Chicago's Best Polish Beer: Where To Buy

Chicago has one of the largest Polish populations outside of Warsaw, so it's no surprise that the city has a lot of Polish bars, restaurants, and delis. Many of these establishments serve Polish beer, including Karolinka Club, Podlasie Club, Bim Bom Lounge, Ola’s Liquors, Zakopane, Smakosz, and Staropolska. In addition to bars and restaurants, there are also several Polish delis and supermarkets in Chicago that sell Polish beer, such as Andy's Deli & Mikolajczyk Sausage, Gene's Sausage Shop, Joe & Frank's Sausage Co., Kasia's Deli, Kolatek's Bakery & Deli, Pumpernickel, Dunajec Deli & Bakery, Endy's Deli, Kurowski's Sausage Shop & Rich's Bakery, Montrose Deli, Pulaski Polish Deli & Bakery, and Rich's Deli.

Polish beer in Chicago's Karolinka Club

If you're looking for Polish beer in Chicago, the Karolinka Club is the place to go. Located right next to Midway Airport, this friendly bar offers a range of Polish beers, including Stawski, Okocim, and Zywiec, as well as Polish liquors. The Karolinka Club is known for its welcoming atmosphere and staff who will make you feel at home while you enjoy a drink.

The bar's drink selection is accompanied by authentic Polish food, such as traditional pierogi, Polish sausage, and potato pancakes. Whether you're looking for a quick drink or a full dining experience, the Karolinka Club has you covered.

In addition to the Karolinka Club, Chicago is home to several other Polish bars and restaurants. The Podlasie Club in Logan Square is a great spot for Polish dive bar enthusiasts, offering a unique experience with its authentic polka music and dancing on Saturday nights. For those looking for a younger Polish crowd, the Bim Bom Lounge, with its heavy metal theme and porno-covered bathroom walls, offers a large selection of Polish beer and liquor.

If you're looking for a more straightforward option, Ola's Liquors, located between Ukrainian Village and Noble Square, is both a liquor store and a dive bar, offering Polish and American draft beer at affordable prices. Another option is Zakopane, a Division Street institution that attracts Chicago's Polish community with its well-stocked bar, including Polish beer and spirits, and super cheap drinks. However, keep in mind that Zakopane is a cash-only bar.

So, whether you're looking for a cosy bar like the Karolinka Club or something a little more eccentric, Chicago has a variety of options for enjoying Polish beer and experiencing Polish culture.

Polish delis in Chicago

Chicago is home to a large number of Polish delis, with a high concentration in the Avondale, Jefferson Park, Ukrainian Village, and Ravenswood neighbourhoods. Many of these delis offer a wide range of Polish products, including meat, sandwiches, and drinks.

One of the most well-known Polish delis in Chicago is Andy's Deli, which has multiple locations across the city, including Milwaukee Avenue and Jefferson Park. Andy's Deli is known for its selection of Polish sausages and other meat products. Another popular option is Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen in Ravenswood, which offers a variety of high-quality deli meats and has been praised as one of the best delis in the United States.

In Ukrainian Village, Kasia's Delicatessen & Catering is a hidden gem, offering custom deli sandwiches and a unique dining experience. For those in the Avondale area, Kurowski's Sausage Shop and Staropolska Restaurant are excellent choices for Polish sausages and old-world Polish ambience, respectively.

Outside of the city, there are several Polish delis in the suburbs of Chicago, including Bobak's, Celina's Fresh Market, Gorka, Deli 4 You Market, and Ania's Polish Deli. Helen's Deli in Wood Dale is also worth mentioning, as it is a popular spot for locals and has been suggested as a potential source for other delis' meat.

In addition to these options, there are numerous other Polish delis scattered throughout Chicago and its surrounding areas, ensuring that residents and visitors have easy access to a variety of Polish cuisine and products.

Polish bars in Chicago

If you're looking for Polish bars in Chicago, you're in luck! The city has a plethora of options to choose from. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Zakopane

On Division Street, you'll find Zakopane, a dive bar that is one of the last remnants of the street's past as Polish Broadway. The bar is stocked with Polish beer and liquor and is named after a city in Poland. The interior boasts wood paneling and string lights, giving it a cosy chalet vibe.

Staropolska

Located in the Logan Square area, Staropolska is a top-rated Polish restaurant that offers a fine dining experience. They have a sit-down area and also cater to private parties. Their menu includes a variety of Polish dishes, and they also offer delivery and catering services.

Podlasie Club

Podlasie Club, located on Central Park Avenue, was a popular Polish nightclub in the '80s and '90s. While it quieted down for a while, it has recently seen a revival as a nightlife hotspot, attracting a younger generation to the bar. The owners, Violetta Konopka and Vitek Pluta, are currently renovating the space while preserving its Polish identity.

Polish Bistro

Polish Bistro is a restaurant and bar that offers authentic Polish cuisine and a cosy outdoor seating area. They have an extensive menu featuring standard bar fare and Polish favourites, including fresh soups. The staff and patrons create an authentic Polish atmosphere, and the restaurant has received high praise for its food and service.

Podhalanka

Podhalanka is a cosy restaurant serving delicious and nutritious Polish dishes. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a full meal experience that will satisfy your hunger and provide a source of energy for the rest of the day.

These are just a few examples of the Polish bars and restaurants you can find in Chicago. Each offers its unique atmosphere, food, and drink options, so you're sure to find one that suits your tastes!

Chicago's Polish population

Chicago has a large Polish population, with around 7.3% of the city identifying as Polish in the 2000 census. This is the highest percentage of Polish descendants in the United States. The broader Chicago metropolitan area is estimated to have a Polish population of 721,538 as of 2023, making it the metropolitan region with the highest Polish population in the country. Chicago bills itself as the largest Polish city outside of Poland, with a Polish community of around 800,000 in the metropolitan area.

Polish immigrants first arrived in Chicago in 1837, with members of the failed November Uprising, led by Captain Joseph Napieralski, settling in the city. However, most historians agree that the major immigration of Poles to Chicago began in the 1860s. From 1860 to 1910, Chicago's population expanded rapidly, and the city's stockyards and steel mills provided work opportunities for the many immigrants arriving in the United States during those years. This expansion coincided with a mass immigration of Poles, who were fleeing oppression and property ownership restrictions in the Russian Empire.

The first Poles to arrive in Chicago settled mainly in districts such as Trojcowo, Jozefowo, Niepokolanowo, Wojciechowo, and Nieustajacej Pomocy. These neighbourhoods were centred around and named after their local parishes, reflecting the Catholic faith of many Polish immigrants. The heart of the Polish community in Chicago is nicknamed "Polish Downtown" and is centred around the Polonia Triangle at Milwaukee Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Division Street. As early immigrants became financially successful and started families, they began to move into other districts, particularly wealthier neighbourhoods to the west of the city.

Polish culture has had a significant impact on Chicago, with Polish restaurants, shops, and festivals playing a large part in the city's cultural landscape. Chicago also has a thriving Polish arts scene, with events like the Polish Film Festival of America and venues such as the Chopin Theatre. Polish food is also a notable part of the Chicago culinary scene, with dishes like pierogi, latkes, and kielbasa becoming well-known in the city.

Chicago's Polish restaurants

Chicago is home to a large Polish immigrant population, so it's no surprise that the city boasts a wide variety of Polish restaurants, delis, and buffets. Here's a guide to some of Chicago's top Polish dining spots:

Staropolska Restaurant

Staropolska is often one of the first places mentioned when it comes to Polish restaurant recommendations in Chicago. Located in the Logan Square area, Staropolska has been a fixture on Milwaukee Avenue since 1984, offering a good selection of classic Polish dishes. The restaurant provides sit-down dining as well as extended hours for private parties, and also offers catering services. Their menu includes Polish favourites like pierogi, stuffed cabbage, and sausage.

Smakosz Restaurant

This family-run restaurant stands out with its distinctive exterior of red wooden shingles and a yellow sign. Smakosz offers a range of Polish classics, including Lublin pork (a regional dish of a pork chop with a potato pancake and mushroom sauce), pork knuckle, and chicken de volaille (similar to Chicken Kiev). They also have a variety of salads, including beet, sauerkraut, and cucumber.

Tradycja Polish Fusion Cuisine

Tradycja is a stylish Orland Park restaurant that takes a modern approach to classic Polish cuisine. Owner and chef Damian Piekarczyk creates innovative dishes such as duck confit with gingerbread dumplings and roasted hummus, scallops with mascarpone risotto and fried corn, and creamy potato soup with sheep's cheese, shiitake mushrooms, chives, and truffle oil.

U Gazdy

Located in Wood Dale, U Gazdy offers a warm, home-style dining experience that showcases the culture and cuisine of the Polish Highlands, the country's southernmost region. The meal begins with complimentary rye bread and smalec (a lard spread), followed by traditional dishes like sizzling lamb chops, beer-marinated pork shank, crispy duck baked with apples, and pork tenderloin escalopes with smoked cheese and mushroom sauce.

Szartoka Restaurant

Szartoka is a traditional Polish restaurant located off of the 55, past an industrial corridor. The portion sizes here are known to be extremely generous, so come with an appetite! Their Highlander soup is especially noteworthy, with a refreshing sourness to it. Be sure to order a plate of potato pancakes to share if you're dining with a group.

Jolly Inn Restaurant & Banquet

For over 30 years, Jolly Inn has been serving up classic Polish dishes in an all-you-can-eat buffet format. At this affordable spot, you can sample a variety of dishes such as bigos (hunter's stew), pierogi, gałumpli (stuffed rolled cabbage), and multiple variations of grated beets. Don't forget to try their delicious soups, which are included in the buffet fee.

In addition to these restaurants, Chicago is also home to numerous Polish delis, bakeries, and grocery stores where you can stock up on Polish essentials like smoked sausage, pickles, and sweets. Whether you're looking for a sit-down meal or some tasty treats to go, Chicago's Polish food scene has something for everyone.

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