My husband and I just moved into the area so we decided to try this place out. I'm usually hesitant to go to buffets because I always try a little bit and never really get my money's worth but not at this place. The food at Jolly Inn is amazing!! I think the owners want to ask me to leave when I visit. #Jk It really is that good though. The restaurant is super clean, the staff is friendly and the food is delicious. Make sure to check out it. You'll be surprised at how good it really is. P.S. You can't go wrong with the Perogi's, potato pancakes, and stroganoff.
(5)
Stella O.
My family and I have been coming here for years and it has never disappointed. We always have the buffet but you can order off the menu which we never did. Food in buffet is simply delicious and fresh and the soup is out of this world! Next door is a full restaurant/banquet hall. Parking right outside the door & across the street in a well lit parking lot. Staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)
Robert B.
As good as it is - pierogi , placki ... I love it. Fast service and very polite Missing some polish veggie salads Nice place. Been here many times.
(5)
Alex N.
The last time I came in one of the servers was very rude and let's just say the food wasn't anywhere near decent enough for me to have to look at their face again. If your taste buds still work don't even give it a chance.
(1)
John T.
I love Jolly Inn! So many good things to eat here!! It's like going to grandma's for Sunday dinner. Their soups are fantastic too. No low calorie stuff here......that's why I love it!!!
(4)
Jamie S.
I live a block away but won't walk here because there's no way you can walk home afterwards. It's the most delicious, hearty, filling food I've ever had! I love Polish food and there's a ton of it in this neighborhood, but you cannot beat this buffet. $12.95 per person for homemade everything? Hell yeah. This ain't OCB garbage. There is a reason this place has been here for a million years... and hopefully they will be here for a million more!
(5)
JOana R.
Received exceptional service from the momemt 8 walked in food was fresh, excellent, will definitely come back.
(4)
Annette R.
Meh. Being raised in a Polish immigrant home, I will say the food does not have a home cooked style or taste. It's like Polish fast food. However, I will say they do have excellent service!
(4)
Jeffie J.
Travel to the edge of the city to sample food that is far from cutting edge but quite delicious. This restaurant serves a fine Polish buffet all day at very reasonable prices, and the service is super friendly. Beet borscht was a sweet & sour clear beet broth that comes with dumplings; I like to add sliced beets, boiled potatoes & sour cream from the buffet. After that it was on to assorted salads, potato pancakes, cheese blintzes, more dumplings, & fresh fruit until I didn't have room for anything else. When I thought I was done the waitress pretty much insisted on bringing me ice cream for dessert. The dining room is comfortable and the buffet tables are spotless and well organized. As a plus, everything is labeled in English. I'm sure I'll be back.
(5)
Rosa J.
What a pleasant surprise! If you have a desire to be "jolly" mentally and "heavy" physically, Jolly Inn offers all-you-can-eat buffet (weekday: $9.95; weekend: $11.95). Finding the actual "restaurant" isn't straight forward. If you utilize their customer parking lot, DO NOT exit onto Irving Park Rd. Instead, proceed to the opposite direction, pass their back loading dock, and make a loop onto Natchez. The entrance is located on Natchez, across from Dunning Square shopping plaza. Of course, a well-equipped parking lot is much needed for a place that offers the AYCE option. Most citizens in the United States don't have a complete grasp on moderation in food intakes. However, that issue isn't going to be our center of discussion. The actual dining room was old-fashioned but clean, but the line to the buffet required slight meandering. It was kind of awkward to get the cheese blintz, potato pancakes, and pierogi RIGHT at the entry where customers were coming in, playing some lotteries, and waiting to pay. That portion of the restaurant might have to modify somehow. The selections of buffet were eclectic, with 60% of choices being some kind of meat or poultry. Hubby, a vegetarian, was able to enjoy regardless since he spotted his all-time favorite veggies: green beans and barley. I think I should re-name him and call him "Jack" from now on. I, on the other hand, sampled their cucumber salad with sour cream, cabbage rolls, fried fish, meat/cheese/potato pierogi, cheese blintz, chicken gizzards, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, kolaczki, and an assortment of fruit. I did four (4) rounds total; I was comfortably full. I didn't stop by the roast beef station, but it looked quite appetizing. Their sources of entertainment for patrons were 1) radio with pop music; 2) international news channel, featuring Japan apologizing for what they did during WWII, North Pole rugby, and the legendary Baltimore riot (what a travesty if you ask me). Most folks were more interested in choice #2 for their entertainment, myself included as well. That strange international news channel definitely was a great companion for pacing my buffet marathon. We didn't spend an awful amount of time swallowing lots of food, but the ambiance was quite relaxing if you were a buffet conquerer. Oh, by the way, the server did offer a choice of ice cream, but we kindly reclined due to the lack of volume in our stomaches. Did I tell you the buffet price for a adult on a weekday is $9.95 (as of 04/29/2015)? Most dishes were flavored nicely and tasty, yet having the buffet hot plates and lamps on continuously reduced the moisture inside the food overtime. As the result, the fried fish was difficult to cut open and the cabbage leaf had some minor burn marks. I still believe discovering Jolly Inn with their AYCE buffet was pretty exciting! I'm frequent customer at the nearby Montrose Deli. Hence, you would definitely see me around in Dunning/Portage Park neighborhoods. After all, it's not typical to see a petite Asian girl in various Polish neighborhoods, exploring and eating, in and around Chi-town (hahaha).
(4)
Monica B.
This place blows my mind! So much food for such a low price and everything is fresh, top quality, and plentiful ! I liked the duck and roast beef the best as they were both super tender! Come with a large appetite as this is an all you can eat buffet! We will definetly be back! This place is worth every penny! If you like polish food or want to try polish food, then this is your place! Trust me, it's very good!
(4)
Aimee M.
Was my kid's school the only one in Chicago that was off for Pulaski Day? Good for him because we made it a theme day--he is part Polish after all. And yeah, I'm that kind of mom. Just ask my husband about the Germany/Austria Day outing we had. My friend Angela P raves about this place so I'm glad I finally got a chance to check it out. The place is much bigger inside than I thought it would be. While we were there, I overheard them say that they could gladly take a party of 16 for lunch. Yes, lots of space. And lots of food! We visited for the lunch buffet. The staples are all represented..3 kinds of pierogi, kapusta (braised sauerkraut with sausage) , galumpki (stuffed cabbage rolls), roast pork, meatballs, cucumber salad, beet salad, potato pancakes...and lots other good choices like roast chicken, fried chicken, fish, pork shanks...pasta, veggies...so much food! The dessert station had cakes, kolacky, meringue cookies. Everything I tried was good. The galumpki rivaled my MIL's--that's saying a lot since she's been making that dish forever. The biggest standout though was the roast beef. There is a small carving station and the servers will carve it for you. This was the BEST roast beef I have ever had. it didn't need the au jus either, very flavorful and tender. My favorite for sure. The price is right. I don't know at what age the buffet is free, but for me, my husband and son, our bill came out to $27. That's with soup and coffee which is extra. A great deal for all of us eating well and having friendly attentive service.
(4)
Gail G.
I later found out more about this incident from the serving staff at the banquet hall. It seemed like there were some communication problems between the family and the restaurant: the family made some some serious errors. I am giving them 3 stars, because they seemed to try, and the food looked good.
(3)
Jason W.
This place is stuck in time, and the food is just old school awesome classic polish food. Buffet has so much it can make everyone happy, and it is so affordable. Try to duck. My absolute favorite in the buffet!
(4)
Chloe T.
The food here is delicious. Very flavorful. very CLEAN and always hot!! I love the potato pancakes and the coffee. Random, but true.
(5)
John Y.
Every once in awhile I pass through here. It's a pretty good Polish buffet! The buffet is plentiful, the food is good, the staff friendly and the prices are low. What more can you ask for? P.S. ... They need to replace some of their bench cushions as you sink way down into your seat..... Time for some new springs, folks!
(4)
Jennie B.
For a polish buffet this IS as good as it gets! I haven't had any others (YET) but that's because I'm willing to drive all the way from Uptown to Natchez and Irving Park for some Jolly Inn! The meat pierogi are delicious, I dream about the dill potatoes, the potato pancakes are crunchy and flavorful and perfect with some sour cream, their golabki are unmatched, my husband and my mom love the apple fritters. I want to go there all the time.
(5)
Kristen S.
This is my favorite place for Polish food. It is a buffet and the food is always plentiful and fresh. My favorite foods include the dill potatoes, polish sausage, beef with mushroom sauce and the apple pancakes! The potato pancakes and cheese blitzes are amazing. The coffee they serve is my absolute favorite. I could sit there all day and drink the coffee! Most of the waitresses are very nice, there is one older waitress that's not very friendly but it's a buffet so you don't really need the waitress very much. The prices are reasonable as well.
(5)
Colleen D.
Eh - my dad raves about this place. My BF loves this place. So we went and I was underwhelmed.....everything was a bit tasteless. The servers were AWESOME but I just wasn't impressed with the food and I sampled just about everything.
(3)
Susan M.
Jolly Inn has been a part of our family for many years - we keep coming back! Very much like home-cooking, kinda like Grandma used to make, traditional Polish food. Pierogis, potatoe pancakes, blintzes, dumplings, stuffed cabbage, roasted chicken, sausage with kraut - mouth watering yet? The salad bar is good too - plenty of choices which includes fresh fruit. So nice to be able to take whatever you want from the buffet and even go back for seconds. The restaurant, which is quiet and comfortable, is the perfect place to enjoy real comfort food! We have always enjoyed this place as a family and I'm sure you and your kids will too - especially Grandma and Grandpa! A family tradition waiting to happen!
(4)
Ray W.
Stay away.
(1)
dan p.
big cities suck in many ways. but they are also the go to spot for cultural and gustatory experiences one cannot find in battle mountain nevada or scottsbluff nebraska. take the category "polish buffet". even in most big american cities, this is not possible. but in chicago the city with the 2nd biggest polish population outside of warsaw, there are multiple choices. jolly inn is mine.. indian and thai buffet give one an explosion of exotic spices, colors and flavors. polish buffet, on the other hand, give one an explosion of carbs, meats and heavy calories. dont go to the jolly inn if you are concerned about your weight or energy level for the day. one must dive in fully to enjoy. pierogis, cabbage rolls, meatballs, potato pancakes, chicken, dumplings, beets and a whole bunch of other delicious items are offered up and though i always hesitate before choosing to come here (im mostly a vegetarian and i watch what i eat) i must admit its always worth it. There are good looking deserts and an even better looking pretty young lady who is the hostess and cashier. come hungry...and you shall enjoy this slice of chicago!
(4)
Art M.
This place sucks. Food doesn't taste fresh and servers are very mean. Do not recommend, although Polish food is the greatest in the world.
(1)
Greg B.
One trip to this place killed a whole week of work I put in hitting the gym. Hours on the treadmill gone in minutes. What sane person could contain them selves in a sea of comfort food, shit your grandma would make? A person could gorge themselves to death in here. My blood pressure is still elevated.. Bottom line: dangerously decent, inexpensive smorgasbord. Waste line, belt size and self-esteem are all in jeopardy the second you walk through the door.
(3)
Ki E.
We drive in from Wisconsin to eat delicious pierogies and drink their wonderful coffee.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Went here for lunch over the weekend because we were house-hunting in the area. We have dined at Red Apple countless times and we were eager to try a new place. Thought we were going to have a much better experience from the look of the buffet, but I was just not all that impressed. Didn't care for any of the pierogis, the fried fish and chicken were about the only things I liked. Sausage and kraut, fine but I was really upset I did not care for the pierogis. I wish someone had offered us soup, maybe I could have gotten full this way. My daughter enjoyed that there was mac and cheese up there and lots of fresh fruit, but other than that, I think we'll stick to Red Apple or Starpolska from now on.
(2)
Chad C.
I'm only taking a star away because the dessert was pre-made store bought cakes and they didn't have kolachki.
(4)
Roman D.
Definitely not for vegetarians or vegans. We asked for meatless plates for our family. They served us a fish with canned vagetables.They didn't know that fish is not a plant, and it was a shock for them when we refused to accept the fish plate. There was nothing else to eat for us accept the fish, so we left this place, hungry!!! What a shame.
(1)
Carla B.
I love Jolly Inn!!!!! The food is great, quiet atmosphere, and the waitresses are very sweet. Not badly priced. The best damn potato pancakes/pierogies!!!!!
(5)
Yvonne M.
The Jolly Inn has a great assortment of Polish food for a very reasonable price. Everytime I've been to the Jolly Inn, I have had a good experience where the servers are mostly pleasant (although I have encountered a rude one here or there). It's a buffet so most of it is self-serve anyway. The food ranges from pierogi to golapki to roast beef...if it's Polish, it's there!! I find the food outstanding unless it has been sitting around for a long while and dries out. Nice place to go for a Polish meal!
(4)
R D.
This is by far my favourite Polish restaurant in Chicago. I think I have the typical American meat lover's tastes. Their carving board is better than the other smorgasbords in the area. If you want a lot of food for a reasonable price, this is it. Staff are always friendly, place is clean and food choices are numerous and tasty. Too bad it's a little further out from downtown. Used to go there almost daily when I worked in the suburbs.
(5)
David Y.
I've been here a few more times and felt my review needed an update (the prior review was after a couple of visits and specifically called out their catering). At $10 a head, the Jolly Inn is still an orgy of greasy foods, salads, and mixed meats. You can really ruin yourself here but you'd die happy. The only thing I really wish they'd have was beets or a beet salad. Cheese Pierogi: Bad. Cheese had an off taste to it and I didn't like it at all. Sauerkraut Pierogi: not bad. sauerkraut pierogies are not big on my list but this wasn't bad and quite good if I just stick to one or two. Potato Pierogi: Awesome. Soft and tasty. Broiled Chicken: Not bad. Juicy and crisp. Just as greasy as fried chicken though. Stuffed Cabbage: Awesome. Cucumber Salad: excellent. not too creamy and delicious Pepper salad: another excellent salad. Well balanced. Meatballs and Gravy: meatball was very flavorful and the gravy kept it moist but the gravy didn't have a large pronounced taste. Apple Fritter: good. Not sweet but still pretty good. Potato pancake: Amazing. Crisp, slightly salty but so delicious. Kielbasa sausage: Not bad. With sauerkraut was quite good. Grapefruit & cantalope: flavorless but somewhat refreshing Grapes: seeded but sweet and delicious Service was good, not overly done but quick and friendly.
(4)
Mike M.
.
(5)
Rebekah H.
Hubby and I tried Jolly Inn for the first time and it was pretty good. There is a nice variety of items and service was friendly. The meringues are crazy good, I am not usually a coconut fan but these work perfectly together. Enjoyed the apple and potato pancakes as well. The Pork loin on the carving station was great but both roast beefs (in buffet and carving station) were rather bland and the Roast Beef is usually my favorite part! Overall, an average experience that I would go back to for but only if I couldn't make it to Red Apple.
(3)
Sarah E.
I am basing this review from a reception that I went to in 2011. The reception hall is by far beautiful. The appetizers did taste better than the main course though. The staff was very kind. My main problem is there are a lot of stairs. This place has an elevator in the back but then you have to climb up a couple steps. it was not friendly for older people in our family.
(3)
Chris W.
This is the next best thing to your Polish grandma's cooking...
(5)
Jade K.
First time for Polish food and I didn't this buffet at all. The only thing that was good and fresh was the cheese pierogi but everything else was stale and cold. The salad and desert bar was not appealing to the eye. Besides that everything was greasy and honestly I was afraid to eat there. The chicken soup I swear came from the lipton box. PROS: Pierogi CONS: Beat down restaurant, poor quality food, just old
(1)
Kislev A.
Once again I would like to say that 3 Stars is solid people!!! So I go to Chicago for a vacation and I've never been here before. I heard there's a huge Polish population so I tell the cousin, "I have got to try some Polish dishes... especially the Pierogi!" So we got taken here so I could taste as many as I would like in one sitting. Don't expect fancy decor people. But you can expect nice friendly attentive service. Cheese Pierogi: I was not expecting it to be sweet. Is it really supposed to be this sweet? I was expecting one of the saltier cheeses. Meat Pierogi: Yum! Sauerkraut Pierogi: Good! Potato Pierogi: Good Carved Roast Beef: Surprisingly tender. The piece I got was medium. Stuffed Cabbage: Super good! I'm still craving Tiramisu: Not bad. Store bought I think. Meringue: I don't usually like meringue coz they are sugary sweet (no duh, I know) but these are pretty darned good with their desicated coconuts and it somehow fluffed up and was hollow in the middle. Very Good. Fruits: They have a large selection of fresh cut fruits, including small plums, which was essential after a large meal like this. Grape Salad: With the cream sauce. I really like! Cucumber Salad: Very good too! Meatballs and Gravy: Using dill in their gravy gave it a "light" flavor instead of the heavy flavors we normally associate with rich sauces like this. Apple Fritter: Winner!!!!! Potato Cake: Crispy and super yummy! On an unrelated note... some of the other patrons do not appear to be happy that their local haunt was haunted by people like me? They kept glaring at us whenever they passed by our table... Hmmm....
(3)
Sarah R.
You can't go wrong with the Jolly Inn buffet. I don't care what anyone says. The food is always pretty fresh and very tasty. It's dangerous though, being a buffet, and all. I try to limit myself to 2 plates at most. They have a very good variety of different perogis and blintzes too. The same waitresses are always there whenever I go. They're pretty good about refills on drinks, clearing plates, etc. etc. Like everyone has mentioned it's always clean and I've never encountered a busy day which is insane because the food is so good.
(5)
Rick F.
The Best Authentic Polish Buffet in Chicago! I love everything about this place. The largest selection of food I've ever seen! Fresh, Friendly Service. The Polish version of Chicken Soup is the best! Get ready for a major food coma afterwards. The meat and carbs will kill the rest of the day! LOL!
(4)
Mary C.
They have very good food here. Its always hot and tasty. Potato pancakes are great. All the perogi are excellent. The last couple of times they had schnitzel and its wonderful. Every time I say I'm not going to over eat and every time I need to be rolled out of there. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jen L.
Bring on the grease! When we decide to go to Jolly Inn, we accept the fact that we will be bloated and stopped up for the next couple of days. That's how we roll when we go to Jolly Inn. One of my favorite Polish buffets. For about $20 (I think, I can't remember) you can eat all the perogis and cheese blintzes you want! I'm not sure if I would consider it "authentic" but it seems to be a hit with the Polish community. They have quite the selection in their buffet , including a carving station and a salad bar with Polish deli meats. The desserts are awesome too, lots of Polish cookies, tortes and jello. They do have some fresh fruit as well, but sometimes they're kind of bland. If you're looking for a large satisfying Polish meal, this is a great choice. This is a BAD choice if you are on a diet, a vegetarian, hate grease or looking for a healthy meal. I consider myself a pretty healthy eater, but every once in a while, I will challenge my digestive system and indulge in some Jolly Inn.
(4)
Chris K.
I've been going to this place for as long as I can remember and the place keeps getting bigger and better. They have a good mix of traditional polish food like kielbasa, pierogi, blintzes and golabki, mixed with all kinds of food like mostacccioli, popcorn shrimp and french fries. However, depending on what day you go, the choices may be all different, which of course enhances the experience. In addition to the massive piles of food, they have a salad bar with lots of fruit and jello if you want something lighter. The other positive to the Jolly Inn over other polish buffets in the area is the attentive and friendly staff. I've never gotten an evil stare or dirty look because I don't speak the language so well. My only minus to The Jolly Inn is their dessert section. I'm polish myself, but I've never been to partial to desserts made by my countrymen. Saying that, most of the time the dessert they have is stale, but they may be accelerated by the heat from the buffet lines nearby. If you're looking for a quality polish buffet, you will not be disappointed by the Jolly Inn!
(5)
Katarzyna W.
This is one of the best Polish buffets in the city. The place is very clean and the setup is convenient. There is usually no waiting time except on Sundays. Everything here is pretty authentic and good. I especially recommend their potato pancakes and cheese blintzes. They also have a wide selection of Polish beers to sharpen up the appetite.
(4)
Dorotka K.
I've been here a few of times for weddings and similar events. As a banquet hall, Jolly Inn does a decent job. The food was always very good and service outstanding as well. I also used Jolly Inn to cater food for a party. The price was excellent for the amount of food we got and the food itself was tasty. I have not tried the buffet.
(4)
Natalie S.
All you can eat perogi = my own personal heaven. I mean... how can you go wrong there?! Yeah, the food can be a little greasy. It's FRIED. Pretty hard to make fried fish and chicken without it being at least a little greasy. Greasy = good in my book, anyways. The desserts suck. They are always stale and kinda picked over. But I don't go there to eat desserts. I go to consume polish sausage and sauerkraut by the pound. The waitresses are always friendly and efficient. It's clean. The buffet is filled regularily. It's YUM!
(4)
Xiaoxi L.
I went on a weekday evening and the place was not very busy. This may have something to do with the food quality, but I found myself having a hard time getting down most of the items. The salad was wilted and the pasta noodles were soggy or dried up. I had hard time with the cheese blintzes and pierogis, which had a strange taste to them. It tasted a bit like goat cheese, but I didn't enjoy. The meat pierogis weren't fresh, but I did enjoy the sauerkraut ones. The fried chicken was good, too. I didn't get a chance to try the brisket because I was too lazy to tackle the knife. The herbed and mashed potatoes were good. I had to try not to eat too many of those. I did enjoy the potato pancakes, but they were soggy. There's a good dessert bar, complete with honeydew (my favorite buffet fruit) and coffee layer cakes. I wish the food were fresher. I would try this on a weekend where it'd be more packed.
(2)
Pat C.
Eh wow I used to come here once in a while with an old friend who loved polish food. I am sorry it's just not my cup of tea. I don't like polish food all that much so having bad polish food here just killed it for me all together. Every time i left i felt like i just flushed my money down the toilet. I would only come because my friend really had a taste for it then i would have a soda :) I haven't been here in years and never plan on going back.
(1)
Torry S.
I used to come here from time to time when I was working in the area. It was my first real polish restaurant experience so I didn't know what to expect. I think its a good way for beginners to try polish food because the buffet is a pretty good sampling and as a fail safe, you can always grab the chicken and rice which is consistently delicious. As for the other food, a lot of it tends to be greasy which made me not like some of the sausage there. The potato pancakes are good too. Sometimes the salad bar can look out of order and borderline nasty so it can be hit or miss depending on when you come. They also have a bar as well. In the end, the staff is nice enough and you can ask them what is what if you need to. Best thing about this place is that you can get a lot of food for 5 bucks which is a good deal all the time in my opinion.
(3)
Bobby D.
A small but good out-of-the-way buffet. With the exception of the Kiszka-Which somehow tasted a little funny, More like soapy. But the fish wasn't bad, Also the meatballs & gravy were pretty good. The salad bar with the Polish-Style pickle was tasty. I actually LOVE the Polish or Kosher-Style horseradish they have. Maybe if the cuisine alternates on certain days, I should try out some more. The service was friendly & prompt too.
(4)
Justin B.
This place has all the staples. I was there for a good 45 minutes and saw older Polish ladies replacing food on the line. This is a great comfort food place that I would go to again and again. An added bonus is that they have a full bar if your a drinker. I have been here several times and would recommend it to anyone looking to eat some good Polish food.
(4)
Ian M.
The only other time I've been able to eat Polish food is during the summer festivals when there's a Polish food tent. Kielbasas, pierogis, cream cheese, and apple sauce. Mmm, the bf and I are there. During one fest, we wanted to find out if the food was provided by a particular restaurant, to which we were told it wasn't from any location, we were disappointed. A nearby muncher joked it was called "Polish Place". From that day forward, we were trying to find our "Polish Place" when we had the chance. But, I digress. A friend introduced us to this particular "Polish Place" and we were down for the buffet which was less than $10 each. The buffet had all the necessary staples of Polish cuisine, so we definitely had out fix. Service was good on the quiet weeknight we dined. There wasn't a thing I hated, but I just knew I was loading up on carbs for nothing. Sometimes, it's just nice to have those days.
(3)
Vince V.
I love you Jolly Inn. Your catered goodies for my friend's birthday this weekend were spot on delicious. The meat pierogi were supple and savory, the stuffed pyzy was warm and comforting, the cheese blintz was subtly sweet and the meatballs were just perfect. There were other items on my plate, which included a little roast beef and gravy too. Yummy. Everybody enjoyed their meals. Afterwards, I sat in a food coma for some time waiting for the Superbowl festivities to begin.
(5)
DrGrace G.
I love this place, it is a nice date place, even when you wait for your table it isn't very long, the waitresses are very pleasant and the environment is old fashioned. This is a buffet type place, I love it, I love to have the option of tasting many different things, the food is delicious, try their deserts and the coffee is wonderful. I highly recommend it. Wysoko polecam...lol that's Polish and yes I was born there, so I speak it fluently, even though I came here in 1982. Really it's worth the trip. If you choose wisely, you don't have to be stuffed up and you don't have to spoon on all the grease ;}
(4)
Alexandra R.
I've been coming here with my family since before I can remember and I love it just as much as I did when I was a kid. If you're looking for typical polish food then this is the place to come to! They have other kinds of food as well. I recommend any of the many types of the pierogi because theyre always delicious :) Service is always great and prices are reasonable.
(4)
Jeremy H.
I'd never been to a polish food buffet before but definitely enjoyed it. The price was more than fair for an all-you-can-eat, and most of the food was pretty darn good. Not five star cuisine by any means, and tried one or two items that weren't the greatest, but definitely very decent for buffet food and well worth the money. Friendly service, also.
(4)
Jennifer T.
Can't go wrong with the potato pancakes, pirogi and broasted chicken. it's really great for gatherings with friends and family and you will definitely get your moneys worth. I love their authentic soups, don't miss out, they are really inexpensive (around $1.30) or so extra for a cup and like $2.00 for a bowl. Chicken noodle with the thin noodles just like grandma used to make :) their blintzes are out of this world!
(4)
Jacob Y.
A friend of mine, whose birthday was this past week, INSISTED we go to the Jolly Inn and has been swearing about this place ever since. Now, I am not a big fan of buffets for a few reasons: 1) I cannot always eat UNLIMITED quantities of food, 2) buffets I have been to in the past usually have food sitting there for a long time (therefore, it does not taste good), and 3) because of reason #2, I would only go when there are big crowds (so the food gets changed out more often) and you can never predict when this happens. So when we got to the Jolly Inn last night at approximately 8:00 pm, this place was hopping...first sign that it was going to be a successful dinner night. Second thing that reassured me of this...because this is a polish buffet, it was nice to see the restaurant full of Polish folks enjoying the food. When we got in and on the way to get seated, we went right through the food area, and as I was perusing the items available, I was very happy to see the display and variety of dishes that were available. One word...Perogies. And unlimited amount of these delicious, smooth, and buttery meat (or potato) dumplings made the entire meal. Other favorites of mine last night included the dill potatoes, roast beef (with an awesome mushroom gravy), the potato pancakes (WOW), blood sausage (excellent), and mac n cheese (yes, I went there!). The decor...like any other buffet I have been to, surrounded by booths and tables. The service...a tad slow, but she was friendly. I was soo full from eating pierogies last night that it took at least 4 rounds of drinks from the bar we went to afterwards to put the food down. Be forewarned...this food made me burp for hours...and yes, it smelled like pierogies, oddly enough...LOL If you like unlimited quantities of delicious tasting Polish food...pay a visit to the Jolly Inn. Good thing this place is a good drive from my place...I can easily see myself gaining at least 100 lbs eating all that rich food!
(3)
Mindy G.
Great Polish buffet. Went there tonight with the hubby and kids. My son said the apple pancakes tasted like "a miracle." He kept filling his plate. I loved the potato pancakes and was thrilled that there were lots of vegetarian choices. The best thing was the mushroom salad. I kept going up for more. I thiink my husband was in a meat induced coma. The deserts were ok, and both of my kids got bowls of ice cream. The server was attentive and friendly. We would definitly go back.
(5)
Yvonne O.
In a city full of Polish resturants, this is not a gem. Although it is all you can eat, the offerings are lack luster and many times empty. We were there on a Saturday night at about 7:00 and the place was not crowded - we had no trouble navigating the buffet and still trays remained empty or with dried-out food. The carved meat station was not great either - VERY fatty cuts with dried out ends. The dumplings and boiled potatoes were good, as was the soup, but no stuffed cabbage and the cheese blintzes were gross - totally rubbery cheese inside and no flavor. The potato pancakes were way too greasy and how many chicken options can you really put on one buffet? Desserts were dried out and not very exciting - no kolachky and the checkerboard cookies were paper thin. I wanted to like you Jolly, but I just couldn't. One good thing - the waitress was super nice to us and we still tipped her as if the food was great.
(2)
Pamela P.
I'm a Polish gal. My grandmother's spoiled me with amazing polish food since I could waddle my way into her kitchen. I know good Polish food when I see/taste/smell/eat it. This food is just ok. It's super-d-duper greasy and I guess it has to be in order to keep it edible on the endless buffet line. I won't even guess as to its sodium content. The selections are vast and you'll probably find a few things you like but there's nothing particularly phenomenal. The waitresses are nosy nellies and spend too much time trying to chat you up. The price is about $11 a person and for Polish food on the northwest side, that's a steep price. It's worth a visit at least once though, to get the full Polish effect.
(3)
rudy v.
We just had the urge for Polish & somebody suggested Jolly Inn. It was quite a drive coming from our place. What's nice was there was an ample parking area & not cramped at all. The food was great as we expected from the blintzes to pancakes to the main dishes. I liked the chicken liver & the duck. The dessert was average but the sum total of the experience was good. The hosting was quite warm, too.
(4)
Dan E.
I was eager to try this place based on the reviews of my fellow Yelpers but I thought the place was so-so. I went there on a Sunday. The best way I can describe the food is "institutionalized." The food may be typical for the banquet hall next door, but I expect more of a restaurant, even if its a buffet. They need to kidnap a few Polish busias and chain them to a stove in the kitchen. The fried chicken looked like the stuff you see under heat lamps in gas stations. The mixed vegetables were mushy frozen ones. My dinner companion said the chicken soup had a lard-like aroma to it. The lettuce in the salad looked wilted - surprising since it was pretty crowded and the turnover was high. Leftovers from the banquet hall? Price was $9.95. Soup, as well as drinks are extra. So with soup, a drink, tax and tip it'll run about $20 per person. Service was very pleasant and attentive. The bulk of the clientele seemed to be the local Polish AARP crowd. The pierogi, potato pancakes and mushroom soup were good but I don't think I would go out of my way to come here again.
(2)
Brent W.
oh man, who could not bring themselves to go and eat here after a sesh at the salt cave next door?! It's practically compulsory. We walked in and took one look at the buffet and in a nano second said, yes. Two please. Think scaled back Bobak's with, while not every conceivable Polish menu item, a number of the Eastern Euro's faves. The pork loin was abso tdf and everything else we consumed was very good, including the endless dessert table. I found it comical that in the midst of all the madness of polish delicacies, they had mini pizza slices in a "pizza warming rotisserie", but i still had to try a slice. Not bad but could not compare to the rest of Jolly's smorgasboard.hohoho., including the Ham, Roast Beef and Pork carving stations. Now let's go back and crash at the salt cave next door in a food coma. Jolly good time, mate.
(4)
Linda P.
Yummy, yummy YUMMY Polish food! If you like traditional homestyle Polish cooking, Jolly Inn satisfies. The buffet has loads of dishes that I grew up on including pierogi, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes and meat...LOTS OF MEAT! There was sausages, cold cuts, pork chops, broasted chicken, turkey, beef in gravy, ham and roast beef...talk about a MEAT FEST! And don't get me started on the desserts...hehehe tons of cakes and kolacky to satisfy the sweet tooth. And so CHEAP too...dinner is under $10 and I'm sure that lunch is even cheaper. A couple things...I wish that refills were an option on the drinks, make sure you get a glass of water if you get really thirsty becos you will end up paying for each soft drink you order. Also, the buffet is so filling the optional soup (also extra) is not necessary. All I have to say is...DON'T EVEN THINK OF COMING HERE IF YOU'RE ON A DIET ;)!
(4)
Paul K.
All the food looks fresh and clean and is delicious. Highly recommended and the soups, while extra, are well worth trying. I am not a big fan of buffets but this is must try.
(4)
Count Gregula ..
You know how many Polish guys it takes to change a lightbulb? Er... oops vrong site. *blushes* Seriously, Countess & I vent to Jolly Inn yesterday for Easter dinner. Good thing I'm a vamp becuase there vas enough meat on the buffet to choke a horse (except there vas no horse on the menu). *grins* The buffet is moderately priced, but the drinks are seperate and so is the soup. Plus, only thing I didn't like is having to keep asking for my vater glass to be filled each time. I guess they more or less vant you to buy another drink each time. I did have a $7.50 Long Island Ice Tea. Vell, to sum up my experience at Jolly Inn vith a quote from Archie Bunker, "You...are a meathead!" Mike Stivic vould definitely appreciate Jolly Inn. Edith...get me a beer, eh!
(4)
Leah J.
Endless plates of pierogi's! Yep, it's a polish all you can eat buffet. It's all here at the restaurant. Ham, sausage, kraut, blintzes, PIEROGIS, desserts, ice cream, etc. etc. I especially like the potatoe pancakes and dumplings.My friends and I manage to have some type of event here almost once a year. Waiters get your drink, but the rest is up to you my friend. Forget about the salad starter and go straight for the goods! Not sure of what the price is now, but a lunch/dinner can't be more than $10. I think it was $8 or $9 a year and a half ago. For those of you who can't get enough, they package and sell many of their items (pierogis, dumplings, etc.) right at the door. Pick some up before you leave!
(4)
David S.
Just ate lunch with my work homies at the Jolly Inn in Chicago at Irving Park Rd. and Oak Park Ave. on the Northwest side. The Jolly Inn is a smashing Polish buffet restaurant on the NW side of Chicago. The prices are good, the refills are free and the pierogi are hot and fresh. The Lakes (potato pancakes) are really good and thick and spiced up just enough to give them a good flavor even without the sour cream and applesauce. They are also cooked enough so when they sit on the buffet line they don't get too moist. Ewww=moist latkes. More at oakparkdad.com/2007/10/7…
(4)
tracey t.
The Jolly Inn was a friendly spot on a rainy Sunday afternoon while visiting Portage Park, but unfortunately the food didn't put smiles on our faces. We were looking forward to some traditional polish grub and the buffet looked impressive when we first arrived. As we loaded our plates with the eastern european delights -- potato pancakes, pierogi's, sausage, fried zucchini and more -- we were more than a little disappointed in the huge grease factor. The high points were the fresh fruit and salad buffet as well as the dessert bites (plus, I actually loved the polish sausage and the blintzes!), the low point was the chicken noodle soup that tasted three days old. In general, the service was good, the food received mixed reviews, but all in all, we still left in good spirits. Maybe this inn had some jolly after all.
(2)
Mike P.
Another Polish Christmas Miracle. Thanks to the Jolly Inn. Went in yesterday for the first time. Typical, but tasty Polish buffet. Only complaint is that my knife was very dull. Loved the Polish contemporary Christmas music.
(4)
james m.
Realy great Polish food. Reasonable price. After several visits never dissapointed. Will come back often!!!
(5)
Jeffrey V.
I attended a wedding here and it felt like a funeral. It's not a bad place, but i get why fat people celebrate here.
(2)
Steve C.
This place is great! I live in Colorado, but most of my family lives in Chicago. I have been visiting there for 20 years and almost every time I visit I eat at the Jolly Inn. I'm Polish and like pierogi's and dumplings and this place makes them pretty well. I totally recommend this place, come hungry though! HA!
(4)
Randy S.
I went there on New Year's Eve party and was impressed. Food was delicious. Music was great. Staff and guests were nice. Tickets were affordable for what I was getting there. I'm going there next year for the party.
(5)
Angela P.
We have been going here for years!! I LOVE their food...but I am also a huge fan of Polish food, being part Polish myself. I give them a definite 5 stars for the food quality, but I have to give them a 4 because the seating areas can be pretty cramped and they don't take reservations, so if you want to go on Mother's Day or Easter, you should plan on waiting around an hour or so to get sat. But everything else about this place I love! I love that is is a buffet because there are so many good things to chose from that you have to go up like a million times! =] I LOVE their potato dumplings, in particular, they are like little pillows swimming in a pool of butter, real butter!! Yumm! I can't say anymore about this place, except for...just go and try it...you will definitely be going back for more!
(4)
Alexzandra A.
This place is cheap and good! I am so glad we came here for our date lunch yesterday. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some so my expectations were pretty high. Everything I tried was awesome. I wasn't a fan of the croquettes but the blintze, perogie, and dumplings were yummy. My carnivorous boyfriend tried seemed to try every meat dish and was happy with them all. Everything tasted and looked super fresh. Major kuto's for having not only the red cabbage salad, but also a sauerkraut salad. Our total was $16 for two including pop.
(5)
Richard S.
i'm of Polish decent and thought the food was terrible. It's a grease pit.
(1)
Alanna K.
Polish food+all you can eat=AMAZING meal. This kind of food makes you not want to eat for days because it just sinks to the bottom of your stomach. But it is so good. The food is cheap, and the selection is plentiful, and filling.
(4)
Holly L.
Best kapusta I've ever had. So sad I can't find a recipe since I am far away now.
(5)
B. L.
Jolly Inn offers buffets, catering, delivery service and also rents their largest room for banquets. I was here once for a family event. There is tons of food to choose from. Don't go here if you are on a diet. This is a very popular place especially the banquet hall.
(4)
Cindy R.
If you have an appreciation for eastern european food, Jolly Inn is a bargain. Pierogi, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, it's all there. Plus meat carving stations, chicken, turkey, sausage, boiled potatoes, fresh fruit...and on and on and on. For $6.99 at lunch you can try it all.
(4)
Kat S.
I love this place, it is a nice date place, even when you wait for your table it isn't very long, the waitresses are very pleasant and the environment is old fashioned. This is a buffet type place, I love it, I love to have the option of tasting many different things, the food is delicious, try their deserts and the coffee is wonderful. I highly recommend it. Wysoko polecam...lol that's Polish and yes I was born there so I speak it fluently even though I came here in 1982. Really it's worth the trip.
(4)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
My first visits to the Jolly Inn were under somewhat unusual/grim circumstances - they are located just around the corner from the cemetary where I occasionally visit departed relatives. Their main dining space houses a polish buffet, this is definitely not lo-cal cuisine, lots of meats, and butter on almost everything! But as "comfort food" goes, their offerings are very good, they have fruit & salad selections also to balance things out a bit. Their pierogi are outstanding! They also have banquet halls, and a few friends have used their catering service regularly & rave about how they love the reliability of Jolly Inn's delivery, service, and food quality.
(4)
Sue S.
Great place to go for good polish food. We have catered from this place and have never had a problem with any of the food. Also, had our wedding reception here and they really take care of you. The food was awesome and everyone had a great time. Jolly Inn is very reliable and has great service whether you are dining inn, using the banquet halls, or using the catering/delivery service.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes 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 : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jessica P.
My husband and I just moved into the area so we decided to try this place out. I'm usually hesitant to go to buffets because I always try a little bit and never really get my money's worth but not at this place. The food at Jolly Inn is amazing!! I think the owners want to ask me to leave when I visit. #Jk It really is that good though. The restaurant is super clean, the staff is friendly and the food is delicious. Make sure to check out it. You'll be surprised at how good it really is. P.S. You can't go wrong with the Perogi's, potato pancakes, and stroganoff.
(5)Stella O.
My family and I have been coming here for years and it has never disappointed. We always have the buffet but you can order off the menu which we never did. Food in buffet is simply delicious and fresh and the soup is out of this world! Next door is a full restaurant/banquet hall. Parking right outside the door & across the street in a well lit parking lot. Staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)Robert B.
As good as it is - pierogi , placki ... I love it. Fast service and very polite Missing some polish veggie salads Nice place. Been here many times.
(5)Alex N.
The last time I came in one of the servers was very rude and let's just say the food wasn't anywhere near decent enough for me to have to look at their face again. If your taste buds still work don't even give it a chance.
(1)John T.
I love Jolly Inn! So many good things to eat here!! It's like going to grandma's for Sunday dinner. Their soups are fantastic too. No low calorie stuff here......that's why I love it!!!
(4)Jamie S.
I live a block away but won't walk here because there's no way you can walk home afterwards. It's the most delicious, hearty, filling food I've ever had! I love Polish food and there's a ton of it in this neighborhood, but you cannot beat this buffet. $12.95 per person for homemade everything? Hell yeah. This ain't OCB garbage. There is a reason this place has been here for a million years... and hopefully they will be here for a million more!
(5)JOana R.
Received exceptional service from the momemt 8 walked in food was fresh, excellent, will definitely come back.
(4)Annette R.
Meh. Being raised in a Polish immigrant home, I will say the food does not have a home cooked style or taste. It's like Polish fast food. However, I will say they do have excellent service!
(4)Jeffie J.
Travel to the edge of the city to sample food that is far from cutting edge but quite delicious. This restaurant serves a fine Polish buffet all day at very reasonable prices, and the service is super friendly. Beet borscht was a sweet & sour clear beet broth that comes with dumplings; I like to add sliced beets, boiled potatoes & sour cream from the buffet. After that it was on to assorted salads, potato pancakes, cheese blintzes, more dumplings, & fresh fruit until I didn't have room for anything else. When I thought I was done the waitress pretty much insisted on bringing me ice cream for dessert. The dining room is comfortable and the buffet tables are spotless and well organized. As a plus, everything is labeled in English. I'm sure I'll be back.
(5)Rosa J.
What a pleasant surprise! If you have a desire to be "jolly" mentally and "heavy" physically, Jolly Inn offers all-you-can-eat buffet (weekday: $9.95; weekend: $11.95). Finding the actual "restaurant" isn't straight forward. If you utilize their customer parking lot, DO NOT exit onto Irving Park Rd. Instead, proceed to the opposite direction, pass their back loading dock, and make a loop onto Natchez. The entrance is located on Natchez, across from Dunning Square shopping plaza. Of course, a well-equipped parking lot is much needed for a place that offers the AYCE option. Most citizens in the United States don't have a complete grasp on moderation in food intakes. However, that issue isn't going to be our center of discussion. The actual dining room was old-fashioned but clean, but the line to the buffet required slight meandering. It was kind of awkward to get the cheese blintz, potato pancakes, and pierogi RIGHT at the entry where customers were coming in, playing some lotteries, and waiting to pay. That portion of the restaurant might have to modify somehow. The selections of buffet were eclectic, with 60% of choices being some kind of meat or poultry. Hubby, a vegetarian, was able to enjoy regardless since he spotted his all-time favorite veggies: green beans and barley. I think I should re-name him and call him "Jack" from now on. I, on the other hand, sampled their cucumber salad with sour cream, cabbage rolls, fried fish, meat/cheese/potato pierogi, cheese blintz, chicken gizzards, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, kolaczki, and an assortment of fruit. I did four (4) rounds total; I was comfortably full. I didn't stop by the roast beef station, but it looked quite appetizing. Their sources of entertainment for patrons were 1) radio with pop music; 2) international news channel, featuring Japan apologizing for what they did during WWII, North Pole rugby, and the legendary Baltimore riot (what a travesty if you ask me). Most folks were more interested in choice #2 for their entertainment, myself included as well. That strange international news channel definitely was a great companion for pacing my buffet marathon. We didn't spend an awful amount of time swallowing lots of food, but the ambiance was quite relaxing if you were a buffet conquerer. Oh, by the way, the server did offer a choice of ice cream, but we kindly reclined due to the lack of volume in our stomaches. Did I tell you the buffet price for a adult on a weekday is $9.95 (as of 04/29/2015)? Most dishes were flavored nicely and tasty, yet having the buffet hot plates and lamps on continuously reduced the moisture inside the food overtime. As the result, the fried fish was difficult to cut open and the cabbage leaf had some minor burn marks. I still believe discovering Jolly Inn with their AYCE buffet was pretty exciting! I'm frequent customer at the nearby Montrose Deli. Hence, you would definitely see me around in Dunning/Portage Park neighborhoods. After all, it's not typical to see a petite Asian girl in various Polish neighborhoods, exploring and eating, in and around Chi-town (hahaha).
(4)Monica B.
This place blows my mind! So much food for such a low price and everything is fresh, top quality, and plentiful ! I liked the duck and roast beef the best as they were both super tender! Come with a large appetite as this is an all you can eat buffet! We will definetly be back! This place is worth every penny! If you like polish food or want to try polish food, then this is your place! Trust me, it's very good!
(4)Aimee M.
Was my kid's school the only one in Chicago that was off for Pulaski Day? Good for him because we made it a theme day--he is part Polish after all. And yeah, I'm that kind of mom. Just ask my husband about the Germany/Austria Day outing we had. My friend Angela P raves about this place so I'm glad I finally got a chance to check it out. The place is much bigger inside than I thought it would be. While we were there, I overheard them say that they could gladly take a party of 16 for lunch. Yes, lots of space. And lots of food! We visited for the lunch buffet. The staples are all represented..3 kinds of pierogi, kapusta (braised sauerkraut with sausage) , galumpki (stuffed cabbage rolls), roast pork, meatballs, cucumber salad, beet salad, potato pancakes...and lots other good choices like roast chicken, fried chicken, fish, pork shanks...pasta, veggies...so much food! The dessert station had cakes, kolacky, meringue cookies. Everything I tried was good. The galumpki rivaled my MIL's--that's saying a lot since she's been making that dish forever. The biggest standout though was the roast beef. There is a small carving station and the servers will carve it for you. This was the BEST roast beef I have ever had. it didn't need the au jus either, very flavorful and tender. My favorite for sure. The price is right. I don't know at what age the buffet is free, but for me, my husband and son, our bill came out to $27. That's with soup and coffee which is extra. A great deal for all of us eating well and having friendly attentive service.
(4)Gail G.
I later found out more about this incident from the serving staff at the banquet hall. It seemed like there were some communication problems between the family and the restaurant: the family made some some serious errors. I am giving them 3 stars, because they seemed to try, and the food looked good.
(3)Jason W.
This place is stuck in time, and the food is just old school awesome classic polish food. Buffet has so much it can make everyone happy, and it is so affordable. Try to duck. My absolute favorite in the buffet!
(4)Chloe T.
The food here is delicious. Very flavorful. very CLEAN and always hot!! I love the potato pancakes and the coffee. Random, but true.
(5)John Y.
Every once in awhile I pass through here. It's a pretty good Polish buffet! The buffet is plentiful, the food is good, the staff friendly and the prices are low. What more can you ask for? P.S. ... They need to replace some of their bench cushions as you sink way down into your seat..... Time for some new springs, folks!
(4)Jennie B.
For a polish buffet this IS as good as it gets! I haven't had any others (YET) but that's because I'm willing to drive all the way from Uptown to Natchez and Irving Park for some Jolly Inn! The meat pierogi are delicious, I dream about the dill potatoes, the potato pancakes are crunchy and flavorful and perfect with some sour cream, their golabki are unmatched, my husband and my mom love the apple fritters. I want to go there all the time.
(5)Kristen S.
This is my favorite place for Polish food. It is a buffet and the food is always plentiful and fresh. My favorite foods include the dill potatoes, polish sausage, beef with mushroom sauce and the apple pancakes! The potato pancakes and cheese blitzes are amazing. The coffee they serve is my absolute favorite. I could sit there all day and drink the coffee! Most of the waitresses are very nice, there is one older waitress that's not very friendly but it's a buffet so you don't really need the waitress very much. The prices are reasonable as well.
(5)Colleen D.
Eh - my dad raves about this place. My BF loves this place. So we went and I was underwhelmed.....everything was a bit tasteless. The servers were AWESOME but I just wasn't impressed with the food and I sampled just about everything.
(3)Susan M.
Jolly Inn has been a part of our family for many years - we keep coming back! Very much like home-cooking, kinda like Grandma used to make, traditional Polish food. Pierogis, potatoe pancakes, blintzes, dumplings, stuffed cabbage, roasted chicken, sausage with kraut - mouth watering yet? The salad bar is good too - plenty of choices which includes fresh fruit. So nice to be able to take whatever you want from the buffet and even go back for seconds. The restaurant, which is quiet and comfortable, is the perfect place to enjoy real comfort food! We have always enjoyed this place as a family and I'm sure you and your kids will too - especially Grandma and Grandpa! A family tradition waiting to happen!
(4)Ray W.
Stay away.
(1)dan p.
big cities suck in many ways. but they are also the go to spot for cultural and gustatory experiences one cannot find in battle mountain nevada or scottsbluff nebraska. take the category "polish buffet". even in most big american cities, this is not possible. but in chicago the city with the 2nd biggest polish population outside of warsaw, there are multiple choices. jolly inn is mine.. indian and thai buffet give one an explosion of exotic spices, colors and flavors. polish buffet, on the other hand, give one an explosion of carbs, meats and heavy calories. dont go to the jolly inn if you are concerned about your weight or energy level for the day. one must dive in fully to enjoy. pierogis, cabbage rolls, meatballs, potato pancakes, chicken, dumplings, beets and a whole bunch of other delicious items are offered up and though i always hesitate before choosing to come here (im mostly a vegetarian and i watch what i eat) i must admit its always worth it. There are good looking deserts and an even better looking pretty young lady who is the hostess and cashier. come hungry...and you shall enjoy this slice of chicago!
(4)Art M.
This place sucks. Food doesn't taste fresh and servers are very mean. Do not recommend, although Polish food is the greatest in the world.
(1)Greg B.
One trip to this place killed a whole week of work I put in hitting the gym. Hours on the treadmill gone in minutes. What sane person could contain them selves in a sea of comfort food, shit your grandma would make? A person could gorge themselves to death in here. My blood pressure is still elevated.. Bottom line: dangerously decent, inexpensive smorgasbord. Waste line, belt size and self-esteem are all in jeopardy the second you walk through the door.
(3)Ki E.
We drive in from Wisconsin to eat delicious pierogies and drink their wonderful coffee.
(5)Jennifer K.
Went here for lunch over the weekend because we were house-hunting in the area. We have dined at Red Apple countless times and we were eager to try a new place. Thought we were going to have a much better experience from the look of the buffet, but I was just not all that impressed. Didn't care for any of the pierogis, the fried fish and chicken were about the only things I liked. Sausage and kraut, fine but I was really upset I did not care for the pierogis. I wish someone had offered us soup, maybe I could have gotten full this way. My daughter enjoyed that there was mac and cheese up there and lots of fresh fruit, but other than that, I think we'll stick to Red Apple or Starpolska from now on.
(2)Chad C.
I'm only taking a star away because the dessert was pre-made store bought cakes and they didn't have kolachki.
(4)Roman D.
Definitely not for vegetarians or vegans. We asked for meatless plates for our family. They served us a fish with canned vagetables.They didn't know that fish is not a plant, and it was a shock for them when we refused to accept the fish plate. There was nothing else to eat for us accept the fish, so we left this place, hungry!!! What a shame.
(1)Carla B.
I love Jolly Inn!!!!! The food is great, quiet atmosphere, and the waitresses are very sweet. Not badly priced. The best damn potato pancakes/pierogies!!!!!
(5)Yvonne M.
The Jolly Inn has a great assortment of Polish food for a very reasonable price. Everytime I've been to the Jolly Inn, I have had a good experience where the servers are mostly pleasant (although I have encountered a rude one here or there). It's a buffet so most of it is self-serve anyway. The food ranges from pierogi to golapki to roast beef...if it's Polish, it's there!! I find the food outstanding unless it has been sitting around for a long while and dries out. Nice place to go for a Polish meal!
(4)R D.
This is by far my favourite Polish restaurant in Chicago. I think I have the typical American meat lover's tastes. Their carving board is better than the other smorgasbords in the area. If you want a lot of food for a reasonable price, this is it. Staff are always friendly, place is clean and food choices are numerous and tasty. Too bad it's a little further out from downtown. Used to go there almost daily when I worked in the suburbs.
(5)David Y.
I've been here a few more times and felt my review needed an update (the prior review was after a couple of visits and specifically called out their catering). At $10 a head, the Jolly Inn is still an orgy of greasy foods, salads, and mixed meats. You can really ruin yourself here but you'd die happy. The only thing I really wish they'd have was beets or a beet salad. Cheese Pierogi: Bad. Cheese had an off taste to it and I didn't like it at all. Sauerkraut Pierogi: not bad. sauerkraut pierogies are not big on my list but this wasn't bad and quite good if I just stick to one or two. Potato Pierogi: Awesome. Soft and tasty. Broiled Chicken: Not bad. Juicy and crisp. Just as greasy as fried chicken though. Stuffed Cabbage: Awesome. Cucumber Salad: excellent. not too creamy and delicious Pepper salad: another excellent salad. Well balanced. Meatballs and Gravy: meatball was very flavorful and the gravy kept it moist but the gravy didn't have a large pronounced taste. Apple Fritter: good. Not sweet but still pretty good. Potato pancake: Amazing. Crisp, slightly salty but so delicious. Kielbasa sausage: Not bad. With sauerkraut was quite good. Grapefruit & cantalope: flavorless but somewhat refreshing Grapes: seeded but sweet and delicious Service was good, not overly done but quick and friendly.
(4)Mike M.
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(5)Rebekah H.
Hubby and I tried Jolly Inn for the first time and it was pretty good. There is a nice variety of items and service was friendly. The meringues are crazy good, I am not usually a coconut fan but these work perfectly together. Enjoyed the apple and potato pancakes as well. The Pork loin on the carving station was great but both roast beefs (in buffet and carving station) were rather bland and the Roast Beef is usually my favorite part! Overall, an average experience that I would go back to for but only if I couldn't make it to Red Apple.
(3)Sarah E.
I am basing this review from a reception that I went to in 2011. The reception hall is by far beautiful. The appetizers did taste better than the main course though. The staff was very kind. My main problem is there are a lot of stairs. This place has an elevator in the back but then you have to climb up a couple steps. it was not friendly for older people in our family.
(3)Chris W.
This is the next best thing to your Polish grandma's cooking...
(5)Jade K.
First time for Polish food and I didn't this buffet at all. The only thing that was good and fresh was the cheese pierogi but everything else was stale and cold. The salad and desert bar was not appealing to the eye. Besides that everything was greasy and honestly I was afraid to eat there. The chicken soup I swear came from the lipton box. PROS: Pierogi CONS: Beat down restaurant, poor quality food, just old
(1)Kislev A.
Once again I would like to say that 3 Stars is solid people!!! So I go to Chicago for a vacation and I've never been here before. I heard there's a huge Polish population so I tell the cousin, "I have got to try some Polish dishes... especially the Pierogi!" So we got taken here so I could taste as many as I would like in one sitting. Don't expect fancy decor people. But you can expect nice friendly attentive service. Cheese Pierogi: I was not expecting it to be sweet. Is it really supposed to be this sweet? I was expecting one of the saltier cheeses. Meat Pierogi: Yum! Sauerkraut Pierogi: Good! Potato Pierogi: Good Carved Roast Beef: Surprisingly tender. The piece I got was medium. Stuffed Cabbage: Super good! I'm still craving Tiramisu: Not bad. Store bought I think. Meringue: I don't usually like meringue coz they are sugary sweet (no duh, I know) but these are pretty darned good with their desicated coconuts and it somehow fluffed up and was hollow in the middle. Very Good. Fruits: They have a large selection of fresh cut fruits, including small plums, which was essential after a large meal like this. Grape Salad: With the cream sauce. I really like! Cucumber Salad: Very good too! Meatballs and Gravy: Using dill in their gravy gave it a "light" flavor instead of the heavy flavors we normally associate with rich sauces like this. Apple Fritter: Winner!!!!! Potato Cake: Crispy and super yummy! On an unrelated note... some of the other patrons do not appear to be happy that their local haunt was haunted by people like me? They kept glaring at us whenever they passed by our table... Hmmm....
(3)Sarah R.
You can't go wrong with the Jolly Inn buffet. I don't care what anyone says. The food is always pretty fresh and very tasty. It's dangerous though, being a buffet, and all. I try to limit myself to 2 plates at most. They have a very good variety of different perogis and blintzes too. The same waitresses are always there whenever I go. They're pretty good about refills on drinks, clearing plates, etc. etc. Like everyone has mentioned it's always clean and I've never encountered a busy day which is insane because the food is so good.
(5)Rick F.
The Best Authentic Polish Buffet in Chicago! I love everything about this place. The largest selection of food I've ever seen! Fresh, Friendly Service. The Polish version of Chicken Soup is the best! Get ready for a major food coma afterwards. The meat and carbs will kill the rest of the day! LOL!
(4)Mary C.
They have very good food here. Its always hot and tasty. Potato pancakes are great. All the perogi are excellent. The last couple of times they had schnitzel and its wonderful. Every time I say I'm not going to over eat and every time I need to be rolled out of there. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Jen L.
Bring on the grease! When we decide to go to Jolly Inn, we accept the fact that we will be bloated and stopped up for the next couple of days. That's how we roll when we go to Jolly Inn. One of my favorite Polish buffets. For about $20 (I think, I can't remember) you can eat all the perogis and cheese blintzes you want! I'm not sure if I would consider it "authentic" but it seems to be a hit with the Polish community. They have quite the selection in their buffet , including a carving station and a salad bar with Polish deli meats. The desserts are awesome too, lots of Polish cookies, tortes and jello. They do have some fresh fruit as well, but sometimes they're kind of bland. If you're looking for a large satisfying Polish meal, this is a great choice. This is a BAD choice if you are on a diet, a vegetarian, hate grease or looking for a healthy meal. I consider myself a pretty healthy eater, but every once in a while, I will challenge my digestive system and indulge in some Jolly Inn.
(4)Chris K.
I've been going to this place for as long as I can remember and the place keeps getting bigger and better. They have a good mix of traditional polish food like kielbasa, pierogi, blintzes and golabki, mixed with all kinds of food like mostacccioli, popcorn shrimp and french fries. However, depending on what day you go, the choices may be all different, which of course enhances the experience. In addition to the massive piles of food, they have a salad bar with lots of fruit and jello if you want something lighter. The other positive to the Jolly Inn over other polish buffets in the area is the attentive and friendly staff. I've never gotten an evil stare or dirty look because I don't speak the language so well. My only minus to The Jolly Inn is their dessert section. I'm polish myself, but I've never been to partial to desserts made by my countrymen. Saying that, most of the time the dessert they have is stale, but they may be accelerated by the heat from the buffet lines nearby. If you're looking for a quality polish buffet, you will not be disappointed by the Jolly Inn!
(5)Katarzyna W.
This is one of the best Polish buffets in the city. The place is very clean and the setup is convenient. There is usually no waiting time except on Sundays. Everything here is pretty authentic and good. I especially recommend their potato pancakes and cheese blintzes. They also have a wide selection of Polish beers to sharpen up the appetite.
(4)Dorotka K.
I've been here a few of times for weddings and similar events. As a banquet hall, Jolly Inn does a decent job. The food was always very good and service outstanding as well. I also used Jolly Inn to cater food for a party. The price was excellent for the amount of food we got and the food itself was tasty. I have not tried the buffet.
(4)Natalie S.
All you can eat perogi = my own personal heaven. I mean... how can you go wrong there?! Yeah, the food can be a little greasy. It's FRIED. Pretty hard to make fried fish and chicken without it being at least a little greasy. Greasy = good in my book, anyways. The desserts suck. They are always stale and kinda picked over. But I don't go there to eat desserts. I go to consume polish sausage and sauerkraut by the pound. The waitresses are always friendly and efficient. It's clean. The buffet is filled regularily. It's YUM!
(4)Xiaoxi L.
I went on a weekday evening and the place was not very busy. This may have something to do with the food quality, but I found myself having a hard time getting down most of the items. The salad was wilted and the pasta noodles were soggy or dried up. I had hard time with the cheese blintzes and pierogis, which had a strange taste to them. It tasted a bit like goat cheese, but I didn't enjoy. The meat pierogis weren't fresh, but I did enjoy the sauerkraut ones. The fried chicken was good, too. I didn't get a chance to try the brisket because I was too lazy to tackle the knife. The herbed and mashed potatoes were good. I had to try not to eat too many of those. I did enjoy the potato pancakes, but they were soggy. There's a good dessert bar, complete with honeydew (my favorite buffet fruit) and coffee layer cakes. I wish the food were fresher. I would try this on a weekend where it'd be more packed.
(2)Pat C.
Eh wow I used to come here once in a while with an old friend who loved polish food. I am sorry it's just not my cup of tea. I don't like polish food all that much so having bad polish food here just killed it for me all together. Every time i left i felt like i just flushed my money down the toilet. I would only come because my friend really had a taste for it then i would have a soda :) I haven't been here in years and never plan on going back.
(1)Torry S.
I used to come here from time to time when I was working in the area. It was my first real polish restaurant experience so I didn't know what to expect. I think its a good way for beginners to try polish food because the buffet is a pretty good sampling and as a fail safe, you can always grab the chicken and rice which is consistently delicious. As for the other food, a lot of it tends to be greasy which made me not like some of the sausage there. The potato pancakes are good too. Sometimes the salad bar can look out of order and borderline nasty so it can be hit or miss depending on when you come. They also have a bar as well. In the end, the staff is nice enough and you can ask them what is what if you need to. Best thing about this place is that you can get a lot of food for 5 bucks which is a good deal all the time in my opinion.
(3)Bobby D.
A small but good out-of-the-way buffet. With the exception of the Kiszka-Which somehow tasted a little funny, More like soapy. But the fish wasn't bad, Also the meatballs & gravy were pretty good. The salad bar with the Polish-Style pickle was tasty. I actually LOVE the Polish or Kosher-Style horseradish they have. Maybe if the cuisine alternates on certain days, I should try out some more. The service was friendly & prompt too.
(4)Justin B.
This place has all the staples. I was there for a good 45 minutes and saw older Polish ladies replacing food on the line. This is a great comfort food place that I would go to again and again. An added bonus is that they have a full bar if your a drinker. I have been here several times and would recommend it to anyone looking to eat some good Polish food.
(4)Ian M.
The only other time I've been able to eat Polish food is during the summer festivals when there's a Polish food tent. Kielbasas, pierogis, cream cheese, and apple sauce. Mmm, the bf and I are there. During one fest, we wanted to find out if the food was provided by a particular restaurant, to which we were told it wasn't from any location, we were disappointed. A nearby muncher joked it was called "Polish Place". From that day forward, we were trying to find our "Polish Place" when we had the chance. But, I digress. A friend introduced us to this particular "Polish Place" and we were down for the buffet which was less than $10 each. The buffet had all the necessary staples of Polish cuisine, so we definitely had out fix. Service was good on the quiet weeknight we dined. There wasn't a thing I hated, but I just knew I was loading up on carbs for nothing. Sometimes, it's just nice to have those days.
(3)Vince V.
I love you Jolly Inn. Your catered goodies for my friend's birthday this weekend were spot on delicious. The meat pierogi were supple and savory, the stuffed pyzy was warm and comforting, the cheese blintz was subtly sweet and the meatballs were just perfect. There were other items on my plate, which included a little roast beef and gravy too. Yummy. Everybody enjoyed their meals. Afterwards, I sat in a food coma for some time waiting for the Superbowl festivities to begin.
(5)DrGrace G.
I love this place, it is a nice date place, even when you wait for your table it isn't very long, the waitresses are very pleasant and the environment is old fashioned. This is a buffet type place, I love it, I love to have the option of tasting many different things, the food is delicious, try their deserts and the coffee is wonderful. I highly recommend it. Wysoko polecam...lol that's Polish and yes I was born there, so I speak it fluently, even though I came here in 1982. Really it's worth the trip. If you choose wisely, you don't have to be stuffed up and you don't have to spoon on all the grease ;}
(4)Alexandra R.
I've been coming here with my family since before I can remember and I love it just as much as I did when I was a kid. If you're looking for typical polish food then this is the place to come to! They have other kinds of food as well. I recommend any of the many types of the pierogi because theyre always delicious :) Service is always great and prices are reasonable.
(4)Jeremy H.
I'd never been to a polish food buffet before but definitely enjoyed it. The price was more than fair for an all-you-can-eat, and most of the food was pretty darn good. Not five star cuisine by any means, and tried one or two items that weren't the greatest, but definitely very decent for buffet food and well worth the money. Friendly service, also.
(4)Jennifer T.
Can't go wrong with the potato pancakes, pirogi and broasted chicken. it's really great for gatherings with friends and family and you will definitely get your moneys worth. I love their authentic soups, don't miss out, they are really inexpensive (around $1.30) or so extra for a cup and like $2.00 for a bowl. Chicken noodle with the thin noodles just like grandma used to make :) their blintzes are out of this world!
(4)Jacob Y.
A friend of mine, whose birthday was this past week, INSISTED we go to the Jolly Inn and has been swearing about this place ever since. Now, I am not a big fan of buffets for a few reasons: 1) I cannot always eat UNLIMITED quantities of food, 2) buffets I have been to in the past usually have food sitting there for a long time (therefore, it does not taste good), and 3) because of reason #2, I would only go when there are big crowds (so the food gets changed out more often) and you can never predict when this happens. So when we got to the Jolly Inn last night at approximately 8:00 pm, this place was hopping...first sign that it was going to be a successful dinner night. Second thing that reassured me of this...because this is a polish buffet, it was nice to see the restaurant full of Polish folks enjoying the food. When we got in and on the way to get seated, we went right through the food area, and as I was perusing the items available, I was very happy to see the display and variety of dishes that were available. One word...Perogies. And unlimited amount of these delicious, smooth, and buttery meat (or potato) dumplings made the entire meal. Other favorites of mine last night included the dill potatoes, roast beef (with an awesome mushroom gravy), the potato pancakes (WOW), blood sausage (excellent), and mac n cheese (yes, I went there!). The decor...like any other buffet I have been to, surrounded by booths and tables. The service...a tad slow, but she was friendly. I was soo full from eating pierogies last night that it took at least 4 rounds of drinks from the bar we went to afterwards to put the food down. Be forewarned...this food made me burp for hours...and yes, it smelled like pierogies, oddly enough...LOL If you like unlimited quantities of delicious tasting Polish food...pay a visit to the Jolly Inn. Good thing this place is a good drive from my place...I can easily see myself gaining at least 100 lbs eating all that rich food!
(3)Mindy G.
Great Polish buffet. Went there tonight with the hubby and kids. My son said the apple pancakes tasted like "a miracle." He kept filling his plate. I loved the potato pancakes and was thrilled that there were lots of vegetarian choices. The best thing was the mushroom salad. I kept going up for more. I thiink my husband was in a meat induced coma. The deserts were ok, and both of my kids got bowls of ice cream. The server was attentive and friendly. We would definitly go back.
(5)Yvonne O.
In a city full of Polish resturants, this is not a gem. Although it is all you can eat, the offerings are lack luster and many times empty. We were there on a Saturday night at about 7:00 and the place was not crowded - we had no trouble navigating the buffet and still trays remained empty or with dried-out food. The carved meat station was not great either - VERY fatty cuts with dried out ends. The dumplings and boiled potatoes were good, as was the soup, but no stuffed cabbage and the cheese blintzes were gross - totally rubbery cheese inside and no flavor. The potato pancakes were way too greasy and how many chicken options can you really put on one buffet? Desserts were dried out and not very exciting - no kolachky and the checkerboard cookies were paper thin. I wanted to like you Jolly, but I just couldn't. One good thing - the waitress was super nice to us and we still tipped her as if the food was great.
(2)Pamela P.
I'm a Polish gal. My grandmother's spoiled me with amazing polish food since I could waddle my way into her kitchen. I know good Polish food when I see/taste/smell/eat it. This food is just ok. It's super-d-duper greasy and I guess it has to be in order to keep it edible on the endless buffet line. I won't even guess as to its sodium content. The selections are vast and you'll probably find a few things you like but there's nothing particularly phenomenal. The waitresses are nosy nellies and spend too much time trying to chat you up. The price is about $11 a person and for Polish food on the northwest side, that's a steep price. It's worth a visit at least once though, to get the full Polish effect.
(3)rudy v.
We just had the urge for Polish & somebody suggested Jolly Inn. It was quite a drive coming from our place. What's nice was there was an ample parking area & not cramped at all. The food was great as we expected from the blintzes to pancakes to the main dishes. I liked the chicken liver & the duck. The dessert was average but the sum total of the experience was good. The hosting was quite warm, too.
(4)Dan E.
I was eager to try this place based on the reviews of my fellow Yelpers but I thought the place was so-so. I went there on a Sunday. The best way I can describe the food is "institutionalized." The food may be typical for the banquet hall next door, but I expect more of a restaurant, even if its a buffet. They need to kidnap a few Polish busias and chain them to a stove in the kitchen. The fried chicken looked like the stuff you see under heat lamps in gas stations. The mixed vegetables were mushy frozen ones. My dinner companion said the chicken soup had a lard-like aroma to it. The lettuce in the salad looked wilted - surprising since it was pretty crowded and the turnover was high. Leftovers from the banquet hall? Price was $9.95. Soup, as well as drinks are extra. So with soup, a drink, tax and tip it'll run about $20 per person. Service was very pleasant and attentive. The bulk of the clientele seemed to be the local Polish AARP crowd. The pierogi, potato pancakes and mushroom soup were good but I don't think I would go out of my way to come here again.
(2)Brent W.
oh man, who could not bring themselves to go and eat here after a sesh at the salt cave next door?! It's practically compulsory. We walked in and took one look at the buffet and in a nano second said, yes. Two please. Think scaled back Bobak's with, while not every conceivable Polish menu item, a number of the Eastern Euro's faves. The pork loin was abso tdf and everything else we consumed was very good, including the endless dessert table. I found it comical that in the midst of all the madness of polish delicacies, they had mini pizza slices in a "pizza warming rotisserie", but i still had to try a slice. Not bad but could not compare to the rest of Jolly's smorgasboard.hohoho., including the Ham, Roast Beef and Pork carving stations. Now let's go back and crash at the salt cave next door in a food coma. Jolly good time, mate.
(4)Linda P.
Yummy, yummy YUMMY Polish food! If you like traditional homestyle Polish cooking, Jolly Inn satisfies. The buffet has loads of dishes that I grew up on including pierogi, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes and meat...LOTS OF MEAT! There was sausages, cold cuts, pork chops, broasted chicken, turkey, beef in gravy, ham and roast beef...talk about a MEAT FEST! And don't get me started on the desserts...hehehe tons of cakes and kolacky to satisfy the sweet tooth. And so CHEAP too...dinner is under $10 and I'm sure that lunch is even cheaper. A couple things...I wish that refills were an option on the drinks, make sure you get a glass of water if you get really thirsty becos you will end up paying for each soft drink you order. Also, the buffet is so filling the optional soup (also extra) is not necessary. All I have to say is...DON'T EVEN THINK OF COMING HERE IF YOU'RE ON A DIET ;)!
(4)Paul K.
All the food looks fresh and clean and is delicious. Highly recommended and the soups, while extra, are well worth trying. I am not a big fan of buffets but this is must try.
(4)Count Gregula ..
You know how many Polish guys it takes to change a lightbulb? Er... oops vrong site. *blushes* Seriously, Countess & I vent to Jolly Inn yesterday for Easter dinner. Good thing I'm a vamp becuase there vas enough meat on the buffet to choke a horse (except there vas no horse on the menu). *grins* The buffet is moderately priced, but the drinks are seperate and so is the soup. Plus, only thing I didn't like is having to keep asking for my vater glass to be filled each time. I guess they more or less vant you to buy another drink each time. I did have a $7.50 Long Island Ice Tea. Vell, to sum up my experience at Jolly Inn vith a quote from Archie Bunker, "You...are a meathead!" Mike Stivic vould definitely appreciate Jolly Inn. Edith...get me a beer, eh!
(4)Leah J.
Endless plates of pierogi's! Yep, it's a polish all you can eat buffet. It's all here at the restaurant. Ham, sausage, kraut, blintzes, PIEROGIS, desserts, ice cream, etc. etc. I especially like the potatoe pancakes and dumplings.My friends and I manage to have some type of event here almost once a year. Waiters get your drink, but the rest is up to you my friend. Forget about the salad starter and go straight for the goods! Not sure of what the price is now, but a lunch/dinner can't be more than $10. I think it was $8 or $9 a year and a half ago. For those of you who can't get enough, they package and sell many of their items (pierogis, dumplings, etc.) right at the door. Pick some up before you leave!
(4)David S.
Just ate lunch with my work homies at the Jolly Inn in Chicago at Irving Park Rd. and Oak Park Ave. on the Northwest side. The Jolly Inn is a smashing Polish buffet restaurant on the NW side of Chicago. The prices are good, the refills are free and the pierogi are hot and fresh. The Lakes (potato pancakes) are really good and thick and spiced up just enough to give them a good flavor even without the sour cream and applesauce. They are also cooked enough so when they sit on the buffet line they don't get too moist. Ewww=moist latkes. More at oakparkdad.com/2007/10/7…
(4)tracey t.
The Jolly Inn was a friendly spot on a rainy Sunday afternoon while visiting Portage Park, but unfortunately the food didn't put smiles on our faces. We were looking forward to some traditional polish grub and the buffet looked impressive when we first arrived. As we loaded our plates with the eastern european delights -- potato pancakes, pierogi's, sausage, fried zucchini and more -- we were more than a little disappointed in the huge grease factor. The high points were the fresh fruit and salad buffet as well as the dessert bites (plus, I actually loved the polish sausage and the blintzes!), the low point was the chicken noodle soup that tasted three days old. In general, the service was good, the food received mixed reviews, but all in all, we still left in good spirits. Maybe this inn had some jolly after all.
(2)Mike P.
Another Polish Christmas Miracle. Thanks to the Jolly Inn. Went in yesterday for the first time. Typical, but tasty Polish buffet. Only complaint is that my knife was very dull. Loved the Polish contemporary Christmas music.
(4)james m.
Realy great Polish food. Reasonable price. After several visits never dissapointed. Will come back often!!!
(5)Jeffrey V.
I attended a wedding here and it felt like a funeral. It's not a bad place, but i get why fat people celebrate here.
(2)Steve C.
This place is great! I live in Colorado, but most of my family lives in Chicago. I have been visiting there for 20 years and almost every time I visit I eat at the Jolly Inn. I'm Polish and like pierogi's and dumplings and this place makes them pretty well. I totally recommend this place, come hungry though! HA!
(4)Randy S.
I went there on New Year's Eve party and was impressed. Food was delicious. Music was great. Staff and guests were nice. Tickets were affordable for what I was getting there. I'm going there next year for the party.
(5)Angela P.
We have been going here for years!! I LOVE their food...but I am also a huge fan of Polish food, being part Polish myself. I give them a definite 5 stars for the food quality, but I have to give them a 4 because the seating areas can be pretty cramped and they don't take reservations, so if you want to go on Mother's Day or Easter, you should plan on waiting around an hour or so to get sat. But everything else about this place I love! I love that is is a buffet because there are so many good things to chose from that you have to go up like a million times! =] I LOVE their potato dumplings, in particular, they are like little pillows swimming in a pool of butter, real butter!! Yumm! I can't say anymore about this place, except for...just go and try it...you will definitely be going back for more!
(4)Alexzandra A.
This place is cheap and good! I am so glad we came here for our date lunch yesterday. I had been wanting to try this place for quite some so my expectations were pretty high. Everything I tried was awesome. I wasn't a fan of the croquettes but the blintze, perogie, and dumplings were yummy. My carnivorous boyfriend tried seemed to try every meat dish and was happy with them all. Everything tasted and looked super fresh. Major kuto's for having not only the red cabbage salad, but also a sauerkraut salad. Our total was $16 for two including pop.
(5)Richard S.
i'm of Polish decent and thought the food was terrible. It's a grease pit.
(1)Alanna K.
Polish food+all you can eat=AMAZING meal. This kind of food makes you not want to eat for days because it just sinks to the bottom of your stomach. But it is so good. The food is cheap, and the selection is plentiful, and filling.
(4)Holly L.
Best kapusta I've ever had. So sad I can't find a recipe since I am far away now.
(5)B. L.
Jolly Inn offers buffets, catering, delivery service and also rents their largest room for banquets. I was here once for a family event. There is tons of food to choose from. Don't go here if you are on a diet. This is a very popular place especially the banquet hall.
(4)Cindy R.
If you have an appreciation for eastern european food, Jolly Inn is a bargain. Pierogi, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, it's all there. Plus meat carving stations, chicken, turkey, sausage, boiled potatoes, fresh fruit...and on and on and on. For $6.99 at lunch you can try it all.
(4)Kat S.
I love this place, it is a nice date place, even when you wait for your table it isn't very long, the waitresses are very pleasant and the environment is old fashioned. This is a buffet type place, I love it, I love to have the option of tasting many different things, the food is delicious, try their deserts and the coffee is wonderful. I highly recommend it. Wysoko polecam...lol that's Polish and yes I was born there so I speak it fluently even though I came here in 1982. Really it's worth the trip.
(4)Oscar the Death Cat B.
My first visits to the Jolly Inn were under somewhat unusual/grim circumstances - they are located just around the corner from the cemetary where I occasionally visit departed relatives. Their main dining space houses a polish buffet, this is definitely not lo-cal cuisine, lots of meats, and butter on almost everything! But as "comfort food" goes, their offerings are very good, they have fruit & salad selections also to balance things out a bit. Their pierogi are outstanding! They also have banquet halls, and a few friends have used their catering service regularly & rave about how they love the reliability of Jolly Inn's delivery, service, and food quality.
(4)Sue S.
Great place to go for good polish food. We have catered from this place and have never had a problem with any of the food. Also, had our wedding reception here and they really take care of you. The food was awesome and everyone had a great time. Jolly Inn is very reliable and has great service whether you are dining inn, using the banquet halls, or using the catering/delivery service.
(5)