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Best Polish Food In Chicago

Many know Polish food for its delicious pierogies packed with a number of different fillings, but the plethora of Polish restaurants around Chicago offer other authentic food that even the most discerning of eaters can enjoy. From Poland's national dish of bigos -- a savory stew of cabbage and meat -- to sauerkraut and kielbasa, these five restaurants are sure to please your palate and fill your belly.

Related: Our First Look At Chicago's Best Polish Food

Staropolska Restaurant
(Credit: Staropolska Restaurant's facebook)

Staropolska Restaurant
3030 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 342-0779
www.staropolskarestaurant.com

For authentic Polish food, look no further than this charming restaurant in Avondale. Split appetizers -- like potato pancakes and herrings -- with your friends, and then choose from a wide variety of pierogies, entrees (pork, veal, seafood and chicken) and sandwiches with reasonable prices as most everything is under $15. Not sure what to get? Splurge on the special for two people: at $29.99, feast on two pancakes with staropolski stew, chicken breast with cranberry, dumplings, veal scalopino, stuffed mushrooms and even four pierogies.

Pierogi Heaven
169 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 263-9305
www.pierogiheaven.com

Have a hankering for some crescent-shaped pockets of goodness? Then check out Pierogi Heaven in the Loop. The menu is a simple one, but worth a lunchtime stop. Whether you want some meat, kraut, spinach or even fruit stuffed in your pierogis, mix things up and get six pieces for $5.88, nine pieces for $7.87 or 12 pieces for $10.41. Other menu items include red borscht soup, as well as specials, such as Polish sausage and stuffed cabbage with meat.

Podhalanka
1549 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-6655

Frequented by expats and Chicagoans alike, Podhalanka is the place to be when you're looking for authentic Polish food that tastes as if its come from your grandmother's kitchen. Enjoy the hearty and flavorful tastes of white borscht and potato pancakes, as well as golabki (stuffed cabbage), pierogies and a number of other tasty dishes. Even better, everything is under $15 in this small Ukrainian Village restaurant.

Related: Best Austrian Food in Chicago

Andrzej Grill
1022 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-3566
www.andrzejgrillrestaurant.com

Don't let the limited menu in this Humboldt Park restaurant fool you, as the hefty portions and amazing flavors more than make up for it. In addition to potato pancakes, dumplings and pierogies, Andrzej Grill features different special dinners every night of the week (Monday through Saturday). On Mondays, try the tomato soup and vegetable soup, while on Friday, go for the pickle soup and Ukrainian borsch. Even better? The entrees -- including a tasty pork cutlet -- are only $8.50 and include a potato side dish and a choice of veggies.

Kasia's Deli
2101 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-7500
www.kasiasdeli.com

If you need a Polish food fix, then Kasia's Deli is the place to go. Buy a wide assortment of foods from the deli, from baked goods, jarred vegetables, cheeses and sweets to soups and salads. For lunch, Kasia's also offers some of the best made-to-order sandwiches in town, including its old world Polish ham, as well as Italian special, all under $5. If you're looking for something more traditional, it has that too, including potato pancakes, pierogies, cheese blintzs and Ukrainian borsch.

Related: Best Pierogi in Chicago

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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