Get us in your inbox

Search

Polish hangouts, old and new

Think you know Polish Chicago? Here are old-school hangouts and updated spots.

Advertising

DELI

OLD
Bobak’s (5275 S Archer Ave, 773-735-5334) is known for its huge variety of grocery and deli items, and for Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit.

NEW
Andy’s Deli (5442 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-631-7304) offers a variety of hot and cold prepared foods (pickled salads, luscious sausages), plus café seating and imported groceries. It’s the Eastern European Fox & Obel.

ART GALLERY

OLD
Maya Polsky Gallery (215 W Superior St, 312-440-0055) made its name by representing painter Ed Paschke before his death.

NEW
Polish Museum of America (984 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-384-3352) curator Monika Nowak presents exhibitions like “Pressing Matter” (March 26), featuring graphic artists considered the future of Polish printmaking.

THEATER

OLD
In the 1890s, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (1300 N Noble St, 773-278-2470) was known as a Tiffany-chandeliered hub of the Polish community, doubling as a venue for dramas like Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. Now, it operates only as a church.

NEW
Chopin Theatre (1543 W Division St, 773-278-1515), owned by Polish émigre Zygmunt Dyrkacz and his wife, Lela Headd, houses avant-garde international theatrical productions (some of which are Polish).

BAKERY

OLD
Pre-gentrification, Wicker Park’s Alliance Bakery (1736 W Division St, 773-278-0366) was the place for still-warm rye bread and sekacz, a layered tea cake. Now, it doles out cakes and espresso and only a few Polish items like kolacky. Sigh.

NEW
Jefferson Park’s Delightful Pastries (5927 W Lawrence Ave, 773-545-7215) specializes in paczki and tarts, selling its delicious wares at the Green City Market.

DIVE

OLD
Zakopane (1734 W Division St, 773-486-1559) used to open in the wee hours for the night-shift workers.

NEW
Zakopane. What’s old is new again, and this 20-year-old bar (which now opens at 7am) swarms with hipsters and fratties. Beware: The bartender has zero qualms about hitting on your boyfriend right in front of you.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising