TERRIBLE! Don’t believe any of the good reviews. The one and only good thing I can say is they have great paczki, that’s it. Rudest bitche$ I’ve ever been served by. You’d almost think it was one of those themed restaurants where the servers are intentionally a$$holes, but no, that’s just how they are. Small selection of terrible food at a very not worth it price. The fact that the place is virtually empty ever time you go there should tell you something. I’m surprised they’ve stayed in business this long. Stay away from this place unless you like to overpay for bad food served by ignorant rude a$$holes. If you want good polish food at a good price check out jolly Inn near Irving and Narragansett, or red apple by Milwaukee and Devon.
Jerry G.
Place rating: 5 Chicago, IL
Very good inexpensive food plenty of parking which is a huge glass and the best paczki in Chicagoland area. Great place for family events
Ali B.
Place rating: 2 Troy, MI
I was very excited to try this polish food but it was very bland. I tried everything, the good food was the salads but the rest was just meh… the deserts(cake) were dry. The place is outdated and expensive for what you get . –1 star for bland food –1 for price per person @ $ 30 including tip– no alcohol –1 for atmosphere
Lord Of T.
Place rating: 4 Chicago, IL
We liked this Polish buffet. This place is gaudy to the point of comedy but the food is good! It really seriously is quite garish! It almost has a carnival disco atmosphere mixed with a psychedelic buffet!!!(O: The food really is pretty good though. You sort of get the feeling that crazy clowns could run out and start jumping around the room at any moment!!!(O:
Matthew H.
Place rating: 1 North Aurora, IL
My Wife took me here because she’s from Poland. She’s been here 5 years now. Her Mom has visited and cooked for me dozens of meals along with her other familiy. In short, I’m no stranger to good home cooked Polish food. This place was horrible. We stopped in on the Afternoon of Labor Day last year. The buffet had plenty of food to choose from yet still seemed like there was enough turnover. Nothing was cold, dry or chewey, but the overall flavors of pretty much everything was just not good. Either poor cuts and preparation or lack of seasoning, you name it. Nothing was good. We topped the meal off with a Paczki and my Wife was really disappointed that they couldn’t even get the donuts right. It may be cheap, but save your money and visit Qulinaria in Mount Prospect for some out of this world Polish food! P. S. Saying the décor is outdated is an understatement. It’s actually so bad it’s good. lol
Mike S.
Place rating: 2 Chicago, IL
I went there to celebrate my friend’s anniversary and I was really surprised they have chosen this place for it. It’s just a common buffet with very average food. For the prices they have paid per head I would get a wonderful 2 – 3 courses dinner at some other polish restaurant just near by. Although service was poor seems that waitresses just didn’t have time for us as it was surprisingly crowded which btw caused some difficulties to get to the buffet.
Ela B.
Place rating: 4 Green Bay, WI
I was just here a couple days ago to celebrate a birthday. We have been here a few times previously and I would say my review would be identical every time. The food here is very good. It’s not exactly the way my Polish relatives cooked everything, but nonetheless it is quite tasty. The best thing about the weekend buffets is that they have Paczki(the best filled«donuts» ever!!!) My only complaints here are that drinks are not included in the price(and the price is a bit high for it not to be included) and that the service is ALWAYS horrible. There is never someone at the door to greet you, and they always look so angry and are never smiling. They barely even say hello and it is something that always gets brought up at the table, no matter who we go there with. It’s very strange and uncomfortable because of it. I will probably come back here with family again, but we honestly would come here more often if the service was better and if the drinks were included in the price.
John H.
Place rating: 1 Aurora, IL
I was got excited when I saw this place, because I was looking forward to some good homestyle Polish food. But I got to the buffet the food was rather bland and pricey. The waitress asked if I wanted a refill on my drink then charged me for it so I paid almost 5 dollars for two large drinks. I would not come back here.
Janie F.
Place rating: 1 Niles, MI
Food was substandard, service was horrid. How can service be horrid at a buffet, you ask? Try being seated at a dirty table by someone who resembled a polish prostitute. When we asked for a clean table, said prostitute-look-a-like didn’t speak to us. I said excuse me and she actually walked away from the table. The entire restaurant was almost empty, so there were other places they could have moved us. They were deliberately rude. The food was gross, either tasteless and or unpalatable depending in the dish. Don’t waste your time or money on this place. The décor… I can’t end this review without mentioning the eighties-mirror-ball-vomit décor. I wanted to gouge my own eyes out.
Diana B.
Place rating: 5 Garfield, NJ
First time in Chicago — and since I moved from NJ to Austin, TX… my mom sometimes ships me pierogis! Haha but honestly. I’ve been really missing eating polish food every day. This was my first stop during my work trip and it was amazing. It was cheap and delicious. Service is pretty much the same as I would get in NJ so I’m not offended… they became a little nicer when I started speaking polish but that’s normal with any language spoken outside the country of origin. I can’t wait to go back!
Renata B.
Place rating: 1 Chicago, IL
My Mom’s birthday falls on Mother’s day and she will only eat polish food. As you all know all restaurants are packed, so l made a reservation @ Old Warsaw thinking it’s gonna be quick and kids can make their choice based on visual appearance. There was a lot of large groups of people, so my assumption is reservations. Should be prepared with enough kitchen employees ! Not so !!! Buffet was almost empty most of the time ! They have a meat carving station, but no one carving and when there was a person to carve… my grandson wanted a turkey leg(don’t like white meat) was told he can’t have it because it will loose it’s appearance . Display only ??? So now after everyone’s disappointment here comes the bill ! SPECIALMOTHER’S DAYPRICING !!! Let me remind you l made reservations and no one mentioned at any time any price change. Almost DOUBLE regular price !!! For what ??? Empty buffet !!!
Emma L.
Place rating: 3 Arlington Heights, IL
When it comes to the food, it’s not bad but could’ve been better especially for the price that they are charging. Place looks clean and for the old style, it’s not too bad however the service sucks. When you walk in, nobody is there to greet you or tell you where to go. We were looking around till one of the customers seating at the table told us to go to the bar and someone should tell us where to go. That seemed kind of weird to me. I also made a reservation for that day but they couldn’t find it. Our waitress seemed a little out of it and didn’t even bother to replenish our drinks or give us water. Not impressed with this place at all. We won’t be coming back.
Annette R.
Place rating: 3 Chicago, IL
Meh. Being raised in a Polish immigrant home, I will say the food does not have a home cooked style or taste. It’s like Polish fast food.
David A.
Place rating: 2 Skinker/DeBaliviere Parkview, Saint Louis, MO
I went here for a post-Thanksgiving lunch with my wife’s extended family. As we arrived, I noted that the«windows» aren’t really glass, but are instead mirrors. At that point I knew we were in for a treat. The atmosphere is dark, kitschy, and very Polish. We were seated at a long table next to the dance floor. I will say, this restaurant is a great place for large groups and families. All 15 of us easily were seated and other parties in the dining area were similar sizes. I ate pierogies, kielbasa sausages, and desert. I’ll admit, there wasn’t much in the buffet that appealed to me. I probably won’t go back – but if my family wants to, hey, that’s what family is all about.
Dominika T.
Place rating: 5 Chicago, IL
This is by far the best Polish food on the northwest side of Chicago. I have been coming here with family and friends for over 25 years and the food is always delicious and fresh. The décor is stuck in the 70s, but don’t let that scare you. Pączki are absolutely the best in town, they are just as I remember growing up in Poland as a little girl. The variety of food is huge, from cold salads and traditional Polish appetizers to delicious homemade potato pancakes and pierogi to amazing desserts. Highly recommend it.
O.M. R.
Place rating: 1 Niles, IL
NOP!!! Not coming back! Just for your information, I’m Romanian and i can cook everything that’s being served here 100times better… Last time i’ve been here(2yrs ago) i wasn’t a vegetarian… And the food still wasn’t good. And now that i’m a vegetarian… It is horrible! All the veggies have the weirdest taste. And there are only about 4 – 5 things i can eat(warm food) and taste horrible. There are a lot of salads but they are all drenched in sauces… And the chicken soup, I tasted it from my husband, it tasted like it was made from the oldest hen one could find… And my 1yr old daughter was with me and i didn’t have the courage to give her any food from here. Thank God i had a banana with me!
Emily B.
Place rating: 4 Chicago, IL
I was in the neighborhood and stopped here yesterday for lunch. I loved it! The potato salad, mushroom barley soup and bread were excellent. The potatoes were cooked just right. The potato salad also included shredded carrots and hard boiled eggs. The mayonaise was just right. House made? The barley soup also included dill which I am going to use from now on in my mushroom barley soup. The bread was the right texture — dense, chewy and not dry. House made? For entrée, I had the stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogi and potato dumplings. The stuffed cabbage was good but included a little too much rice for my taste. The potato pierogi and potato dumplings were perfectly cooked. I didn’t care for the sauerkraut which was cooked in a red sauce. For dessert, I had the cheese blintz, a butter cookie and pineapple. All were excellent. This buffet was the best of all of the Polish buffets I have tried so far. The service was excellent. My ice tea was refilled and plates were removed quickly. I loved the décor! Very European and Old World. A real value for $ 9. I will be recommending Old Warsaw to friends and family and returning.
Marek C.
Place rating: 5 Elmwood Park, IL
We took our mom for Mother’s Day here and let me tell you this was the best decision you could ever made ! Great food, great service and great price with tax it was about $ 42 per person, they have huge selection of different food ! Everyone will find something for them, waitress are super nice, super friendly and they smile ! Very unusual for Polish places ! Love it, love it ! I suggest this place for any occasion !
Lisa A.
Place rating: 4 Wilmette, IL
This is my first time here and I am not a fan of polish cuisine, but it was my mother-in-law’s birthday so we came for her. We were a family of 10 and there was plenty of food to choose from and I think the only thing missing were the Swedish meatballs my mother-in-law makes. The cheese blintzes were delightful. Cabbage rolls were really tasty. The goulash had perfect compliment of spices. The ribs fall off the bone if you like that style. The roasted chicken was better than the fried chicken so that surprised me. They serve a traditional salad bar, but I really enjoyed the beet salads. They served the best paczkis(poonch-skis) with just enough sweetness, fresh homemade jelly inside and texture that I can not describe. I only gave it 4 stars because I don’t know the consistency time after time and like I said, the cuisine is not my favorite. I might give it a 5 star on my next return.
Taylor M.
Place rating: 2 Long Grove, IL
This was the first time I was disappointed in Unilocalers reviews of a restaurant. The buffet was overpriced. Some of the food literally tasted like nothing. I went with my boyfriend who is Polish and told me about how awesome this place was when he was younger. He was also disappointed in what Old Warsaw had become. The food was extremely sub-par. I have had much better at my boyfriend’s family gatherings. The pierogi’s taste like the frozen variety you can buy at Sam’s club. The pasta salads and potato salad were lacking any flavor. The chicken noodle soup was missing the main ingredient… chicken… it was just broth and noodles. The goulash was overcooked and dry. The dessert table looked pretty, but nothing tasted as good as it looked. Old Warsaw has a rule that if you do not eat all of your food they will charge you extra. I did not finish a lot of food because it was unpalitable, but I didn’t see the check to know if we were charged extra. The service was terrible. If you wanted a refill on coffee you had to hunt down a waitress and then she would only fill the cup of the person who asked… even though they said can«WE» have more coffee. I also didn’t like how the wait staff just didn’t talk to me when they found out I didn’t speak Polish… they just spoke through my boyfriend. Also, the restaurant was SOCOLD that I had to keep my jacket on and was still shivering. When I went to the bathroom it was so cold that my pee steamed… no joke. this really happened! I found the reviews of Old Warsaw being a classy place laughable. I don’t understand how you can call a place with tissue paper thin napkins and plastic tablecloths classy. You also have to reuse your silverware… but they kept taking my fork :/ The interior is extremely tacky and indecisive when it comes to a theme. Also, I saw plenty of people in ripped jeans, so I don’t think dressing up is an issue here. I also found it annoying how little kids were running around all over the place yelling and the parents did not even seem to notice. The presence of undisciplined children seems to be a continual issue since the restaurant even had signs about«not running and playing» and how parents should supervise their children… yeah that wasn’t happening when I was there! The only reason I gave Old Warsaw 2 stars instead of 1 was because of the grilled chicken with cheese and veggies melted on top and the potato pancakes. Other than that the buffet is pretty blah… lacking any flavor. If you want a really good Polish restaurant go to Gruba Ryba near Addison and Harlem… only a couple minutes away and the food is amazing!