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Mabenka
Categories: Restaurants Polish Restaurants Modern European Polish, Modern European [Edit]
7844 S Cicero AveBurbank, IL 60459
Neighborhoods: Ashburn, Scottsdale
(708) 423-7679
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7:30 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 7:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Mabenka
Review Highlights
"Potato pancakes were perfect."
(in 6 reviews)
"Definitely a great find for Polish-Lithuanian food."
(in 9 reviews)
"I personally love the kugelis and the red beet soup."
(in 2 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Dave J.
Wheeling, IL
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Be sure not to eat for a day or two before coming here. The OUTSTANDING food is plentiful and quite filling. Emphasis here is on Eastern European (Polish and Lithuanian) comfort food, you know, sausages, dumplings, potato pancakes, noodles, pork...you get the idea.
I heard somewhere, sometime, that the chef here used to work for the late Pope John Paul II. If that's true, then the Pope ate like a king! This chef is gifted!
Everything here is prepared simply. No fancy sauces or garnishes...just straightforward, stick to your ribs food...like your grandma (provided she was from Eastern Europe) would make. Less is indeed more.
Decor is a bit kitschy, but adds to the atmosphere and the food. You feel like you're in Grandma's dining room. The waitresses are friendly, and most of them are very attractive.
This is where I go when I'm arriving or leaving from Midway Airport, or taking a friend or relative to the airport. I'm glad I don't visit Midway often, otherwise I'd be 50 pounds heavier than I am now.
You'd be a bit intimidated by the voluminous menu, with the breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings contained therein. I'll make it easy for you. For the best dining experience, go for either the Polish OR the Lithuanian combination platter. You'll get a little bit of everything, which is a lot. Notice I emphasized the OR part. Because you definitely WON'T be able to finish BOTH combination platters in one sitting. Better yet, order one to eat in the restaurant and order the other one to take home with you. If you're there during breakfast hours, you can't go wrong with potato pancakes.
I get excited when I get a request to pick up or deliver a family member or friend to Midway, because I know, without a doubt, that Mabenka is gonna be a part of my journey. Remember these key facts: Waitresses: Easy on the eyes. Food: Will fill your belly. Price: Easy on the wallet. -
Review from Johnny B.
Arlington Heights, IL
10/16/2011
I had been to Mabenka a few years ago. I don't often go to the south side.
I was very disappointed with this visit. I brought a young date there who also had been there recently. I do not know if the cook/chef was ill or if there had been some "management" changes. We got there at 6:00 on a Saturday night and the place was 1/3 filled. On Sat night, a Denny's is more than 1/3 filled. We were seated on a sit where you want basis as there was no hostess. We got the humongous menu and before we could open it, or waitress asked us if we wanted to order. We asked for some water and my honey asked us what the soup was. We ordered that and I hoped she would take her time to serve. Well in less than two minutes we had soup. Not rushed too much and the place was MT. We mulled through the menu and ordered. In less than 5 minutes, our entrees arrived. My lovely had breaded pork chops (2 huge) and fries. I had 1/2 roast duck with dumplings and sauer kraut. Well, my honies fries is all she could eat. The breaded pork chops, were not pork chops. It looked like deep fried pork shoulder to look like chops. Have you ever had dark pork in a chop? I haven't. The fries were OK. My roasted duck was deep fried, at least to finish it off. Cutting though the fried skin did show some semi dry but edible duck. The kraut and the dumplings were good!
My date was a little PO'd and so was I. She has a sweet tooth so she had a piece of apple pie. Good. Well we had some coffee and that was OK. We left without indigestion and a resolve on my part to cross off Mabenka from my go to place on the south side. -
Review from Marzena M.
Palos Hills, IL
9/7/2011
My parents and I have been coming here for so many years. The food is always delicious and fresh! I personally love the kugelis and the red beet soup. Definitely a great find for Polish-Lithuanian food.
Beyond the food scope, the atmosphere is relaxed, family friendly, and authentic. The owner and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. The portions are large, filling, and delicious. -
Review from Chrissy N.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2011
Have not been here yet, but it's on my list. I do have some info to pass along though.
One of the chefs here, Krysztof, was at one time the personal chef of Pope John Paul II. He's been manning the kitchen for 4 or 5 years there.
If dear Grandma were still here, I think visiting here would officially be her last wish. She would swoon at the idea of eating food prepared by the man who fed Pope John Paul II. (My sweet Catholic Polish grandmother.) So for Grandma, I will be stopping by soon and will update my review.
Eat on, and Sto lat Mabenka, Sto lat.
Article with the chef info: http://chicagoweekly.n... -
Review from Carly D.
San Diego, CA
5/6/2011
I flew in from San Diego and my uncle got the recommendation to this place by a man in Midway airport. Perfect family restaurant with a hefty menu.
A wide variety of items that resulted in little confusion to order (as I have never been to a Polish/Lithuanian restaurant), although....dun dun dun daaaa...our server rocked. She totally broke the menu items down. She gave details and recommendations for the food and even beer items. Super friendly young lady, really made us feel welcomed. My grandpa was excited that she spoke polish too and they got to exchange a few sentences, it made my day to see his smile. Customer service gets a two thumbs up...very attentive too.
When we got our food we were impressed over the portions and the quality was even better. I had the dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, potatoes, meat....delicious. I can't wait to go back to this place when i visit again.
Kudos to you Mabenka. You have a fine establishment and the world should know. -
Review from Neko mimi M.
Chicago, IL
6/5/2011
Authentic, home-cooked, Polish and Lithuanian food. Not quite as good as my dziadek's, but its pretty close.
Prices are very reasonable, portions are huge. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Good place to take your not-so-adventurous parents.
Favorites: duck, borscht (beet soup, they serve theirs hot only), the Lithuanian combo plate.
Only drawback is that if you are vegetarian you are screwed: there are few truly vegetarian options. -
Review from Damian P.
Polish food galore. I mean seriously I love their food selection. Although my partner wasn't impressed since most of the foods had some kind of pork and he is so not into pork. BUt I digress, this is about me and my dumplings. Oh lord the dumplings are amazing and just everything is so delicious. I love how they bring you this basket of saltines and bread. The bread is really good, some kind of chewy wheatish bread, and just yummy!
I think that for the area, it is a staple and I totally love them! -
Review from Sarah J.
Chicago, IL
1/10/2011
I heart this kind of comfort food.. it reminds me of my childhood.. :)
This place stays packed so beware and parking can be a nightmare also.. I usually have lunch items when I go.. from cabbage rolls to sausages to potato pancakes to kraut.. its all good. Service is very attentive and the place is very clean.
I would suggest this place for someone who wants to try something new and different if you are not familiar with the cuisine.. I will be going back again and again just as I have for years... that is as long as I find parking ;) -
Review from Jeff G.
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
used to take my grandma to lunch here in the 90s, it was one of her faves, she loved it because it was good polish food. she used to love the white fish special, or maybe it was the salmon. i really don't remember what i thought of the place except that there was a lot of old people in there and that it was cheap
happened to be in the area fri, went for lunch.
it is still mainly old people eating there, but it did not seem as cheap as i recall. also, they seem to proclaim to be 50/50 split with a polish menu and latvian menu.
anyways, food overall was a 3.5 quality, slightly above average, but i rounded up only because everything they made on my plate was homemade.
like for example the sauerkraut which was decent, not great, but no one makes homemade sauerkraut.
the cold beet soup which i added to my order for $1.50 was very tasty and creamy.
potato pancakes were very good.
the pierogis however i have to say i was not a fan of, i just didn't like the texture of the dough. but extra points for at least being homemade.
on to the fresh polish sausage. it was ok. the waitress told me that "some guy makes it at home and brings it in every day". funny set up, i hope me saying this doesn't get health inspectors out there to check on this polish guy making a living making sausage for restaurants. -
Review from Meridith H.
Boston, MA
5/29/2010
From the outside, it doesn't look like so much, but once you get inside, you're transported to a different place. The carefully arranged kitsch on the walls reminds me of a diner closer to north central Wisconsin than the southern Chicago suburbs. The waitress serves you with cheerfully accented English, and supports your dining experience every step of the way:
"Good job!" - noting that I finished my soup
"This is a good beer; I don't drink beer, but I remember from my college days that this is a good one." - upon my partner's order of a Lithuanian brew
The place is clean and bright and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Prices are low and the quality is good. Get your pierogi fix here until Pierogi fest in Indiana (July 23 -25, 2010). -
Review from Dan E.
Chicago, IL
10/14/2007
I was quite surprised to see this place already has 4 reviews. The extensive menu is Lithuanian/Polish/American with daily specials. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and clientele was mainly older people and a lot of families. I had the Lithuanian combo plate. Everything was tasty and fresh. The combo had a cepelinai (potato dumpling big as yer head stuffed with ground meat) and white (ie unsmoked) sausage. Prices are cheap and the place is spotless. They advertised breakfast specials in the window - its probably a great place for breakfast.
Update: on a recent visit: 2 ample entrees served with soup, 2 soft drinks, one coffee plus 2 soups for carryout = $22.65 plus tip. -
Review from Carolyn G.
Rogers Park, Chicago, IL
5/18/2009
We love our pergois and were so happy when a south-side relative suggested we meet for dinner at Mabenka. We never would have found this place, otherwise!
I made a reservation for seven, with no difficulty. When we arrived, we were a party of eight. "No problem!" They shoved a couple of tables together and we were good to go. Oh, no! I miscounted, and we're actually a party of nine. Again, "No problem!" The added a table setting without even blinking.
To start, we ordered several plates of pergois and several plates of potato pancakes. Both were so good (certified heart attack on a plate!)! Then we ordered some entrees, which included soup (borscht!). After the soup, I was so stuffed and took maybe two bites of my Polish Combo plate (sauerkraut, polish sausage, potato dumplings, breaded pork loin). I took the rest home for leftovers tonight.
Yes, the atmosphere is lackluster. Think: your great aunt's living room. Flowery decor and lots of elderly folks. However, the service was top notch. I never ran out of water and the servers didn't forget or screw up a single request. You don't find service like that anymore!
We'll definitely be back. :) -
Review from Valerie F.
Cupertino, CA
7/14/2008
Excellent Polish and Lithuanian foods that took me back to my childhood when I visited Chicago recently. I tried a little bit of everything, including the potato pancakes, polish sausage, dumplings, and other items, and they were all really delicious. It's probably not the healthiest of food, but that's ok.
I would highly recommend Mabenka, whether you're familiar with this food or never had it before. -
Review from Bob D.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2010
The menu offers something for everyone.
From American classics like pot roast or roasted pork, to Lithuanian kugelis (potato casserole), and Polish staples of perogi, stuffed cabbages and borscht. Everything is solid, but nothing will blow you away.
If you want to save a couple bucks and quality is a secondary requirement then this place will not let you down. Huge portions and possibly the cheapest home style eats around, which is saying a lot on the South side.
Don't get me wrong, the food would impress an out of towner or any one who doesn't know the options. You can induce stomach splitting heartburn in under 30 minutes, bring home an entire meal and look at some nice Euro trash eye candy all for under ten bucks.
The room is a bit dingy, the parking is hellacious, with the front row dominated by pricey euro suv's parked parallel to traffic between Cicero and the building, they just drive over the curb to get in and out.Listed in: Perogies!
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Review from Melissa P.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2011
Great service. Potato pancakes were perfect!
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Review from Johnny B.
Brentwood, CA
3/11/2009
Absolutely delicious!!!
Read no further...check Mabenka out for yourself! -
Review from Aaron K.
Philadelphia, PA
6/23/2010
This place was good! I started a new job in Ashburn and was looking for a place for lunch. I dig it a lot. The lunchtime crowd caters more towards Chicago's venerable Polish and Lithuanian senior citizens who love reading the entire menu out loud to one another, but the food is definitely worth a trip back. Good prices, tasty homemade pierogis (I will never learn how to spell that right AND I DON'T CARE OK), and an interior that looks like Grandma's reading room. I'll be going back.
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Review from Doug V.
Lawrence, KS
6/30/2011
my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Everytime I get to the Midway Airport I try to make the short trip here to eat. Great food, reasonable price, a fun experience. I love all the unique food.
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Review from Eric M.
Merrillville, IN
11/7/2007
Me and my dad have a special love for Mabenka. We stop here every time we drop off or pick up anyone from Midway airport. The food is great and super filling (pace yourself, don't fill up on bread and Polish beers). The interior is decent and is similar to the many Greek breakfast restaurants in the area. The food is delicous and like I said, filling. I feel like I should be trudging threw the snow chopping fire wood and shoeing horses for a few hours before I go in to eat there. Then I would feel more deserving of those steaming plates of sausage and potatoes brought by sexy east European women. The price is good and the service is always very nice.
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Review from Dee C.
Seattle, WA
8/14/2007
I had a great meal there, portions are generous and prices very reasonable. I ordered the duck and it looked like they gave me the whole bird. Its almost too much food but this is Chicago right! Attractive waitresses are always a bonus!
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Review from Martha Z.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 4/29/2009
Oh what an Atkin's diet nightmare, carbs glorious starchy, meat and potato carbs. That's what you will get here. My personal pick is the Polish Special which is like a special every day and includes a Polish sausage, sauerkraut, 3 slices of pork tenderloin and kopitky. The meal also includes a nice big bowl of soup, borscht for me and a tasty basket of bread. The ambiance is a bit lackluster, but we did have the pleasure of listening to some live polka music that was playing from the banquet room. Hurrah!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2006 First to Review
Very southside eastern european diner. No frills, dusty vertical blinds, buzzing neon sign, generic… Read more »
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Review from Linh L.
Chicago, IL
2/27/2007
I only went there once and I'm going to come back. I had their Apple pancakes and I didn't know they were fried that much. I had potatoe Lithuanian pancakes before, but they were so fried that I had a headache. They fill you up and they look like apple fritters. Anyways, I brought one home and when I took a bite, the oil was nasty! Their bread was good though even though it's JUST bread. I'm willing to come back and try something else. My friend reccomended it to me and she eats the most unhealthiest food. When I eat unhealthy food, my body doens't take it well. Extremely cheap too.
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Review from Steve D.
Oshkosh, WI
8/9/2010
GREAT place! Exellent fair for a good price!!!
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Review from Johnny T.
Minooka, IL
9/28/2009
The breaded veal cutlet had no taste at all & the amount of potatoes & gravy you got was too small. The two big pieces of breaded veal you got for $8.95 was the only thing that prevents me from giving a one star review.
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Review from magic g.
Chicago, IL
10/29/2009
good polish diner.
mixture of polish and american home cooked dishes. fried duck was excellent.
interior is very simple and clientèle is on the senior side :) -
Review from Laurie W.
Northbrook, IL
3/11/2009
Bring on the potato pancakes, great sausages too, old school Polish-Lugan.
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Review from todd s.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2010
Great Lithuanian dinner (not as good as my Grandmother's, but pretty close). Try the Lithuanian combo plate (kugelis, sauerkraut and Lithuanian sausage, cepelinais) - just don't go swimming afterwards. This is as good as it gets for Lithuanian food at a restaurant.
