The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)
Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)
Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)
Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)
Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)
Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)
Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)
Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
(1)
Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)
Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)
Katie N.
Rude waitress, slow service, unprofessional staff. Went in using a Groupon deal. The service was inadequate at the very least. It took them about 15 minutes to seat us upon arrival, with 3 waitresses relaxing in the corner and 5 guests in the entire restaurant including myself. Our waitress could not describe any of the foods on the menu, making it very difficult to choose from an unfamiliar menu. Moreover, most of the entrees from the Groupon menu were out, and the waitress deemed it appropriate to push what leftover food she had on us (every time my date or I chose something, she replied "We're out of that, I will bring the _____ instead"). The food was mediocre, the meat was dry and the vegetables tasted canned. Absolutely no refills were offered on drinks throughout the entire meal. After the check was brought, we waited about 30 minutes for the waitress to take our payment before getting up to find her ourselves. She demanded I hand over my phone so she can bring it to a different room to redeem the Groupon deal. Since I didn't feel like giving away my smartphone, I followed her to the manager. The manager, without much interest and a sour look on her face, asked about our 'experience' and then turned away to continue talking on her phone. Aside from poor service, mediocre food, and cheap silverware, the place is infested with flies. Will not dine there again.
(1)
Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)
Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)
Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)
Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)
Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)
Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)
Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)
Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)
Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)
Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
(1)
Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)
Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)
Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)
Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
(5)
January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)
Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)
Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)
David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)
Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)
Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)
Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
(4)
Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)
Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)
Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)
Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)
Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)
Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)
Jeanne G.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)
Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)
Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)
Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)
John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)
Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)
Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)
d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)
Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)
Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)
Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)
K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)
bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)
Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)
Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)
Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)
John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)
Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)
Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)
Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)
M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)
Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)
Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)
Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)
Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)
Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)
K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)
Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)
Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)
Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)
Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)
Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)
Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)
Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)
Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)
Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)
David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)
Nicole H.
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
(1)
Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)
Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)
Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)
Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)
Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)
Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
(4)
Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)
Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)
Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)
Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)
Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)
Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
(5)
d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)
K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)
Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)
John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)
Jay N.
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)
Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)
Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)
Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)
Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)
Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)
Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)
January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)
Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)
Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)
Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)
Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)
Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)
bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)
John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)
Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)
K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)
Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)
Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)
Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)
Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
(1)
Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)
Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)
Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)
Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)
Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)
Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)
Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)
Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)
Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)
Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)
M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)
Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)
Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)
Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)
Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)
Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)
Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)
Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)
Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)
Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)
Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)
David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)
Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)
Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
(1)
Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)
Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)
Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)
Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)
Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)
Nicole H.
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)
Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)
Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)
Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)
Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)
Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)
Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
(5)
Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)
Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
(5)
Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)
Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)
Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)
Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)
Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)
Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)
Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)
Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)
Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)
Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)
Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)
Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)
Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)
Jeanne G.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)
Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)
Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)
Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)
January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)
Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)
d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)
K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)
bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)
Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)
Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)
John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)
Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)
Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)
Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)
Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)
Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)
Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)
John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)
Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)
Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)
Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)
M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)
Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)
Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)
Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)
Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)
Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)
K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)
Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)
Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)
Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rob W.
The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
(1)Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)Katie N.
Rude waitress, slow service, unprofessional staff. Went in using a Groupon deal. The service was inadequate at the very least. It took them about 15 minutes to seat us upon arrival, with 3 waitresses relaxing in the corner and 5 guests in the entire restaurant including myself. Our waitress could not describe any of the foods on the menu, making it very difficult to choose from an unfamiliar menu. Moreover, most of the entrees from the Groupon menu were out, and the waitress deemed it appropriate to push what leftover food she had on us (every time my date or I chose something, she replied "We're out of that, I will bring the _____ instead"). The food was mediocre, the meat was dry and the vegetables tasted canned. Absolutely no refills were offered on drinks throughout the entire meal. After the check was brought, we waited about 30 minutes for the waitress to take our payment before getting up to find her ourselves. She demanded I hand over my phone so she can bring it to a different room to redeem the Groupon deal. Since I didn't feel like giving away my smartphone, I followed her to the manager. The manager, without much interest and a sour look on her face, asked about our 'experience' and then turned away to continue talking on her phone. Aside from poor service, mediocre food, and cheap silverware, the place is infested with flies. Will not dine there again.
(1)Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
(5)Buttermilk P.
We dined here using a Groupon and were very excited to experience Czechoslovakian food. We were told to sit wherever we liked and were given a special Groupon menu. This restaurant caters to meat lovers and since my wife and I don't eat beef or pork we only had only entrée option of roasted chicken to order. Our entrées came with the choice of soup or salad, two sides apiece and the Groupon also allowed for a beverage and a single dessert. The soups were all beef or pork based so we went with salads. For sides we ordered bread dumplings, mashed potatoes, sweet and sour cabbage and sauerkraut. The cabbage and kraut came in tiny saucers and the bread dumplings seemed to be two thick slices of Italian bread that had the crust removed and had been steamed. The chicken was served warm, and looked like it had been under a heat lamp. However, it had good flavor and was stuffed with stuffing. The mashed potatoes were very good and the meal came with hot gravy that complimented things well. As we began to eat, two employees (a heavyset older white man who was wearing motorcycle gang clothes, and a middle-aged white man) began to threaten each other in the dining room and the women who worked there began to call cooks and busboys from the kitchen as they started to fight in another room. The service was pretty much nonexistent. The servers were all old women who didn't seem to care about anything and sat around talking really loud about shopping. At one point a man walked into the dining room and asked if the restaurant was open for business. This was the strangest restaurant we have ever been to. Some of the food was okay.
(3)Nicole H.
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
(1)Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
(5)January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
(4)Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
(1)H B.
Klas is one of the few remaining authentic Czech restaurants and it is in operation since 1922. The restaurant is huge and expands over several buildings - it includes an extensive bar, a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a private beer garden. We and our friends tried every appetizer and almost every dish on their menu and best of all, we enjoyed every single one. The "Roast Long Island Duckling" is typical Czech and at least a staple of their menu since WWII. It is amazing to review their menu from the 1940s. Looking back to their historic menu and looking at their current menu prices, I am surprised how reasonable their prices are for their dishes. Klas' entrees consist of three courses: salad or soup, main course, and dessert. Their selection includes poultry, beef, pork and seafood. It is hard to find a good liver dumpling soup or sautéed duck livers, but Klas offers it. While we Europeans enjoy liver dishes, others might need to get accustomed to the flavor of liver. The main course comes with two side dishes and the typical rich gravy. We appreciate that the gravy comes in a gravy server, which allows each of us to get as much of the delicious gravy as we desire. One of our favorites is the Family Style Bohemain Platter, Pilsner Beef Goulash, and we enjoy the authentic bread dumplings and potato dumplings. The dessert menu includes a delicious authentic apple strudel and a variety of Kolacky. When we enjoy the dessert and our coffee, we think back of our times in Europe. Whenever we visit Klas, it reminds us of Prague and typical historic buildings in Europe with its elaborate exterior and stained-glass windows. The interior has different themes, e.g., one room decorated in the honor of "President Washington," the "Crystal Chandelier Room," "Doctor Zhivago / Dr. Schiwago" with gorgeous Russian folk murals. Anybody who is interested in central Europe or enjoyed traveling there, will enjoy Klas' atmosphere. Klas Restaurant is part of the Czech's history in the Windy City - like the Bohemian National Cemetery, Thalia Hall, Pilsen Park and Brewery, Thomas G. Masaryk School, or Soldier Field - and worth a visit if you like historic buildings or you are interested in authentic Czech dishes. Chicago PBS Television (WTTW11) plans to air the feature-length documentary film "Czechs in Chicago" being produced by Susan Marcinkus and Laurence Jacobs for Manifest Films, which will also feature Klas.
(5)Jay N.
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)Jeanne G.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
(1)Buttermilk P.
We dined here using a Groupon and were very excited to experience Czechoslovakian food. We were told to sit wherever we liked and were given a special Groupon menu. This restaurant caters to meat lovers and since my wife and I don't eat beef or pork we only had only entrée option of roasted chicken to order. Our entrées came with the choice of soup or salad, two sides apiece and the Groupon also allowed for a beverage and a single dessert. The soups were all beef or pork based so we went with salads. For sides we ordered bread dumplings, mashed potatoes, sweet and sour cabbage and sauerkraut. The cabbage and kraut came in tiny saucers and the bread dumplings seemed to be two thick slices of Italian bread that had the crust removed and had been steamed. The chicken was served warm, and looked like it had been under a heat lamp. However, it had good flavor and was stuffed with stuffing. The mashed potatoes were very good and the meal came with hot gravy that complimented things well. As we began to eat, two employees (a heavyset older white man who was wearing motorcycle gang clothes, and a middle-aged white man) began to threaten each other in the dining room and the women who worked there began to call cooks and busboys from the kitchen as they started to fight in another room. The service was pretty much nonexistent. The servers were all old women who didn't seem to care about anything and sat around talking really loud about shopping. At one point a man walked into the dining room and asked if the restaurant was open for business. This was the strangest restaurant we have ever been to. Some of the food was okay.
(3)Rob W.
The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)Nicole H.
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
(1)Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
(4)Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
(5)H B.
Klas is one of the few remaining authentic Czech restaurants and it is in operation since 1922. The restaurant is huge and expands over several buildings - it includes an extensive bar, a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a private beer garden. We and our friends tried every appetizer and almost every dish on their menu and best of all, we enjoyed every single one. The "Roast Long Island Duckling" is typical Czech and at least a staple of their menu since WWII. It is amazing to review their menu from the 1940s. Looking back to their historic menu and looking at their current menu prices, I am surprised how reasonable their prices are for their dishes. Klas' entrees consist of three courses: salad or soup, main course, and dessert. Their selection includes poultry, beef, pork and seafood. It is hard to find a good liver dumpling soup or sautéed duck livers, but Klas offers it. While we Europeans enjoy liver dishes, others might need to get accustomed to the flavor of liver. The main course comes with two side dishes and the typical rich gravy. We appreciate that the gravy comes in a gravy server, which allows each of us to get as much of the delicious gravy as we desire. One of our favorites is the Family Style Bohemain Platter, Pilsner Beef Goulash, and we enjoy the authentic bread dumplings and potato dumplings. The dessert menu includes a delicious authentic apple strudel and a variety of Kolacky. When we enjoy the dessert and our coffee, we think back of our times in Europe. Whenever we visit Klas, it reminds us of Prague and typical historic buildings in Europe with its elaborate exterior and stained-glass windows. The interior has different themes, e.g., one room decorated in the honor of "President Washington," the "Crystal Chandelier Room," "Doctor Zhivago / Dr. Schiwago" with gorgeous Russian folk murals. Anybody who is interested in central Europe or enjoyed traveling there, will enjoy Klas' atmosphere. Klas Restaurant is part of the Czech's history in the Windy City - like the Bohemian National Cemetery, Thalia Hall, Pilsen Park and Brewery, Thomas G. Masaryk School, or Soldier Field - and worth a visit if you like historic buildings or you are interested in authentic Czech dishes. Chicago PBS Television (WTTW11) plans to air the feature-length documentary film "Czechs in Chicago" being produced by Susan Marcinkus and Laurence Jacobs for Manifest Films, which will also feature Klas.
(5)Jeanne G.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
(5)d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)Jay N.
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
(1)Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)Tom M.
to begin, i really know this cuisine. i grew up in a czech family in berwyn in the 50s. i've since visited prague. back in the day most of us were loyal to either klas or old prague. old prague burned down many years ago and i became an enthusiastic fan of czech plaza and the riverside restaurant. i always intended to give klas a try but never did. until last night. shudder...bad staff attitude immediately..."are you groupon people?" we, (4 grey haired dudes) were not... so we were reluctantly led to a table in the admittedly fabulously cool but tired and dusty dining room. bad service was followed by essentially hospital food and a fork that literally bent. i've seen sturdier flatware at bangkok street restaurants. i won't bother with the details of the food except to report the burned garlic powder from the potato pancake covered pork hamburger mess. stay away young czech curious diners! ...or come to drink beer and enjoy this beautiful building, but eat at the czech plaza down cermak a mile or so!
(1)Mary Jo W.
First of all if you grew up with this food...... it is the best. Food super in my book.... you came to a czech rest. People........ not staffed correctly ... if they have more than three tables filled.....owner/hosttess just awful. We stood there for a least five minutes while she finished her conversation at a unused table without so much as a I'll be right with you. Acted like she was doing us a favor... if she's not the owner I'd fire her. The only one with any hustle was the young table setter.... who for all our courses either brought or helped and was always available.... unlike our over worked waitress. The Groupon attitude mentioned in some of the other posts is right on... they ought to be glad people are using Groupon or that restaurant would be deader than the near dead it is. I could use a little less dusty old stuffed birds.... they should be gone.
(3)Ayyamani S.
Absolute garbage. Went there for Christmas last year. The chicken tasted like rubber and the place was soooo filthy...even the soup tasted like it came out of a can. Perhaps this is real Czech food...oh well...not for me.
(1)David S.
Although I took food to go this place is a charm. Reasonably price drinks and the Bruwein pork was delicious and plentiful. The prices are downright cheap and the food bountiful as I had soup, pork, sauerkraut w mashed a gravy and apple strudel to boot. AND = the walking into the restaraunt one transports back in the time to old Europe. The bar is fantastic! BTW: The bar is excellent to watch the Bears and the fried pickles are killers!
(5)Laura L.
I cannot believe I'm in Cicero! Decided to use my expired Groupon on Saturday ...great idea! For $22($20 of it being a Groupon) I got a full 1/4 duck meal and almost full pork tenderloin and breaded pork tenderloin meal. So much good! Was really great quality too! I will be back to this landmark worthy establishment!
(4)Xbxcbxcb X.
The worst place ever, I bought a groupon for $22. This place smells like leaking basement with mold. And the stuff is rood. I would better spent this $20 for coke with chips and it still will be better than Klas.
(1)Jen N.
This is my 2nd visit to Klas, I was here once before, a few years ago. Had the exact same experience. Now, I won't comment much on the food because I'm an extremely picky eater so I had the salad for an appetizer, and french fries for my meal (dont judge me). The people i was with seemed to enjoy their meals. Nothing to write home about, but a good dinner. General consensus was 4/5 for the food. We were there today for an early dinner at 3pm. Initially, great service, waitstaff was attentive. They brought a big box of nice crayola crayons out with 2 of those coloring page paper placemats for my 3 year old and 4 year old neices. As with my last visit, they "ran out of" some of the food. No ribs, pork shards or potato dumplings. Also, the only salad dressing they had was Italian. Ran out of everything. Now this place has a very small selection on their menu, how is it so difficult to have in stock what you offer on the menu? I could understand once, but every time? After the dinner plates arrived, the servers seemed to totally forget about us. They disappeared and we waited a half hour after we had all finished eating just to order desert. After the desert, we waited another half hour and then had to get up and track down a server- not even OUR server, just anyone who worked there to get our check. Luckily we weren't in a rush, but my neices were certainly getting antsy, as they had colored every square inch of their placemats and were bored. All in all, a nice visit. I wouldn't go back, but that's mostly just my personal opinion. I would recommend this restaurant to those with plenty of time and an appetite for some heavy food.
(3)Christina B.
This place is a gem! First off, holy cow. The building is so old. It should be a historic landmark. When you walk in, you feel like you should be at least 50 years back. They have part of the restaurant closed off, and that part looks even more aged. It's pretty fantastic. It's located in the downtown area of Berywn. The food is really good. I've had Bohemian food multiple times with family members and this is by far the best place I've ever visited. Everything is authentic. I had Paprika Chicken and dumplings. It was amazing. Service was really spot on. Its not a huge dining area so you really can't lose your server. Although I had many questions about their menu, the server was incredibly nice and helpful. Portions were spot on and my overall experience was really pleasant. If you're going on a weekend, you may need to make reservations. It looks like it can get pretty busy. I hope you enjoy this place as much as I did.
(5)Allan M.
Enjoyed my experience here, after hearing about this place for years. The interior is extremely cool, and it's a definite must visit to see at least once. Food was really good, but it's also a major shame they're only open Fridays to Sunday IIRC. Yes I feel the service could be better, but I didn't feel it was too bad of an issue. Going here would probably be really nice in the winter, when hearty meals always feel good to eat. Too bad it took me too many years to finally do my first visit here, but better late than never.
(4)Eric S.
I'm slightly more critical of Bohemian restaurants (being 50% Czech, myself), but Klas makes the grade. The façade reminds me of an old European cottage and the interior is very quaint. Inside, it's oldddddd, or at least designed to look that way, with lots of dark wood and Czechoslovakian chachkies. I wouldn't want to get accidentally locked in here at night, what with the creepy porcelain dolls and rickety wooden staircase leading to a (presumably) terrifying basement that may or may not contain medieval torture devices. Right. Well anyways.... After a considerable delay in service (my group of 11 sat patiently for a good quarter hour), we put our orders in and soups came out not long thereafter. I ordered smoked butt (teehee), and I have to say, the meat was both tender and delicious. I stole some of my mom's breaded tenderloin when she wasn't looking and holy lord was it great. I'm told the apple strudel was incredible, but the kolacky was lacking in flavor and substance. Their chocolate pudding was definitely homemade, I just wish they offered more than the one kind. Food was solid, but service was on the weak side. Also, I'm stunned that they didn't carry Franzikaner Weissbier in bottles, considering how popular of a brand it is in Bohemian restaurants (like how Tsingtao is in Chinese places, or Sapporo in Japanese sushi houses). Overall, not a bad place. Food's good.
(4)Aurore L.
When a restaurant is only open three nights a week, you already know that there's something special about it. In this case, you would be right: Klas is an institution, and it totally deserves the trip to Cicero to witness with your own eyes what it has all been about for more than 85 years. I mean, Al Capone dined there, and he probably knew a good bargain when he saw one. Or so I am assuming. Nowadays, even without using a Groupon (which we did), Klas serves hearty Bohemian cuisine to customers who won't leave hungry by any stretch of the imagination as they can already fill up on a medium-dark rye bread as they are waiting to order their feast. Homemade soup, a main course, sides that include potato and bread dumplings (recommended if you don't know what these are), dessert and coffee - they take good care of you. The food is good without being spectacular, but most of all, you will eat in a decor that wouldn't look out of place in a European castle, surrounded by a motley crew of old regulars and city dwellers who all enjoy the experience. You can even buy jewelry on your way out if you wish, there's a small display of earrings and such made of Bohemian glass which await their new owner. The bar attached to the restaurant stays open later and is advertised on the menu as a "14th century wine and tap room" - I only regret not having had one of the Czech beers to soak up a little more of the folklore and leave fully immersed in the Klas experience. Something to check out for a night out off the beaten path.
(4)Nicole H.
I don't ALWAYS write Yelp Reviews but when I do, it's because the service and food suck THAT bad. Let me start off by saying I called this place a day before we intended to show up to inquire about whether reservations were necessary for the Groupon we had purchased. The woman who answered, begrudgingly said it would be fine just to show up (the first hint of just how unprofessional this joint is) even though we were SUPPOSE to make a reservation. In any case, I tossed her attitude to the back of my mind and we made our appearance the next day around 2pm. Before I continue, let me advise that the only highlight OF this place is the historic, bohemian decor. It's pretty awesome but at the same time, also gives a spooky 'Shining' vibe to it. Upon arriving, we stood around in the hallway for quite some time having no idea where to go (and not hearing/seeing anyone around) until we were finally met with, whom I believe to be, the same woman from the phone. I assume this because she again responded quite begrudgingly after asking if we had a Groupon before leading us to a dining area and advising we choose our table. There were maybe 3 other tables of customs in the room - all of the 'elderly' persuasion which, is all fine and good, except when you take into account how long our service took. Once our order was took (by an equally unenthusiastic waiter, might I add), we again, waited a good amount of time before our food arrived. When it finally DID arrive, our side sides were mis-matched with our entres. The server was kind enough to offer to take them back to the cook to have them 'fixed' but at that point we'd waited long enough and had no problem just scooping and sliding things to one another's plate. The food was mediocre at best. I had smoked sausage (best thing we ate) and roasted chicken (more dressing than chicken) with mash potatoes (these were good) and green beans (from a can, I assume via taste) while my boyfriend had smoked sausage and roasted pork which was dry, dry, dry! They did provide a gravy boat (under the assumption they knew about the pork, perhaps) but for whatever reason (maybe assuming it would just make it worse, somehow), my boyfriend did not partake. He also ordered the potato dumplings which were basically taste-less slices of starch (he requested I try it for further confirmation). We 'washed everything down' with desserts (which again, took an astronautical time before our waiter came by to grab out plates and 'check on us' again) which were again *shrug* as my boyfriend put the entire experience 'like eating at a bad wedding' and took our check immediately to the lobby desk area. Again, there was no one there and we stood around and eventually both used the bathroom with STILL enough time for no one to show up. It took our waiter passing by in the hall to peek into the bar-room to interrupt the same woman we'd been dealing with from her conversation, in order for us to pay our 'tax' bill and finally be on our way. I can't emphasize enough just how HORRIBLE the service and food was here. And it's honestly quite a shame because the place is historically epic in decor. It's like an awesome museum of sorts in there! I'd hate to recommend this place to anyone for anything other than a quick walk-through (if that's even allowed) but yeah, definitely do not waste your time, money or appetite at this joint.
(1)Buttermilk P.
We dined here using a Groupon and were very excited to experience Czechoslovakian food. We were told to sit wherever we liked and were given a special Groupon menu. This restaurant caters to meat lovers and since my wife and I don't eat beef or pork we only had only entrée option of roasted chicken to order. Our entrées came with the choice of soup or salad, two sides apiece and the Groupon also allowed for a beverage and a single dessert. The soups were all beef or pork based so we went with salads. For sides we ordered bread dumplings, mashed potatoes, sweet and sour cabbage and sauerkraut. The cabbage and kraut came in tiny saucers and the bread dumplings seemed to be two thick slices of Italian bread that had the crust removed and had been steamed. The chicken was served warm, and looked like it had been under a heat lamp. However, it had good flavor and was stuffed with stuffing. The mashed potatoes were very good and the meal came with hot gravy that complimented things well. As we began to eat, two employees (a heavyset older white man who was wearing motorcycle gang clothes, and a middle-aged white man) began to threaten each other in the dining room and the women who worked there began to call cooks and busboys from the kitchen as they started to fight in another room. The service was pretty much nonexistent. The servers were all old women who didn't seem to care about anything and sat around talking really loud about shopping. At one point a man walked into the dining room and asked if the restaurant was open for business. This was the strangest restaurant we have ever been to. Some of the food was okay.
(3)Rob W.
The food was good - traditional Czech / Eastern European faire. I had the breaded pork with bread dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage. Could have been just a touch hotter, fortunately the gravy helped bring the temp up a little. Potato and mushroom soup was good - lots of flavor. I also ordered a potato pancake appetizer which was pretty good, though they were just making the batter when I ordered it, so the waitress asked if she could bring the entree our first. They both ended coming out at the same time - I wasn't picky about that though. I noticed that the waitress was also performing "hostess" duties with respect to answering the phone. She received a few calls on her cellphone while I was there - most seemed to be for Mother's Day reservations. Once it even rang as she was finishing up taking my order. Service was slightly slow at times - but I wasn't in a rush either, so no big deal. Other than 3 people who walked in midway through my lunch, I was the only person in the restaurant. I do wish they could rehab the place a little to bring it back to its former glory. Ceiling tiles were starting to come apart in a couple of places and the restaurant as a whole could use some refurbishing. Not a remodel - just fixing up some of the things in the existing spot. Hours are down to Fri - Sun only - I hope this place hangs on - it's a classic.
(4)Midge B.
This is the third year that our group has celebrated January birthdays at Klas. Great attentive service. They set up a big family style table for us: 6 adults & 5 children. I strongly suggest making a reservation for parties of 6+. Czech comfort food. GRAVY!!! BREADED PORK CUTLET!!! SAUSAGE!!! GRAVY!!! Love it! Klas has a great selection of Czech beers on tap. And a full bar. This is an old timey place where it would be appropriate to order an old timey cocktail, like a whiskey sour. The decor is unique, charming, Old World. Carved chandeliers, stained glass, taxidermy & bear skins, fireplace, folk dolls, a suit of armor and The Frog, which has enchanted countless generations of restless children. Bathrooms are clean. Full course meal: rye bread & butter, soup or salad, huge entree w/ 2 sides, dessert & coffee. Klas is an exceptional deal for large family celebrations. I cannot imagine how a bread dumpling topped with sauteed onions & gravy sits in your stomach on a 90° summer day, but in the middle of a Chicago winter it hits the spot!
(5)Christiana S.
Ah Klas. Our first stop when visiting Chicago this past weekend. It took me a little while to warm up to this place, but the husband used to live in the Czech Republic, so he loves to come. Now, I do too! Mostly I love sitting in the bar and drinking. The dining room is just OK as far as I'm concerned - the real feel of this place is in the bar. Luckily, they'll let you eat in there too. I love the goulash! But the schnitzel was on special, and I couldn't resist that. Oh man was it tasty. The big boat of gravy brought along with it, to go with the perfect potato dumplings and slightly sweet kraut. Love it. And they have my favorite beer on tap: Franziskaner Heffeweise! Wunderbar! Wait... well I don't know what the Czech version of that is. So PROST to that! :P In short, I do really like this place - just try to stick to the bar area ;) It's much more fun.
(4)Jonny S.
Having lived in the Czech Republic back in the 90's I love visiting Klas whenever I can. For me, the best experience is sitting at the dark bar with actual Czech beers on tap (I hope the Miller Genuine Draft is just there as a joke...or maybe a test "We have Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, Krusovice, and MGD" "I'll take the MGD..." "Get the hell out, ty vole!" On my most recent trip I had the beef noodle soup which was so rich and velvety. Some of the best goulash I've ever had with yummy bread dumplings to sop everything up. Entrees come with kolachky, and I was very excited to hear they had poppy seed. Yums all around.
(5)Mariusz B.
Interesting place, tired looking though..waiter acted like we were inconveniencing him, food was not good_ chicken tasted like rubber, sausages were super greasy, gravy and soup was out of a can..not good at all regretted ever driving the hr to get here. Really hoping to get authentic Czech food. Place totally empty.. Advice to management ..put some effort and heart into the food go back to ur Czech roots and cook delicious fresh food, maybe then the restaurant would get some patrons
(2)Matt M.
This place is original in every meaning of the word "original". The outside is a beautiful reminder of the greatness that Cicero once was. People forget that Cicero didnt used to be a dump... The food is delicious. It is served in giant, hot, fresh portions. The gravy is thick and unmistakably made on the spot. The soups are fresh and original but not the highlight. The Czech plate dinner is the highlight and you can choose any two meats and you wont be sorry. There is a bar off to the side with a lot of heavy metal dudes that also looked unique and oddly inviting. If you are in the area and want something really original that looks like its out of a mafia movie - this is the place.
(4)Jane K.
This place is soooo cool and part of history! Planning on going back next time earlier so we can have a couple drinks before dinner. We didn't know there was a Groupon but it's totally worth it even without the Groupon. The food is great. My boyfriend had the mixed meat platter and I had the sausages. All the meats were good but the real treat was the sweet and sour cabbage! Yes! Get that! We helped the food along a tall glass of Pilsner Urquell (PERFECT!) We saw that there was a patio seating area and I decided we HAVE TO GO BACK when it's warmer and sip and chew away a warm evening in that patio that reminded me of countrysides I've been to in Germany (very nice). You can't miss the building, it's beautiful and old with arch doorways, it feels like a church or castle. We cannot let this institution close, it's such a treat so get yourself there and you won't regret it! There's also an event space that I was racking my brain to find a reason to use!
(5)Fabi G.
I've constantly passed by this place and wanted to check it out. I definitely do not regret the experience. It has that rustic feel to it. The experience of being in restaurant/bar/museum is very unique. The food did not disappoint everything was good and fresh. I would recommend you visit this place during the winter when you feel like you need a hearty meal. The service was good everybody was attentive even though when we first came in they felt a little disorganized and with no direction. Sadly to say this is not my scene so I will not be going back, it was a good experience and definitely place to check out ones.
(3)Stella W.
My favourite czech place in the city! Well, I only know of one other one, so I am comparing it with that other one and all the other polish places I have been to. I am so happy to find out the pink line goes there now, i will be sure frequent it more often :) The roast duck is the best. So authentic (even my slovak friends said so). The owner showed me their second floor. At that time, he's still restoring it, so I am not sure if it's in used now. But it's a great neat continental european building.
(5)Happy-go-lucky V.
If you'd like to experience old world, Czech food, Klas is the place to be! Family owned for generations, the restaurant is kept up well while sticking to the original "old world" look. The restaurant has traditional dishes, such as goulash(very good!). I was recently there for a birthday celebration, which was held in a banquet room in the upstairs portion. While there, I learned that Klas was one of Al Capone's hangouts. Across from the banquet room was another room, not sure what it is used for, but it's not a banquet room. In it, were about 5-6 doors on one side, which led to very small rooms. I can only assume that this portion was used as a brothel. So, you can go to Klas, have a good authentic European meal, & know that you're eating in a place that has a lot of history with this city.
(4)Mrs. F.
Klas deserves NO STARS. Badly cooked food, vegetables out of cans, a bartender who doesn't know how to mix drinks, and a dirty, run-down venue. Why would anyone eat this slop?
(1)Ava T.
I wanted to like this place as a friend has fond memories of it from his college days. And if you like kitschy Czech decor, this is the place for you. However, the heyday for the food here has long passed. The potato pancake appetizer was fine but the entree's (the ones they were not out of, as they were with some wines) were gloppy and tasteless. The sides of potatoes, sauerkraut, cabbage and dumplings were also bland beyond belief. The green beans tasted canned. We went with a group of 10 on a Saturday night and were only one of five tables seated the whole evening (and the place is only open on weekends, to begin with.) If you have to offer Groupons for a place that's been in operation since Hector was a pup, there is something seriously lacking. I suspect Klas is not long for this world.
(1)Bill M.
I had never even heard about Klas until it was recently mentioned by my co-worker. So my bud and I trekked to Cicero to check it out, as neither of us had experienced a Czech restaurant outside of Prague. The sign in front proclaims Klas (established in 1922) as the "oldest operating Czechoslovakian restaurant in the country" so that's saying something. The exterior has such a distinctive Bohemian appearance so you cannot miss it while driving down Cermak Road (the sign spelling out Klas in enormous red letters also helps). When we walked in, we were asked if we were doing the Groupon menu, but we were happy to pay full price off their regular menu. The sprawling restaurant is emphatically decorated with a fireplace and all sorts of items (statues, stuffed animals, bear rug, cuckoo clock, old photos and murals) as if it were designed by your Bohemian grandma who ran a ski lodge in the old country. The list of menu items included what sounded like a few European tennis players (svickova, koprova, sekana), so we needed to start things off with a refreshing Czech beer to go along with the basket of rye bread. Potato pancakes were on special - two for a dollar! This was an absolute bargain, and they are very tasty with a dollop of applesauce. We each ordered a complete dinner, which came with soup or salad and two "compliments" (side orders). I went with the Pilsner Beef Goulash, a rich pile of stew-like beef and rich brown gravy with raw onions. The bread dumplings are unique here so I went with them to soak up all the gravy, but they essentially seem like a slight upgrade from pieces of bread. My bud went with the smoked sausage dinner, with two sausages somehow carved to look like little animals. I had a bite of his potato dumplings, which seemed slightly more interesting than the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was fine, and the bean soup was very good. You had a few dessert selections that were part of the complete dinner (apple strudel was available for a surcharge), and the prune kolacky was good. Klas is a hike from the northwest side, but it was a very tasty and enjoyable dining experience. Hmm, our dinner at Klas may just inspire me to visit Prague again soon...
(4)Dave N.
Let me confess - I'm partial to Czech food, and this place is on my list of all-time favorites. The food is delicious and filling. The restaurant itself is a wonderful trip back in time. Everywhere you go inside the building, you see intricate carved hardwood trim, sprinkled with cabinets filled with Czech artifacts. The old saying, "You can't eat ambiance" is true, but Klas stands on its own based on the food served. I've never had a bad entree', and the desserts are worth saving room for. Come hungry, and don't forget a camera. And did I mention the exhaustive list of imported and craft beers available?
(4)Christine D.
Klas is great as long as your expectations are in line. Coming from a long line of Germans, I love the sauerbraten and red cabbage. YUM. My husband is always shocked at the beer quality and price. Kids eat until they are stuffed and love the decor. We've been coming here once every 1-2 years for 15 years and I don't remember any poor service. My grandmother grew up in Cicero and remembers this place from when she was young - she said it had the repuation of being where the gangsters hung out in the 30s. LOVE it. Well worth the trip if you don't live close - bring family - great value for money.
(4)Holly W.
I was incredibly disappointed with this place. I accepected great service and such from the reviews. I am sorely disappointed. First off, we bought a groupon for this place. Heres where it gets bad.. We have been trying to eat at this resteraunt for the past week. The resteraunt is only open 4 days of the week. ... What kind of resteraunt is only open 4 days Ould the week? It is sooooo inconvientant. Well I was planning on going on Wednesday evening with my uncle and boyfriend. I called he resteraunt and asked if their dining room was open this evening. A rude, snotty, boy answered the phone after about five minutes of the phone ringing. He gives me a condesending tone and was so rude. He asked if I had a groupon, I told him yes. His words, "Aawww that's to bad. You should have come in on the weekend." His tone was just shocking. Are they payed to be rude or something..? Anyway, I was just appalled by thier horrible hours and the rude service. So two stars.
(2)Lisa A.
I am writing on 1/29 but I ate here Fri 1/24/14. First of all they are only open on weekends now. That was a bit inconvenient, as we purchased a groupon to eat during the week, but what could we do about that? It is a very old establishment, & the decor inside is very dated as well. The old carved wood and clock seemed original, nice. Although dated, it was not dusty as far as we could tell, tables & dishes were clean. The food was very good. Roasted pork excellent. Breaded pork, very good. Skip the sausage here! The smoked sausage had a very weird flavor & aftertaste. Sauerkraut on the sweet side but veey good as well. Soup was a choice of beef noodle or goulash. The beef noodle was very standard however the goulash was very flavorful and quite authentic. Bread dumplings were a tad dry, potato dumplings were better. The kolachky dessert was very dry, nothing special at all. Our server was excellent, very nice & attentive. The lady answering the phones and seating people, well I dont want to be crude but lets say I feel sorry for the people who work with her!! Im not sure if she was a manager or owner, but we heard her berate several staff members, right there in the dining room in front of customers and fellow staff, & felt so bad for them! Huge turnoff!! She also sat at an empty table next to ours with a cordless phone, & thevway she answered calls was rude and she'd even make remarks about the callers to herself after she hung up, obviously not caring at all that she was speaking outloud & to herself right next to diners! I cant imagine how she can keep staff quite honestly, she was that horrible. I told her so on the way out, & she coldly stated: "Well you dont have to put up with these people, I do". Horrendously unprofessional. Besides her, eating here was a pleasent experience.
(4)Oscar S.
I really like Klas.Its one of my GO TO places when Im craving Czech food.Food is veeerrrry good.This place has alot of history.I dont know if its acquired landmark status officially BUT IT SHOULD.Despite a huge demographic change in the neighborhood Klas is still standing.To my delight!!! Service is also great.Im Mexican American so I have to have some heat with just about everything.Everytime Ive been here they always have a really good salsa and bottled hot sauce.Im a HAPPY CAMPER!!! So,next time you get a craving for some good Czech food and dont want to be disappointed I would give Klas a try.
(5)Lori H.
We had lunch there today and everything was excellent. 4 in our party, 1 duck, 1 Budweis, 1 smoked butt, and 1 chicken paprika...too much food, but very authentic and tasty. The service was good, but when we talked to the waiter, we found out that because there was a large party there for a celebration, he had called in extra help...usually it is slow enough that it is just him. That is too bad, it shouldn't be that slow! If you are craving hearty comfort food, 2 thumbs up! Besides, you can take the pink line out from the city...how easy is that?
(4)Angela U.
We visited here after visiting their haunted house, Blood Feast. murdermansion.org Has anyone ever had a haunted house and dinner too?? It was great with one admission, you got the haunted house and the dinner.... Roast Pork was moist, bread dumpling excellent. Plenty of gravy. Potato pancakes for appetizers, and a kolacky for dessert. Both entertaining and yummy.
(4)Linda A.
Great atmosphere with the old world charm. Interesting to look around the different rooms - the place has been there forever. Food unfortunately was just fair at best. I had a Groupon which brought us out, probably wouldn't return unless I have another "deal". Caught them in between lunch and dinner. Looked like the server was the chef also - service was really slow.
(2)Andrea B.
I Love the the old world decor. It has imported woodwork and and u feel like ur in europe. Check out the different rooms. none are the same. The food is wonderful also. Ive gone there for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as I dont cook and they had a good old fashioned turkey dinner with great apple strudel. The fish was excelant also.
(5)Jeanne G.
Looking for some nostalgia of my grandparents on a recent visit to Chicago, so took the EL from the loop to Cicero and after walking around the old neighborhood, had lunch at Klas. It fulfilled all my needs from the ambience (lots of wood carvings and Czech 'stuff'), good service, extremely reasonable prices, and of course Czech food. Had the liver dumpling soup, duck, and of course the kolach AND the strudel. Strudel was fresh from the oven and wonderful with crisp exterior and raisin studded apple interior. It may have been the best I've eaten, including my grandmother's (sorry babi).
(4)Carmella P.
The LAST of its kind! Going to Klas is like stepping back into another time and place. Go in the daylight so you can marvel at the distinctively adorable architecture of the building, which only begins to prepare you for the antique old world hunting lodge feel of the inside decor. I grew up in Cicero and have been a patron for nearly 40 years or more, so I have experienced the ups and downs of the food here through various owners and ethnic wait staff. But when all is said and done, it is still the only place in the Chicagoland area to eat Svickova, and of course, at a truly Bohemian price tag!
(5)Ann S.
Great decor-- yummy beer and appetizers. Mains not so hot-- no paprika in the Chicken Paprika, potato buds with the goulash.
(2)Olga M.
While inside the restaurant you feel the charm of the Old World. I believe the restaurant was established in early 1920 and has not changed much since decoration and furniture wise. You feel like you travel in a time machine. Food is an excellent Eastern European comfort food, including, but not limited to smoked pork, smoked butt, sausages and don't forget to try their amazing liver dumpling soup, in my opinion the best in Chicagoland. They serve some rare Chech beer that you would not find in too many places: Krusovice and Staropramen. And for people who know they will mix dark and light Staropramen - it's like Chech variation of Blond and Tan, but to me it tastes better.
(5)January C.
Being of Czech decent, I grew up with this kind of hearty stick-to-your-bones comfort food. I came to Klas very excited for some delicious authentic food and I did not leave disappointed. When we pulled into the parking lot, there was a band unloading equipment. Ooooo, live entertainment! This could be cool except they didn't look like they were going to be playing Polka... It looked like we were in store for some Eastern European industrial-Metal... Rammstein anyone? Ugh, I HOPE NOT! It turned out that yes, indeed there was a battle of the bands taking place, and of the industrial metal variety, but it was happening upstairs. By the time we got to the dining room, only the very occasional faint guitar sound could be heard over the accordion player. The building, both inside and out, reminded me more of Bavaria than Bohemia, but I was not going to discount it for small details. It was a delightful ambiance where you really feel like you are in a restaurant in the countryside somewhere in Eastern Europe. The menu was primarily Czech, with some other regional European fare. It was set up so that you pick an entree dish and then pick two sides and soup or salad. Each entree also comes with tea or coffee and dessert. Lots and lots of pork. Lots and lots of potatoes. I started off with tea, goulash and potato pancakes. For my entree, I opted for the Chicken Paprika, bread dumplings, and vegetable of the day. It was the bread dumplings that I had been craving and the whole reason for deciding Czech food was a good idea. Everything was riding on these bread dumplings.... they better be good! The goulash was hearty and flavorful. Really, it could have been a meal in itself. The potato pancakes were, potato pancakes. The chicken paprika arrived, an enormous platter of chicken smothered in a rich, creamy paprika sauce with the bread dumplings on the side. YES! This was exactly what I was hoping for and it couldn't have tasted better! I was given way more food than I could possibly even think of eating. When I told the server I wanted to take it home, she offered to add more sauce to my goulash and give me an extra dumpling for the chicken dish. Rock on! Two more meals for home!
(5)Chicago C.
I came here again last night to kill the craving, I brought my oldest son with me. He had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, potato dumplings.. My son can normally eat everything he's served, not this time. they gave him 3 huge slices of meatloaf, they were so big they almost hung over the sides of the huge plate. after we finished eating, we found out there will be a picnic at Bohemian National cemetery at Foster and Pulaski on Sunday afternoon 12-4pm for 10 dollars. My father, grandparents, and several uncles and aunt is buried there, that blew me away!! I will go there and check it out, and its minutes from my house.
(5)d s.
My family has gone to this restaurant for Christmas and New Years for the past 15 years at least. At first I would have rated it 5 stars easily, but today I have to rate it at a 1 star. This Christmas I called to make reservations for 4 at 3:30 4:00. I also asked to reserve 2 goose dinners since last year they ran out of goose. We arrived there at 3:40 to be told there is not a table available yet, and we were also informed there was only 1 goose dinner left. We were told by the I maitre d' "I was saving this goose for me but you can have it." And this was told as if I should thank her for it. After waiting about 1/2 hour we were finally seated. The restaurant was not exceptionally crowded. There was a set of 5 tables put together that was empty and a few other empty tables in the area. We sat for at least another 20 min when the beginning of the group that would sit at the 5 table span began to come in. That is the first time we seen a waitress, and she was there to get their drink order leaving us to sit and wait for them to get time to serve us. Well that was the end of that we got up and left. We drove a bit further west to Bohemian Chrystal at 639 N Blackhawk, in Westmont. There we had a very good duck dinner, and was served by a very nice attentive waitress. I can understand during the holidays that restaurants are busy and you may not get served quickly but for them to wait on another table and ignore us completely is ridiculous. During the 15 years we were spending our holiday meals here we have been watching the service get worse and worse. At some point during this time span they must have changed management, the prices and become higher and higher and the service worse and worse.
(1)K R.
The place is fun for the kids to look at- the dolls, medieval stuff, cuckoo clock, taxidermy items, etc.. The service we got was pretty bad (and I'm not a person really concerned about it anyway). I usually don't notice unless they go out of their way one direction or another, like if someone is rude & has an attitude. I thought they were acting snotty just because I had a question about the menu. Plus, our table had a very hard time getting water & coffee.Hope they were just having a bad day. The food was iffy- some good, some not so great. All the meat was good. My boiled beef was very tender, fish was good, someone else liked their pork. I thought the dill sauce for the beef (and I've had plenty of stuff with dill before) was too sweet (and so did 2 others who had the same thing). The salad was loaded, but the soup had less in it than ramen. The side of veggies were canned beans. I wanted to try but didn't enjoy the bread dumplings- it just tasted like soggy chewy bread (that's a side dish?). Tried the potato dumpling and that was better- it tasted like a dumpling should. Along with the meat, everyone liked the deserts.I didn't think they were dry. I had the apple strudel which tasted moist,flavorful, and fresh. Unfortunately I think the bad outweighs the good. You can go somewhere else with good meat, that will dress it up better and offer more along with it.
(2)bob w.
Well let me tell you all about my 2 experiences at klas restaurant..the first time our table of 3 went we all tried different things..i had the breaded pork tenderloin which wasn't bad..the other's had roast pork loin and the smoked butt.. all arrived COLD an there were 10 people in the joint..they had 1 waiter doing all these people so service was alittle slow..the pork roast was cut about 1 inch thick and was chewy as hell..the smoke butt was more fat than meat..the only good thing was the real potatoes but they were cold too..and i can't forget the gravy it was so thin an also arrive cold.. all an all it was a very bad dinner for all 3 of us .. On our second try we hoped things would be different but they wasn't..it was the same as the first time nothing different..waited along time for our cold food to arrive..and this time they gave us menu's with no prices on them just numbers..i guess if you had to ask how much you can't afford it..i'm really disappointed in this dump i'm glad i got gift certificates to eat here..if i had to pay for it i'd be really pissed, so save your money an go down a little farther west to the other bohemian joint by harlem..i certainly won't be going back to this joint.. if i could leave no stars that's what i would leave but can't , so go at your own risk but i won't be going there anymore...
(1)Jennifer Q.
My boss took out the team for lunch yesterday. We all voted to go somewhere different and unique -so we decided to try Klas, which serves Czech food. It is a really unique place -when you walk in, you feel like you are in a European inn! It's got that European Vacation feel to it. Apparently, it was one of Al Capone's old hang outs and there used to be a brothel upstairs! Ask for the tour -they actually showed my boss around and gave him a history lesson the last time he had visited! The food was really good, "meat and potatoes" type fare. I, being the vegetarian, got fish and potatoes! I also thought you got a lot of food for the money (soup was included too). My only complaint (and the reason I'm not giving it one more star) is the waiter was very unfriendly. He was actually the bartender and because there was a big party there already, I think the other waitstaff was busy with those tables and he had to step in. However, he could have tried hard to pretend that he was happy to be performing his job. I don't know what his deal was, but he was pretty crabby! We all kinda of joked about it and just tried to focus on each other's company and the good food. My boss said that the other waiters are very friendly and he was surprised at our current waiter's behavior. If you don't really care that much about crabby bartenders taking your order and really just want some good, hearty comfort food, I would definitely recommend this place!
(3)Yvonne O.
Went back to Klas again this weekend and surprise, surprise, nothing has changed. We each had the entree with two sides, soup and dessert and with sodas, the total was about $3. I had the quarter duck with the goulash soup - so good! The bread dumplings are tasty and what you would expect, but the kolacky is obviously store-bought and reheated in the microwave - is it that much to ask for homemade? My husband had the pork tenderlon and it was like 2 pounds of fried meat on a plate! Obviously his type of meal, but he said it was a bit greasy (duh). We usually come here for lunch about once a year and enjoy the Bohemian fix!
(3)John B.
I'm still full. You will eat heavy food at Klas. There's a good chance it will come with gravy and dumplings. If this is a problem for you, you may wish to consider other options. If, however, a big plate of roasted or breaded meat, cabbage, potatoes or dumplings, and plenty of aforesaid gravy appeal to you, Klas is the place. More than a restaurant, Klas is a "food hall" -- there are a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a beer garden out back, just for good measure. The place is huge, with a Disneyesque facade and more than its share of stained-glass windows (which feature food products, god love 'em), and several entrances, only one of which actually opens. I wondered what the building used to be, since it looks like some old lodge hall -- or funeral parlor -- until I discovered this *is* what it used to be. Klas has been here since 1922. I has the budweis, which is pork tenderloin coated with a potato batter and then fried. They also serve standard breaded tenderloin, roasted meats, goulash and paprikash, fish and steaks, and several "signature dishes," such as pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon and three varieties of stuffed chicken breast. I tried the goulash, which was great -- tender beef in a spicy dark sauce. My dinner was large enough to take half of it home, and I am not a shy eater. Dinner came with soup (liver dumpling, yum) and two sides, and at the end, the waiter brought out a tray of pastries for the table to share. Total cost? 11 bucks. Warning: the busser will push coffee on you early and often, but at the end of the meal, when you're ready for coffee, he will mysteriously disappear.
(4)Nick M.
Klas is simply an old-world gem. The ambiance is truly awesome- you don't feel like you are in restaurant but rather some eccentric Czech person's house in the early 1900s. After living in Prague, I can tell you the entrees here are authentic and very tasty. I have been here twice and tried the Gulas and the Svickova, both of which did not let me down. Bread & Potato dumplings were great as was the cabbage. The only negative I could say is that the smazeny syr (fried cheese) was nothing like the real deal, but this is just a small defect that I can easily overlook. All entrees come with a soup, sides and dessert. Good deal! Delicious Czech beers on tap - pilsner, staropramen, budvar, krusovice, radegast. Can't go wrong with any of them. Don't forget to stop into the wooden old-school bar on your way in/out and drink some Becherovka and Slivovitz. The bartender was also very entertaining and quite funny. He reminded me of some of the bartenders I knew over in the Czech Repub. If its not too busy ask the waiter for a tour of the building. Upstairs is pretty wild - so many charming rooms - my fav is the Dr. Zhivago room. Everybody I have taken here raves about it and wants to come back with people they know. Unfortunately I have heard that Klas is in danger of closing. It would be such a shame if it does...if the location was different this place would have no problem driving a steady business. Too bad you couldn't lift up the building and plop it down in the middle of the city. But really not too difficult to come from the city - just take the pink line to the end and walk 5 minutes. An adventure you will not regret.
(5)Lisa D.
So many stories to tell about Klas....which to share? Hmmm.... We love the new owner and here's why: He brings us trays of lunch meat and cheese and crackers while we drink. But what's more is there's a story of a saved stolen purse. Depending on who tells the story you may hear it was Sue's purse or Mandy's, but actually it was Sharon's. The thief gave himself away by running down Cermak with it in his hand. The owner of Klas, Frank, was on the roof making a repair. He actually jumped down from the roof, ran after the thief, tackled him and reclaimed the purse for Sharon, who didn't even know it was missing. I am not making this up. Frank found himself some new friends and weekly (sometimes bi or tri weekly) regulars. The bartenders pour wine to the brim. It's not proper but it's good on a teacher's wallet. They also pour heavy cocktails. And cheap!!! SERIOUSLY Cheap!! I love it because it allows me to tip high. The place has history. Frank has shown us the little funky private rooms where mobsters would take their..."dates." There are photos and saved decks of cards from days of Capone. There are tiny mirrors and crazy knick knacks everywhere. There's a nonfunctional waterfall with all kinds of plants all over it in the lounge. On all nighters we play Apples to Apples or Scrabble on the couches while we sip our drinks. Book a party here, our union does regularly. Last week we had one drink and all you can eat potato pancakes, baby potato skins, roast beef, baby pizzas, cheese, crackers and more for just $5.00 each!! Come on!! The bathroom is just as tacky and cute as the rest of the place. Wall size mirrors are sweet.
(5)Kathy P.
I actually learned of Klas because my Dad suggested it as a rehearsal dinner spot for a family wedding. We thought he was joking. He was not. Feelings were hurt. Words were exchanged. A crisis of Cuban missile proportion was narrowly averted. So when his b-day rolled around, we knew just the place to celebrate. Klas has been around since since 1922 and it looks like it -- lots of stained glass and Czech tchotchkes (say that ten times fast!) and many, many types of beer (20 to be exact), which is always good for family gatherings. I had the pilsner beef goulash which came with potato dumplings and green beans. I wasn't blown away because it tasted like beef stew, but it was excellent comfort food for a rainy day. The breaded pork tenderloin was also a popular choice at our table, and was not at all greasy despite being fried. A duck aficionado confirmed that Klas roasts a mean one. Much to my dismay, no one ordered the smoked butt, but there's always a next time! The service was spotty at best. Although we were the only party in the restaurant, our waitress seemed frazzled and kept forgetting our drink orders and our sides, and at one point even forgot to come back to our table. Beer, beef, and family healing. Who else could ask for more in a meal?
(3)Glen R.
not like it use to be. This resturant menue does not show what they have to offer as 6 moths ago we tried to eat here but left after being told 4 time that the different items we picked were not being sold.. it was a great place to eat back 20 year ago ut is going down with the change of oners i beleive it has had.
(2)Nicole C.
Czechs are not world renowned for their cuisine. However I've had considerably better food at bars in the CR (where I lived for a year) than at Klas. It's not all doom and gloom. The restaurant itself looks somewhat like a modest castle, with kitschy adornments and a nice little back patio/beer garden with Ivy crawling up the walls. It's a festive atmosphere, well-suited for families or groups. As expected from a Bohemian joint, the beer was great. So was the bread: thick and chewy pieces of rye served generously before dinner. My advice: stick with the bread and beer as your primary sources of nourishment. As for my entree of Chicken Paprikash, it was bland and heavy, as were the accompanying potato dumplings, which looked suspiciously just like the bread dumplings. The sauerkraut was pretty good, although a little sweet for my liking. The liver dumpling soup got a universal thumbs down from the group. The cookies served for dessert were like dried out donuts with jam stuffed inside. Generally the rest of my group were underwhelmed by their entree selections: goulash, boiled beef, roast pork, and duck, among others. A few people enjoyed the "smoked butt" (recommended by the waiter), and let's face it, even just saying the name makes you giggle. So if you like the swine, that might be the way to go. If I were in the area I would go back for a beer and perhaps some fried cheese or a potato pancake (which looked good). But I really wouldn't make an effort to return.
(3)Valerie M.
MUST SEE! The food is the good, hearty Czech stuff I grew up on, at very reasonable prices. Special kudos for the great peasant style rye bread, made on site. But it's the building that has to be seen to be believed, with intricate hand-carved chandeliers--actually, hand-carved wood everywhere--and hand-painted patterns on all the walls, and even the ceilings. Ask someone to take you up to the "Zhivago room" on the second floor: a large party room with every wall and ceiling surface covered by hand-painted murals depicting Russian fairy tales. And notice the statue of liberty on the facade: a new immigrant's tribute to his adopted country.
(5)John L.
Anyone interested in time travel? Though theoretically plausible, you don't need to spend those hard-earned dollars trying to replicate Michael J. Fox's sci-fi adventure. Just hop on the Pink or Blue Line (Cicero branch) and walk a few blocks west on Cermak, enter Klas (use the 2nd door) and you're in a true old school restaurant. There is hand carved wood everywhere, including the chandeliers. It feels like the late 1800's. Klas has been serving excellent Bohemian food since 1922. Unless you're trying to lose weight, you pretty much cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. From breaded tender pork tenderloin to juicy roast duckling to pork medallions wrapped in BACON to the uber-tasty cod fish 'n chips, you have successfully opened your window to weight-gain! Speaking of the fish n' chips, it truly rivals some of the best fish frys I've ever had. There is no BS at Klas. Just really flavorful heavy Bohemian chow and a decent beer selection at the adjacent bar. And a 23oz Staropramen will cost you a mere $4! If you were to eat here every day, as Weird Al said, "Lemme tell you once again who's fat!"
(4)Big R.
This place is like a museum. Just go there and explore. I'm here now!!!
(5)Katie H.
Have you ever been to EPCOT Center? Well the World Showcase is clearly missing it's Czechoslovakia Pavilion. It blasted off and plunked itself down in the middle of Cermak Rd. Convinced that I'm losing readers (lazy fucks), I'll try to keep this entry a bit briefer than my usual tome. Let's get down to brass tacks. I hope you like live accordion music and lots of gravy! Upon the arrival of your platter of food you'll also be brought, nay not a gravy boat but an entire pitcher of the stuff. I was unsuccessful in convincing my companion to chug it for a handsome prize of $5. Tut tut! But I s'pose inhaling half a duck will weigh a person down. Worth the drive? You betcha! They have a parking lot and with all the starch you'll be eating you'll be safe to have one of their massive Czechvar beers. Wear lose fitting clothing. I think I lost a button.
(4)Evan L.
Great atmosphere. Coo-coo clocks, accordian music and very good affordable Bohemian food.
(4)M L.
I have not yet dined at Klas Restaurant, BUT, based on my tiny, tiny experience, thus far, it has lived up to the dream I have dreamt of it since the first time I happened upon it. It's such a nice change of pace - beers are huge and strong and served by somewhat angry women behind the bar, . . . that one guy is sorta watching the Sox playoff game and sorta kinda drifting in and out of an alcohol inspired nap . . . . no one is trying to be impressive . . . . . dark wood, stained glass windows. Excellent. And no stupid valet. Thank god. This place has the right focus.
(5)Tom B.
We just had to try this place out as both my wife and I were brought up with Czech cooking. We flew out from California to attend a concert, but we made a special effort to take the pink train line out from downtown and then walk 3 long blocks to see if all the hype measured up to mom's Czech kitchen. We admit that from the rye bread to the beef noodle soup to the green peppers and cucumbers in the salad to the wonderful goulash with melt in your mouth bread dumplings and the Czech beer, we thought we were in heaven. They even have an accordion player dressed in traditional Czech garb playing old Czech polkas. Only negative is that we ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer and they forgot to bring them. We reminded the waiter that we were still waiting for them and we ended up eating them with our dinner. We passed on desert as were full, but we took a Vanocka home with us to California. Prices are dirt cheap for the amount of food you get and we left stuffed. Even took a few potato pancakes back with us to the hotel to snack on the next day. Our folks always told us that Cicero was the place to go for Czech food in the USA. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the last hold out in this area surrounded by taquerias and fast food. Hope they last as we will definitely be back if we are ever back in Chicago.
(5)Liz Q.
I love Czech food. Ever since I lived in the Czech Republic for a brief stint, I have been hooked. I was delighted to find Klas Restaurant. From the outside, it looks like this crazy Bohemian palace. Very fun compared to the neon, crap architecture of Cermak. We were seated immediately and the first thing I noticed was that I could get my favorite Czech beer - Radegast. They also have two liquors that I haven't seen much of outside Eastern Europe - Slivovitz and Becherovka. Proceed with caution if you get either of these - they are an acquired taste and the Becherovka (a favorite of mine - it's an herbal bitters) requires somewhat of an iron constitution. I became estatic when I saw that on their starters menu they had Smazyny Syr - fried cheese. It's similar to cheese sticks, but comes in larger bricks. They serve it with tartar sauce, which is how you need to eat it if you want to be authentic. Try it - it sounds gross but is actually quite good. (NOTE: My husband wishes me to insert that it is gross. Whatever. Don't listen to him...use the tartar sauce). The rest of the menu had many Eastern European delights, from Wienerschnitzel to goulash. I ordered the Chicken Paprikash with bread dumplings. I highly recommend this dish. The paprika gravy is thick and creamy and the bread dumplings soak it right up. Whatever you order, make sure you get the bread dumplings as your side. They are very authentic. I know that Klas might seem far away for Northsiders, but it takes no time at all to get there, parking is simple and it's the best Eastern European food I have had this side of Prague.
(4)Kayla P.
Hey this is a really good place. I grew up on this stuff and it was just like grandma made. :) The atmosphere was awesome, you feel like you're back in the 1800's or something. They have a bar attached that seems to always be bringing the house down. We had the fried cheese for an appetizer (delicious) and then we had some of the best liver dumpling soup I've ever had! My dinner was the roast pork in fried potato flour, sour kraut, and potato dumplings. I will definitely be going back for more. My boyfriend had some beef that had a sweet gravy over it...that wasn't so good. I guess you have to have the taste for their sweeter palate and that's just not me. But everything else was wonderful!
(4)Alibaba V.
This is an awesome place! If you are looking for the real fresh darft czech beer, then you are in the right place. Every food we ordered tasted as it suppose to. The czech cabbage was cooked according to czech recipe, duck meat was tender and moisty (not dry as many places will serve), flour dumplings were absolutely fluffy and fresh, svickova was excellent . Fried cheeze and shnizel were just fine! No greasy at all. The waitress was very sweet, polite and friendly. Their dumplings, pies and bread is fresh cause it's made directly at the place. Highly reccomended!!!
(5)Frank G.
Good food, good bread, good beer, nuff said.
(4)K M.
We went a month or two ago to experience the beer garden and the interior charm of this restaurant. Unfortunately so did a large group of moshing teenagers for a battle of the loud really untalented bands. We managed to pretend it wasn't deafening loud, and hunted down a waitress. Here's the thing, so I don't have to bore you with a long drawn out detail of the evening - the food was great (we had the 1/2 duck, and some chicken plate) it came with salad, dessert, bread, etc, the beer was good too - but the big issue was the service. I can handle a busy waitress who can't take orders - but this one wasn't and was old and mean, and in general that's not what I admire in a waitress. Anyway, she took ten hours to get menus, she sucked, she told us she wasn't coming back to get more drink orders so if we wanted more to order ahead. The headline is that service sucked. The food's good.
(3)Oscar the Death Cat B.
After dining at Klas for the very first time recently, I can't say that I'm now a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but you get a very good dinner value here for your money - most entrees were in the $9 to $13 dollar range and included soup, salad, two side dishes, coffee, and a small dessert. Menu choices are predictably meat-heavy, folks that have dined there regularly say that the regular menu items are your best bets, though they did have a couple of interesting "specials". Stay faaarrrr away from the Chicken Cordon Bleu, it was pretty awful, but everything else our group sampled was good. I have a soft spot in my heart for restaurants that have "old-world" European charm, and Klas has plenty of that, both inside & out, they've been around since 1922.
(4)Jeff N.
This restaurant has been here since 1922! The area has changed many times but this Restaurant lives on. The detailed wood carved chandeliers blew me away. The bar and detailed wood work is worth seeing. They have an outdoor beer garden that wasn't open the night we were there. Music by accordion added to our nostalgic Dinner. This is chek food. The original chek please! Nice heavy dumplings and rich gravies. Lots of pork and beef yum. The server was authentic and knowledgeable. Even somewhat friendly,which is unusual for This type of ethnic restaurant. The food was good! Total package here: Great history Great architectural elements Clean Good food Solid service
(3)Annie C.
The food was delicious . I had the best roast Duck ever . It was cooked perfectly and very moist . The service was very good too . However , The gravy was so very salty . Why do some restaurants add so much salt to their dishes ? You can always add more yourself .
(4)H B.
Klas is one of the few remaining authentic Czech restaurants and it is in operation since 1922. The restaurant is huge and expands over several buildings - it includes an extensive bar, a couple of dining rooms, several private rooms, and a private beer garden. We and our friends tried every appetizer and almost every dish on their menu and best of all, we enjoyed every single one. The "Roast Long Island Duckling" is typical Czech and at least a staple of their menu since WWII. It is amazing to review their menu from the 1940s. Looking back to their historic menu and looking at their current menu prices, I am surprised how reasonable their prices are for their dishes. Klas' entrees consist of three courses: salad or soup, main course, and dessert. Their selection includes poultry, beef, pork and seafood. It is hard to find a good liver dumpling soup or sautéed duck livers, but Klas offers it. While we Europeans enjoy liver dishes, others might need to get accustomed to the flavor of liver. The main course comes with two side dishes and the typical rich gravy. We appreciate that the gravy comes in a gravy server, which allows each of us to get as much of the delicious gravy as we desire. One of our favorites is the Family Style Bohemain Platter, Pilsner Beef Goulash, and we enjoy the authentic bread dumplings and potato dumplings. The dessert menu includes a delicious authentic apple strudel and a variety of Kolacky. When we enjoy the dessert and our coffee, we think back of our times in Europe. Whenever we visit Klas, it reminds us of Prague and typical historic buildings in Europe with its elaborate exterior and stained-glass windows. The interior has different themes, e.g., one room decorated in the honor of "President Washington," the "Crystal Chandelier Room," "Doctor Zhivago / Dr. Schiwago" with gorgeous Russian folk murals. Anybody who is interested in central Europe or enjoyed traveling there, will enjoy Klas' atmosphere. Klas Restaurant is part of the Czech's history in the Windy City - like the Bohemian National Cemetery, Thalia Hall, Pilsen Park and Brewery, Thomas G. Masaryk School, or Soldier Field - and worth a visit if you like historic buildings or you are interested in authentic Czech dishes. Chicago PBS Television (WTTW11) plans to air the feature-length documentary film "Czechs in Chicago" being produced by Susan Marcinkus and Laurence Jacobs for Manifest Films, which will also feature Klas.
(5)Jay N.
The outside decor lets you know that there are many surprises in store compared to the surroundings on Cermak Rd. Angled street parking is plentiful but not always empty. There are some banquet rooms inside but plenty of dinner seating as well. There is a bar to the side which can be dark in the corner or a little brighter with tables. There are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of usual Bohemian options as well as other European specialties. I had the pork tenderloin, which was good, but all of the other food made it a full dinner: soup or salad, side dishes of bread dumpling or potatoes, sauerkraut / boiled cabbage or vegetables. They don't just make 1 type of gravy, but specialize it for chicken or different preparations of beef. I also had a Kolacky as dessert so everything is taken care of. The sausage was spiced well and I'll have to try the duck or wiener schnitzel next time. The service kept me from giving it 5 stars, but I'd still get carryout if I was driving by in the neighborhood.
(4)Ro A.
I would not recommend this restaurant. Food was not great at all. We reserved a room for our family of 30 and I was very disappointed with the menu. Restaurant looks very outdated and dirty. I will not be returning.
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