. The food was DELICIOUS and fresh. Everything is reasonably priced and plenty of parking all around the restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Meghan S.
Normally I'd give this place 5 stars because I am a huge fan of the food, but my last experience was kind of rough due to our server. She was rude and very short with us. But I won't let this stop me from coming here again. The food is homemade and you know it! I'm hoping to be able to avoid this server again . Oh, one more thing, this is the cleanest restaurant I have ever been to!
(4)Linh L.
My relative came here from Vietnam recently and met a lot of Polish people so he was intrigued about their cuisine. We ordered so much food to try a little bit of everything -- apple pancakes, kugelis, pierogis, beet soup (which is milky), and braised beef over boiled potato dumplings = $27. I didn't enjoy it. There wasn't much meat or veggies with these entrees. Any vegetables we had were very sour. I'm glad that they had hot sauce on the table too. I wouldn't come back again. Overall, the entrees taste like war-food.... There was soooo much potato.
(1)Diana G.
Came here for breakfast and menu has quite a selection. I went with the Mabenka Special and my guy went with the Polish Special. Mabenka Special - 3 eggs, hash browns with onions, 2 sausage patties, toast and juice. Eggs were cooked perfectly. Hash browns were ok, didn't really taste the onions and wished I asked them to make them well done. Sausage patties tasted a bit different, but it was ok when I put some syrup on them. Polish special - I only tried the potato pancake and thought it was different. It was kinda spongy and dense and guess I wasn't expecting that. I wouldn't say they are exactly cheap, but nothing that will break your bank. Also, the waitresses are all very nice. Overall, it was ok, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Would like to go back to try that chicken dish that someone posted up though.
(3)Lauren F.
If you, like me, haven't had your Lithuanian grandmother's cooking in awhile and get a craving for potatoes, bacon, and butter-look no further than Mabenka for some deliciously awesome (although probably not so good for you) Lithuanian and Polish food! We ordered a ton of dishes and shared, as we usually do when indulging in Lithuanian cooking. We tried the Cold Beet soup, Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, Koldunai, and Cepelinai. Everything was delicious but I especially loved the Beet soup and Cepelinai. The Kugelis, Potato Pancakes, and Koldunai were all very good too-its just too hard to live up to my Mociute's! Our server was very friendly, the space is large, and the prices completely reasonable. Definitely a great place to visit for Polish and Lithuanian food in the Chicagoland area.
(4)Damian P.
Polish food galore. I mean seriously I love their food selection. Although my partner wasn't impressed since most of the foods had some kind of pork and he is so not into pork. BUt I digress, this is about me and my dumplings. Oh lord the dumplings are amazing and just everything is so delicious. I love how they bring you this basket of saltines and bread. The bread is really good, some kind of chewy wheatish bread, and just yummy! I think that for the area, it is a staple and I totally love them!
(5)Paul G.
Out of the blue to saw the sign outside and thought why not. Stopped by and glad I did!!!! Servers were amazing and friendly. Felt warm welcome and join the family. And ordered chicken with eggs for breakfast. And whoa. I love it!!!! Highly recommended!!! They also serve great bread for dinners! Thank you!!!!
(5)Monica B.
Really like the homemade vibe here!
(4)Lupe G.
There once was a ton of awesome eateries where you could get delicious Polish items. This place has some REALLY good dishes but some are a miss. Still, when I'm jonesin' for some Polish LUV & I'm on the south side of the city, this is where it's at! ; )
(3)Carly D.
I flew in from San Diego and my uncle got the recommendation to this place by a man in Midway airport. Perfect family restaurant with a hefty menu. A wide variety of items that resulted in little confusion to order (as I have never been to a Polish/Lithuanian restaurant), although....dun dun dun daaaa...our server rocked. She totally broke the menu items down. She gave details and recommendations for the food and even beer items. Super friendly young lady, really made us feel welcomed. My grandpa was excited that she spoke polish too and they got to exchange a few sentences, it made my day to see his smile. Customer service gets a two thumbs up...very attentive too. When we got our food we were impressed over the portions and the quality was even better. I had the dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes, meat....delicious. I can't wait to go back to this place when i visit again. Kudos to you Mabenka. You have a fine establishment and the world should know.
(4)Meridith H.
From the outside, it doesn't look like so much, but once you get inside, you're transported to a different place. The carefully arranged kitsch on the walls reminds me of a diner closer to north central Wisconsin than the southern Chicago suburbs. The waitress serves you with cheerfully accented English, and supports your dining experience every step of the way: "Good job!" - noting that I finished my soup "This is a good beer; I don't drink beer, but I remember from my college days that this is a good one." - upon my partner's order of a Lithuanian brew The place is clean and bright and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Prices are low and the quality is good. Get your pierogi fix here until Pierogi fest in Indiana (July 23 -25, 2010).
(3)Pat M.
Just had breakfast here yesterday with friends and we had a variety of breakfasts and we all loved what we ate. Friendly service, clean place, varied choices on menu, loved the accents!
(4)George A.
Potato pancakes were great as was the service.
(4)Bob D.
The menu offers something for everyone. From American classics like pot roast or roasted pork, to Lithuanian kugelis (potato casserole), and Polish staples of perogi, stuffed cabbages and borscht. Everything is solid, but nothing will blow you away. If you want to save a couple bucks and quality is a secondary requirement then this place will not let you down. Huge portions and possibly the cheapest home style eats around, which is saying a lot on the South side. Don't get me wrong, the food would impress an out of towner or any one who doesn't know the options. You can induce stomach splitting heartburn in under 30 minutes, bring home an entire meal and look at some nice Euro trash eye candy all for under ten bucks. The room is a bit dingy, the parking is hellacious, with the front row dominated by pricey euro suv's parked parallel to traffic between Cicero and the building, they just drive over the curb to get in and out.
(3)Faiza A.
I really enjoyed my experience at Mabenka! The restaurant is cozy and has a family feel, and I did not feel out of place like I have at other Polish restaurants. Waitstaff was friendly and prompt. I was happy that to discover that they serve a soup without meat--potato--which was delicious! I was disappointed that kolachkys were not an option for dessert! Hopefully, it was just that day. I definitely plan on returning to Mabenka!
(4)Rosa J.
Book yourself a hotel nearby, because you will be so stuffed and become incapacitated. Mabenka, technically, is located in Burbank, a Chicagoland suburb southwest of the Midway Airport on S. Cicero Ave. Hubby and I wound up there because the Plan A restaurant we wanted to go was closed in observance of Labor Day. I bookmarked "Mabenka" awhile ago because there were many yummy photos taken by Yelp users that appeared to be worth a trip down this way. After walking into the door, I saw the familiar faces: the fellow senior citizens. Please let this 30-year-old Rosa J. become a honorary one because she's technically 68 years old, mentally (She's known to be extremely "old-souled)! Ok, I quickly located "cepelinai" on the menu. "Cepelinai" is a Lithuanian dumpling made out of ground meat, covered by grated potatoes, and topped off with bacon bits. In my layman food language, it resembles a silicon bra (nude bra), except everything is edible and delicious. Every entree came with three (3) dumplings, with sour cream on the side. After finishing one (1) of them, I was full. On the hand, hubby finished his "kugelis," a baked potato pudding. That "kugelis" was monstrous! How he finished this shall remain mystery. Many entrees come with soup or salad, coffee or dessert. I had the cream of sausage soup. I could have called it quits after this bowl of soup. That was awesomely hearty, with a plenty of boiled eggs and sausages inside. Hubby's hot beet soup was equivalently great! We didn't ask for the coffee because our stomachs couldn't house anymore food or liquid. Almost every patron had a "to-go" box in his/her hand, so you could probably tell that you would be served with a generous portion. Our check was $20 and some change, before tip. Oh man, there was no single compliant because my full stomach prevented me from spitting out any negative comment about this place.
(5)MC B.
If anyone has had a Busia or Babcia that cooked, this may be your place. After many years abroad I was excited to see Borscht on a restaurant menu. A lovely big bowl of pink beets, boiled potato, and some lovely rye bread. Many memories of childhood came flooding back. All the old world favourites are prepared perfectly. Friendly waitresses, heaps of good food, and a huge menu.
(4)Lisa P.
Authentic Lithuanian & Polish food. This food can pretty heavy on the starch and carbs, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. The corned beef was tough. The soups and Pierogis were generous. Sauerkraut is fresh and good. Service was very pleasant.
(4)Brandi P.
I've eaten at this establishment twice now. The service is impeccable, so please tip your waiters/waitresses accordingly because they bust their butts! The food is also very fresh and on point. My favorite: the sweet cheese pierogis! I could stop in every and order these pierogis.. not just because they're delicious but because they are so cheap!!! Give this place a try, the outside may look a bit sketch but the quality of food and service you get on the inside, makes the trip worth your while!
(4)Jan S.
Loved my meal! I had the roast pork loin with sauerkraut, applesauce and fingerling dumplings. The meal came with soup or salad. I chose the hot beet soup and it came with a boiled potato. It was a delicious combination. The pork loin was moist and fabulous! The waitress was really friendly and took great care of us noticing when we ran low on something and offered to bring it before we asked. I didn't care for the fingerling dumplings as they were just starch but my brother had the pierogi dumpling and it was delicious! Definitely going back the next time I visit Chicago.
(5)Anthony K.
It's like having a bunch of grandma's in the kitchen preparing your food. Awesome authentic Lithuanian dishes
(5)Christopher Y.
it's my first time here. my server was kind enough to guide me around the menu. so... i made my own combo: cutlet, polish sausage, roasted pork, with sauerkraut and the dumplings. it's damn good. great service, excellent food, and a very comfy environment.bmore people should come here!
(5)Meghan S.
One word: BORSCHT. Very small restaurant in Burbank. Good service. I didn't try anything else since I'm vegetarian, but my family was pleased!
(3)Carol D.
My husband and I have eaten here many times. The wait staff are very attentive. The food is Great! They have food specials every day, or else you can choose from the extensive menu. We go any time we are looking for our Polish / Lithuanian crave.
(5)Ashley S.
This is the closest I have ever come to a place that has dumplings that taste like my grandma's !!! Why have I not been to this place sooner?! It's a small little place that packs it in the flavor department!! I had the sampler plate and I got a dozen of pierogis as well. Their sweet cheese pierogis are amazing! Everything I had (sausage, sourkraut, potato pancakes) were great! Just like how I remember! I can't wait to come back here again!
(5)Victoria K.
We came here for lunch. The specials are very cheap and pretty good. Soup was amazing. We had borch and their cabbage. By far one of the best soups I had in my life. Entree. We ordered the Lithuanian platter which had stuffed cabbage, sausage sauerkraut, kugelis. Ehh,not so good! Very disappointing since I am Lithuanian. O and cepelinai-zepelin were awful. Baked potatoes instead of real grated Lithuanian cepelinai. My opinion, if you can't make real lithuanian dishes just stick to Polish
(3)Chicago M.
Home cooking just like grandma use to make! Great flavors, good portions, decent value for the price. Will come again!
(5)Richard W.
M-m-m-m good! Home cookin' at its best. My partner had the Lithuanian Combination, my aunt had the pork chops, and I had the Polish Combination. Except for the dumplings (I know, how sad) the meals were excellent - well prepared, well seasoned, very large servings. The prices were inexpensive given the quantity of food - reminded me of visiting Grandma's who never felt we had eaten enough! The restaurant is brightly lit, so not exactly a romantic setting, but everything is neat and clean.
(4)Susan H.
Labas! This delightful, family-owned restaurant has long been a staple within Southside European circles....and thanks to Yelp, an entirely new generation can be gettin' crazy for Kugelis. When I am terribly homesick for my mother..when I'm missing my late-grandmother...when I yearn for the innocence of my Old-country-infused childhood, I turn my heavy heart toward Mabenka. I've yet to find a borscht on par with the varieties served here. I use lamb in my Oma's killer Lithuanian recipe, but their selections seem in keeping with Polish tradition and are immensely enjoyable; no matter how you slurp it, it's a dream. Curl up in a deep booth and enjoy an ice-cold Lithuanian Brew, hearty basket of soft, flavorful sweet & whole-grain breads, scratch-made soups, saucy stews or juicy sausage and butter-rich potato platters that are sure to soothe the spirit...and still leave you enough coin to take in a movie. Better yet...snag a galactic, baked-apple pancake for home and enjoy it with your feet up and your hand placed within your waistband in a manner that would do Al Bundy proud. Oh yesss.... The atmosphere is quiet, extremely casual and low-key. I stick with my favorites, which are Meat Blintzes (that I smother in unsweetened applesauce), Lithuanian Sausage, Cepelinai, Potato Pancakes and Borscht. It's worth the trip here for the Kugelis alone. Wat?! I know...I know. I'm a Kugelis snob..and I have earned that right as I grew up making the dish from scratch with some hardcore old-country women. Trust me when I say there is no better Kugelis than my family recipe, BUT...I will concede that they do a delish dish here. For those unfamiliar with Kugelis, it is the National Dish of Lithuania and is a thick potato pudding brimming with butter, salt and a plethora of bacon. It is traditionally baked in a deep pan til browned..spooned and served up with crispy bacon atop and a mere dollop of sour cream. Their version is sliced and much more loaf-like than my Grandmother's recipe, but it's mouthwatering and in keeping with how many European families choose to make it. I highly recommend it for lovers of all things potato. Skip Grand Duke's and come here instead..seriously. Over the years, they have moved away from German favorites. That's quite disappointing. Polish purists be aware that this is more of a fusion style restaurant where Lithuanian and Czech influences are present and so things may not be exactly as you expect them, but that does not mean they are not yummy. I know peeps truly dig their pierogi, but I think they need to step those up a bit as they often seem dry to me. Note to those who write reviews griping that there's too much potato/dough, everything is fattening or that there aren't more fresh veggies: This ethnic food stems from a long, rich history of people who ate for warmth or sheer survival with what little they could get their hands on and were oftentimes impoverished all while at the mercy of a soil and a climate that wasn't always green-veggie friendly. Tradition: How does it work? There is nothing else like Mabenka around these parts and so a solid five stars it is. Servers are refreshingly polite, kind and eager to see that you are pleased. I always leave with a full tummy and a smile. Save a visit here for a day when you're not watching your caloric intake or cholesterol. ;) Time-honored tradition and cooks who truly know their craft result in meals that feel as they were made by a Helga-fisted loved one. If a comfort-cloaked carb crash is what you seek..come to The Dark Side; we have pumpernickel.
(5)Loretta P.
My trusty DOP and I decided to go Polish/Lithuanian/German this evening. We both recall passing this unassuming establishment on several occasions, but never stopping in to check it out. Well, we remedied that mistake today! Irma, our server, was charmingly sweet, attentive, and accomodating. What more can you ask for? Let me first say that if you're planning to try Mabenka, you have to prepare yourself. Eat a regular-sized breakfast, then a light lunch, and don your pants with the stretchiest waistband for dinner. Every thing comes with something else! It reminds me of the old school Greek diners. We decided to order several different items, so as to try a bit of everything. We had a 3-item combo entreé that included a veal cutlet, Lithuanian sausage, and a breaded, fried chicken breast. It came with housemade sauerkraut w/bacon, soup or salad, potato pancakes (with applesauce and sour cream), coffee, and bread & butter. For $12.95! Next we got a dozen mixed pierogi (mushroom, meat, and potato & cheese), then Cepalinai (3 large, meat-filled potato dumplings) that came with soup or salad and coffee. We followed that up with an appetizer-sized order of apple pancakes, that came with whole cranberry sauce and syrup, for dessert. Everything was pretty tasty, except for the Cepalinai. But that may just be a cultural thing... Anyhoo, can you say stuffed?? And I won't need to figure out what to have for lunch tomorrow...
(4)Mark H.
Good food and very reasonable pricing. The service was very good and the hostess made us feel like we were at her home. A very nice and relaxed place that has good good and good service. We will be back.
(4)Steve F.
Short of needing a major makeover, this place has solid food in a fun, comforting sort of environment. There was some polka going on in the other room while I ate, and I found it to be enjoyable, considering the generally upbeat nature of the wait staff and patrons. The soups, particularly the beet, and the tripe, were stellar. The specials are cheap, the gnochhi is just right and the various meat dishes I tried were well seasoned and cooked. If you're looking for adventurous flavors and fancy ingredients, this isnt the place for you. If you like homestyle cooking with straight forward, simple flavor profiles, you should stop by. I wont go out of my way to stop here, but if its close and Im hungry, definitely!
(3)Frank J.
Some of the best Polish food on the South Side! I have been here several times and NEVER had a bad meal. Prices are fair and service is good. Everything has the home made taste and I think it probably is. This place takes you back to the meals Grandma used to make.
(5)Joel C.
Very Delicious and Cheap!!! This is by far the best restaurant we have tasted in Midway Area... You should try their beet soup and other good food, ask the waitress for recommendation.
(5)Daniel S.
Solid place for polish food, you get quite a lot when you order, I got the polish sausage and dumplings, which were good, also this broccoli salad side that was surprisingly good, also tried some kugelis and kiev, maybe not the best Ive had but not bad
(4)