We've been going to Red Apple for quite some time and really enjoy the good home cooking and the variety of choices. The tongue & horseradish gravy, potato pancakes, real mashed potatoes, all are very good. Recently we took our elderly Aunt & Uncle for lunch and were shock when we got the bill. Four meals, 2 ice teas, Chicago tax, it was $103! FOR LUNCH! Sorry, but we will not be going as often. Overpriced.
(2)
ChiTown M.
I love it when they have white borscht. It's so tasty. The buffet is kept well-stocked. The salad bar is surprisingly fresh and the selections are varied. The dessert station has plenty of Polish pastry specialties, like Kolacky. The carving station ham is out of this world, and the roast beef is good. The potato pancakes are outstanding, as is the Kielbasa. The waitress offers soup at the beginning, which she brings to the table, along with your beverages. Then, after the meal, she offers ice cream. The service is excellent. The waitresses aren't super friendly, but they are truly efficient. I think the lack of banter may be a case of language barrier, as they all seem to be native Polish speakers. My Polish is awful and limited, so I don't dare try it. :P The place is clean, comfortable, and casual. I've never had anything less than an awesome experience.
(5)
Tracy L.
It's good not great and the price pretty much ruined it for me ever going back and I'm far from cheap but not worth it 3 people with 3 cokes $73 bucks That's Insane!!
(2)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: The Red Apple restaurant has been around for ages in Chicago, and the locals go there for their AYCE Polish buffet. When you walk in, you just seat yourselves. Our server was nice and friendly, and once snag a table, you are welcome to start. The offerings include breaded shrimps, BBQ ribs, baked fish (salmon), meatballs, pork shanks, chicken bread cutlet, roasted turky/ham/duck, potato dumplings, potato salad, croquettes, boiled potatoes, and pierogies. I was a little disappointed because, as much as the buffet was extensive in terms of their selections, the flavors were just not tasty. I thought they were bland and underseasoned, and even some shakings of the salt and pepper didn't do so much. The apple pancakes were soggy and wet, and the crispy potato pancakes, while looking nice and crispy, were underseasoned. The schnitzels and the pork loin with the dill-based sauce tasted like ground 'mysterious' meat that had a very soft texture - yikes! The pierogies, which I was the most excited about, were boiled way too long, as it was super mushy. Even though there were a handful of dining patrons, the condiments by the buffet were never refilled (such as the tarter sauce, ketchup, mayo, etc.). The restaurant itself was cute and very old-school, but our dining experience was just not what we expected! I'm glad I gave Red Apple a try but would not go back! +AYCE Polish buffet +overcooked pierogies T___T +carry-out/takeaway availabe +friendly servers :D
(3)
Megan M.
It's the equivalent of coming home to my grandparents house, walking in to the aromatic flavors of the 'old country', as my grandpa would say. You immediately feel welcome, and food can, and does, make you feel comfortable and happy. While the food is hardly fitness friendly, it truly is delicious, and worth a cheat meal. Well prepared, with the traditional sauces, every one of the many meat options kept me coming back for more. Sunday's Mushroom soup is unforgettable, and who can pass up fresh kielbasa? If you're doing it right, your belly will be uncomfortably big, you'll have a smile on your face, and then, yes then, you're cute waitress will offer you ice cream. The correct thing to do, is get a scoop. Maybe that cold creamy ball of happiness will cool and compact that polish meat baby brewing in your belly... Or maybe not, but it sure was yummy!
(5)
Stef M.
Great polish food buffet. Watch out - cash only. Great service. They charge groups of 8 or more a 15% gratuity for buffet service. My large party was sat in a large party dining room - it was a nice touch. Crowd favorites were strawberry pierogi and potato pancakes.
(4)
J P.
Bring your appetite -- my feeding frenzy brought on a sweat. Banquet style which was exactly what I was in the mood for. Food was good and abundant. Coffee fantastic. Carry out available and the price for Labor Day lunch was higher than usual at $19.19/pp. not complaining as to me it was worth more.
(4)
Gina L.
My family has been coming here since it opened. I have a friend who says this is the closest to his mothers cooking. We love it. It's authentic. The food is great. The service is friendly. The atmosphere is welcoming. Try this place if you want good Polish food. Bring cash! They don't accept credit cards.
(5)
Trina J.
I was blown away by the food here. Admittedly, my prior experience with polish cuisine stopped at Kiebalsa. But, I left Red Apple, smiling, happy, full and in love with most of the things I tried. And I tried almost everything. In fact, I was so full that we sat for an hour as to allow time for food to digest just so we could have dessert. Beet Soup - 4 stars (*not a beet fan but it was yummy!) Carrot & Peas - 5 stars (* a favorite) Stuffed Cabbage - 5 stars Smoked Kiebalsa - 5 stars Cucumbers & Cream Sauce - 5 stars Chicken Kiev - 5 stars (stuffed w/ cheese & then fried) Roasted Chicken - 5 stars Roasted Duck - 5 stars (*super tender) Veal Ragu - 5 stars Schnitzel - 3 stars Strawberry Pierogi - 5 stars Meat Pierogi - 4 stars Fried Vegetable Rice - 3 stars Cheese Blintzes - 5 stars (sweet & creamy) Chicken Noodle Soup - 4 stars Ham off the bone - 5 stars (slow cooked to perfection) Seafood Pasta - 3.5 stars Potato Pancakes - 5 frickin' stars (* absolutely amazing) Desserts - 5 stars (don't know the names of each one. They all were good.) Service - 5 stars Value for the money - 5 stars The line was full of fresh items. You were also topped off with your choice of ice cream. Needless to say, we all needed a nap after the feast. But the meal has left a lasting impression on my tummy. .... This will be the first of many visits to come.
(5)
Zach A.
Mighty tasty! Lots of great stuff in the buffet. I was in perogi heaven! And there were various potato and cabbage and sausage dishes. Great value and service,
(4)
Apple P.
We came back to the Red Apple after our move back. Our latest trip was a big disappointment. May I add, that I always loved this place and found the food to be delicious however things have certainly changed. I've been eating Polish food as a kid (of course nothing is better than home made) and in the past I could honestly say the Red Apple was the next best thing to home made but not anymore. The pierogies we had on a Saturday were tough, thick, cold and there were only 6 in the pan (this was at 11:30) with only a few customers in the place. Their once delicious cheese blintzes were cold and stuck to the pan and the potato pancakes were as thin as paper. The quality of the food has certainly gone downhill. Yes they had ham, turkey and pork roasts but I wanted the traditional home cooked Polish food that the RA once had. They stopped taking credit cards and frankly for the weekend price of $20.00 we probably ate about $5.00 worth since hot dishes were cold or tasted like they were store bought. Sad that it changed so drastically. Some of the salads were ok and the waitresses were friendly. Our server was surprised that we asked for the check so quickly.
(1)
T S.
The food here is unique delicious, but just a heads up: THEY DON'T TAKE CREDIT CARDS! THEY ARE CASH ONLY! The service is so very polite and welcoming, and the facilities are quite clean. Just remember, it's CASH ONLY! (They do have an ATM on-location.)
(5)
Paul K.
First time at this location. Same solid food as the other location. As have been mentioned the strawberry perogies are really good. I had a sampling stuffed cabbage, herring, polish sausage, perogies, All the food was top notch. So I came I saw and I ate. I fought the good fight and really did enjoy getting my Polish on. Since I am not Polish it takes some time.
(4)
A M.
Food For THOUGHT: Know in advance this is a cash only deal but there is a private ATM on site. Saturday afternoon 3pm and there is no parking available either in back (tiny lot) or street wise. BE CAREFUL parking in the neighborhood - Watch the signs or risk getting towed out. Seating is booth and table, but know both are a bit undersized and the tables are crammed in tight. Believe it or not they have 'to-go' order where you can pay for a Styrofoam container and fill it by weight. I guess if you MUST have your Polish cuisine that badly, its the only way 'to-go'! :) I made reservations with OpenTable but they didn't even bother to look them up when we arrived :( Food For YOU: One L-shaped station complete with cold pasta/salad, salmon (its cold), and desert line the right/back of the food service area. One Rectangular service station with hot dishes rotating in and out. Attendants at the food service area hustle, so if you don't see what you want just ask or wait a minute... they'll be back. Just don't stand where the kitchen exit is or they'll run you over. Please know that you have to carve your own ham, turkey and beef. Be careful where you attempt to put your plate while maneuvering that not so sharp carving knife. Mom steam burned her hands (ouchie!) when she picked up her plate after setting it aside to get to the ham, which was very tasty. Mashed potatoes were amazing too! It seems the offerings vary, and some of the items I was looking for weren't on the buffet at this visit. There was plenty to chose from if you just waited out the service attendants. Kielbasa was a bit peppery, and some of the other flavors were a bit strong too. Mom loved the fruit pierogi, blintzes and something with a horseradish sauce. She didn't elaborate, I didn't ask. :) I agree with the others that the mix of food choice was a bit odd- flan?? Mom commented most of the deserts had jello in them.... a second look confirmed this. I had hoped for different deserts but again, my grandma was an excellent baker :) Service: Service was very good. Our waitress was on the move. First asking what we wanted to drink (there IS a full bar on the premise too!). Next offering choice of two different soups. We had chicken noodle, more noodle than chicken with fresh chive. Might be your grandma's best, but mine did it better :) The waitress asked if we were finished before walking off with our dishes - she was pretty prompt about cleaning up. She also offered coffee and at the end of the meal a choice of two different ice cream flavors. You certainly get your money's worth - and hopefully the food choices you are looking for. While it was my intention to do this for mom, my impression was it was a nice meal but not the first place I'd think of for a meal out.
(3)
Susan A.
Had the lunch buffet for 11.99. Lots of Polish fare to choose from. Very unique and bring a big appetite
(4)
Mike O.
Made a second visit during a trip to the side, I should of kept driving. Maybe my first visit a couple of years ago was fluke and things have changed. We were seated fairly quickly and the waitress came over to start things out. She kept pushing glasses of water and soup, nothing like filling up on water and not on solid food. My biggest complaint is that food is painfully bland and lacking any taste. I had to add salt and pepper to everything to get some taste out of the food. Judging by the other people there they keep the food bland for the older crowd that eats there. Also the selection of items was not all that great as I remember. No meat pierogis, no cheese pierogis, no dumplings... I will give a thumbs up to our waitress, she did keep the table clear of dirty dishes and keep the (bad tasting) soda refills coming. As much as mock people who complain that restaurants don't take credit or debit cards for a simple cup of coffee, carry a few bucks in your pocket! But when a restaurant charges (drink and meal) twenty bucks per person, take the cards. As someone else posted about there little sign at the cash register, you need a Rosetta Stone to figure it out. Luck someone in our group had enough cash on them to pay for dinner. Also the cashier disappeared for long periods of time, leaving customers waiting to pay and get out of there.
(2)
dan p.
there was a time that polish food was something i would avoid. i spent seven years earlier in life as a vegetarian and my 1st polish buffet experience (a year or two after my relapse into eating flesh) sealed the deal fro me. full of heavy flesh laden dishes, lots of flour and empty carbs, polish food seemed to me the antithesis to healthy, conscious eating. flash ahead 25 years later, unlike many folks my age, i daily challenge my dogmas. and they often drop away. though i have now been a polish food fan for a few years now it was on a bright, sunny march day that i found my benchmark for polish buffet. red apple is a bright, warm welcoming room done up in natural wood. the place was clean. the food was excellent and appealing. i loved the cabbage rolls, the fried haddock was fresh and delectable, as was the polish sausage, tilapia,cheese blintzes and various and numerous salad dishes. i was not as crazy about the pierogis and the ice cream was a little icy but these are trivial matters. the employees were excellent and i loved the fact we were the only non polish folks in the place. but one thing remained a mystery to me. at the desert bat were little yellow dishes of ....flan.flan? that delicious custard dish i associate with mexico? surely there was an answer to this strange cross cultural phenomenon. after all, there were no tacos, pad thai or samosas to be had. what was the reason? sadly, nobody there could answer that as their english was not great. but it was excellent anyway! 12 bux in the day 14 at night and a special 15 dollar buffet on the weekends with treats like lamb and more. i am officially a fan!
(4)
Darren F.
ive had polish food before and the food they serve here doesnt compare at all... the food tasted very bland and some of the meat was very rough and chewy... my friend and i was just filling our stomach with mash potatoes and gravy mostly because that's like the only decent food item we enjoyed... by the fruit and dessert table.. there was fruit flies and flies around and it keep landing on the food..yea.. not really appetizing after that.. for around 16 bucks.. it was definitely not worth it in my opinion..
(1)
Josh S.
I'm not typically a fan of buffets but this is hands down the best Polish food in the city of Chicago. I'm a 3rd generation patron and this is like a reliable and beloved old friend. First off the food isn't typical buffet food that looks or tastes like it's been sitting out. The staff is constantly bringing out fresh dishes and it's never dried out. The potato pancakes, pierogis, ham and stuffed cabbage rolls are my absolute favorite and dare I say even better than my grandmother used to make. Expect over 40 dishes to choose from and the best of Polish/Eastern European cuisine. Do not even think about coming to this restaurant unless you are prepared to eat. You will walk out stuff but extremely satisfied.
(5)
tomas a.
Everything polish you want to eat plus more always a huge variety they have beef turkey and ham that you carve yourself mmmm good plus perogis stuffed cabbage polish sausage lamb potato pancakes ribs and about 5 or so different cold saleds coleslaw potato salad cucumber salad beet salad and much more they also serve alcohol and other drinks but its CASH ONLY but you can use there ATM for a fee
(5)
Ciara T.
I've came here many times in the past with my big family and was treated quite nicely. I recently came here by myself and felt quite unwelcome. I felt very uncomfortable as soon as I came into the restaurant. I was looking for some good quality polish food I can grab from the buffet and eat on the go and didn't quite find that. There wasn't any selection really and the food I did choose wasn't really tasty-- no flavor, stale mostly. The cash only policy was a surprise but the way I was told was seemingly rude. I let it all go and grabbed my cash from the atm nearby but once I got my food I realized I didn't have any utensils in the bag or napkins. I don't know, just really expected more and was let down quite a lot. Felt unwelcome &looked at sideways and on top of that, received sad food. Not quite comparable to Jolly Inn on Irving Park-- that's definitely my favorite hands down.
(2)
Bob A.
This place is the bomb for good old fashion polish cuisine. I grabbed a to go container and loaded up on my favorites: Veal stew, peirogi, Angus beef sliced to order, pork with plum in the middle, polish sausage (best I've had), etc. Filled 3 trays and was over $40.00 dollars but worth it. They only take cash and was lucky to have an extra bill in my pocket. I will be going on a regular basis to eat in and carry out. Better than their competitors in the area! A must try for the polish favorites.
(5)
Danny M.
I came here with my friend because he had this place bookmarked. When we walked in here, it was kinda small but we ate here anyway because we were really hungry. This is the first time I have tried a Polish buffet so I really can't compare it to any other ones. I like how everything was listed, so you know what you are eating, but I honestly thought everything was just okay at best. Nothing really stood out and I have no idea why the reviews here are so great. Maybe it is just me, but my friend did not like this place as well.
(2)
Chris I.
This was our first time here. Recommended by a family member and it was worth the long drive there. We were aware in advance that it was cash only but they do have an ATM machine though. Parking in the rear lot was not available but we got lucky and snagged a spot on the street in front. We have heard that they can get crowded so we made reservations for our party of 5 and were seated right away in a room towards the back. it was quieter than the main restaurant area and we did not feel rushed at all. The service was great. We were offered a choice of soups and after the buffet you get ice cream if you have room :) the buffet was delicious, fresh, and well stocked. there was a huge selection so even my picky eater found plenty to fill up on. Carving station with ham and roast beef, fried chicken, roasted chicken, chicken cutlets, chicken kiev, polish sausage, fish, pork, stuffed cabbage, pierogis, potato pancakes, blintzes, the list goes on. the deserts were all very tasty as well.
(4)
Aaron A.
Everything was good. This was my first time eating Polish food other than their sausage. Servers were nice, so no complain there. The place is clean. I'll go back for the schnitzel with mushroom gravy. I wasn't impressed at the desserts though. But overall, their food is good.
(4)
Pete C.
Dobry Dzień! 12 friends and I came in on a Saturday night for my birthday (I had reserved a table) and we needed space for 2 more late invites and they were very accommodating! The service was good, always picked up the plates and refilled the water. The food was good (being Polish I am pretty partial to Polish food) the buffet was always full, the food was fresh and tasty! A lot of the folks never had Polish food so they enjoyed it as well. The price point was good for a buffet on a Saturday night! One turn off was that normally for a buffer I would tip 10% but with that many people they added a 15% tip (mind you I would have tipped a bit more than the 10% regardless just because they were accommodating). That was the only flaw that left them one star shy of a 5!
(4)
Jennifer T.
Since my last visit there's been a vast improvement in the food and service. The food tasted way better than the last time. Way more authentic polish food and well worth the price. We were very pleased and will return again.
(5)
sarah j.
The Best! I am polish american so don't ask me if these items are truly authentic, but they are fresh, tasty and always consistent. Four stars because I wish they had some different polish items that I like, but oh well. You don't have to be polish to like the food, they have things like fried chicken, ribs, mashed & gravy, veal, beef stew, fried shrimp etc, etc.
(4)
Dea A.
You know how you feel after you eat at an Indian buffet? Yeah, this is like that but to an extreme. The cabbage, fried everything and pork really sit in your stomach. It hurts to breathe. You feel a little diaphoretic. There's a 50% chance you just might pass out on your 3rd plate from your stomach exploding. Despite living in the area for decades, our family only recently discovered this place. This is the best Polish buffet in town. They have so many different items, they refresh things often, and everything is from good to great. It's way better than the White Eagle down the street -- for your next funeral or kid's birthday celebration, come to the Red Apple instead! Don't miss: - Glombki (cabbage rolls), theirs are exceptionally good - Strawberry pierogi (this sounds like an abomination, you might think about resisting, but don't. Give in. These are oddly delicious) - Potato dumplings with gravy - Latkes (wish they put out applesauce instead of compote though) - Kapusta (saurkraut), the dill cucumbers or the shredded beets (salad bar) Skip: - The desserts (other than the strawberry pierogi) -- they look better than they taste. They take OpenTable reservations (why? Not sure, probably for bigger groups). But they are only cash only. Why have Open Table, but not take credit cards? Ugh, I wish they posted that somewhere in a clearer place. Also, they have the world's most confusing pricing (buffet can range from $9.99 to $14.99, depending on the lunar phase, zodiac of the last pig that was slaughtered, and the time the last batch of pierogi were made).
(4)
Karen M.
Thanks a lot Red Apple. I called 2 1/2 weeks before Easter to ask if they would be open on Easter Sunday. I was told they would be open, was quoted a price of $17.95 per person as a holiday rate and made my reservation. Fast forward to Easter Sunday. My car is loaded up with my family, including two elderly relatives in their 80's. As we approach the restaurant, we cannot believe how there are no cars parked in front. As we drive closer, we realize that is because THEY WERE CLOSED! Fortunately The White Eagle down the street was open and happy to accommodate us. It was a bit more expensive, but the food was better. Also, the servers were a million times friendlier than the people at Red Apple.
(1)
Kitty R.
So, my boyfriend and I wanted to try this restaurant, because it's located near my apartment. We were standing in the front for quite sometime before someone came to seat us. The waitress was attentive, and the food was pretty decent. After dinner, we tried paying with a credit card, since the sign on the front of the restaurant said, "Credit cards only for new customers," and the cashier wouldn't take it. She insisted we used the ATM, and I hate having to pay for ATM fees, especially since we were new customers? I checked my bank statement, and the ATM charged me twice, so I have to dispute the charges, and this is just such a pain in the butt. Why would a restaurant say they'd accept a payment for new customers, but then refuse to? You might as well just not accept credit cards, if you're going to be that cheap about it.
(3)
Kim S.
I come here often and I feel it's the best food for the money. The soups are the best. From all the different types of restaurants I have been to, this is my favorite for sure.
(5)
Natalie S.
While this place isn't my favorite Polish buffet, it's not bad at all. I think it doesn't have quite as many offerings as other places I've been to but the quality is great. Their meat pierogi are awesome. Their dessert offerings are impressive and delicious. The service is... meh. You have to ask for drink refills and the last time we were in, the waitress removed our Coke glasses... but never brought them back refilled. The price on the weekend is kinda high for a buffet IMO. I think it's $15 a person. Plus they charged us for my two year old. Most places don't start charging until the kid is 3. Since he ate MAYBE three bites of food off of my plate, I didn't feel the charge was justified but, whatever, I'm not going to bicker over $5. But, for sure, for $35 the three of us could have eaten elsewhere with better quality food.
(3)
Julieann C.
This place is our go to place for polish food. My only "concern" is the price she charges on "holidays/special dates". On Father's Day she wanted an extra $10 / PER PERSON on top of their regular price (weekend price is already more). I paid the extra price on Easter and almost passed out when I got the bill for three people and it was $75! On Father's day we didn't even enter the place when I saw the sign on the front door - and won't go on a special occasion dates from now on (lesson learned). I'll keep to normal weekdays and enjoy this place.
(4)
Howard L.
This Polish buffet has been our bookmark list for a long time. I found it was cozier than I thought it would be. We also found it to be a great value at $11 and $13 for lunch and dinner buffets, respectively. The dining areas are separated into 3 areas that have a quaint homey feel, unlike most buffets. One of them is by a cozy bar area. The selection is quite good - pork shank, shnitzels, veal stew, cheese blintzes, pierogies, potato pancakes, polish sausage, BBQ pork ribs, meatballs, fried chicken, grilled fish, turkey, roast beef, etc etc. There is also a nice selection of beet and tuna salads, herring, and various desserts. There were mostly ethnic European diners here tonight - a good sign on the authenticity and value here. Service was friendly and excellent, and I could tell they have a good old fashioned work ethic here. Easy and free street parking right outside also. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Elyse H.
this place is over priced the food is terrible it will make you sick and its small .... never again
(1)
Taylor F.
I went here for a family get together. We were seated quickly and our server was very friendly. I was not a fan of the soup: I had the chicken noodle, which was watered down and had no chicken in it. But I was pleased with the Buffett, aside from the desserts, which were very dry for the most part. Overall, this was a pleasant experience.
(3)
Matt D.
Great Polish food at an incredible price! They have a variety of dishes, desserts and a bar. A great restaurant for a appetizing lunch.
(4)
John S.
Went to Red Apple Buffet for a Sunday lunch with my boyfriend and friend. The service here was very good. Our waitress was very nice, good with refills and quick to clear the dirty dishes. The buffet had lots of selections and everything was very fresh. I really enjoyed the homemade potato pancakes and mashed potatoes. There was also a big selection of other great Polish dishes including Polish sausage, Porgies, roast and chicken. The food on the buffet was always stocked and fresh. One of the better buffets I have been to for this reason. Over all the food here was very good. Only problem was I left extremely stuffed :) Over all very satisfied here and will go back.
(4)
Maggie A.
Fairly good food. The price, however, is also fairly steep. The atmosphere and service is also a little meh. It is fun to take out-of-town visitors though. I know this is not a very elaborate review which should give you some clue as to the restaurant.
(3)
John M.
Ate here again with my cousin and my sister on Saturday and everything was incredible! Everything , I had ham despite the fact somone always starts it wrong. Am I the only man who knows how to slice ham off the bome? This time some dope was slicing it with the grain.... teh tongue in horseradish was great and they had teh roast pork with plum filling. I think I got Iced tea that was not limited to one refill! They even added a new dessert that is GOOD. It's like two sheets of pastry with cheese cake filling between them. I mean it's actually fantastic. I usually have fruit as there is actually nothing chocolate, do not be fooled by spice cake! Who noticed that this location only takes cash! So glad we had enough money with us!
(5)
Alex E.
Good, home made polish food
(5)
Paul C.
The place sucks. The food is way below par, but very high priced. They only accept cash which makes it even more unbelievable. It seemed like when they stopped accepting credit cards and raised their food prices, the food quality dropped. I don't know what happened to this place. Maybe they changed owners or management, or something like that, but whatever the reason, it's definitely not worth it. That's too bad, because this place used to be 5 stars, now it's nothing but a bad Polish joke.
(1)
Alexandar T.
Great food. Service was also good. Kids friendly. Make sure you bring cash. It is the only way to check out.
(5)
Stacy S.
My aunt asked us to join her for dinner at Red Apple and to be honest, my parents and I were not sure if we would like the food...well we LOVED it. I've had some Polish food before (i.e. pierogis, kolaczis), but this was my first time really sitting down and trying the cuisine. The buffet had a lot of meat (ham, beef) and potatoes! It was nice having a DIY carving station. The chicken noodle soup was delicious, not too salty, which was good for my parents' cholesterol. Now, my family is Filipino...so most of our cuisine is nothing but fried. My mom and I kept commenting on how a lot of the food at Red Apple seemed to be boiled or baked, which seems a lot healthier. Finally, the waitress was super nice. She was very attentive to our table and even brought out a pastry for my aunt since it was her birthday. I was very impressed by the service and the food at Red Apple! Caution: It is CASH only here. So be prepared.
(5)
Robert B.
I am native polish person. It's hard to cheat me with polish food - this place is as good as it gets. This is not home meal- but trust me I walk away full and happy. Food ewes hot and with good flavor For my taste to much american style food , and deserts. Service not the best - but what do you expect - this is buffet - not 5 star restaurant.
(5)
Richard R.
We visited Poland earlier this year and came here on a recommendation to get a Polish food fix. We were not disappointed! :-) Beef tongue with horseradish sauce, sauerkraut pirogis, kielbasa, etc., etc. Plus, it's an all-you-can eat buffet. We went there two days ago and I'm still full! :-) I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Nancy H.
I'm not knowledgeable on Polish cuisine, but I was pleasantly surprised I like a lot of it, and we keep coming back! The buffet is kept really clean, and the food was all very fresh. There wasn't a single item that looked dried out from sitting under a heat lamp for too long. One side of the buffet is side items and American food (i.e., fried rice, fried chicken, pizza, salmon, pierogis, potato pancakes), and the other side is hearty Polish food (stuffed cabbage, sauteed spinach, pork loin, fried pork cutlet or sometimes veal (schnitzel), rotisserie chicken, sausage & sauerkraut). I think the potato pancakes here are outstanding - perfectly crunchy and flavorful. I have to admit that I usually skip the salad bar because why eat salad when you can eat a ton of meat? And the desserts here are totally under sweetened - European style. They look good, but they're not. This is probably the way it should be, though, as our American taste buds expect loads of sugar. The prices are reasonable ($10-12 for buffet - comes with free small soup & scoop of ice cream!), and parking is easy (street & lot in back). And unlike other buffets, each table is assigned a waitress who brings you drinks, soup, and ice cream. They wear a uniform of a traditional puffy white blouse and embroidered skirt.
(5)
Dave S.
We went on a Sunday morning because we had heard that this was one of the best buffets in the city. Now, I have not eaten at a single buffet since moving to Chicago. I have nothing against buffets other than the fact that they usually have little to no ambiance - unless you are in Vegas. There were five of us, four meat eaters and one vegan. The best thing that I can say about this place is that everything was fine. There was nothing exceptional. The meats were all okay and mostly fried. The potatoes (mashed, pancake and pierogi variety) were pretty good - flavorful and not too dry. Pretty much everything else was meh. The vegan in our group really hated this place. I guess one can only eat so many potato products. Okay dude, so why the poor rating? The service was terrible. Very unfriendly. There is no mention of price before ordering. $14.99 seems a little steep, especially since they add a %15 gratuity for a buffet. I don't know what is customary for a buffet, but I've never had a restaurant add gratuity for me. Why? Other than bring me drinks, what exactly did you do? Don't get me wrong I would have tipped myself, but not 15%. Also, when the bill came we asked person at the register to split the check. She grumbled and called over our waitress and preceded to same something in her native tongue. The waitress rolled her eyes and then straight out of a mobster movie barked with thick accent, "What is problem?" I guess we should have known better. Maybe I am just not in the buffet demographic anymore.
(2)
Lisa T.
For a reasonably priced Polish buffet, I really don't know what else anyone else could want from the food and service. The waitress was attentive and brought us each a different Polish beer so we could try both kinds. They had terrific sauerkraut soup (yeah, I know, sounds awful but it tastes great), the cheese and potato pierogi was really good, as was the stuffed cabbage. The schnitzel, ham and fish with creamy dill sauce were really terrific, and I am not normally a fan of ham. I only tried a couple of things at the salad bar, including the beets which were very good. The desserts were also very good. The waitress came by and asked if we wanted ice cream, which made us both laugh since we had plates with way more desserts than we would normally have. Next time I will try to eat salad first and less dessert (yeah, right!) Don't go if you are expecting spicy food or fancy cuts of meat - it's just not going to happen. However, it's a good family place, especially in cold weather when soup, meat and potatoes are what you crave.
(4)
Benvenuto B.
Real Polish - authentic wait staff - authentic Polish foods - done just like in Poland. When I feel like I need a "Polish Fix" we come here. Leave your bad ass American attitude at the door and enjoy these very pleasant Polish cooks, waiters, etc. We love the Red Apple.
(5)
Mrs P.
They make some of the best pierogis around and don't get me started on their potato pancakes. Good home cooked polish food. The only negative is there isn't much in the way of parking and it is easy to get ticketed in that neighborhood.
(4)
Larry J.
Now, I'm not Polish but you can't come to this restaurant and not think of an old country polish meal. It was fabulous. They had it all. Piroges, blintzes, schnitzel, and veal ragu. I loved the mushroom gravy. There was plenty of waitstaff but I didn't feel that they were attentive as they should be with only 2 patrons in the restaurant. If the waitstaff were more attentive a big 5 stars.
(4)
Vince V.
I have a problem. You see, every now and then I have this curious need to consume massive quantities of Polish food. It's inexplicable for the uninitiated but please indulge me for a second or fifty-two. The Red Apple is a long running buffet tradition in the area. You will find the requisite pierogi, golabki, kotlet schabowy, buraczki, kielbasi and barszcz on the menu most of the time. I have personally taken a fondness for the pork knuckles. This must be so bad for me but damn it, it's so primal and delicious. I typically order Ziwiec beer but they also stock Okocim, Tyskie or your domestic of choice. If there is one weak spot, it would be the dessert selections. This should be given more attention in Polish buffets everywhere. Casual and comfortable, wear your fat pants ala Joey Tribiani. I won't tell anyone you were overeating there if you don't tell them I was too.
(4)
Nina G.
Huh? Europeans think Americans are fat? Ooh..okay, now I know why! Everytime I go to this place I wear joggers. Yes, that's how much I love this place. Once you walk in, you are greeted by a sweet Polish server that asks you if you would like soup or something to drink. Then comes the good part! You lay your eyes upon some of the best Polish home cooking in town and it's only around $12! I used to live near Belmont and Central, so I know what's up. They have pierogies of all types...sauerkraut, mushroom, meat. Then mashed potatoes, not with one, but two gravies! Ham on the bone, stuffed cabbage, and sausage...the list goes on. Everything is deeelicious. Don't worry, mama bear won't steer you wrong! This is a great place if you are trying Polish food for the first time since you can get a little bit of everything. The only thing I would pass on is the dessert, but who cares about that when you have strawberry pierogies and cheese blintzes! I loved the fact that it is a VERY clean establishment. I tell ya, I never knew Polish food was so heavy and decadent! You could never tell with those nice European figures of their's. God Bless their little Polish hearts.
(5)
Nate C.
First time to have all Polish food for dinner...my cousin's brought me here saying it was a hidden gem. I was glad that it was a buffet and I was able to try a lil of everything...some good and some just ok. If Im looking for something to fill me up, this is a good place to go...the food is fresh and hot. service is very good and there is parking in the back...bad part is they don't accept plastic...cash only.
(4)
Jeff Z.
Best Polish Buffet!!
(5)
Hannah M.
They have great potato pancakes!
(3)
Jenna S.
When Theresa C. moved to Avondale, she began to discover all the wonders this little Polish neighborhood has to offer. Located in one of the only remaining actual Polish neighborhoods in Chicago, Red Apple definitely offers authentic, homemade Polish food at friendly prices. We came on a Friday night and I'm pretty sure the buffet was $15ish, but that was very reasonable and included a ton of food. There's only a buffet, so you don't have to worry about reading a menu and deciding what you want. Soup automatically comes with the buffet and there's a pretty good selection to choose from. They bring the soup to you at the table and I'm not sure there's refills, so make sure you ask. The buffet has a bit of everything, so if you're in to sampling, you're in luck. I'm not sure what most of the dishes were since I'm not Polish or really familiar with Polish food, but I can tell you that almost everything was super delicious. There's chicken, pork, beef, sausage... tons to choose from. Lots of side dishes as well, including my favorite sweet and sour cabbage. Pierogis everywhere, so eat your fill! The potato pancakes with a bit of applesauce were also de-lish. Salad bar is huge and there's tons of desserts for every taste. The service was pretty spotty and it was a bit difficult to get a drink refill, so go easy on the Diet Coke.
(4)
Rick L.
The service was excellent, and the food selection was good. It's a buffet style restaurant, so you can pick and choose what you like. I'm not a fan of Polish food, so to say that I enjoyed my meal really means something! I have Polish friends who say there are better restaurants, but if you don't know the cuisine, going to a decent buffet is the way to go.
(3)
Melvis V.
My best friend Ursa Major dragged us off to this place when we visited last year and have been back on almost every trip to Chacaga. The buffet is amazing - I always roll out of there - and CHEAP! Pierogies are excellent and DO NOT pass up the mushroom cream sauce if you see it in the main meat section. It's to die for! I asked the owner/manager about it and she didn't think it was anything special as it was her Ma's recipe but was quickly informed by a number of people wolfing their food down that it was indeed the best thing on an already impressive buffet. Ursa and I always joke about the waitresses here - walking around in vintage 70's hot pants and go-go boots asking "..you want zoup?" Yes, get the zoup! Desserts can be odd/scary but 9 times out of 10, they've been surprisingly good. I remember after the last time we went and we both needed a good walk to just get over the amount of food we'd inhaled and saw a sign advertising "Mattresses for Heavy People"....after what we'd done (for not much), we could definitely understand...
(4)
David A.
The BEST BUFFET that I have EVER eaten at! ONLY $10!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't like Polish food, you're in luck! Fried chicken, fruit, salad, chicken cutlets, jello, fish, soups, etc. The soups were amazing. The fried chicken was pretty good, too. The staff was very friendly and the buffet was well stocked and replenished often. I ate more here this one night than the whole vacation. Argh :( So full, yet SO HAPPY! May I add that I usually dismiss buffets? Thanks Paul for bringing us here.
(5)
Natalie F.
My family (15 of us) and I visited this place over the weekend to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday. Happy Birthday Baba!! :) We wanted a place that was A: buffet style and B: had food close to Ukrainian food. I had heard of Re Apple before and I saw it on Chicago's Best so I thought this will be great. I looked them up ahead of time to make sure there were items I could actually eat. Still on the low /no carb Atkins's diet. :) Walking in I thought wow they need a makeover on the decor. we sat in a back room which was nice so we could all talk and be somewhat loud. We did have a nice waitress so that was good. She checked on our drinks and plate clearing throughout our stay. Most places you have to pull teeth to get refills but she was on it. They start out by asking if you want soup. I passed and headed up to the buffet. Good a salad bar! Loaded up there on that and some cottage cheese. When I went back I TRIED to have some turkey and ham. I said tried because you had to cut it yourself and the knives where super dull so everyone ahead of me pretty much butchered the meat. Turkey was good but the beef was super dry. Good chicken, veggies etc. Typical Polish food. Cabbage rolls, pierogies, potato pancakes, meats, tongue, mashed potatoes, veggies, chicken kiev etc. Asked family what they thought and some loved it some said so so. Desserts were meh BUT we still had a FUN time and it is always good to see the family. This was a day for my grandma anyways. :)
(3)
Johnny B.
Went here with another new lovely and she speaks Polish. My dream! Had a buffett lunch "Apres midi". French for middle of the afternoon/day. Met by a congenial hostess and our waitress appeared immediately. She took our Zupe order. Cream of broccoli was great. So was the chicken rice of my lady. We chatted and when up to the buffet. Lots of American as well as Polish food. Beyond the "normal" Polish (Pierogi's, Polish Sausage, & Kraut) there were some specialty items I see only in the Wedliny (delicatessen). Head cheese, Pork hocks, Duck. All were freshly prepared and warm. My lady started at the salad bar (she is smart) and had a nice salad with the fixxins. For a Sat PM at 2:30, the restaurant was 2/3 full. Didn't try desserts. My lady had some fruit (Really smart). It was a pleasurable experience (food too). I will return. Price reasonable. Johnny Chitown
(4)
Erik H.
I love it. Love it love it love it. Heaping platefuls of doughy, cabbagey, meaty food piled high. The sausages were spiced well with a great snap, the pierogies were awesome, the stuffed cabbage was very very meaty. They had a good Polish beer selection as well, and really the only thing lacking is the dessert bar. I didn't really find anything good there, so my dessert was more schnitzel and kielbasa. Definitely one of the best buffets you'll go to, and the best Polish one hands down. One tip: when you're done, drive 5 minutes to the Leaning Tower of Niles for some roadside Americana and an overall weird day.
(5)
Kathleen T.
Went there today for a late lunch and was a bit disappointed. We have been to both locations a few times and today had the crave for Polish food. I really like their choices on the salad bar and my favorite is the seafood blend with dill. I am a picker at buffets and like to sample different items. I enjoyed the potato pancakes, ribs were fatty but tasty. Did not care for the schnitzel or the meat pirogi. Sauerkraut had absolutely no flavor which is really surprising. They had beautiful shrimp mixed with garlic and cilantro which I wanted to try but they smelled strong. Nice concept but maybe not a big mover in a Polish restaurant so I took a pass. Hubby had stuffed cabbage and Polish sausage and did not care for either and he is Polish:) He also passed on the piece of fried chicken he took because it was overly loaded with salt. So having 2 potato pancakes, a riblet of pork with a salad and iced tea did not justify paying $15 for. Perhaps if we get the crave again we might go back but neither of us are in a big hurry to do so!
(2)
Tuya S.
Ten years ago when I first visited Chicago I was still broke foreign student and this place provided sweet elation to my home cooked meal. Yes, this is Asian gilr talking about eastern european food, though more accurately Poland is more of a Central Europe. I was born and raised on Russian food and this place is closest as it can get to my taste buds. Love their cabbage rolls "golubtsi", cutlets and salad bar. Tasty soup that is included in the deal. Very inexpensive way to satisfy your inner "Eastern" European cravings.
(5)
Kay J.
I gave Red Apple 5 stars, not because it is the greatest gourmet restaurant in the world, but because when you consider the good quality and variety of the food, and you also consider the cost, you get GREAT VALUE at this place. It is a great place to go to if you're really hungry. All you can eat of wonderful pierogies (meat, cheese, sauerkraut, etc.... I especially love the meat ones), and mashed potatoes, and wonderful cabbage rolls with sauerkraut, and Polish sausages, large roasts and ham, decent salad bar, big variety of fruits and dessert, and, well, I could go on and on. Plus you have friendly, efficient service, and a clean nice atmosphere to boot. Yep, this place deserves 5 stars in my opinion. One the the best values I know of in the Chicago area. And, if you're comparing this restaurant to other "all you can eat" places, like the "Country Kitchen" type of places, Red Apple has them all beat by a mile in terms of quality.
(5)
Andrew K.
The Red Apple is exactly what I would expect from a Polish Buffet style restaurant. The service is fairly attentive and you do have a waitress assigned to your table which is nice. The schnitzel is pretty darn good and is one of the main reasons I go back about once a month. It's also nice that it's less than a block walk for me. The atmosphere is nice and the service is friendly. Though I have to agree with their new prices I think they are slightly over priced. The meat dishes are above par with a few sometimes being on the dry side. Their pirogi are tasty and the blintzes are a favorite. If you are looking for a polish style meal with lots of choice's I highly recommend the Red Apple.
(4)
Lupe G.
When you need a serious Polish buffet fix!!!
(4)
Leang E.
For our 3rd month cultural extravaganza my friend had chosen the partaking of Polish food. Knowing that they have a buffet here, I pre-empted myself to wear stretch pants. It was a little disappointing that the soup wasn't included as part of the buffet, but you have to get this spinach soup. It has an egg in there and it was delicious! This definitely set the tone for a very indulgent dinner. They have everything you can imagine here - so many salads - bean, crab, mixed greens, pasta salad, egg salad, and make your own. I had the schnitzel, stuffed cabbage, blintz, pierogis, pastas, roast beef, ribs, potato pancakes, chicken kiev, and polish sausage. Even if you don't want the traditional Polish items there was fried, breaded, and roasted chicken, turkey, and so much more. I had gotten a plate of dessert options as well that paired nicely with coffee. This place was reasonably priced and the service was excellent. It's a good thing this place isn't close by where I might indulge a little too much and more often.
(4)
Edward W.
Best Polish buffet around. Everything is fresh and the food is excellent.
(5)
Scott M.
My Polish grandparents used to take me to this place, for a reason. The service is super friendly (they wear traditional garb, kind of like Polish Oktoberfest) and the food is tasty, plentiful and authentic. If you've never tried Polish food you'd be crazy not to go here because you can sample a bunch of different dishes for only $9.99. The day I was there they had a whole tray of pork shanks, a roast, a ham, two kinds of mashed potatoes with two types of mushroom gravy, three kinds of Polish beer, Polish sausage (ok that's a given), white sausage, meatballs, a dessert bar, a salad bar, soup, ice cream...and that's just what I remember. Did I mention it's all you can eat? It's worth it for the pierogis alone. I'm getting hungry typing this right now!
(5)
Jennifer Q.
I have three words -and I wish I could say them in Polish -Deee-lish-cious!! Oh, that is one word, three syllables! Despite my grammatical faux pas, this is the restaurant my friend chose for her after baptism bash. It was a huge Polish buffet and yes, it was delicious! There were several choices for meat eaters as well as vegetarians. I had the potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, cheese pierogis and the cheese blintzes. Yes, it was a carb fest, but you have to do that once in a while. I thought the food was fresh and really well cooked. Loved every bit of it. It's a hidden gem, as I never knew it was so close to my house. I will be back to meet up with friends. It's some great food for the money!
(5)
Greg G.
KA-BOOM!!! That's the sound of your pants exploding off your waistline after shoveling all the ridiculously good food this Polish buffet has to offer. Get the cream of mushroom soup if they have it that day, I had two bowls it was so good! Great pierogies, potatoes in all forms, schnitzel, sauerkraut and kielbasa. To hell with the diet, you need to eat! Grandma would be proud...
(5)
Maggie A.
I met my mother in Chicago one weekend and being Polish, we decided to check out the Polish neighborhood there. We stumbled upon this restaurant, which is essentially a buffet with all Polish food. Everything tasted authentic and the selection was huge! If you like Polish food and want to sample different dishes, then definitely check this place out!
(4)
Terese C.
We took out of town relatives here because we wanted to experience authentic Polish food. We were delighted with the buffet & the food. There was a large variety & it was all very tasty.
(4)
Bill M.
I have dined at the "original" Red Apple (near Belmont) several times, but I wanted to try the other location (also on Milwaukee Avenue but near Devon) on Thanksgiving Day with grandma. They actually had abbreviated holiday hours, but they were doing brisk lunch business (both dine in and take out) on this T-Day. The Thanksgiving buffet price is actually higher than their standard buffet rates, but still it was worth it to pile on the Polish and non-Polish cuisine. In a nod to Thanksgiving, they had turkey, stuffing, yams, and pumpkin pie among the selections, though Polish faves like pierogi, cheese blintzes, polish sausage and potato pancakes were hard to beat. The waitress offered soup and ice cream (both included in the buffet price) though some diners skip them and go full blast for the buffet choices. The food is all in one centralized area, unlike the linear conga line of food at the other location.
(4)
Mark L.
My wife and I wound up here after a bad experience at another Polish restaurant. Be forewarned it's cash only, but the prices are so low, it isn't an issue. It seems as if everything truly is homemade. The soups are delicious, as was everything else. I'm not an expert on Polish food, so I can't say just how 'authentic' it is. But I do know what I like, and I like almost everything there. The only knock I could find was that the beef at the carving station was a little dry. But that's my only gripe. We will be going back again.
(5)
Matt C.
Not bad. I enjoy the blintzes and the chicken.. Of course its all you can eat so that is always a plus. Some things are a little greasy, some things are a little dry. But i still come here every 2 months or so.
(3)
Dk N.
This a geriatic dream buffet...so many "blue hairs" there, I thought I walked into a nursing home. The place is clean and the hostess and waitresses say to everyone,"you can seat yourself. Anywhere..." Even though it's a polish buffet, there are also American dishes. The food is okay... cabbage rolls, beef slices, potato cakes, cheese blintz, snitzel, pierogies, and VERY DRY desserts. $10.99 + tax. It's typical buffet food with lil favor. My chicken noodle soup had lots of noodles and no chicken. In the end, I was also given ice cream for dessert, but I tried the dessert on the buffet. Big mistake.
(2)
Anne V.
Everything on their buffet is absolutely outstanding and fresh. Liver pierogi that are to die for. Sausage that was neither dry or greasy, but cooked to perfection. Sauerkraut that is creamy without being overly sour. Dilled cucumbers. Cheese blintzes. Beef rolls. Beef stroganoff. Roast pork. A dessert selection that is a dream come true. Fresh fruits including kiwi. An incredible and tasty value for a more than reasonable price.
(5)
Ashley M.
Oh My Gosh! If you think your gonna come here to just get a little grub, think again. This restaurant has an incredible buffet of delicious polish food, and it is impossible to just eat one plate. I love the soups, including sauerkraut and chicken noodle. The sauerkraut soup is my favorite of the two (it depends what you like)so I recommend that! I'm a carb fan (who isn't) so of course I get many helpings of their yummy peirogis and dumplings. They also have a big meat and veggie selection that is also very yummy. There is a small and tasty cold food bar along with a desert area, but I usually don't eat desert because I'm so full from the buffet so I cant comment on that too much! For the most part, service is good and polite. I do enjoy this place a lot and can assure you that you can come here and be happy and full when you leave!
(4)
Jason L.
Personally, I think Old Warsaw is better. Great amount of variety, but all the food was really bland. No flavoring, it had all been boiled away. I had to salt & pepper the hell out of my food before it tasted like anything. The pierogies would have been good, except the filling of potatoes was grainy because the potatoes were over-boiled, you know, there is a point that you can overcook food, and if your going to sit it on a buffet line for 3 hours, you should probably err on the side of undercooking it. The roast beef was dry and overcooked, but i guess that should be expected on a buffet. What really got me though it that we went with my kids (1 & 2), and the waitress did not ask if they wanted soup, and at the end of the meal, did not ask if they wanted ice cream, but yet we were still charged $3.99/ea for them, eventhough they barely ate from the buffet. While it may be policy, it's not in good taste. Next time i go for polish food im going to a place that cooks to order, hopefully it will be better, i wont be back here.
(2)
Liz M.
Leave the diets (unless it's Atkins) at home and wear your stretchy pants!! Best pierogies, beet salad, and breaded pork without the drive to Belmont Ave!! If you want to get some good, heavy, Polish comfort food on these winter days, this is the place. We've been going there for years but discovered a new find last night... SAUERKRAUT SOUP!! Awesome!!! it was like a Potato-Pork-Sauerkraut Stew. Mmmm-mmmm good! A lot of bang for your buck, but like I said, leave the "healthy eating-losing weight" resolution at home!!
(4)
E F.
I have been going to the Red Apple since I was a very young child. My Polish Grandmother used to bring us here. This is very good comfort food at very low prices. I would recommend coming here on an empty stomach because you will leave feeling very stuffed. Even though i do not eat meat, there is still enough to choose from on the buffet. I love this restaurant because it brings back fond childhood memories of my grandmother's cooking - and yes it is that good. The only bad thing i have to say is that the sauerkraut is not as good as it once was. it's too sweet or something....
(4)
Shawn L.
I used to really like this place, but since they've raised prices ($14.99 for the buffet at lunch in late November 2010), I won't be going back. The food is good, but not great, and as another reviewer commented, the desserts are dry and a waste of calories. Service is inconsistent. It was a good value at $10, but it's not worth $15.
(2)
Rachel S.
Service was good. Food was fresh; not too many desert options. Deserts look better than how they taste.
(4)
Troy H.
Nice buffet. Enjoyed lunch. Duck was great. Timing is essential in a good buffet. Go during main dining hours and you won't be disappointed.
(3)
Matthew P.
Two words for y'all: Strawberry Pierogies. From what I've been told, this is the place in Chicago for Polish food and, considering the amount of Polish being spoken in the place, I think I've been told correctly. But authentic does not always mean tasty and, at first glance I gotta admit that I was very suspicious. I was not aware that there were so many ways to boil meat but apparently the Poles are masters of this art. Boiled meat dumplings. Boiled meat stuffed in peppers. Boiled meat stuffed in cabbage. Boiled meat stuffed in meat . . . you get the picture. That combined with the buffet ambiance (steam trays, sneeze guards, etc) did not inspire me with confidence. Then I ate the food. JOY! Boiled meat never tasted so good. Turns out that, despite being a buffet place, all of the food is made from scratch right there, just like your (friend's) Polish grandma made it, and the flavor shows through. Not only is the meat tasty, but so is most everything else. The cheese blinzes are amazing and that strawberry pierogi, oh be still my beating heart. Not that everything is wonderful. I found most of the baked deserts kinda dry and blah and the salads are extremely dressing heavy. Still, if you love meat you'll love this place and, for only $9.95 how can you go wrong, really?
(4)
Scott S.
Stopped in yesterday with a big hunger and left very satisfied. Updating the previous review, they do have a sign up now and prices are at $9.49 weekdays, $9.99 weekends. Sure there's a lot of starch and calories in the selection, but they do have a good-sized salad bar and cooked veggies. Also, I did not find the desserts dry at all. The one with cherries was very good. They have good prices on beer and bottles of wine for $18. The location is conveniently close to Caldwell Woods, near the south end of the North Branch bike trail
(4)
N. Mary I.
I've been going here since I was a kid and it's some of the best polish food outside of poland. Lunch, dinner, or whenever, you get a fixed price-buffet of Polish goodness. Skip most of they desserts, a lot of them are dry and a waste of calories although my bf adores the rum balls. They'll have ham or roast beef and all the side and salads you could dream. Always comes with choice of soup and icecream. Everything is good. Some of the dishes are heavily salted and greasy but the homemade touches and flavors make up for it. One less star for service. Many times I've gone in with my bf and we get "funny" looks or unfriendly service in general. Also, not many vegetarian options except for potatoes and salad. Bring your family and friends for a tasty meal, polish style.
(4)
James O.
I love the stuffed cabbage and polish sausage. Desserts are just ok, but I go for the meat and carbs.
(4)
Christine M.
This stands out in my mind of one of the best places to go if you want to stuff yourself with meat and potatoes and have money left over for your stomach pump. No matter how much you try, you will walk out with tight pants and wondering when your gallbladder will recover from all that sausage gravy. It's definitely authentic, right down to the pirogies and and strange jell-o molds with fruit for dessert. I'm not Polish, but reminds me of a lot of the stuff my German grandma would make. Two different slaws, three different kinds of potatoes and roasted meats galore covered in various juices and gravies. I can't even tell you if they serve salad. Ha!
(4)
Katherine R.
First rate pierogies, borscht, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, stroganoff, sausages... Every Polish staple you could fathom and then some. My only regret is that I don't have four stomachs so I could ingest everything my eyes take in. However, no matter how much you can or can't eat, you can't beat this price: Weekdays $8.49, Weekends $9.49. This includes a soup starter and dessert. So you never leave with "buffet regret" (i.e. having spent too much money for too little food, or stuffing yourself into a coma just to get your money's worth). And guess what else? This buffet offers take-out (charge is by the pound), so you won't have to get your purse filthy trying to sneak out pierogies. (Not that that's ever happened to me...)
(4)
Jennifer B.
The food is really good here. Everything tasted homemade and I'm pretty sure it's authentic Polish. I am assuming this because my husband and I were the only table in there (aside from a very nice lesbian couple with their daughter) that were not speaking Polish. They're not going to go to a crappy place, right? Anyway, they had all the Eastern European food you could hope for and the selection changes daily. I must admit I was a little disappointed that there were no potato pirogies the night we went, but I ate like 7 potato pancakes to make up for it. The weekend buffet is only $10 a person, so it's a great deal. This would be a great place to take older out of town visitors to.
(4)
K R.
It's not that I am soo into Polish food as it is I'm into good food at good prices.All the food isn't exclusively Polish, things like roast beef, pork chops, ham, potatoes, green beans, non-spicy rice, fish etc. I consider classic American. Of course they have the more ethic stuff as well, that I happen to like such as: cheese blintzes and potato pancakes. I agree that that the desserts weren't very appetizing:dry,crumbly,dusty. The place is clean, if you come during busy times it can get a bit cramped (unless you are in the "back room", which is usually for larger groups) You get a bunch of choices like these in the buffet. The price for such good "home cooked" comfort food is very cheap.
(5)
Jeff D.
This place is consistent and never disappoints. Not that expensive and worth the price for the food and service. They have a friendly staff as well. Very clean and the food is much better than their other location near Belmont.
(4)
Andrew F.
delicious food here finger licking good! foursquare.com/venue/106…
(5)
Madeleine E.
Very reasonably priced all you can eat buffet with Polish specialties(7.99 pp weekdays 8.99 pp weekends). Beef Stroganoff, cheese blintzes, pierogies, whole ham and roast cut fresh, duck, pork, veal, chicken.... I could not believe the variety of foods. The building has no name on the outside and just says "Restaurant" in the window though you can identify it by the big red apple that hang on the sign over the building. This place is typically packed in the evening with locals. The food overall was good, but was a little bland. Skip the dessert bar, the cakes were dry - but you can request ice cream for free. They also have a to-go option - they just weight your container and charge you as standard to-go price. They had a local man playing some jazzy holiday violin music at tables that requested him. The place gets an extra star for that!
(3)
Wink B.
Oh my lanta. I ate so much meat, starch, cheese, and pickled vegetables here I almost suffered another heart attack, which would make a baker's dozen for me. So much to choose from, all of it of good quality. The only problem was the toilet, which seemed angry at me.
(4)
John H.
Best buffet in the city and best price. This is Polish food at its best. It is the stuff that makes you happy all over.
(5)
Kelly Y.
Polish food that is mmm tasty! I especially love the peirogies and salad bar. It doesn't matter the season they always have fresh fruit in the salad bar! Very casual place for the home cooked meal. So love their cream of mushroom soup and chicken noodle soup. Good for little kids too.
(4)
Maggie B.
For when you are entertaining the elderly. This is a buffet featuring Polish cuisine, from predictable pierogis to the more adventurous beef tongues in gravy and chicken gizzards. It is a decent bargain, $7.99 on weekdays, $8.99 on weekends. For the true devotees, weekly passes are available. Seriously. Do be careful though because while the price includes soup, drinks are extra! The desserts, while varied, were all on the dry side. Not impressed. But for cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, and mushroom gravy, it can't be beat. This location is just a block north of Superdawg.
(4)
S T.
We went here for lunch just to have something different. We got there at 11am to get the fresh food first thing. I don't do buffets so I don't know what a five star buffet is so I give them three stars. The buffet is $15.00 per person before drinks. Everyone was great and every 2 min or so someone was tending to the buffet. All types of polish and American food. Hunks of meat you carve your self. I liked most of it and I have never had polish food. There is a salad,fruit and sweet bar which I never made it to. You start with soup which I passed on so I try the other food. They even had fried chicken next to the beef tongue and BBQ ribs. I wanted to try a polish buffet once because I have not seen a place like this before. I'm glad we went but I don't the appetite for a buffet so if you have a large appetite then this will be right up your alley. They have 2 locations on Milwaukee so I chose the 6747 because there is parking all over and I thought the one closer to the city would be harder to park. I might even try another style buffet in the future because it wasn't bad at all and I thought buffets had crap food after going to old country buffet with co workers and I said to my self no more buffets.
(3)
Erica T.
My fiance and I jumped on the Polish food bandwagon back when the Pierogi Factory still existed on Belmont. Since it has closed down we have been going through Polish food withdrawal. When I found out about this place I nearly had a heart attack. We came here on a weekday and ate our little hearts out for a mere $9.99. They even have liver and onions!
(4)
Rob L.
If you are on a diet of eating less fat, calories and eating healthier, you may want to skip this place. Every time my sister from California would come in, we would grab my grandma and have lunch here. Ahh the memories of childhood, good, heavy, stick to your ribs Polish food. Its buffet style, its cheap and its good. However since I changed my dietary habits, I can't eat here, or I could, but my stomach wouldn't be happy with me. The servers are friendly, the customers are nice and the food plentiful. If you want to try some great Polish food for not a lot of money, this is a great place and a great way to get introduced to it.
(4)
Linda C.
Okay...arrived back to the area early October 2008 and so far I've been here 3 times. Yes, ole Porky has hit the feeding trough...big time. Nothing has changed and thank goodness for that. Still the same awesome selections...plus additional items that were probably there but that I hadn't tried. I did now. I could "sow out" on just the salad bar offerings alone and their pork hocks are to die for. My friend thinks their carve your own ham and beef roast is excellent as are their "smashed potatoes. So, a year later I'm still smitten. Hopefully, the next review I post will be the fitness club I've joined. *smile* Prices are $10.99 on weekends, $9.99 on weekdays and you can do a take out for I believe $4.99 lb. You fill the container yourself and trust me, you can pack a lot into it. Can't imagine anyone leaving unhappy.
(5)
Tom Z.
I live less than a mile from here, but this is the first time I tried the "Red Apple Restaurant". I thought the food was good. It was a nice buffet of fresh food. I think I will go back and try some of the other food offerings. I had the beef, which was juicy and tender after putting a little of the gravy on. The polish sausage good. I still prefer going to my local deli (Andy's Deli) and cooking it at home myself.
(3)
Jack H.
Very interesting polish food if you have never tried it before. You should try it at least once and see for yourself.
(4)
Justin L.
Outside of the summer polish festival I dont get the opportunity to eat polish fare very often. I found this place by accident because I thought the sign looked like the tomato sign for Fazoli's and I was itching for some starches. As I walked it I realized I was in the wrong place but willing to give the buffet a chance. The food was good relative to other buffet experiences. It did not leave you hurting either, which is always a plus when eating ungodly amounts of food. The perogies and stuffed cabbage where adequate and the potato pancakes were more than adequate. The selection was lacking however as the number of dishes are about half of what one would find at a typical buffet. The Red Apple did serve its purpose however, I felt satisfied and not too gross afterwards. The dining room was clean, but although it is a buffet the busing and water service was extremely slow even during a not busy shift. For me I think that since I do not have the opportunity to eat polish food ever this place serves to scratch that itch, albeit few and far between.
(3)
Sylvia T.
$10 Buffet - honestly, where can you get that nowadays? The food was very tasty for a buffet. It was my first time eating Polish food, so I didn't know what to expect, but I left VERY full and VERY happy. In addition to a salad bar, dessert bar, they send out a bowl of soup and a bowl of ice cream. I haven't even gotten to a carve it yourself roast beef and turkey slab of meat, dumplings, fish, chicken, pork, gizzards in gravy, potatoes, omg...drool. We seriously chilled for half an hour because we couldn't breathe and get out of our seats.
(4)
Theresa R.
This place doesn't get 5 stars only for it's less then attentive service. However, the food is amazing. Best pierogies I've had in quite some time. Good price and and great food. Definitely a great place for people to go if they've never tried polish food.
(4)
Jason T.
Not quite sure why this place gets such a great rating. It is just OK and not worth taking a long trip to get to. The food is just ok. The price is just ok. The parking is horrible. If you have been to Warsaw Inn, keep going there. As far as traditional Polish food goes, they had stuffed cabage, but they didn't have a whole lot of meat in them. They had chicken kiev, it was good. They had 2 types of pierogies. They were not that good. They had breaded chicken and veal. They were good. The mashed potatoes were good. There was a bunch of other things, but again it was just alright.
(3)
Elizabeth K.
Quite the experience. Not really vegan friendly, but I've been there pre-veganness. For one price you get an all-you-can-eat buffet of HEAVY food, with soup to start and ice cream at the end! Thing is ... polish food is all the same color ... Oh, but they have jello on the salad bar!
(3)
Jacob O.
Some of these reviewers must be living under a rock to give Red Apple 5 stars. The food is ok, but the price is unacceptable. I went there with my wife one Saturday and ordered two soups to go with our buffet. They gave us two tiny cups of soup which was below par considering some buffets like Jolly Inn will give you a whole bowl. The food was alright, but nothing spectacular and after my wife and I each had a plate for dinner and a dessert, we were done. The real shocker was the price. $14.99 for each of us plus tax! This was the weekend special price. The regular price for a buffet at this place is $12.99 per person. That's a joke considering the quality of the food and the fact that just down the street are numerous gourmet restaurants with excellent food for less money. After leaving this place, I felt ripped off. With prices like this, it's no wonder that the owner can afford to drive a Bentley.
(1)
Cheryl N.
Yuck! You call this Polish food? My grandma made much better. I'll stick to my other alternative Smak Tak, best Polish food around this area.
(1)
Cali M.
It isn't good as grandma's cooking! But it is the best you can get without digging her up!
(4)
Paul A.
This place was surprisingly decent. My dad wanted to get lunch/dinner, and has recently been touring the northern Chicagoland area for Polish restaurants. He has taken me to a few, and I have really hated them all. I thought Polish food just didn't agree with my taste buds. So I was hesitant going into this place and figured it would stink like the rest. But it was pretty frickin good!!! At other Polish buffets I typically have 1/2 of 1 plate, and then a bunch of fruit. I ate like a pig man here!! This was by far the best Polish joint I've been to, out of the 4 or so I've hit in recent memory. It's cheap too. My old man and I ate for about $25. It's not a date type atmosphere by any means, but if you want a nice quality fatty fest for lunch, with good friends or the family, in a very casual atmosphere, hit this place in very loose pants. I still haven't eaten since I left this place. Here I come elliptical........
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No 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
Barb T.
We've been going to Red Apple for quite some time and really enjoy the good home cooking and the variety of choices. The tongue & horseradish gravy, potato pancakes, real mashed potatoes, all are very good. Recently we took our elderly Aunt & Uncle for lunch and were shock when we got the bill. Four meals, 2 ice teas, Chicago tax, it was $103! FOR LUNCH! Sorry, but we will not be going as often. Overpriced.
(2)ChiTown M.
I love it when they have white borscht. It's so tasty. The buffet is kept well-stocked. The salad bar is surprisingly fresh and the selections are varied. The dessert station has plenty of Polish pastry specialties, like Kolacky. The carving station ham is out of this world, and the roast beef is good. The potato pancakes are outstanding, as is the Kielbasa. The waitress offers soup at the beginning, which she brings to the table, along with your beverages. Then, after the meal, she offers ice cream. The service is excellent. The waitresses aren't super friendly, but they are truly efficient. I think the lack of banter may be a case of language barrier, as they all seem to be native Polish speakers. My Polish is awful and limited, so I don't dare try it. :P The place is clean, comfortable, and casual. I've never had anything less than an awesome experience.
(5)Tracy L.
It's good not great and the price pretty much ruined it for me ever going back and I'm far from cheap but not worth it 3 people with 3 cokes $73 bucks That's Insane!!
(2)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: The Red Apple restaurant has been around for ages in Chicago, and the locals go there for their AYCE Polish buffet. When you walk in, you just seat yourselves. Our server was nice and friendly, and once snag a table, you are welcome to start. The offerings include breaded shrimps, BBQ ribs, baked fish (salmon), meatballs, pork shanks, chicken bread cutlet, roasted turky/ham/duck, potato dumplings, potato salad, croquettes, boiled potatoes, and pierogies. I was a little disappointed because, as much as the buffet was extensive in terms of their selections, the flavors were just not tasty. I thought they were bland and underseasoned, and even some shakings of the salt and pepper didn't do so much. The apple pancakes were soggy and wet, and the crispy potato pancakes, while looking nice and crispy, were underseasoned. The schnitzels and the pork loin with the dill-based sauce tasted like ground 'mysterious' meat that had a very soft texture - yikes! The pierogies, which I was the most excited about, were boiled way too long, as it was super mushy. Even though there were a handful of dining patrons, the condiments by the buffet were never refilled (such as the tarter sauce, ketchup, mayo, etc.). The restaurant itself was cute and very old-school, but our dining experience was just not what we expected! I'm glad I gave Red Apple a try but would not go back! +AYCE Polish buffet +overcooked pierogies T___T +carry-out/takeaway availabe +friendly servers :D
(3)Megan M.
It's the equivalent of coming home to my grandparents house, walking in to the aromatic flavors of the 'old country', as my grandpa would say. You immediately feel welcome, and food can, and does, make you feel comfortable and happy. While the food is hardly fitness friendly, it truly is delicious, and worth a cheat meal. Well prepared, with the traditional sauces, every one of the many meat options kept me coming back for more. Sunday's Mushroom soup is unforgettable, and who can pass up fresh kielbasa? If you're doing it right, your belly will be uncomfortably big, you'll have a smile on your face, and then, yes then, you're cute waitress will offer you ice cream. The correct thing to do, is get a scoop. Maybe that cold creamy ball of happiness will cool and compact that polish meat baby brewing in your belly... Or maybe not, but it sure was yummy!
(5)Stef M.
Great polish food buffet. Watch out - cash only. Great service. They charge groups of 8 or more a 15% gratuity for buffet service. My large party was sat in a large party dining room - it was a nice touch. Crowd favorites were strawberry pierogi and potato pancakes.
(4)J P.
Bring your appetite -- my feeding frenzy brought on a sweat. Banquet style which was exactly what I was in the mood for. Food was good and abundant. Coffee fantastic. Carry out available and the price for Labor Day lunch was higher than usual at $19.19/pp. not complaining as to me it was worth more.
(4)Gina L.
My family has been coming here since it opened. I have a friend who says this is the closest to his mothers cooking. We love it. It's authentic. The food is great. The service is friendly. The atmosphere is welcoming. Try this place if you want good Polish food. Bring cash! They don't accept credit cards.
(5)Trina J.
I was blown away by the food here. Admittedly, my prior experience with polish cuisine stopped at Kiebalsa. But, I left Red Apple, smiling, happy, full and in love with most of the things I tried. And I tried almost everything. In fact, I was so full that we sat for an hour as to allow time for food to digest just so we could have dessert. Beet Soup - 4 stars (*not a beet fan but it was yummy!) Carrot & Peas - 5 stars (* a favorite) Stuffed Cabbage - 5 stars Smoked Kiebalsa - 5 stars Cucumbers & Cream Sauce - 5 stars Chicken Kiev - 5 stars (stuffed w/ cheese & then fried) Roasted Chicken - 5 stars Roasted Duck - 5 stars (*super tender) Veal Ragu - 5 stars Schnitzel - 3 stars Strawberry Pierogi - 5 stars Meat Pierogi - 4 stars Fried Vegetable Rice - 3 stars Cheese Blintzes - 5 stars (sweet & creamy) Chicken Noodle Soup - 4 stars Ham off the bone - 5 stars (slow cooked to perfection) Seafood Pasta - 3.5 stars Potato Pancakes - 5 frickin' stars (* absolutely amazing) Desserts - 5 stars (don't know the names of each one. They all were good.) Service - 5 stars Value for the money - 5 stars The line was full of fresh items. You were also topped off with your choice of ice cream. Needless to say, we all needed a nap after the feast. But the meal has left a lasting impression on my tummy. .... This will be the first of many visits to come.
(5)Zach A.
Mighty tasty! Lots of great stuff in the buffet. I was in perogi heaven! And there were various potato and cabbage and sausage dishes. Great value and service,
(4)Apple P.
We came back to the Red Apple after our move back. Our latest trip was a big disappointment. May I add, that I always loved this place and found the food to be delicious however things have certainly changed. I've been eating Polish food as a kid (of course nothing is better than home made) and in the past I could honestly say the Red Apple was the next best thing to home made but not anymore. The pierogies we had on a Saturday were tough, thick, cold and there were only 6 in the pan (this was at 11:30) with only a few customers in the place. Their once delicious cheese blintzes were cold and stuck to the pan and the potato pancakes were as thin as paper. The quality of the food has certainly gone downhill. Yes they had ham, turkey and pork roasts but I wanted the traditional home cooked Polish food that the RA once had. They stopped taking credit cards and frankly for the weekend price of $20.00 we probably ate about $5.00 worth since hot dishes were cold or tasted like they were store bought. Sad that it changed so drastically. Some of the salads were ok and the waitresses were friendly. Our server was surprised that we asked for the check so quickly.
(1)T S.
The food here is unique delicious, but just a heads up: THEY DON'T TAKE CREDIT CARDS! THEY ARE CASH ONLY! The service is so very polite and welcoming, and the facilities are quite clean. Just remember, it's CASH ONLY! (They do have an ATM on-location.)
(5)Paul K.
First time at this location. Same solid food as the other location. As have been mentioned the strawberry perogies are really good. I had a sampling stuffed cabbage, herring, polish sausage, perogies, All the food was top notch. So I came I saw and I ate. I fought the good fight and really did enjoy getting my Polish on. Since I am not Polish it takes some time.
(4)A M.
Food For THOUGHT: Know in advance this is a cash only deal but there is a private ATM on site. Saturday afternoon 3pm and there is no parking available either in back (tiny lot) or street wise. BE CAREFUL parking in the neighborhood - Watch the signs or risk getting towed out. Seating is booth and table, but know both are a bit undersized and the tables are crammed in tight. Believe it or not they have 'to-go' order where you can pay for a Styrofoam container and fill it by weight. I guess if you MUST have your Polish cuisine that badly, its the only way 'to-go'! :) I made reservations with OpenTable but they didn't even bother to look them up when we arrived :( Food For YOU: One L-shaped station complete with cold pasta/salad, salmon (its cold), and desert line the right/back of the food service area. One Rectangular service station with hot dishes rotating in and out. Attendants at the food service area hustle, so if you don't see what you want just ask or wait a minute... they'll be back. Just don't stand where the kitchen exit is or they'll run you over. Please know that you have to carve your own ham, turkey and beef. Be careful where you attempt to put your plate while maneuvering that not so sharp carving knife. Mom steam burned her hands (ouchie!) when she picked up her plate after setting it aside to get to the ham, which was very tasty. Mashed potatoes were amazing too! It seems the offerings vary, and some of the items I was looking for weren't on the buffet at this visit. There was plenty to chose from if you just waited out the service attendants. Kielbasa was a bit peppery, and some of the other flavors were a bit strong too. Mom loved the fruit pierogi, blintzes and something with a horseradish sauce. She didn't elaborate, I didn't ask. :) I agree with the others that the mix of food choice was a bit odd- flan?? Mom commented most of the deserts had jello in them.... a second look confirmed this. I had hoped for different deserts but again, my grandma was an excellent baker :) Service: Service was very good. Our waitress was on the move. First asking what we wanted to drink (there IS a full bar on the premise too!). Next offering choice of two different soups. We had chicken noodle, more noodle than chicken with fresh chive. Might be your grandma's best, but mine did it better :) The waitress asked if we were finished before walking off with our dishes - she was pretty prompt about cleaning up. She also offered coffee and at the end of the meal a choice of two different ice cream flavors. You certainly get your money's worth - and hopefully the food choices you are looking for. While it was my intention to do this for mom, my impression was it was a nice meal but not the first place I'd think of for a meal out.
(3)Susan A.
Had the lunch buffet for 11.99. Lots of Polish fare to choose from. Very unique and bring a big appetite
(4)Mike O.
Made a second visit during a trip to the side, I should of kept driving. Maybe my first visit a couple of years ago was fluke and things have changed. We were seated fairly quickly and the waitress came over to start things out. She kept pushing glasses of water and soup, nothing like filling up on water and not on solid food. My biggest complaint is that food is painfully bland and lacking any taste. I had to add salt and pepper to everything to get some taste out of the food. Judging by the other people there they keep the food bland for the older crowd that eats there. Also the selection of items was not all that great as I remember. No meat pierogis, no cheese pierogis, no dumplings... I will give a thumbs up to our waitress, she did keep the table clear of dirty dishes and keep the (bad tasting) soda refills coming. As much as mock people who complain that restaurants don't take credit or debit cards for a simple cup of coffee, carry a few bucks in your pocket! But when a restaurant charges (drink and meal) twenty bucks per person, take the cards. As someone else posted about there little sign at the cash register, you need a Rosetta Stone to figure it out. Luck someone in our group had enough cash on them to pay for dinner. Also the cashier disappeared for long periods of time, leaving customers waiting to pay and get out of there.
(2)dan p.
there was a time that polish food was something i would avoid. i spent seven years earlier in life as a vegetarian and my 1st polish buffet experience (a year or two after my relapse into eating flesh) sealed the deal fro me. full of heavy flesh laden dishes, lots of flour and empty carbs, polish food seemed to me the antithesis to healthy, conscious eating. flash ahead 25 years later, unlike many folks my age, i daily challenge my dogmas. and they often drop away. though i have now been a polish food fan for a few years now it was on a bright, sunny march day that i found my benchmark for polish buffet. red apple is a bright, warm welcoming room done up in natural wood. the place was clean. the food was excellent and appealing. i loved the cabbage rolls, the fried haddock was fresh and delectable, as was the polish sausage, tilapia,cheese blintzes and various and numerous salad dishes. i was not as crazy about the pierogis and the ice cream was a little icy but these are trivial matters. the employees were excellent and i loved the fact we were the only non polish folks in the place. but one thing remained a mystery to me. at the desert bat were little yellow dishes of ....flan.flan? that delicious custard dish i associate with mexico? surely there was an answer to this strange cross cultural phenomenon. after all, there were no tacos, pad thai or samosas to be had. what was the reason? sadly, nobody there could answer that as their english was not great. but it was excellent anyway! 12 bux in the day 14 at night and a special 15 dollar buffet on the weekends with treats like lamb and more. i am officially a fan!
(4)Darren F.
ive had polish food before and the food they serve here doesnt compare at all... the food tasted very bland and some of the meat was very rough and chewy... my friend and i was just filling our stomach with mash potatoes and gravy mostly because that's like the only decent food item we enjoyed... by the fruit and dessert table.. there was fruit flies and flies around and it keep landing on the food..yea.. not really appetizing after that.. for around 16 bucks.. it was definitely not worth it in my opinion..
(1)Josh S.
I'm not typically a fan of buffets but this is hands down the best Polish food in the city of Chicago. I'm a 3rd generation patron and this is like a reliable and beloved old friend. First off the food isn't typical buffet food that looks or tastes like it's been sitting out. The staff is constantly bringing out fresh dishes and it's never dried out. The potato pancakes, pierogis, ham and stuffed cabbage rolls are my absolute favorite and dare I say even better than my grandmother used to make. Expect over 40 dishes to choose from and the best of Polish/Eastern European cuisine. Do not even think about coming to this restaurant unless you are prepared to eat. You will walk out stuff but extremely satisfied.
(5)tomas a.
Everything polish you want to eat plus more always a huge variety they have beef turkey and ham that you carve yourself mmmm good plus perogis stuffed cabbage polish sausage lamb potato pancakes ribs and about 5 or so different cold saleds coleslaw potato salad cucumber salad beet salad and much more they also serve alcohol and other drinks but its CASH ONLY but you can use there ATM for a fee
(5)Ciara T.
I've came here many times in the past with my big family and was treated quite nicely. I recently came here by myself and felt quite unwelcome. I felt very uncomfortable as soon as I came into the restaurant. I was looking for some good quality polish food I can grab from the buffet and eat on the go and didn't quite find that. There wasn't any selection really and the food I did choose wasn't really tasty-- no flavor, stale mostly. The cash only policy was a surprise but the way I was told was seemingly rude. I let it all go and grabbed my cash from the atm nearby but once I got my food I realized I didn't have any utensils in the bag or napkins. I don't know, just really expected more and was let down quite a lot. Felt unwelcome &looked at sideways and on top of that, received sad food. Not quite comparable to Jolly Inn on Irving Park-- that's definitely my favorite hands down.
(2)Bob A.
This place is the bomb for good old fashion polish cuisine. I grabbed a to go container and loaded up on my favorites: Veal stew, peirogi, Angus beef sliced to order, pork with plum in the middle, polish sausage (best I've had), etc. Filled 3 trays and was over $40.00 dollars but worth it. They only take cash and was lucky to have an extra bill in my pocket. I will be going on a regular basis to eat in and carry out. Better than their competitors in the area! A must try for the polish favorites.
(5)Danny M.
I came here with my friend because he had this place bookmarked. When we walked in here, it was kinda small but we ate here anyway because we were really hungry. This is the first time I have tried a Polish buffet so I really can't compare it to any other ones. I like how everything was listed, so you know what you are eating, but I honestly thought everything was just okay at best. Nothing really stood out and I have no idea why the reviews here are so great. Maybe it is just me, but my friend did not like this place as well.
(2)Chris I.
This was our first time here. Recommended by a family member and it was worth the long drive there. We were aware in advance that it was cash only but they do have an ATM machine though. Parking in the rear lot was not available but we got lucky and snagged a spot on the street in front. We have heard that they can get crowded so we made reservations for our party of 5 and were seated right away in a room towards the back. it was quieter than the main restaurant area and we did not feel rushed at all. The service was great. We were offered a choice of soups and after the buffet you get ice cream if you have room :) the buffet was delicious, fresh, and well stocked. there was a huge selection so even my picky eater found plenty to fill up on. Carving station with ham and roast beef, fried chicken, roasted chicken, chicken cutlets, chicken kiev, polish sausage, fish, pork, stuffed cabbage, pierogis, potato pancakes, blintzes, the list goes on. the deserts were all very tasty as well.
(4)Aaron A.
Everything was good. This was my first time eating Polish food other than their sausage. Servers were nice, so no complain there. The place is clean. I'll go back for the schnitzel with mushroom gravy. I wasn't impressed at the desserts though. But overall, their food is good.
(4)Pete C.
Dobry Dzień! 12 friends and I came in on a Saturday night for my birthday (I had reserved a table) and we needed space for 2 more late invites and they were very accommodating! The service was good, always picked up the plates and refilled the water. The food was good (being Polish I am pretty partial to Polish food) the buffet was always full, the food was fresh and tasty! A lot of the folks never had Polish food so they enjoyed it as well. The price point was good for a buffet on a Saturday night! One turn off was that normally for a buffer I would tip 10% but with that many people they added a 15% tip (mind you I would have tipped a bit more than the 10% regardless just because they were accommodating). That was the only flaw that left them one star shy of a 5!
(4)Jennifer T.
Since my last visit there's been a vast improvement in the food and service. The food tasted way better than the last time. Way more authentic polish food and well worth the price. We were very pleased and will return again.
(5)sarah j.
The Best! I am polish american so don't ask me if these items are truly authentic, but they are fresh, tasty and always consistent. Four stars because I wish they had some different polish items that I like, but oh well. You don't have to be polish to like the food, they have things like fried chicken, ribs, mashed & gravy, veal, beef stew, fried shrimp etc, etc.
(4)Dea A.
You know how you feel after you eat at an Indian buffet? Yeah, this is like that but to an extreme. The cabbage, fried everything and pork really sit in your stomach. It hurts to breathe. You feel a little diaphoretic. There's a 50% chance you just might pass out on your 3rd plate from your stomach exploding. Despite living in the area for decades, our family only recently discovered this place. This is the best Polish buffet in town. They have so many different items, they refresh things often, and everything is from good to great. It's way better than the White Eagle down the street -- for your next funeral or kid's birthday celebration, come to the Red Apple instead! Don't miss: - Glombki (cabbage rolls), theirs are exceptionally good - Strawberry pierogi (this sounds like an abomination, you might think about resisting, but don't. Give in. These are oddly delicious) - Potato dumplings with gravy - Latkes (wish they put out applesauce instead of compote though) - Kapusta (saurkraut), the dill cucumbers or the shredded beets (salad bar) Skip: - The desserts (other than the strawberry pierogi) -- they look better than they taste. They take OpenTable reservations (why? Not sure, probably for bigger groups). But they are only cash only. Why have Open Table, but not take credit cards? Ugh, I wish they posted that somewhere in a clearer place. Also, they have the world's most confusing pricing (buffet can range from $9.99 to $14.99, depending on the lunar phase, zodiac of the last pig that was slaughtered, and the time the last batch of pierogi were made).
(4)Karen M.
Thanks a lot Red Apple. I called 2 1/2 weeks before Easter to ask if they would be open on Easter Sunday. I was told they would be open, was quoted a price of $17.95 per person as a holiday rate and made my reservation. Fast forward to Easter Sunday. My car is loaded up with my family, including two elderly relatives in their 80's. As we approach the restaurant, we cannot believe how there are no cars parked in front. As we drive closer, we realize that is because THEY WERE CLOSED! Fortunately The White Eagle down the street was open and happy to accommodate us. It was a bit more expensive, but the food was better. Also, the servers were a million times friendlier than the people at Red Apple.
(1)Kitty R.
So, my boyfriend and I wanted to try this restaurant, because it's located near my apartment. We were standing in the front for quite sometime before someone came to seat us. The waitress was attentive, and the food was pretty decent. After dinner, we tried paying with a credit card, since the sign on the front of the restaurant said, "Credit cards only for new customers," and the cashier wouldn't take it. She insisted we used the ATM, and I hate having to pay for ATM fees, especially since we were new customers? I checked my bank statement, and the ATM charged me twice, so I have to dispute the charges, and this is just such a pain in the butt. Why would a restaurant say they'd accept a payment for new customers, but then refuse to? You might as well just not accept credit cards, if you're going to be that cheap about it.
(3)Kim S.
I come here often and I feel it's the best food for the money. The soups are the best. From all the different types of restaurants I have been to, this is my favorite for sure.
(5)Natalie S.
While this place isn't my favorite Polish buffet, it's not bad at all. I think it doesn't have quite as many offerings as other places I've been to but the quality is great. Their meat pierogi are awesome. Their dessert offerings are impressive and delicious. The service is... meh. You have to ask for drink refills and the last time we were in, the waitress removed our Coke glasses... but never brought them back refilled. The price on the weekend is kinda high for a buffet IMO. I think it's $15 a person. Plus they charged us for my two year old. Most places don't start charging until the kid is 3. Since he ate MAYBE three bites of food off of my plate, I didn't feel the charge was justified but, whatever, I'm not going to bicker over $5. But, for sure, for $35 the three of us could have eaten elsewhere with better quality food.
(3)Julieann C.
This place is our go to place for polish food. My only "concern" is the price she charges on "holidays/special dates". On Father's Day she wanted an extra $10 / PER PERSON on top of their regular price (weekend price is already more). I paid the extra price on Easter and almost passed out when I got the bill for three people and it was $75! On Father's day we didn't even enter the place when I saw the sign on the front door - and won't go on a special occasion dates from now on (lesson learned). I'll keep to normal weekdays and enjoy this place.
(4)Howard L.
This Polish buffet has been our bookmark list for a long time. I found it was cozier than I thought it would be. We also found it to be a great value at $11 and $13 for lunch and dinner buffets, respectively. The dining areas are separated into 3 areas that have a quaint homey feel, unlike most buffets. One of them is by a cozy bar area. The selection is quite good - pork shank, shnitzels, veal stew, cheese blintzes, pierogies, potato pancakes, polish sausage, BBQ pork ribs, meatballs, fried chicken, grilled fish, turkey, roast beef, etc etc. There is also a nice selection of beet and tuna salads, herring, and various desserts. There were mostly ethnic European diners here tonight - a good sign on the authenticity and value here. Service was friendly and excellent, and I could tell they have a good old fashioned work ethic here. Easy and free street parking right outside also. We will definitely be back.
(5)Elyse H.
this place is over priced the food is terrible it will make you sick and its small .... never again
(1)Taylor F.
I went here for a family get together. We were seated quickly and our server was very friendly. I was not a fan of the soup: I had the chicken noodle, which was watered down and had no chicken in it. But I was pleased with the Buffett, aside from the desserts, which were very dry for the most part. Overall, this was a pleasant experience.
(3)Matt D.
Great Polish food at an incredible price! They have a variety of dishes, desserts and a bar. A great restaurant for a appetizing lunch.
(4)John S.
Went to Red Apple Buffet for a Sunday lunch with my boyfriend and friend. The service here was very good. Our waitress was very nice, good with refills and quick to clear the dirty dishes. The buffet had lots of selections and everything was very fresh. I really enjoyed the homemade potato pancakes and mashed potatoes. There was also a big selection of other great Polish dishes including Polish sausage, Porgies, roast and chicken. The food on the buffet was always stocked and fresh. One of the better buffets I have been to for this reason. Over all the food here was very good. Only problem was I left extremely stuffed :) Over all very satisfied here and will go back.
(4)Maggie A.
Fairly good food. The price, however, is also fairly steep. The atmosphere and service is also a little meh. It is fun to take out-of-town visitors though. I know this is not a very elaborate review which should give you some clue as to the restaurant.
(3)John M.
Ate here again with my cousin and my sister on Saturday and everything was incredible! Everything , I had ham despite the fact somone always starts it wrong. Am I the only man who knows how to slice ham off the bome? This time some dope was slicing it with the grain.... teh tongue in horseradish was great and they had teh roast pork with plum filling. I think I got Iced tea that was not limited to one refill! They even added a new dessert that is GOOD. It's like two sheets of pastry with cheese cake filling between them. I mean it's actually fantastic. I usually have fruit as there is actually nothing chocolate, do not be fooled by spice cake! Who noticed that this location only takes cash! So glad we had enough money with us!
(5)Alex E.
Good, home made polish food
(5)Paul C.
The place sucks. The food is way below par, but very high priced. They only accept cash which makes it even more unbelievable. It seemed like when they stopped accepting credit cards and raised their food prices, the food quality dropped. I don't know what happened to this place. Maybe they changed owners or management, or something like that, but whatever the reason, it's definitely not worth it. That's too bad, because this place used to be 5 stars, now it's nothing but a bad Polish joke.
(1)Alexandar T.
Great food. Service was also good. Kids friendly. Make sure you bring cash. It is the only way to check out.
(5)Stacy S.
My aunt asked us to join her for dinner at Red Apple and to be honest, my parents and I were not sure if we would like the food...well we LOVED it. I've had some Polish food before (i.e. pierogis, kolaczis), but this was my first time really sitting down and trying the cuisine. The buffet had a lot of meat (ham, beef) and potatoes! It was nice having a DIY carving station. The chicken noodle soup was delicious, not too salty, which was good for my parents' cholesterol. Now, my family is Filipino...so most of our cuisine is nothing but fried. My mom and I kept commenting on how a lot of the food at Red Apple seemed to be boiled or baked, which seems a lot healthier. Finally, the waitress was super nice. She was very attentive to our table and even brought out a pastry for my aunt since it was her birthday. I was very impressed by the service and the food at Red Apple! Caution: It is CASH only here. So be prepared.
(5)Robert B.
I am native polish person. It's hard to cheat me with polish food - this place is as good as it gets. This is not home meal- but trust me I walk away full and happy. Food ewes hot and with good flavor For my taste to much american style food , and deserts. Service not the best - but what do you expect - this is buffet - not 5 star restaurant.
(5)Richard R.
We visited Poland earlier this year and came here on a recommendation to get a Polish food fix. We were not disappointed! :-) Beef tongue with horseradish sauce, sauerkraut pirogis, kielbasa, etc., etc. Plus, it's an all-you-can eat buffet. We went there two days ago and I'm still full! :-) I can't wait to go back.
(4)Nancy H.
I'm not knowledgeable on Polish cuisine, but I was pleasantly surprised I like a lot of it, and we keep coming back! The buffet is kept really clean, and the food was all very fresh. There wasn't a single item that looked dried out from sitting under a heat lamp for too long. One side of the buffet is side items and American food (i.e., fried rice, fried chicken, pizza, salmon, pierogis, potato pancakes), and the other side is hearty Polish food (stuffed cabbage, sauteed spinach, pork loin, fried pork cutlet or sometimes veal (schnitzel), rotisserie chicken, sausage & sauerkraut). I think the potato pancakes here are outstanding - perfectly crunchy and flavorful. I have to admit that I usually skip the salad bar because why eat salad when you can eat a ton of meat? And the desserts here are totally under sweetened - European style. They look good, but they're not. This is probably the way it should be, though, as our American taste buds expect loads of sugar. The prices are reasonable ($10-12 for buffet - comes with free small soup & scoop of ice cream!), and parking is easy (street & lot in back). And unlike other buffets, each table is assigned a waitress who brings you drinks, soup, and ice cream. They wear a uniform of a traditional puffy white blouse and embroidered skirt.
(5)Dave S.
We went on a Sunday morning because we had heard that this was one of the best buffets in the city. Now, I have not eaten at a single buffet since moving to Chicago. I have nothing against buffets other than the fact that they usually have little to no ambiance - unless you are in Vegas. There were five of us, four meat eaters and one vegan. The best thing that I can say about this place is that everything was fine. There was nothing exceptional. The meats were all okay and mostly fried. The potatoes (mashed, pancake and pierogi variety) were pretty good - flavorful and not too dry. Pretty much everything else was meh. The vegan in our group really hated this place. I guess one can only eat so many potato products. Okay dude, so why the poor rating? The service was terrible. Very unfriendly. There is no mention of price before ordering. $14.99 seems a little steep, especially since they add a %15 gratuity for a buffet. I don't know what is customary for a buffet, but I've never had a restaurant add gratuity for me. Why? Other than bring me drinks, what exactly did you do? Don't get me wrong I would have tipped myself, but not 15%. Also, when the bill came we asked person at the register to split the check. She grumbled and called over our waitress and preceded to same something in her native tongue. The waitress rolled her eyes and then straight out of a mobster movie barked with thick accent, "What is problem?" I guess we should have known better. Maybe I am just not in the buffet demographic anymore.
(2)Lisa T.
For a reasonably priced Polish buffet, I really don't know what else anyone else could want from the food and service. The waitress was attentive and brought us each a different Polish beer so we could try both kinds. They had terrific sauerkraut soup (yeah, I know, sounds awful but it tastes great), the cheese and potato pierogi was really good, as was the stuffed cabbage. The schnitzel, ham and fish with creamy dill sauce were really terrific, and I am not normally a fan of ham. I only tried a couple of things at the salad bar, including the beets which were very good. The desserts were also very good. The waitress came by and asked if we wanted ice cream, which made us both laugh since we had plates with way more desserts than we would normally have. Next time I will try to eat salad first and less dessert (yeah, right!) Don't go if you are expecting spicy food or fancy cuts of meat - it's just not going to happen. However, it's a good family place, especially in cold weather when soup, meat and potatoes are what you crave.
(4)Benvenuto B.
Real Polish - authentic wait staff - authentic Polish foods - done just like in Poland. When I feel like I need a "Polish Fix" we come here. Leave your bad ass American attitude at the door and enjoy these very pleasant Polish cooks, waiters, etc. We love the Red Apple.
(5)Mrs P.
They make some of the best pierogis around and don't get me started on their potato pancakes. Good home cooked polish food. The only negative is there isn't much in the way of parking and it is easy to get ticketed in that neighborhood.
(4)Larry J.
Now, I'm not Polish but you can't come to this restaurant and not think of an old country polish meal. It was fabulous. They had it all. Piroges, blintzes, schnitzel, and veal ragu. I loved the mushroom gravy. There was plenty of waitstaff but I didn't feel that they were attentive as they should be with only 2 patrons in the restaurant. If the waitstaff were more attentive a big 5 stars.
(4)Vince V.
I have a problem. You see, every now and then I have this curious need to consume massive quantities of Polish food. It's inexplicable for the uninitiated but please indulge me for a second or fifty-two. The Red Apple is a long running buffet tradition in the area. You will find the requisite pierogi, golabki, kotlet schabowy, buraczki, kielbasi and barszcz on the menu most of the time. I have personally taken a fondness for the pork knuckles. This must be so bad for me but damn it, it's so primal and delicious. I typically order Ziwiec beer but they also stock Okocim, Tyskie or your domestic of choice. If there is one weak spot, it would be the dessert selections. This should be given more attention in Polish buffets everywhere. Casual and comfortable, wear your fat pants ala Joey Tribiani. I won't tell anyone you were overeating there if you don't tell them I was too.
(4)Nina G.
Huh? Europeans think Americans are fat? Ooh..okay, now I know why! Everytime I go to this place I wear joggers. Yes, that's how much I love this place. Once you walk in, you are greeted by a sweet Polish server that asks you if you would like soup or something to drink. Then comes the good part! You lay your eyes upon some of the best Polish home cooking in town and it's only around $12! I used to live near Belmont and Central, so I know what's up. They have pierogies of all types...sauerkraut, mushroom, meat. Then mashed potatoes, not with one, but two gravies! Ham on the bone, stuffed cabbage, and sausage...the list goes on. Everything is deeelicious. Don't worry, mama bear won't steer you wrong! This is a great place if you are trying Polish food for the first time since you can get a little bit of everything. The only thing I would pass on is the dessert, but who cares about that when you have strawberry pierogies and cheese blintzes! I loved the fact that it is a VERY clean establishment. I tell ya, I never knew Polish food was so heavy and decadent! You could never tell with those nice European figures of their's. God Bless their little Polish hearts.
(5)Nate C.
First time to have all Polish food for dinner...my cousin's brought me here saying it was a hidden gem. I was glad that it was a buffet and I was able to try a lil of everything...some good and some just ok. If Im looking for something to fill me up, this is a good place to go...the food is fresh and hot. service is very good and there is parking in the back...bad part is they don't accept plastic...cash only.
(4)Jeff Z.
Best Polish Buffet!!
(5)Hannah M.
They have great potato pancakes!
(3)Jenna S.
When Theresa C. moved to Avondale, she began to discover all the wonders this little Polish neighborhood has to offer. Located in one of the only remaining actual Polish neighborhoods in Chicago, Red Apple definitely offers authentic, homemade Polish food at friendly prices. We came on a Friday night and I'm pretty sure the buffet was $15ish, but that was very reasonable and included a ton of food. There's only a buffet, so you don't have to worry about reading a menu and deciding what you want. Soup automatically comes with the buffet and there's a pretty good selection to choose from. They bring the soup to you at the table and I'm not sure there's refills, so make sure you ask. The buffet has a bit of everything, so if you're in to sampling, you're in luck. I'm not sure what most of the dishes were since I'm not Polish or really familiar with Polish food, but I can tell you that almost everything was super delicious. There's chicken, pork, beef, sausage... tons to choose from. Lots of side dishes as well, including my favorite sweet and sour cabbage. Pierogis everywhere, so eat your fill! The potato pancakes with a bit of applesauce were also de-lish. Salad bar is huge and there's tons of desserts for every taste. The service was pretty spotty and it was a bit difficult to get a drink refill, so go easy on the Diet Coke.
(4)Rick L.
The service was excellent, and the food selection was good. It's a buffet style restaurant, so you can pick and choose what you like. I'm not a fan of Polish food, so to say that I enjoyed my meal really means something! I have Polish friends who say there are better restaurants, but if you don't know the cuisine, going to a decent buffet is the way to go.
(3)Melvis V.
My best friend Ursa Major dragged us off to this place when we visited last year and have been back on almost every trip to Chacaga. The buffet is amazing - I always roll out of there - and CHEAP! Pierogies are excellent and DO NOT pass up the mushroom cream sauce if you see it in the main meat section. It's to die for! I asked the owner/manager about it and she didn't think it was anything special as it was her Ma's recipe but was quickly informed by a number of people wolfing their food down that it was indeed the best thing on an already impressive buffet. Ursa and I always joke about the waitresses here - walking around in vintage 70's hot pants and go-go boots asking "..you want zoup?" Yes, get the zoup! Desserts can be odd/scary but 9 times out of 10, they've been surprisingly good. I remember after the last time we went and we both needed a good walk to just get over the amount of food we'd inhaled and saw a sign advertising "Mattresses for Heavy People"....after what we'd done (for not much), we could definitely understand...
(4)David A.
The BEST BUFFET that I have EVER eaten at! ONLY $10!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't like Polish food, you're in luck! Fried chicken, fruit, salad, chicken cutlets, jello, fish, soups, etc. The soups were amazing. The fried chicken was pretty good, too. The staff was very friendly and the buffet was well stocked and replenished often. I ate more here this one night than the whole vacation. Argh :( So full, yet SO HAPPY! May I add that I usually dismiss buffets? Thanks Paul for bringing us here.
(5)Natalie F.
My family (15 of us) and I visited this place over the weekend to celebrate my grandma's 85th birthday. Happy Birthday Baba!! :) We wanted a place that was A: buffet style and B: had food close to Ukrainian food. I had heard of Re Apple before and I saw it on Chicago's Best so I thought this will be great. I looked them up ahead of time to make sure there were items I could actually eat. Still on the low /no carb Atkins's diet. :) Walking in I thought wow they need a makeover on the decor. we sat in a back room which was nice so we could all talk and be somewhat loud. We did have a nice waitress so that was good. She checked on our drinks and plate clearing throughout our stay. Most places you have to pull teeth to get refills but she was on it. They start out by asking if you want soup. I passed and headed up to the buffet. Good a salad bar! Loaded up there on that and some cottage cheese. When I went back I TRIED to have some turkey and ham. I said tried because you had to cut it yourself and the knives where super dull so everyone ahead of me pretty much butchered the meat. Turkey was good but the beef was super dry. Good chicken, veggies etc. Typical Polish food. Cabbage rolls, pierogies, potato pancakes, meats, tongue, mashed potatoes, veggies, chicken kiev etc. Asked family what they thought and some loved it some said so so. Desserts were meh BUT we still had a FUN time and it is always good to see the family. This was a day for my grandma anyways. :)
(3)Johnny B.
Went here with another new lovely and she speaks Polish. My dream! Had a buffett lunch "Apres midi". French for middle of the afternoon/day. Met by a congenial hostess and our waitress appeared immediately. She took our Zupe order. Cream of broccoli was great. So was the chicken rice of my lady. We chatted and when up to the buffet. Lots of American as well as Polish food. Beyond the "normal" Polish (Pierogi's, Polish Sausage, & Kraut) there were some specialty items I see only in the Wedliny (delicatessen). Head cheese, Pork hocks, Duck. All were freshly prepared and warm. My lady started at the salad bar (she is smart) and had a nice salad with the fixxins. For a Sat PM at 2:30, the restaurant was 2/3 full. Didn't try desserts. My lady had some fruit (Really smart). It was a pleasurable experience (food too). I will return. Price reasonable. Johnny Chitown
(4)Erik H.
I love it. Love it love it love it. Heaping platefuls of doughy, cabbagey, meaty food piled high. The sausages were spiced well with a great snap, the pierogies were awesome, the stuffed cabbage was very very meaty. They had a good Polish beer selection as well, and really the only thing lacking is the dessert bar. I didn't really find anything good there, so my dessert was more schnitzel and kielbasa. Definitely one of the best buffets you'll go to, and the best Polish one hands down. One tip: when you're done, drive 5 minutes to the Leaning Tower of Niles for some roadside Americana and an overall weird day.
(5)Kathleen T.
Went there today for a late lunch and was a bit disappointed. We have been to both locations a few times and today had the crave for Polish food. I really like their choices on the salad bar and my favorite is the seafood blend with dill. I am a picker at buffets and like to sample different items. I enjoyed the potato pancakes, ribs were fatty but tasty. Did not care for the schnitzel or the meat pirogi. Sauerkraut had absolutely no flavor which is really surprising. They had beautiful shrimp mixed with garlic and cilantro which I wanted to try but they smelled strong. Nice concept but maybe not a big mover in a Polish restaurant so I took a pass. Hubby had stuffed cabbage and Polish sausage and did not care for either and he is Polish:) He also passed on the piece of fried chicken he took because it was overly loaded with salt. So having 2 potato pancakes, a riblet of pork with a salad and iced tea did not justify paying $15 for. Perhaps if we get the crave again we might go back but neither of us are in a big hurry to do so!
(2)Tuya S.
Ten years ago when I first visited Chicago I was still broke foreign student and this place provided sweet elation to my home cooked meal. Yes, this is Asian gilr talking about eastern european food, though more accurately Poland is more of a Central Europe. I was born and raised on Russian food and this place is closest as it can get to my taste buds. Love their cabbage rolls "golubtsi", cutlets and salad bar. Tasty soup that is included in the deal. Very inexpensive way to satisfy your inner "Eastern" European cravings.
(5)Kay J.
I gave Red Apple 5 stars, not because it is the greatest gourmet restaurant in the world, but because when you consider the good quality and variety of the food, and you also consider the cost, you get GREAT VALUE at this place. It is a great place to go to if you're really hungry. All you can eat of wonderful pierogies (meat, cheese, sauerkraut, etc.... I especially love the meat ones), and mashed potatoes, and wonderful cabbage rolls with sauerkraut, and Polish sausages, large roasts and ham, decent salad bar, big variety of fruits and dessert, and, well, I could go on and on. Plus you have friendly, efficient service, and a clean nice atmosphere to boot. Yep, this place deserves 5 stars in my opinion. One the the best values I know of in the Chicago area. And, if you're comparing this restaurant to other "all you can eat" places, like the "Country Kitchen" type of places, Red Apple has them all beat by a mile in terms of quality.
(5)Andrew K.
The Red Apple is exactly what I would expect from a Polish Buffet style restaurant. The service is fairly attentive and you do have a waitress assigned to your table which is nice. The schnitzel is pretty darn good and is one of the main reasons I go back about once a month. It's also nice that it's less than a block walk for me. The atmosphere is nice and the service is friendly. Though I have to agree with their new prices I think they are slightly over priced. The meat dishes are above par with a few sometimes being on the dry side. Their pirogi are tasty and the blintzes are a favorite. If you are looking for a polish style meal with lots of choice's I highly recommend the Red Apple.
(4)Lupe G.
When you need a serious Polish buffet fix!!!
(4)Leang E.
For our 3rd month cultural extravaganza my friend had chosen the partaking of Polish food. Knowing that they have a buffet here, I pre-empted myself to wear stretch pants. It was a little disappointing that the soup wasn't included as part of the buffet, but you have to get this spinach soup. It has an egg in there and it was delicious! This definitely set the tone for a very indulgent dinner. They have everything you can imagine here - so many salads - bean, crab, mixed greens, pasta salad, egg salad, and make your own. I had the schnitzel, stuffed cabbage, blintz, pierogis, pastas, roast beef, ribs, potato pancakes, chicken kiev, and polish sausage. Even if you don't want the traditional Polish items there was fried, breaded, and roasted chicken, turkey, and so much more. I had gotten a plate of dessert options as well that paired nicely with coffee. This place was reasonably priced and the service was excellent. It's a good thing this place isn't close by where I might indulge a little too much and more often.
(4)Edward W.
Best Polish buffet around. Everything is fresh and the food is excellent.
(5)Scott M.
My Polish grandparents used to take me to this place, for a reason. The service is super friendly (they wear traditional garb, kind of like Polish Oktoberfest) and the food is tasty, plentiful and authentic. If you've never tried Polish food you'd be crazy not to go here because you can sample a bunch of different dishes for only $9.99. The day I was there they had a whole tray of pork shanks, a roast, a ham, two kinds of mashed potatoes with two types of mushroom gravy, three kinds of Polish beer, Polish sausage (ok that's a given), white sausage, meatballs, a dessert bar, a salad bar, soup, ice cream...and that's just what I remember. Did I mention it's all you can eat? It's worth it for the pierogis alone. I'm getting hungry typing this right now!
(5)Jennifer Q.
I have three words -and I wish I could say them in Polish -Deee-lish-cious!! Oh, that is one word, three syllables! Despite my grammatical faux pas, this is the restaurant my friend chose for her after baptism bash. It was a huge Polish buffet and yes, it was delicious! There were several choices for meat eaters as well as vegetarians. I had the potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, cheese pierogis and the cheese blintzes. Yes, it was a carb fest, but you have to do that once in a while. I thought the food was fresh and really well cooked. Loved every bit of it. It's a hidden gem, as I never knew it was so close to my house. I will be back to meet up with friends. It's some great food for the money!
(5)Greg G.
KA-BOOM!!! That's the sound of your pants exploding off your waistline after shoveling all the ridiculously good food this Polish buffet has to offer. Get the cream of mushroom soup if they have it that day, I had two bowls it was so good! Great pierogies, potatoes in all forms, schnitzel, sauerkraut and kielbasa. To hell with the diet, you need to eat! Grandma would be proud...
(5)Maggie A.
I met my mother in Chicago one weekend and being Polish, we decided to check out the Polish neighborhood there. We stumbled upon this restaurant, which is essentially a buffet with all Polish food. Everything tasted authentic and the selection was huge! If you like Polish food and want to sample different dishes, then definitely check this place out!
(4)Terese C.
We took out of town relatives here because we wanted to experience authentic Polish food. We were delighted with the buffet & the food. There was a large variety & it was all very tasty.
(4)Bill M.
I have dined at the "original" Red Apple (near Belmont) several times, but I wanted to try the other location (also on Milwaukee Avenue but near Devon) on Thanksgiving Day with grandma. They actually had abbreviated holiday hours, but they were doing brisk lunch business (both dine in and take out) on this T-Day. The Thanksgiving buffet price is actually higher than their standard buffet rates, but still it was worth it to pile on the Polish and non-Polish cuisine. In a nod to Thanksgiving, they had turkey, stuffing, yams, and pumpkin pie among the selections, though Polish faves like pierogi, cheese blintzes, polish sausage and potato pancakes were hard to beat. The waitress offered soup and ice cream (both included in the buffet price) though some diners skip them and go full blast for the buffet choices. The food is all in one centralized area, unlike the linear conga line of food at the other location.
(4)Mark L.
My wife and I wound up here after a bad experience at another Polish restaurant. Be forewarned it's cash only, but the prices are so low, it isn't an issue. It seems as if everything truly is homemade. The soups are delicious, as was everything else. I'm not an expert on Polish food, so I can't say just how 'authentic' it is. But I do know what I like, and I like almost everything there. The only knock I could find was that the beef at the carving station was a little dry. But that's my only gripe. We will be going back again.
(5)Matt C.
Not bad. I enjoy the blintzes and the chicken.. Of course its all you can eat so that is always a plus. Some things are a little greasy, some things are a little dry. But i still come here every 2 months or so.
(3)Dk N.
This a geriatic dream buffet...so many "blue hairs" there, I thought I walked into a nursing home. The place is clean and the hostess and waitresses say to everyone,"you can seat yourself. Anywhere..." Even though it's a polish buffet, there are also American dishes. The food is okay... cabbage rolls, beef slices, potato cakes, cheese blintz, snitzel, pierogies, and VERY DRY desserts. $10.99 + tax. It's typical buffet food with lil favor. My chicken noodle soup had lots of noodles and no chicken. In the end, I was also given ice cream for dessert, but I tried the dessert on the buffet. Big mistake.
(2)Anne V.
Everything on their buffet is absolutely outstanding and fresh. Liver pierogi that are to die for. Sausage that was neither dry or greasy, but cooked to perfection. Sauerkraut that is creamy without being overly sour. Dilled cucumbers. Cheese blintzes. Beef rolls. Beef stroganoff. Roast pork. A dessert selection that is a dream come true. Fresh fruits including kiwi. An incredible and tasty value for a more than reasonable price.
(5)Ashley M.
Oh My Gosh! If you think your gonna come here to just get a little grub, think again. This restaurant has an incredible buffet of delicious polish food, and it is impossible to just eat one plate. I love the soups, including sauerkraut and chicken noodle. The sauerkraut soup is my favorite of the two (it depends what you like)so I recommend that! I'm a carb fan (who isn't) so of course I get many helpings of their yummy peirogis and dumplings. They also have a big meat and veggie selection that is also very yummy. There is a small and tasty cold food bar along with a desert area, but I usually don't eat desert because I'm so full from the buffet so I cant comment on that too much! For the most part, service is good and polite. I do enjoy this place a lot and can assure you that you can come here and be happy and full when you leave!
(4)Jason L.
Personally, I think Old Warsaw is better. Great amount of variety, but all the food was really bland. No flavoring, it had all been boiled away. I had to salt & pepper the hell out of my food before it tasted like anything. The pierogies would have been good, except the filling of potatoes was grainy because the potatoes were over-boiled, you know, there is a point that you can overcook food, and if your going to sit it on a buffet line for 3 hours, you should probably err on the side of undercooking it. The roast beef was dry and overcooked, but i guess that should be expected on a buffet. What really got me though it that we went with my kids (1 & 2), and the waitress did not ask if they wanted soup, and at the end of the meal, did not ask if they wanted ice cream, but yet we were still charged $3.99/ea for them, eventhough they barely ate from the buffet. While it may be policy, it's not in good taste. Next time i go for polish food im going to a place that cooks to order, hopefully it will be better, i wont be back here.
(2)Liz M.
Leave the diets (unless it's Atkins) at home and wear your stretchy pants!! Best pierogies, beet salad, and breaded pork without the drive to Belmont Ave!! If you want to get some good, heavy, Polish comfort food on these winter days, this is the place. We've been going there for years but discovered a new find last night... SAUERKRAUT SOUP!! Awesome!!! it was like a Potato-Pork-Sauerkraut Stew. Mmmm-mmmm good! A lot of bang for your buck, but like I said, leave the "healthy eating-losing weight" resolution at home!!
(4)E F.
I have been going to the Red Apple since I was a very young child. My Polish Grandmother used to bring us here. This is very good comfort food at very low prices. I would recommend coming here on an empty stomach because you will leave feeling very stuffed. Even though i do not eat meat, there is still enough to choose from on the buffet. I love this restaurant because it brings back fond childhood memories of my grandmother's cooking - and yes it is that good. The only bad thing i have to say is that the sauerkraut is not as good as it once was. it's too sweet or something....
(4)Shawn L.
I used to really like this place, but since they've raised prices ($14.99 for the buffet at lunch in late November 2010), I won't be going back. The food is good, but not great, and as another reviewer commented, the desserts are dry and a waste of calories. Service is inconsistent. It was a good value at $10, but it's not worth $15.
(2)Rachel S.
Service was good. Food was fresh; not too many desert options. Deserts look better than how they taste.
(4)Troy H.
Nice buffet. Enjoyed lunch. Duck was great. Timing is essential in a good buffet. Go during main dining hours and you won't be disappointed.
(3)Matthew P.
Two words for y'all: Strawberry Pierogies. From what I've been told, this is the place in Chicago for Polish food and, considering the amount of Polish being spoken in the place, I think I've been told correctly. But authentic does not always mean tasty and, at first glance I gotta admit that I was very suspicious. I was not aware that there were so many ways to boil meat but apparently the Poles are masters of this art. Boiled meat dumplings. Boiled meat stuffed in peppers. Boiled meat stuffed in cabbage. Boiled meat stuffed in meat . . . you get the picture. That combined with the buffet ambiance (steam trays, sneeze guards, etc) did not inspire me with confidence. Then I ate the food. JOY! Boiled meat never tasted so good. Turns out that, despite being a buffet place, all of the food is made from scratch right there, just like your (friend's) Polish grandma made it, and the flavor shows through. Not only is the meat tasty, but so is most everything else. The cheese blinzes are amazing and that strawberry pierogi, oh be still my beating heart. Not that everything is wonderful. I found most of the baked deserts kinda dry and blah and the salads are extremely dressing heavy. Still, if you love meat you'll love this place and, for only $9.95 how can you go wrong, really?
(4)Scott S.
Stopped in yesterday with a big hunger and left very satisfied. Updating the previous review, they do have a sign up now and prices are at $9.49 weekdays, $9.99 weekends. Sure there's a lot of starch and calories in the selection, but they do have a good-sized salad bar and cooked veggies. Also, I did not find the desserts dry at all. The one with cherries was very good. They have good prices on beer and bottles of wine for $18. The location is conveniently close to Caldwell Woods, near the south end of the North Branch bike trail
(4)N. Mary I.
I've been going here since I was a kid and it's some of the best polish food outside of poland. Lunch, dinner, or whenever, you get a fixed price-buffet of Polish goodness. Skip most of they desserts, a lot of them are dry and a waste of calories although my bf adores the rum balls. They'll have ham or roast beef and all the side and salads you could dream. Always comes with choice of soup and icecream. Everything is good. Some of the dishes are heavily salted and greasy but the homemade touches and flavors make up for it. One less star for service. Many times I've gone in with my bf and we get "funny" looks or unfriendly service in general. Also, not many vegetarian options except for potatoes and salad. Bring your family and friends for a tasty meal, polish style.
(4)James O.
I love the stuffed cabbage and polish sausage. Desserts are just ok, but I go for the meat and carbs.
(4)Christine M.
This stands out in my mind of one of the best places to go if you want to stuff yourself with meat and potatoes and have money left over for your stomach pump. No matter how much you try, you will walk out with tight pants and wondering when your gallbladder will recover from all that sausage gravy. It's definitely authentic, right down to the pirogies and and strange jell-o molds with fruit for dessert. I'm not Polish, but reminds me of a lot of the stuff my German grandma would make. Two different slaws, three different kinds of potatoes and roasted meats galore covered in various juices and gravies. I can't even tell you if they serve salad. Ha!
(4)Katherine R.
First rate pierogies, borscht, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, stroganoff, sausages... Every Polish staple you could fathom and then some. My only regret is that I don't have four stomachs so I could ingest everything my eyes take in. However, no matter how much you can or can't eat, you can't beat this price: Weekdays $8.49, Weekends $9.49. This includes a soup starter and dessert. So you never leave with "buffet regret" (i.e. having spent too much money for too little food, or stuffing yourself into a coma just to get your money's worth). And guess what else? This buffet offers take-out (charge is by the pound), so you won't have to get your purse filthy trying to sneak out pierogies. (Not that that's ever happened to me...)
(4)Jennifer B.
The food is really good here. Everything tasted homemade and I'm pretty sure it's authentic Polish. I am assuming this because my husband and I were the only table in there (aside from a very nice lesbian couple with their daughter) that were not speaking Polish. They're not going to go to a crappy place, right? Anyway, they had all the Eastern European food you could hope for and the selection changes daily. I must admit I was a little disappointed that there were no potato pirogies the night we went, but I ate like 7 potato pancakes to make up for it. The weekend buffet is only $10 a person, so it's a great deal. This would be a great place to take older out of town visitors to.
(4)K R.
It's not that I am soo into Polish food as it is I'm into good food at good prices.All the food isn't exclusively Polish, things like roast beef, pork chops, ham, potatoes, green beans, non-spicy rice, fish etc. I consider classic American. Of course they have the more ethic stuff as well, that I happen to like such as: cheese blintzes and potato pancakes. I agree that that the desserts weren't very appetizing:dry,crumbly,dusty. The place is clean, if you come during busy times it can get a bit cramped (unless you are in the "back room", which is usually for larger groups) You get a bunch of choices like these in the buffet. The price for such good "home cooked" comfort food is very cheap.
(5)Jeff D.
This place is consistent and never disappoints. Not that expensive and worth the price for the food and service. They have a friendly staff as well. Very clean and the food is much better than their other location near Belmont.
(4)Andrew F.
delicious food here finger licking good! foursquare.com/venue/106…
(5)Madeleine E.
Very reasonably priced all you can eat buffet with Polish specialties(7.99 pp weekdays 8.99 pp weekends). Beef Stroganoff, cheese blintzes, pierogies, whole ham and roast cut fresh, duck, pork, veal, chicken.... I could not believe the variety of foods. The building has no name on the outside and just says "Restaurant" in the window though you can identify it by the big red apple that hang on the sign over the building. This place is typically packed in the evening with locals. The food overall was good, but was a little bland. Skip the dessert bar, the cakes were dry - but you can request ice cream for free. They also have a to-go option - they just weight your container and charge you as standard to-go price. They had a local man playing some jazzy holiday violin music at tables that requested him. The place gets an extra star for that!
(3)Wink B.
Oh my lanta. I ate so much meat, starch, cheese, and pickled vegetables here I almost suffered another heart attack, which would make a baker's dozen for me. So much to choose from, all of it of good quality. The only problem was the toilet, which seemed angry at me.
(4)John H.
Best buffet in the city and best price. This is Polish food at its best. It is the stuff that makes you happy all over.
(5)Kelly Y.
Polish food that is mmm tasty! I especially love the peirogies and salad bar. It doesn't matter the season they always have fresh fruit in the salad bar! Very casual place for the home cooked meal. So love their cream of mushroom soup and chicken noodle soup. Good for little kids too.
(4)Maggie B.
For when you are entertaining the elderly. This is a buffet featuring Polish cuisine, from predictable pierogis to the more adventurous beef tongues in gravy and chicken gizzards. It is a decent bargain, $7.99 on weekdays, $8.99 on weekends. For the true devotees, weekly passes are available. Seriously. Do be careful though because while the price includes soup, drinks are extra! The desserts, while varied, were all on the dry side. Not impressed. But for cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, and mushroom gravy, it can't be beat. This location is just a block north of Superdawg.
(4)S T.
We went here for lunch just to have something different. We got there at 11am to get the fresh food first thing. I don't do buffets so I don't know what a five star buffet is so I give them three stars. The buffet is $15.00 per person before drinks. Everyone was great and every 2 min or so someone was tending to the buffet. All types of polish and American food. Hunks of meat you carve your self. I liked most of it and I have never had polish food. There is a salad,fruit and sweet bar which I never made it to. You start with soup which I passed on so I try the other food. They even had fried chicken next to the beef tongue and BBQ ribs. I wanted to try a polish buffet once because I have not seen a place like this before. I'm glad we went but I don't the appetite for a buffet so if you have a large appetite then this will be right up your alley. They have 2 locations on Milwaukee so I chose the 6747 because there is parking all over and I thought the one closer to the city would be harder to park. I might even try another style buffet in the future because it wasn't bad at all and I thought buffets had crap food after going to old country buffet with co workers and I said to my self no more buffets.
(3)Erica T.
My fiance and I jumped on the Polish food bandwagon back when the Pierogi Factory still existed on Belmont. Since it has closed down we have been going through Polish food withdrawal. When I found out about this place I nearly had a heart attack. We came here on a weekday and ate our little hearts out for a mere $9.99. They even have liver and onions!
(4)Rob L.
If you are on a diet of eating less fat, calories and eating healthier, you may want to skip this place. Every time my sister from California would come in, we would grab my grandma and have lunch here. Ahh the memories of childhood, good, heavy, stick to your ribs Polish food. Its buffet style, its cheap and its good. However since I changed my dietary habits, I can't eat here, or I could, but my stomach wouldn't be happy with me. The servers are friendly, the customers are nice and the food plentiful. If you want to try some great Polish food for not a lot of money, this is a great place and a great way to get introduced to it.
(4)Linda C.
Okay...arrived back to the area early October 2008 and so far I've been here 3 times. Yes, ole Porky has hit the feeding trough...big time. Nothing has changed and thank goodness for that. Still the same awesome selections...plus additional items that were probably there but that I hadn't tried. I did now. I could "sow out" on just the salad bar offerings alone and their pork hocks are to die for. My friend thinks their carve your own ham and beef roast is excellent as are their "smashed potatoes. So, a year later I'm still smitten. Hopefully, the next review I post will be the fitness club I've joined. *smile* Prices are $10.99 on weekends, $9.99 on weekdays and you can do a take out for I believe $4.99 lb. You fill the container yourself and trust me, you can pack a lot into it. Can't imagine anyone leaving unhappy.
(5)Tom Z.
I live less than a mile from here, but this is the first time I tried the "Red Apple Restaurant". I thought the food was good. It was a nice buffet of fresh food. I think I will go back and try some of the other food offerings. I had the beef, which was juicy and tender after putting a little of the gravy on. The polish sausage good. I still prefer going to my local deli (Andy's Deli) and cooking it at home myself.
(3)Jack H.
Very interesting polish food if you have never tried it before. You should try it at least once and see for yourself.
(4)Justin L.
Outside of the summer polish festival I dont get the opportunity to eat polish fare very often. I found this place by accident because I thought the sign looked like the tomato sign for Fazoli's and I was itching for some starches. As I walked it I realized I was in the wrong place but willing to give the buffet a chance. The food was good relative to other buffet experiences. It did not leave you hurting either, which is always a plus when eating ungodly amounts of food. The perogies and stuffed cabbage where adequate and the potato pancakes were more than adequate. The selection was lacking however as the number of dishes are about half of what one would find at a typical buffet. The Red Apple did serve its purpose however, I felt satisfied and not too gross afterwards. The dining room was clean, but although it is a buffet the busing and water service was extremely slow even during a not busy shift. For me I think that since I do not have the opportunity to eat polish food ever this place serves to scratch that itch, albeit few and far between.
(3)Sylvia T.
$10 Buffet - honestly, where can you get that nowadays? The food was very tasty for a buffet. It was my first time eating Polish food, so I didn't know what to expect, but I left VERY full and VERY happy. In addition to a salad bar, dessert bar, they send out a bowl of soup and a bowl of ice cream. I haven't even gotten to a carve it yourself roast beef and turkey slab of meat, dumplings, fish, chicken, pork, gizzards in gravy, potatoes, omg...drool. We seriously chilled for half an hour because we couldn't breathe and get out of our seats.
(4)Theresa R.
This place doesn't get 5 stars only for it's less then attentive service. However, the food is amazing. Best pierogies I've had in quite some time. Good price and and great food. Definitely a great place for people to go if they've never tried polish food.
(4)Jason T.
Not quite sure why this place gets such a great rating. It is just OK and not worth taking a long trip to get to. The food is just ok. The price is just ok. The parking is horrible. If you have been to Warsaw Inn, keep going there. As far as traditional Polish food goes, they had stuffed cabage, but they didn't have a whole lot of meat in them. They had chicken kiev, it was good. They had 2 types of pierogies. They were not that good. They had breaded chicken and veal. They were good. The mashed potatoes were good. There was a bunch of other things, but again it was just alright.
(3)Elizabeth K.
Quite the experience. Not really vegan friendly, but I've been there pre-veganness. For one price you get an all-you-can-eat buffet of HEAVY food, with soup to start and ice cream at the end! Thing is ... polish food is all the same color ... Oh, but they have jello on the salad bar!
(3)Jacob O.
Some of these reviewers must be living under a rock to give Red Apple 5 stars. The food is ok, but the price is unacceptable. I went there with my wife one Saturday and ordered two soups to go with our buffet. They gave us two tiny cups of soup which was below par considering some buffets like Jolly Inn will give you a whole bowl. The food was alright, but nothing spectacular and after my wife and I each had a plate for dinner and a dessert, we were done. The real shocker was the price. $14.99 for each of us plus tax! This was the weekend special price. The regular price for a buffet at this place is $12.99 per person. That's a joke considering the quality of the food and the fact that just down the street are numerous gourmet restaurants with excellent food for less money. After leaving this place, I felt ripped off. With prices like this, it's no wonder that the owner can afford to drive a Bentley.
(1)Cheryl N.
Yuck! You call this Polish food? My grandma made much better. I'll stick to my other alternative Smak Tak, best Polish food around this area.
(1)Cali M.
It isn't good as grandma's cooking! But it is the best you can get without digging her up!
(4)Paul A.
This place was surprisingly decent. My dad wanted to get lunch/dinner, and has recently been touring the northern Chicagoland area for Polish restaurants. He has taken me to a few, and I have really hated them all. I thought Polish food just didn't agree with my taste buds. So I was hesitant going into this place and figured it would stink like the rest. But it was pretty frickin good!!! At other Polish buffets I typically have 1/2 of 1 plate, and then a bunch of fruit. I ate like a pig man here!! This was by far the best Polish joint I've been to, out of the 4 or so I've hit in recent memory. It's cheap too. My old man and I ate for about $25. It's not a date type atmosphere by any means, but if you want a nice quality fatty fest for lunch, with good friends or the family, in a very casual atmosphere, hit this place in very loose pants. I still haven't eaten since I left this place. Here I come elliptical........
(4)