Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Smak Tak - A Hidden Gem in NW Chicago

So this nice Polish restaurant, Smak Tak, place has been around for 10 years, how come we polish food loving folks have never found it until now?? And it's a beloved BYOB!

Nice little bistro type setting on north Elston, an unusual location but near the northern Red Apple. Parking easily available on Elston.

First, the soups. Exceptional! We tried two, the Mushroom for my friend, and Red Barscz with mushroom pierogis for me. Wow, both almost a full meal, the small mushroom pierogis were lovely. The clear redness of the broth very good. The Mushroom soup had lots of mushrooms, great broth, and many other ingredients. If this is all they offered, I would go back again and again.

The dining options included all favorites including a massive plate of hunters stew (old polish style). It included shredded cabbage, veal, sausage, and potatoes, with the meats providing a great smoky flavor. The Hungarian Pancake includes a full serving of gulash. Both were big enough to share or save half for another meal.

We shared a nice paring Biere de Garde from Southampton and a Norwegian stout for dessert. Coulda skipped a few meals after this one, great deal. Give this restaurant an A-, only lacking a bit of decor, but the food is worthy of a try.

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