I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)
Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)
Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)
Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)
Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)
Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)
Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)
January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)
Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)
Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)
Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)
T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)
mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)
Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)
Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)
Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)
Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)
Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)
Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)
Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)
Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)
Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)
Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)
Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)
Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)
Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)
Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)
Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)
Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)
Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)
Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)
Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)
Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)
John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)
Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)
Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)
Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)
John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)
Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)
Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)
Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)
John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)
Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)
Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)
Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)
RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)
Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)
Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)
Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)
Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)
Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)
Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)
Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)
Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)
S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)
Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)
Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)
Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)
Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
(1)
Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)
Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)
Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)
Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jo R.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)
Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)
Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)
Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)
Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)
Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)
Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)
Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
(4)
Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)
G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)
Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)
William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)
Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)
Liz B.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)
Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)
Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)
Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)
Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)
Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)
Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)
Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)
Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)
Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)
Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)
Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)
Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)
Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)
Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)
Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)
Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)
Patrick S.
I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)
Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)
Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)
Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)
Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)
Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)
Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)
Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)
Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)
Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)
Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)
Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)
Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)
Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)
Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)
Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)
Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)
Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)
Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)
John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)
T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)
Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)
John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)
mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)
Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)
Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)
Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)
Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)
January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)
Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)
Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)
Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)
Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)
Chris E.
Talking about baiting and switching with their $4 add on per plate last Wednesday. When I reviewed their menu it said it was $9 for lunch and we had a group of 11 after attending my grandmothers funeral. Little did I know it was Oxtail stew day and they added $4 per plate to the menu but it did not say this on their menu only on the front page that the 1st Wednesday was Oxtail stew day for $13 a plate. Then on top of it another 7.50 per pitcher of soda, come on. The variety was sparce and the waitress was almost non-existant, maybe it was because it was a tip auto added to the bill. Well I complained in an email to the restaurant when I got home later but did not hear a word. Guess we won't be going back again. Old Country Buffet or many other buffets have better pricing especially at lunch.
(1)
Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)
Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)
Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)
Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)
Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)
Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)
Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)
Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)
John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)
Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)
Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)
Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)
John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)
Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)
Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)
Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)
Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)
Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)
Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)
Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)
RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)
Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)
Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)
Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)
Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)
Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)
Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)
Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)
Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)
S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)
Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)
Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)
Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)
S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)
Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)
Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)
Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)
Maurice H.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)
Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
(1)
Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)
Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
(4)
Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)
Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)
Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)
Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)
Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)
Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)
Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)
Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)
Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)
G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)
Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)
William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)
Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)
Liz B.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)
Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)
Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)
Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)
Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)
Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)
Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)
Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)
Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)
Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)
Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)
Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)
Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)
Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)
Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)
Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)
Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)
Patrick S.
I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)
Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)
Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)
Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)
Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)
Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)
Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)
Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)
Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)
Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)
Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)
Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)
Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)
Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)
Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)
Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)
Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)
Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)
Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)
Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)
John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)
T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)
Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)
mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)
Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)
Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)
Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)
Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)
January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)
Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)
Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)
Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)
Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)
Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)
Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)
Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)
John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)
Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)
Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)
Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)
Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)
John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)
Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)
Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)
Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)
John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)
Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)
Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)
Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)
Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)
Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)
Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)
RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)
Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)
Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)
Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)
Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)
Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)
Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)
Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)
Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)
Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
(2)
Maurice H.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)
Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)
Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)
William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)
Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)
Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)
Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)
Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)
Jo R.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)
Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)
Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)
Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)
Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)
Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)
Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)
Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)
Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)
Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)
Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)
Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)
Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)
Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)
Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)
Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)
Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)
Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)
Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)
G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)
Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)
Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)
John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)
Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)
Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Patrick S.
I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
(1)Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
(2)Melissa T.
Been here a few times now. My fiancé swears by it since he likes the fresh cut meat. I like the salad bar. Wish they had more varieties of pierogi! Their dessert table isn't that great to me. Service is usually decent.
(4)Maurice H.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)Jo R.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
(4)Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)Liz B.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)Patrick S.
I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)Chris E.
Talking about baiting and switching with their $4 add on per plate last Wednesday. When I reviewed their menu it said it was $9 for lunch and we had a group of 11 after attending my grandmothers funeral. Little did I know it was Oxtail stew day and they added $4 per plate to the menu but it did not say this on their menu only on the front page that the 1st Wednesday was Oxtail stew day for $13 a plate. Then on top of it another 7.50 per pitcher of soda, come on. The variety was sparce and the waitress was almost non-existant, maybe it was because it was a tip auto added to the bill. Well I complained in an email to the restaurant when I got home later but did not hear a word. Guess we won't be going back again. Old Country Buffet or many other buffets have better pricing especially at lunch.
(1)Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)Edward E.
Delicious authentic Polish food. The Split pea soup is AMAZING. I usually eat 4 bowls of it, and not much else, yes it's that good. Price is like $12 for all you can eat homemade Polish food, huge salad bar with everything, Pierogi's 2 kinds of sausage, kraut, potato pancakes, fish, beef, fried chicken, cabbage rolls, and much much more. Suffice it to say that my wife and 9 year old and I never leave hungry. The servers aren't chatty but very efficient. You have to check out the bathrooms, clean and well you'll see for yourself. Been there 5 times, always hot, delicious well cooked food. They also have a dessert table and soft server ice cream and fixings.
(4)S. P.
I finally revisited this restaurant after having been away for probably 15 years or so. I attempted to try it a few weeks ago but found it is closed on Monday. A restaurant that closes one day a week in these times? Business must be pretty good. Though it was slow when I was there on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Not much has changed - except for my taste in Polish foods, I guess. The place tries to be a little fancier than a typical casual restaurant, but jeans and sports shirt are just fine. A sign on the door requests no sleeveless shirts or "overalls." Overalls. I haven't heard that term for clothing in a long time. Anyway, service was attentive and the food was great. It was a buffet filled with home-cooking that I really enjoyed. My favorites were the cabbage rolls, dark sausage and sauerkraut - as they had a light-colored sausage on the buffet too - and the broccoli and potato soup. They have a wide selection of salads including kidney bean, three-bean, potato salad and cole slaw. Items I didn't try were goulash and fried chicken - both looked good but I was full after trying everything else I've mentioned. There is an ice cream machine and a table of desserts that didn't look familiar to me. I passed on the desserts. The dining room, bar, and banquet/conference room are quite dimly lit with the exception of a chandelier over the buffet - which seems a little odd and different. It isn't clear if it's trying to be romantic, classy, or has something to hide. The lunch buffet was $9.00, not including beverage and tax. Add a few bucks for dinner - but a note at the table says some nights cost more - so you might want to call ahead for dinner. I think Friday dinner was priced at $17.00! Must be when they bring out the best silver? Anyway, for all the great food selections, it was a good lunch buffet price. I'd imagine the price would have headed north quite a bit if I had ordered a soda from the bar. But I stuck with the glass of ice water to insure that that wouldn't happen. I will definitely return.
(5)Kavita S.
I'll be honest. I haven't ventured to many restaurants that specialize in Polish cuisine, but Sawa's was a delicious surprise. We had a work lunch catered from Sawa's last week, and everything was delectable. The potato as well as the cabbage pierogies were excellent. The cabbage was really flavorful. The potato dumplings were very good as well. I really liked the preparation of the kidney bean/green bean salad. It was flavored with a sweet and sour vinegar and was served cool; perfect for the summer. For dessert, there were two options: the apple cinnamon or cheese blintzes (crepes). Both were good, but I couldn't stop eating the cheese crepes because they had the perfect amount of cheese and sweetness. I will definitely go back to Sawa's to try the potato pancakes and some of the other dishes. Sawa's definitely has flavorful food and if you're in the area, you should try it!
(4)Rosa J.
Did I tell you that I can be the most "old-souled" 29-year-old you will ever meet? Yes, there is no exaggerating. Just look at what kind of restaurant I visit. Tonight's adventure was no exception to the rule, either. I totally forgot that March 17th. is the St. Patrick's Day. I love green but holidays don't mean a thing to me because I'm in retail. I also have an unexplainable obsession to Polish food, so we headed to Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish buffet and spent some quality time with the "older" generations and young children. It was super packed, but the hostess (who was very upbeat and friendly) had a system to sit people who were in the waiting area. Thus, the wait wasn't awfully long. They had the St. Patrick's Day dinner special: $13 per adult (yes, that would be ME even though I can be a child-in-disguise without my professional work outfit). The choices of buffet items were not as massive and eclectic in comparison to the Red Apple Buffet (another one in the city), yet the actual hot-food items had better tastes and flavors. They had delicious cabage rolls and fried cod fish. Hubby liked the savory blintz. They also had decent pea and chicken soup. Hubby appreciated that he could eat the majority of food with his vegetarian diet. He was glad that the cabage pierogi were offered so that he didn't have break his dietary restriction (well, he still did, because the pea soup had ham in there)! There wasn't too much excitement on the dessert. They had cookies, raisin crumb cakes, and soft-serve ice cream. I didn't see kolaczki and other Polish speciality treats. I guess that was alright with me, since I had enough food in my stomach at that point. If you don't mind the "ultra-vintage" style dining room and decors, you probably would enjoy this place. Some yelpers have mentioned the filth and dirtiness, but I didn't really detect any major sanitation problem. I know the furniture, carpet, utensils, silverware, and facilities were antiquated. In my opinion it didn't necessarily constitute as unsanitary. I just wanted to make it clear. They have decent prices for buffets: $11 on weekday evenings; $17 on Fridays (featuring shrimps); $13 on Saturdays; $14 on Sundays. See one of my photos below for complete details on pricing, as of 03/17/2015.
(4)Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)Maurice H.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
(1)Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
(4)Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
(2)Melissa T.
Been here a few times now. My fiancé swears by it since he likes the fresh cut meat. I like the salad bar. Wish they had more varieties of pierogi! Their dessert table isn't that great to me. Service is usually decent.
(4)Jo R.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)Liz B.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)Marilyn B.
Excellent Authentic Polish food at a reasonable price! Adore the potato pancakes, broasted chicken and cod and of course everything else! Wait staff and hostess all very friendly. Great food, great price, great people = GREAT Place!!!!!!
(5)Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)Kate S.
Been coming to Sawa's Old Warsaw for all while. The food is always spot on. They have some of the best potato pancakes I have ever had. The buffet is always quickly replenished when they see a food item is getting low. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart but I always look forward to having the jello at the end of my meal! You will feel like you have stepped back in time when walking into this place. It has a 1960's feel inside. The staff for the most part is very friendly. On the last visit our server was very quick with the drink refills! Like another reviewer on here minus one star for pricing structure.
(4)Sarah H.
This is one of the first places my husband and I went when we moved to Oak Park and we've come back many times since. Their authentic Polish food is delicious and I've rarely had anything I didn't like. I love their cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and homemade soups. My hubby likes to go on Sunday nights for the pork cutlets. Their creamed herring and prepared salads are excellent. They have different specials depending on the day of the week so its worth looking at their website or calling to see what it is. Yes, their decor is very pink and outdated, but I think it adds to the charm.
(4)Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)Patrick S.
I love this restaurant just for the giant neon sign out front and the awesome timeless decor of pink and purple facade and white table clothes. I haven't been here since I was a kid, maybe 30 years ago or so. This past Thursday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go back and enjoy the "Smorgasbord". The service was great and the price was perfect at about $10 per person. The only downside was the food was just not up to par. There are a few items that are palatable, but the majority of items on the buffet are just not good. Don't let that stop you though because this is a great place and you must experience the decor of this place. Na zdrowie. Vivat!
(3)Matthew H.
Solid traditional Polish food, good prices. Broasted chicken, golumpki, potato cakes, pierogi excellent!!
(4)Yessy S.
I had to give this place one star, the food was not what I expected from an average four star rated buffet. Me and my boyfriend went on a Friday night and the special was cold shrimp with fish filets. Do not get me wrong I love shrimp and was more than enthusiastic to try the polish cuisine but to my disbelief the food was not even close to my expectations and not for what I paid around $20.00 per person. I'm guessing this price is only on Fridays. The only thing that was good were the periogis the rest was really crap. My boyfriend is one hundred percent Polish and he even said it himself never again. Although the staff is extremely welcoming the atmosphere is very dull. Most of the customers are senior citizens. I would not recommend this place for such high price.
(1)Diane F.
I ordered catering from here. We met with the owner (although a little strange he is funny). He took our order personally & delivered it personally too. It was very nice. If you have a taste for Polish food, this will definitely hit the spot. Such a variety from Chicken soups to potato pancakes to kowachki.
(5)Steve S.
Absolutely nothing about this place appears to have changed since they opened in 1973, including the tie on the owner who greets you and sometimes attends the carving station. And I say, that's fine! This place is a trip back in time. The classic neon signs out front are great, and the archaic decor (which someone on another review site called 60's pink swank) doesn't bother me. It's part of the nostalgic charm. (OK, oddly, they do have wi-fi. Maybe they made a mistake and thought someone was selling them a hi-fi.) Ok, the food, which is what you're here for. They have really fabulous fried (or is it "broasted"?) chicken! I'd come just for that. It rivals White Fence Farm, and at $10 for an all you can eat buffet ($12 on Sundays), it comes out a lot cheaper. Other highlights on the Sunday I took my Mom here were the breaded pork cutlet with brown or mushroom cream gravy, sauerkraut studded with bits of ham, wonderfully thin and crispy potato pancakes, and chicken noodle soup like my Polish babka used to make -- clear, flavorful, full of thin noodles. Most things looked very fresh and frequently replenished and didn't taste of old grease as at some buffets. (Take a pass on the mashed potatoes, though, which had an off taste and likely came from a box.) The baked ham was moist and tasty. People keep writing on here that they serve "prime rib" on the carving station, but of course it's not that. Pretty sure the massive thing is what's sometimes called a steamship round of beef. ("Dip it in the juice," the guy in the tie kept telling me.) I usually skip all the cold-salad/cottage cheese/jello type stuff, though it's plentiful and also looks fresh. Service, as with most Polish places, is polite but distant, though the owner is friendly.
(4)Ben B.
This place is old school. When you walk inside, it's like going back in time 40 years. With that said, the food is decent and the staff is friendly. I've been here a handful of times and never had a bad experience. It's not the fanciest place, nor is the food spectacular. If you want a quick meal or are craving some pierogis, not a bad place to try. Fun people watching too.
(4)Charles R.
When Sawa's was little more than an idea to me, only an address and a cuisine, I assumed it was essentially a Chinese Buffet with pierogies. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sawa's. Rather than reifying my don't-get-your-hopes-up assumptions, it served to alter my perception of suburban fare. For $11, I ate like Casimir the Great in the kingdom of Broadview, preserved in water and some pickling salt since 1973. Everything exceeded my expectations, but the stuffed cabbage was a special treat. Possibly the nicest hostess and server I've ever met, Basha treated my party like family, even befriending the toddler of our group. The two of them made rounds to the tables, hand-in-hand, and she paid him for the service, to his wonderment, with a plate of cherries. If this were the face of child labor in 1938, when Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, I would have been able to retire by now, enjoying the sweetened fruits of my Maraschino empire. But I digress. Here's the headline (I know, way to bury the lead): Eat Your Heart Out, Olive Garden.
(5)Scott A.
My wife, son and I made a last minute decision while Christmas shopping to go out for polish food. Not sure where to go, we checked Yelp for polish food and decided on Sawa's Old Warsaw. Arrived at the restaurant and noticed that the decor has probably not changed in 30+ years. Felt like we traveled back in time. Hope they never never change decor.. Very unique! As for the food, it was outstanding. Enjoyed the perogi's, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, dumplings & polish sausage. Even the bbq ribs were very good and tender. The carving station served excellent beef and ham. The beef was sliced thinly and dipped in au jus. Looking to go back in the future.
(5)Meg X.
My friends and I get together once a month to try out a new restaurant. This was my pick for February. We went on a weeknight. There were two other tables occupied in the place and we grabbed the first one we saw that would seat our group of 6. They service was adequate, but not great. We didn't realize when we sat down that the soft-serve ice cream machine was going to have such loud cycles, so if you go don't sit by it. The food was only just kind of ok. I'm not familiar with Polish food so maybe this is excellent Polish fare and I'm just too uneducated in the genre to know about it. They had little cubes of desserts by the ice cream machine. Brownies, lemon sqaures, stuff like that. They were hard and not very flavorful. I was surprised the buffet wasn't bigger, but maybe they just had a small one out because it was freezing and the place was practically empty. I used to drive by this place five days a week when I worked in Oak Brook and the parking lot was usually packed. Maybe I just went on a bad night, but it's not some place I would consider going back to. I was pretty disappointed because my friends and I have been talking about going here for years and when we finally went it was pretty disappointing.
(2)Lantz R.
It was great! My partner and me went today (Wednesday) and the food was delicious! Its two hours later and im still so full, but that my fault. LoL we will be going back soon. :)
(5)Lisa W.
It IS a walk back in time, but the food buffet is wow, pretty damn good - even my 92 year old polish grandmother loves it. They have these dumplings and this mushroom gravy that is AMAZING - they do all their meats so well, too. The buffet just enough for anyone, not too overwhelming, but you can definitely get your money's worth; although we went on a Sunday, early evening, and it seems like the price has gone up a bit. Not a place I would FREQUENT, the food is a little heavy; but it's very tasty and the atmosphere is fun, if you don't mind 80's "dusty mauve" decor, lol... Waitstaff is very friendly. Desserts are good, too - if you even have enough room for them. The cheese blintzes are almost a dessert in themselves. Bottom line, tho - go for the food, it's excellent!!
(4)Clarissa H.
Disappointed. Third time I've dined. Couple of things, salad bar had nice variety, chilled, soup was also good. Mashed potatoes tasted like boxed flakes, yuck.! meat carving station showcased a round of beef and a beautiful ham, unfortunately you either had to pick through a small handful of meat that was carved off by an available server previously, left sitting there untouched by most of the diners. I was trying to decide whether to try a piece when a gentleman came up to me and scolded me for not taking some already carved ham, (rude) stating it's the same as what was uncut. He walked away, came back and offered to cut me a fresh slice. It was very cold. All that to say this, the restaurant has it's regular diners that will keep its doors open, but with all the people on the clock, I would think the owner would consider having someone from the kitchen manning the meat station. It's not too much too ask for a slice of meat with a $14 meal. Also, concerned because it was not kept to temperature. Hot food needs to be kept hot. No complaints about the rest of the buffet. Come on Stuart...I know you can do better
(2)Kelly S.
Yes, the interior looks a little bit like a converted strip club (my boyfriend and I suspect that it had a much seedier past life) but it's actually kind of hilarious. The dining room is windowless, which can be a little disconcerting if you're going in the middle of the day; it's like walking into a cave or something. But enough about that. The waitresses are lovely and friendly and they have an awesome selection of Polish beers, and my boyfriend, whose grandmother is Polish, says the buffet rivals Easter dinner at his grandma's house. The food is out. of. this. world. I wish my stomach were like three times as big so I could eat more, but sadly, I'm tapped out after plate two (buffets are not my forte). Go on a weekday evening or a Sunday; this place is authentic as it gets (I think).
(4)Monica B.
Love this polish buffet. The food is always plentiful and really good. It has a good turnover of people too, so no old food sitting around for long periods of time. If you never had polish food, then this is a good place to start. I really enjoy their chicken noodle soup. It is the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is dated, so can't give it 5 stars, but if they remodeled I probably would.
(4)Carol K.
Going to Sawa's is like going to a Polish wedding. Alright- there's no "Chicken Dance" playing in the back ground, but all the rest of it is there- the interesting mix of people (at least in this case, they are not related to you), the smell of cabbage wafting from the warming trays and the pink and mauve walls. We went for lunch the other day- $9 for all you can eat ($10 for dinner) You sure can't beat the price! I laughed when I walked up to the place as there is a sign on the door "proper attire required". Really? I have to say that anything goes at Sawa's Old Warsaw where the restaurant was an interesting mix of families, seniors and Polish workers. And watch out- the seniors have an interesting way of pointing out things with their canes from across the room! I was greeted at the door by the host whose first words to be were "Are you new here?" and before I could nod yes to him- he was already pointing out the women's room to me. Obviously very proud of that feature! We were quickly seated and told which end to start the buffet at (my clue were the plates at that end of the buffet but it is always nice to be given guidance!) Now the two guys I went with make it a point to get their $9 worth off the buffet table. They each had at least 3 heaping plates of food. For me- I knew that one trip would be plenty so I picked my favorites from the buffet. Potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, polish sausage, smashed potatoes with gravy and fried chicken all made it on to my plate. I totally skipped the "salad bar" portion of the buffet which held the classic ice burg lettuce, cottage cheese and the perennial favorite of multi colored jello squares! There are also two kinds of soup to choose from each and every day. And if that's not enough- stop by the soft serve sundae bar for ice cream with all the toppings and cakes and cookies. The food was good and hot with the fried chicken being my favorite and the potato pancakes running a close second. This place is busy so the food is fresh and quickly replenished. Service is quick- your empty plate is gone from the table by the time you return with another one from the buffet. And your bill is presented and whisked away almost invisibly. From the classic neon sign out front, to the serving staff in "practical shoes" and long skirts, to the heaping trays of food on the buffet, Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant is old school all the way. But in this fast paced world, sometimes a little old school, is all it takes to make your day. Oh! Gotta go!- I've got to beat that guy with the oxygen tank to the buffet table to get that last potato pancake!
(3)Len S.
Went for lunch today and the food was very good. Thought the lunch price was $9 Minus a dollar for seniors. But because they had oxtail stew, the price was $5 more. Truly a ripoff and we didn't even have the stew. Therefore $26 for two people without beverages.
(3)Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)Jason W.
Sawa's buffet is large enough to have everything that I am looking for on a Polish buffet but small enough to keep everything fresh and rotating. When my parent's take me out to dinner every year on my birthday, even with price being no object, I still pick the $10 a person Polish buffet. Highlights: Potato pancakes. Honestly the best that I have ever tasted. Thin, crispy, and hot. Pickle Soup. Who knew!?! great. Fried Chicken: Superb. Crispy, tasty, better than any fried chicken joint in the area. Fried Fish: Usually two different kinds and everyone seems to rave about it. Golumpki: excellent. Gravy is perfect and the cabbage rice/meat mixture is spot on. Soft Serve Ice Cream: Yay! Waitresses: Not all, but some of these girls are beautiful and fun to flirt with if you are so inclined (and can speak a little Polish). Lowlights: Customers: I know this place has been around since the 30's, but it looks like the original clients are still regulars. Everyone is between 100-200 heartbeats away from death. Decor- I personally love the 60's theme throughout, but some people see it as dingy. That is it! I try to go here as often as possible, and have brought scores of new people, none of which have been disappointed.
(5)Rory M.
Delicious buffet that is perfect for those who love Polish food and very good for those who do not. Polish items included on the lunch buffet when I was there included stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, potato pierogies, potato pancakes, two types of Polish sausage, and apple blintzes. For those who don't like Polish food, there was broasted chicken, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, a full fresh vegetable and salad bar, and a full prepared salad salad bar (macaroni salad, bean salad, etc.). The service was friendly and efficient. The other diners seemed to be unpretentious, nice people.
(5)John M.
I always like the food. Though, some stuff is really just okay. Like , i wsh they would do potato pierogis instead of kraut sometimes. The soup is always good. The beef is decent. I have only been for lunch. I imagine dinner is about the same. They do pretty good fried chicken! The staff is always friendly. The sign n the door says proper attire and I always worry one day they will tell me no t-shirts or shorts..... always annoyed that they only allow one refill on that little glass of ice tea....
(3)T B.
Great old fashioned buffet! Everything is good and authentic, kind of like eating at grandma's if she'd cooked for a week straight. They even have a dessert cart with soft serve. Fun experience!
(4)Jacob L.
I was around Broadview area the other day and decided to stop by Sawa's for a quick lunch. I'm thinking of going back there today. Excellent food (hot and fresh) fun service and great atmosphere. I give them 4 stars. Old style decorations that I found there did not bother me at all. I actually felt like having a lunch at my grandma's house. It was great.
(4)mei s.
I've been going here for the last couple of years or so after never ever wanting to try it as i kept judging it from it's location and exterior. i know, sometimes the best food is at whole in the walls and you should never judge a book, blah, blah. well, one time when i was away, my husband took the kids there and they raved about it. ok, i guess if my little children are happy, i should try it. how can you go wrong with a buffet at $10/adult and $6/kid? they have a decent salad bar with the standards. they offer two soup choices. they have the bread, the rolls, etc. they have the jello, the pudding, the fruit. for the hot stuff, they have carving stations with beef and ham. they have excellent pierogies, latkes, dumplings, cabbage rolls (which i don't like, but my kids do), kielbasa, broasted chicken, now roasted chicken too, corn on the cob, potatoes of some sort, blintzes and a few other things. it doesn't look like a large buffet but they pack a lot in. the food is hot and fresh. the interior is very old and very 70s, but you're not there for the ambiance. they used to offer unlimited refills but i was told just last night that this no longer is the case. they have a desert bar and soft-serve ice cream. cannot complain about the place. good to go for quick and inexpensive polish food.
(3)Matt W.
Great old building. Nothing changes over the years. Good old school, great food and you will not leave hungary. Love going here.
(5)Mai S.
My child and I went on a Friday night. The adult buffet is $18 and for the child it is $8. There a few dishes that was very interesting - stuffed cabbage, apple blintzes, and interesting cookies. Otherwise, I was not impressed with the decor or food choices. Perhaps lunch prices are better.
(2)Leslie S.
Great old school atmosphere, amazing food, super friendly staff, and very good prices. Everything was so awesome. I've lived in this area my whole life, and never made it to Sawa's. But now I'm going to be a regular. I'm so glad I went! The hostess made us feel like family the minute we walked in the door. They have ghost tours, and ghost cruises. I'm not quite sure what that's all about, but I'm going to have to check it out. Enjoy
(5)Joel M.
I, and 4 others on my staff, got food poisoning from this place. Food was tasty going down, but the aftermath was terrible. I will go there to drink at the bar, but I am wary of the food.
(1)January C.
Hello smorgasbord! Large salad and sides bar with two varieties of soup. Delicious, hearty Polish main dishes including fried cod, duck with raisin sauce, fried chicken, fried pork loin, peirogies, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and cheese blintzes. They also have two kinds of meat, roast beef and ham, on skewers, sliced specially for each person. There was also a dessert bar but I was less impressed with those offerings, although they do have a soft-serve machine. The only thing I was disappointed with was the no free refills policy for soda. Seriously? It's all you can eat but not all you can drink from a fountain machine?! Overall, great food and great value. At $12 for the Sunday buffet, I'll definitely be back!
(4)Andrew A.
Polish food is not known for being spicy, original, or even flavorful most times. It gets the job done, and you stop being hungry. I have been coming here for about 20 years, and even held my daughter's 3rd birthday party here, although she slept through it all after a long visit to a nearby zoo. The buffet has all of the usual offerings: sausage, pierogies, apple blinztes, and sauerkraut. Two kinds of soup, one is always piping hot chicken noodle. There is usually broasted chicken, fish, and prime rib or ham (once the carver is there, since he walks away at times). I guess because I've been here so often that I see the customer service as good, and it is. They are always friendly, but not in the overly-emotional waitress-dying-for-a-tip way.
(3)Brandy R.
This place is incredible, I have been going for more than 30 years. I had my wedding dinner here eve & they deserve 5 stars! The food is fresh & hot & they have an awesome variety.
(5)Sandra N.
Come on, please, those who say this restaurant doesn't have a great enough atmosphere. It's a Polish buffet! The person who greets you IS like your grandmom, the decor is like her house, which of course is entirely outdated, or it's like the fire hall your aunts and uncles rented for the last wedding (and ah, yes, I do love me a good chicken dance). Yes, it's darkish, but look around you: The people who eat there have *always* eaten there, and if this doesn't remind you of your ancestors and home, what does? The food is fantastically fresh, the dishes (and I won't name them by their actual Polish names) are wonderful! And I'm not even a fan of fried food, but their fried chicken is the best I've ever had, in five states. I think the secret is lard, but shhhh...don't tell. I will say we've been there a few times, and yes, it looks like a hole in the wall, but YES, dress nicely (as in don't wear baseball caps, because I swear I got the evil eye for that today). Just think of it like Grandmom's...it's 'old school' so if she wouldn't approve, the people who work there won't either, and they WILL give you funny looks, and you'll feel bad--seriously bad--that you didn't care more about giving them the respect they really do deserve. :) As an aside: I love to hear the conversations going on at other tables--today someone complained about how every generation gets worse (maybe he was talking about us in our baseball caps!), and the last time we went, there was a 50 year old couple having a romantic fight...did they care who heard? Hell, no. But see: It's the experience that makes this place, as much as the food. I'm a huge foodie--been to Michelin three-star places a few times--and I love this place for how much like 'home' it feels. Maybe you have to be Polish to enjoy this, but I sure will go back. You've got to judge it based on what it is, not on what you think it 'should' be.
(5)Julie T.
Please don't go here. No, really. I had to run to the loo with issues very quickly after my meal! My husband is Polish-American and I love me some Polish food. Sawa's varied from awful to nothing special. Actually, I had to laugh because the only thing I truly enjoyed was a piece of fried chicken! I went at lunch, so cannot speak about dinner, but I won't be back. Go to Red Apple instead, so much better.
(1)Sarah S.
So I LOVE Polish food and I try most I find.. This place is GOOD, but its run of the mill and the decor suffers terribly along with the service.. so I will break it down for you... Food : 4 stars.. very good, fresh and constantly rotating salads, desserts, prime rib/ham/etc. Service on the buffet is very good. They always have 2 soups, fresh/smoked polish sausage, fried chicken, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, smashed taters, full salad bar with all the fixins, polish cold salads and veggies.. Tonight they had duck, prime rib, turkey and ham.. WOW!! Service: 2.5 stars.. We had to ask for our drinks after we ordered them 3 times and getting refills was difficult... GRRR I hate that Decor: 1 star.. restrooms clean and dining area is clean, but old school and worn out.. def needs an update. As much business as this place sees they should have some dough for some upgrades. So if you are in the area and want some BOMB ass blintzes and traditional Polish food.. stop in.. check for hours though.. they close randomly
(3)Nicole L.
Not really a fan although my husband loved it and ate enough for the both of us. I found the food to be a bit on the bland side. It made me long for the king of Polish buffets - Warsaw Inn located in Lynwood IL.
(3)Dean F.
I had a hankering for Polish food and happenstance put us in close proximity to Sawa AKA Old Warsaw. I'm not a devotee of buffets, but herein lies an exception. Everything that we tried was delicious. The carving table had country ham and a garlic-laced roast beef. Working backwards down the buffet line, there was pork sausage killbasa, beef sausage, potato pierogies, meal battered fried cod, fried chicken, hot apple blintz, potato pancakes, potato soup (as well as chicken noodle) and a large relish tray. Gosh it was all good. All was fresh. Two young, fit, blond immigrant young ladies and an older one comprised the wait staff. The decor is c1965, even though it claims to be recently remodeled. The beer selection was adequate and the Pilsner Urquell complimented the menu. A selection of pastries and ice cream was available for desert and I chose a raspberry kolachki. It's a blue collar crowd: families, friends, older couples. For what it is and not for what it may lack in refinement, it gets five stars from me. Would I eat here every week if I lived close by? Not likely, but it sure hit my spot this weekend. This is my first 5-star rating. Na Zdrowie!
(5)Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)Susan marie C.
Sawas has been around since I was in grammar school. Its a generation of family that have had it for years. Everything is made on site with love and flavor. Walking in, it isn't the best looking place but once you begin your way thru the buffet, you will begin to go into a 'yummy food place' like you've never been. Polish and delish. I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED in the 40 yrs Ive been going there. Ive had 40+ friends gather there for Christmas get-togethers. Ive gone to baby showers there. Ive even been to MANY IPA Meetings there and love the food every single time. The menu rarely changes. Every day of the week, is a different type of meat...so for instance, if you like fish, go on fridays. Stewart and his staff are always on hand to make sure you are satisfied. DO NOT ASK FOR A DOGGIE BAG...its a buffet and he does not allow that. But you can take out if you ask for a container, show it to the staff, they will charge you accordingly. ' Give Sawa's Old Warsaw a try. You wont be sorry.
(5)Lynn C.
We've eaten here a few times since moving to the area. I thought it might be cute for Valentine's Day - I saw an ad that they were offering $4 per bottle champagne with dinner. Why not? We weren't moving very quickly that evening, so we arrived about 8. It took about 2 minutes of standing near the hostess stand before anyone came to seat us. The food was the same as usual, which is fine with me. I love the potato pancakes, blintzes, sausage, even the jello. I don't like their version of sauerkraut, it's too sweet and has sausage bits in it. I prefer it to be more sour and nothing added to it. Anyway, we went up about 2-3 times each, and then our server basically told us nicely to scram. They were closing soon. It was about 9 p.m. There weren't too many other customers eating when we arrived, but then we were the last ones. I like to have a leisurely meal, especially on Valentine's Day. The servers gathered up all the red balloons from the tables (the only special decor) and released them outside (according to our server). She did ask us if we were done with the buffet before they put it all away, which was considerate. We were then told to leave through the bar exit, not the main door. That was our first peek at the dark, smoky (at least smelling) bar. We never saw or heard about the champagne, but that's OK. The place could use some repairs/upgrades, that is true. I don't like the ripped vinyl booths - at least slap some matching tape on there, as I have seen at other places. I don't like to feel like the stuffing will come out of the seat, or that I will get snagged on the ragged vinyl edges of the tear. There was an old couch out front for a long time, on the corner of the building facing the intersection. But it's gone now, and I kinda miss it. It went with the whole kitschy vibe. Now they are advertising on their sign that their piano is for sale (from the bar, I guess). I'll poke fun at it, but I know I'll be back for those Polish items they do so well.
(3)Andrew S.
Best polish buffet! Golabki are perfectly cooked like home. All polish women working at Sawa's. Understand the polish hospitality and you won't think they are rude. They always have two soups, usually chicken noodle and cabbage. I love the noodle; my girlfriend (who is from Poland) says they have the best cabbage soup. Food tasted just as it does in Poland. The buffet is always full and hot. Lots of seating and a full bar on the east side. It is a very polish restaurant in every way.
(5)Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)John L.
There's a sign at the entrance that reads: "Proper attire required...no sleeveless shirts or overalls." Yes! Like Marie's Liquor & Pizza that I recently reviewed, Old Warsaw really is Old Chicago. It's as though a giant eagle plucked it from the Belmont/Long area and plopped it at 22nd/17th. With the old 50's/60's decor and one of the grandest Polish buffets in the area (rivaling but not Bobak's), this is a must eat if you're into Polish food. Like Bobak's, it's a buffet. There's a bountiful salad bar, a station with a huge platter of fresh cold jumbo cooked shrimp, and then the warm food: Blintzies! Potato Pancakes! Pierogi's! Cabbage Rolls! Fried Jumbo Shrimp! Saurkraut with ham pieces in it! Mostacolli! Fried Cod & Tilapia! And some mighty good looking Fried Chicken! NOW!!!! For the kicker: A HUGE HUNK OF PRIME RIB standing about 1 1/2 feet high at the end of the buffet with a nice Polish waitress waiting to slice you a piece! There's also a giant freshly baked Turkey Breast also waiting to be sliced! It's a litle out of the way if you're one of those unadventurous types who fears a 10-15 minute drive west of the Loop, but if you have the balls to leave the 4 block radius from where the condo is that daddy bought for you, it's well worth it! But leave your overalls at home!
(4)Liza P.
Aaaw man, this place is full of cheesy decor and comfort food, and I love it! I went with the fam for a Polish buffet the other night and I was not disappointed. There wasn't a whole lot on the buffet geared towards kids, but I didn't expect there to be. They were fine with odds and ends. This place reminds me of places my folks took me to in the 80's--it has not changed! It looks horrible and fantastic at the same time! As far as the food goes--the broasted chicken was amazing! The most tender chicken I have ever had, I think. The swiss steak was great on top of the potatoes, as was the sauerkraut. The veal patties were my fave, I think--good flavor, not greasy. I did like the potato pancakes, and they were nice and crispy. The kielbasa was a bit salty for me, but it tasted decent. I have had waaay better kielbasa before, though. On the salad bar portion, the coleslaw was really good, as was the cucumber salad. Not gloppy at all or too much mayo. I really enjoyed my meal here, and it was only $10! I would definitely come here again for some comfort food.
(4)Ethan H.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to eat here. But I had a Polish beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also enjoyed the place more generally -- love the decour and love the big, flashy sign out front. There's space for a place like this in every city and in everyone's imagination. Enjoy!
(5)Robert S.
I had wanted to check this place out ever since I first saw the flashing neon. I'm a sucker for period restaurants. I was intimdated by the "proper attire" sign on the door, I somehow thought that I had to not be wearing shorts and needed a button shirt to get in. I actually left the first time i was going to try it out. When I did finally sit down in the Old Warsaw, it was great. Awesome people watching, nice staff. The food was tasty, although I did expect a little better quality for some reason. But it was cheap! And I was in a restaurant with a flashing smorgasbord sign!
(3)John K.
This restaurant is stuck in the past.
(3)Kerri B.
This was like going over to Nana's house for Sunday dinner, complete with a dress code and all. The decor was very dated and many of the other tables seated multiple generations of families. It gave the place the feeling of a community VFW hall. A few of the ladies I talked to admitted they'd been coming back for nearly 30 years or more. Perfect- that's what we were looking for! We stopped in after a day at the zoo hoping for good food on a budget as we had teenage boys in tow. This is not the place for those looking for upscale atmosphere, but it is the place to get outstanding home-style Polish cooking! The blintzes were outstanding, the sausage divine. I nearly lost my husband to the kitchen waitress who brought out another large tray of potato pancakes- he loved them that much. The green leaf salad bar was fresh and crisp and the carving station had baked ham or roast beef. There was something for everyone. At just $12 a person, it could not have been beat. Our waitress was attentive and provided great service. One tip- always make a point of taking a few minutes to talk to them when first seated; ask questions, get their suggestions and maybe make a polite joke or two. If you treat them like the important people they are, service is generally much better. Thank you, Sophie!
(4)Al W.
I grew up in Broadview and this place was around even back then. Attended a wake tonight and my father decided to go there, bring back the memories. Oh, how I wish I forgot. We got there, yes, place was very outdated. Saw the buffet, I cannot say I was impressed. Pierogi's, ham, beef and the cabbage rolls were good but everything else was substandard. Anytime you don't get free refills on soda or Ice Tea. At a buffet, that has to make you wonder! Free refills, you get at McDonald's so for this, I scratch my head. Nothing spectacular, wished my father had chosen another place, like somewhere closer to Oak Brook. And for almost 20.00 per person, that is going too far. I would suggest Big Apple on the NW side of Chicago (Milwaukee Ave.) for Polish buffet. I think they have at least 2 more tables to select from including pig knuckle. So, live and learn I guess. They must do enough business for it to survive as long as it has.
(1)Beer H.
My wife hates this place, but there is nothing I love more than a polish buffet!!!! This place is a TOTAL dive! This is an old-timer kind of place. It has the typical polish food: perogies, potato pancakes, pork cutlets. Another hug bonus of this place is they have Okocim and Zywiec! Both are excellent beers! Another good thing about this place is that is cheep! It is 10 bucks for dinner during the week, and 16 friday, Saturday , and sunday! I would hug your neon if I could old Sawa's!
(4)Steve M.
As gambling addicts sign up to be refused entry to the river boats, so should I be on some kind of Old Warsaw Watch List to prevent me from ingesting the many, many calories I consumed Sunday. If you spent childhood holidays eating homemade Polish food, Sawa's will send your tastebuds back in time. The potato pancakes are king here (if you are a Polish kid who ate these throughout your childhood, you know as an adult that they are time-consuming to make yourself), but the pork cutlets, the duck, the cabbage rolls are divine. The mashed potatoes are a little dry, like they always were on family holidays when the house had to serve dozens, so this is a plus and not a criticism. Dry = built-in excuse for more delish gravy! Get here EARLY on Sundays, by 12:23 there was a lengthy line for the buffet!
(5)Cynthia G.
3.5 stars. As many have said, the decor is dated. Also, a lot of the buffet food seemed kind of lukewarm, a common occurrence with buffets I suppose but still disheartening. On the plus side, the potato pancakes absolutely rock! The polish sausage is also excellent. The dessert table pastries, for the most part, are also very good. The cabbage roll was just OK, as was the potato salad and cucumber salad. They have Zywiec on tap, which was also quite good. I would go back, but not make a special trip if you live far away.
(3)Johnny T.
Would give this place 4 stars but the food, for the most part, didn't have much flavor & was very heavy on the stomach. (was very hard to go back for seconds even though I didn't eat anything before showing up) I was there for Easter &, to my surprise, was completely packed! The servers were very accommodating, despite the large turnout. The buffet offered the standard salad bar along with, Pierogi's, cheese blitzes, stuffed sauerkraut, fresh & smoked polish sausage, potato pancakes, fried chicken, herring, mashed potatoes, bite sized breaded pork cutlets, & that's about as far as I can remember. There was also a self-service ice cream machine & a full bar.
(3)RALPH C.
4 of us went there, all 4 of us loved it. I am not polish by the way, but i love polish culture and their food.The interior is a little outdated but very neat and clean. Our waitress was very nice and serviceful,always picking up used plates and refilling our coffee.Everything I had was very tasty. The goulash was so good it is unforgettable and cooked to perfection. I had the goulash with some type of stroganoff noodle which complimented it perfectly.Their stuffed cabbage roll(golabki) was so soft ,you can cut it with a fork easily. My father had the baked chicken he said it was juicy and seasoned well, not salty at all.The lettuce, sliced cucumbers were crispy. I did not try the whole salad bar and could not say if it was all fresh but it looked pretty fresh The lunch buffett was $9 for adults and children over 10. The bill came to $40 for food and beverages no alcohol, not bad at all! We will definitely go back soon even if I have to make the drive from all the way on the north-east side of Chicago. Smacznego!!!
(5)Tim S.
Excellent selection of polish food on the Buffett. It's a reasonable price for what you are getting. Ribs on Saturday nights are excellent. They are probably the best ribs in the area and being a Buffett you cannot find anywhere cheeper to get great ribs. Lunch prices for seniors are unbelievable. We took are parents there who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and treating both of them to lunch ONLY cost us 12 dollars! Great Buffett for the area and good senior citizen discounts.
(4)Brigitte K.
I wish I could make this thing do a 3.5 for ya'll... Went to Sawa's one night when I had intended to go somewhere else. Being new to the area the boyfriend and I headed out and meant to turn right on Cermak to go to a different polish place...maybe a chezk place?? But made a left and ended up at the Polish Smorgasbord. Three things. A - The sign says it all. When I see a giant neon sign from the 50's blinking smorgasbord at me from a brick block building with absolutely no landscaping around it (yet totally surrounded by cars) - I can safely assume this is NOT fine dining, that smorgasbord means buffet in english (if it doesn't, it should), and that it will be filled with blue hairs. B - Polish Food equals an almost all white to light brown menu: perogi's, potato pancakes, maybe some pork, stuffed cabbage...you get the drift. It ain't no healthy fare. C - It will not be like the steakhouse I ate at the night before. All in all I had exactly the experience I expected. Clean. Fun and interesting dated decor. Nice Grandma of a waitress. Polish Beer and awesome! Awesome stuffed cabbage. Don't go expecting the moon and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many potato pancakes you can eat and how you've just developed a life long craving for stuffed cabbage. Take a field trip back to the old country with your stomaches my friends.
(4)Justin G.
Sometimes it is like what Gary said in his review, sometimes it is really good. I find the times that Gary said are usually at lunch, as this is not a place people usually go for lunch, so you have to expect that kind of thing at a buffet at a time no one goes, no matter where the place is. The better to great times are friday or saturday dinner times. Bobak's is better, but if that is too far and you are close to here, this is a decent substitute, but go for dinner, not lunch like Gary did.
(4)Bobby D.
Not a bad Polish smorgasbord cuisine at all. The Chicken noodle soup is great!!!!!. The pierogi is good too. The salad bar is great too. The kolaczki & blueberry or strawberry crumb cakes are great too.
(4)Gary K.
This place is about what one would expect from the outside I suppose, but I had read a decent review from a different site and I was greatly disappointed. We went for the lunch buffet and the food was rather cold and not very appetizing. Their perogies were cold and floating in water, and their pickled fish was not good at all. Not recommended, I know I'll never go there again. But it seemed to be popular with the old crouds... Seemed to be a place of great tradition.
(1)Lupe G.
I came to this place for a wedding reception & later on that year, for a funeral. The food was abundant & it was okay & filling. I just have a thing with boiled veggies (I noticed that most Polish places overboil veggies to the point where they are watery; without flavor or color). I was honestly not wowed by the food but it is very traditional so maybe it's just my palette!
(3)Steve D.
This place has been around forever. I remember driving by here as a kid on the way to Brookfield zoo. Stopped in here after the Hawks game on a Sunday about 5:30. The place was pretty crowded. Quite a few older folks but also a mix with younger ones too. As others had posted, it was like taking a walk back in time. Starting with their neon sign and looking at their decor, I can only say wow. It appears that nothing has changed in umpteen years even though this was my first visit. I kind of liked the old school, go back to a different era look. On to the food......I liked it. A lot! Had roast duck, roast beef, pork tenderloin, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, ham, and a whole bunch of other things. I was shoveling it down big time. Surprisingly good and the buffet was constantly being refreshed. I really liked the roast duck. Crisp skin + tender meat. They also had some awesome kolacki's. They were buttery and tasty. The waitress said the were made in house and available on the weekend and that they could be purchased by the dozen. I may just do that. I didn't look at other reviews until later. I saw people talking about cleanliness and critters but it appeared clean to me. Worn a bit but clean. Here I go into a place with some trepidation and mixed feelings and becoming pleasantly surprised. Cheers to all
(4)Kelly K.
This place is like stepping into a time machine. For a while, you forget that you're in suburban Chicago in 2014, and you're instantly transported to a pink banquet hall from 1980 something. Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing. My toddler loved all of the pink: on the sign outside, above our table, the chairs, and I might even get a kick out of it too. From the sweet Polish servers to the food, Sawa's is authenticity at its best. We arrived on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm. Were seated immediately and went right up to the buffet. The food is plentiful and includes sausage, perogies, potato pancakes, and a carving station. There's also a great cold bar with green salads, pasta salads, jello, and applesauce, among other items. The food was fresh and plentiful. Be sure to save room for dessert, which includes polish pastries, those yummy donuts with the jelly in the middle that I'm blanking on the name of, and a soft serve machine with sundae toppings. Why 4 stars? Well, there was a bug in the bathroom. Probably not a huge deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, beware if you like to drink more than one soft drink during your meal: refills are charged. Absolutely ludicrous if you ask me. All in all, a good bang for your buck at Sawa's Old Warsaw.
(4)Jay S.
Don't fall for this...ordered ice tea for the table (6 people), as suggested by the waitress. She brought a pitcher. When that was empty (it filled 2.5 glasses) we asked for a refill. When we got the bill, we were charged for 6 pitchers of tea. What a ripoff. Never went back...There are other Polish/Czech restaurants where drink refills are free.
(2)Maurice H.
Sawa is a phenomenal place to eat... The food is good the ambiance is good and the waitresses are very good. You couldn't ask for a better place to eat. I recommend this place to very one you will not be disappointed.
(5)Victoria O.
First: The food is excellent. Really. If you can ignore everything else, keep in mind that the food is very good. The ambience, not so much. Here's what threw me: There are several signs here that remind parents that children are not allowed unattended at the buffet, and that should if said urchins do damage to said buffet, said parents will pay. So there I am at the buffet. A child, almost perfectly buffet height, appears next to me, facing the buffet, chin leaning on the stainless steel, and SNEEZES. I am transfixed in my horror. Dad comes over and tells her not to sneeze on buffets (you think?) and puts his hand over her mouth as if that will negate the previous sneeze or make me less nauseous. I am still staring at her. I'm so disgusted. But what can I do? Call the manager and make this fool pay for the iceberg lettuce, cottage cheese, and carrot sticks? (Well, yes. Maybe.) But too late because I've lost all desire to eat any of the food in front of me, and thus, my will to live. I want a pre-refund. A prefund. But...I move on to the sauerkraut, which, being fermented, will (I hope) kill that horrible little creature's sneezy germs. But it will not kill the fact that I am disgusted and want to leave immediately. Meanwhile, some patron has a nasty, wheezy, phlegmy smoker's cough. Which I hear over and over, plate after plate, because our party is seated next to them, in the middle of the room, under the dusty early-70s too-bright chandelier. Yeah, nauseous, I am. So, all in all, the whole place is unpleasant. Red, mauve, burgundy room ...overall, funereal. The likely deceased (I assume) owners' portrait in oil. Worn carpeting in bad need of cleaning or rolling up and tossing out. Restrooms situated immediately behind the buffet. I am not, normally, disgusted by environment, and perhaps it was the initial sneeze. But overall, I don't want to go back, despite the fact that the food was really, really good. Unfortunately, everything else about the place destroyed my appetite. 5 stars for the food. The rest? I guess I'm out of stars.
(2)Vanessa S.
This was a nice place to eat years ago! The really need to do some updates. It looks greasy and I have seen a bug or two. They should go on restaurant impossible. The only people who goes there are the elderly because they do not want to travel. The food could be more seasoned. Great location but the place needs to cleaned up.
(1)Melissa T.
Been here a few times now. My fiancé swears by it since he likes the fresh cut meat. I like the salad bar. Wish they had more varieties of pierogi! Their dessert table isn't that great to me. Service is usually decent.
(4)Liz B.
Great way to sample Polish cuisine in Chicago! Buffet-style, very affordable (only $11 a person Sunday-Thursday). Reasonable selection of all the classics, including pierogis, Polish sausage, goulash, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and more! Plates were cleared from our table quickly, but beverage service was a little slow. Total dinner bill was only $70 for 4 people with buffet and wine. Not bad!!!!
(4)Sarah H.
Dined here for Easter lunch. I was disappointed to find they only had one type of pierogi on the buffet (cabbage at that). While the food was good, it was still disappointing. I was expecting more. The place is old....quite the dump. Tiny closet of a bathroom. I'm not sure we'd go back.
(2)William M.
I decided to visit on the first Wednesday of the month, just for the Oxtail soup. It was clean, there wasn't much of a line but the soup was deeelishes. If you want homemade food, try it
(4)Karla M.
The food is amazing. Very delicious, great variety, very authentic Polish. I brought my polish friends and even they were impressed. They serve great polish beer and spirits and the service was great. The only negative was that we saw a mouse running behind the wall mount heater. The Manager even shushed me when I screamed at the sight. I know every restaurant has pests but they could try to do more to get them put of the dining room.
(2)Matt M.
Before I begin, let me explain the missing 5th star. The bizarre pricing schedule! Its the same buffet with different prices on different days. I don't really understand it. They don't really up their game on Friday nights THAT much to warrant the increase. With that out of the way. This place is F'in Delicious. Each of their dishes is great. Help yourself to high cholesterol. Treat yourself to a bigger BMI! And do it all in the classy decor of 1968! The inside is so retro and awesome. I find myself wondering why I end up in places where its myself, my old lady, and a lot of truly old ladies... This place should attract a younger crowd but for some reason doesnt. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Yvonne O.
I used to come here now and then back in the late 90's, but hadn't been in a long time. We stopped-in over the weekend as I was having trouble eating large portions and just wanted little bits of some comfort food and knew they would have enough meats to satisfy the husband. The service here, as many have noted, is awful. We never got a water refill on the 6 ounce glass we had at the beginning and although we stated we were done, had to ask for the check when it was apparent it wasn't coming. The waitress also missed-out on upselling drinks by not asking if we wanted more when we finished our initial ones. That being said, the food is fine. We never found where they were hiding the butter, which was weird, but I managed to find enough food to eat despite my pickiness and the husband had some carved ham, etc. The meal was $16.99 per person before drinks, so it ended up being about $50, which is pretty pricey for this level of buffet, but I doubt anyone really is a "regular" here for dinner.
(3)Sarah C.
Sawa's is good, solid home cookin', plain and simple -- if your idea of home cooking involves some tasty Polish favorites! The buffet offers something for everyone, and changes nightly. There's cucumber salad, pierogies, potato pancakes, pickled fish... if you had it as a kid at your Polish (or German) grandparents house, it's here! And it actually tastes like everything's homemade. AND, there's soft serve (and cookies) in the dessert section. I've always loved Sawa's sign! The decor on the inside is a similar vintage. Sawa's is down to earth and filled with nice, friendly people. There's also a nice variety of reasonably priced Polish beers. What more could you want? If you're not up for a buffet-type smorgasbord, try somewhere else. But if you're hungry and want variety, there's no place better!
(5)Tiredofbadfood L.
I must have dined at Sawa's at least ten times over the years. The food is good, the drinks good and the prices are right. Last week, while enjoying a lunch with a few friends in the east end of the building we were horrified to see an eight inch RAT in the room near the side door! We were horrified, paid the check and left. I hope to God he just walked in the door, but I dont think so. The rat scampered off into the bar area. I don't think the drunks noticed. I am truly sad to report such a thing. Sawa's needs serious remodeling! Dirty carpet, worn out restrooms and no light make it an unholy atmosphere. We casually looked around outside as we left and there are a myriad of ways for rodents to enter. Mr. Rat didn't use the side door! I read the review about roaches (see Tina A 11/24/2014) haven't seen the buggers, but they must be there. It's that dirty and that OLD. Never again. I'm so sad!
(1)Jo R.
For many years, I have driven by this place and asked various people to take me there. A visit seemed necessary. I mean, Old Warsaw is basically a landmark. Also, I'm curious about any place with no windows. Makes you wonder what's going down in there. Finally I convinced someone to take me there. My first visit was my last, however. For one, the dining area needs serious updating. It looked like a crusty, old banquet hall. Big cloud lights emitted a strange pink glow. The chairs and tables were ancient. Also, tiny fruit flies kept swarming our food and drinks. In fact, one even died in my companion's beer. Very gross, and it makes me wonder if there was a dead carcass somewhere attracting the flies. The food was very average, as buffet food is bound to be. It was lukewarm and nothing tasted fresh. I'm not a huge fan of Eastern European food, but there has to be a better place offering it.
(1)Anthony U.
I've been to Eastern European restaurants all over Chicagoland. The food here is just average and the service below average. We went on a Thursday for dinner (less expensive than Fri to Sun) and I'd say the price was reasonable for an ethnic buffet. The chicken noodle soup was flavorless and the noodles were so overcooked that they turned to mush without chewing them. The salad bar was fairly good with both romain and head lettuce available with a good assortment of toppings. The dressings were below average and the French dressing was down right gross. The hot buffet was average and lacked variety that I've found at other Polish buffets. There was only one type of pierogi, sauerkraut. No meat or cheese pierogi? The dumplings were floating in water and were tasteless and mushy. The highlight for me on the hot buffet was the roast beef. The ham was too salty and fatty. Desserts were average European fare that are drier and less sweet than typical American desires.
(3)Michael L.
Old school, good food, good service.
(4)Greg B.
Came for Sunday brunch. Delicious. Great spread. Felt like old Europe. The only reason I didn't rate this establishment 5 stars is because the server took it upon themselves to up the amount of the tip I authorized when I signed my credit card. Not a lot--- small enough that I wouldn't drive to correct the mistake or call my bank. I keep all of my receipts and go through them each month to find about 1/6 of them include this "accident." Oddly, it doesn't happen in reverse (under-charging). REALLY irks me and the type of thing where I regret leaving anything. I'll be back again, and hopefully this doesn't happen again. 4/12/2015 13:03:55 Batch #: 0277 APPR CODE: 00692C Last 4: 7521 ACTUAL authorized total amount: $38.00
(3)Tom K.
First time customers. It was excellent . Wife had said it was like she was at grandmas again. Best polish smorgasbord around. Yummmmmmmm
(5)Brian M.
Mice. Yes, mice. Several mice came running out of the wall. Fortunately, we were just about finished eating. We told the waitress and she didn't seem too surprised. We enjoyed the food otherwise but this was the last time we'll ever visit.
(1)Mike O.
Stopped in today for a meal with the family, what a mistake. There was a large party in the back room that just over whelmed this place. Even though I have eaten here before, it seemed that there was a lot less choices. The biggest let down, no dumplings or mashed potatoes on the table. I asked the waitress about getting some different pierogis made, she said we could, but she brought them out when we were finished eating and they were cold and had a off taste. But the best thing was the young kid carving the meats. I do believe he could split an atom in half with his cutting technique. He was cutting paper thin slices, making sure the fat was off, and serving just enough to feed a very small animal. By the time he got finished doing all this, the meat was cold. Over all experience was pretty dismal. I will probaly make this my last choice for some Polish food in the future.
(3)Carm B.
I have been coming here since I was a little girl. I believe this location has been open over 40 years. They serve your standard Polish Buffet fare and it is delicious! The dining room has a very homey old fashioned feeling to it and the waitresses are very nice. They offer lunch and dinner prices and they are very reasonable. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and after not finding our favorite types of pierogi on the buffet, the manager made a special order for us which I thought was great. In addition to the pierogi some of the other items they serve are fresh and smoked sausage, blintzes, fried chicken, carving station (ham and beef when we were there), fresh homemade soups, sauerkraut, cold salads, and delicious pastries with an ice cream machine. They do have a lounge, but I didn't visit that portion of the restaurant. They also had a piano player, which was a nice touch. It's a great place for a family gathering. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for good authentic Polish food.
(4)Paul N.
Everything i have eaten here is amazing,friendly workers,best buffet in the area.Sunday they have the most amazing tasting duck.OMG! ALL I HAVE TO SAY!
(5)Juan P.
We always wanted to try this restaurant (3 adults and a child), and finally we did. As expected, this is an old place with old furniture and decent buffet (we went on Sunday). We were sitting next to the pianist, but he stopped playing after 15 minutes and never came back while we were there. I was expecting salty and spicy food, but on the contrary, it had good flavor no one flavor dominated others. I skipped the soup because the containers were almost empty and I didn't feel like waiting for refill. I try the salad bar, no new news on this. The cold salads (Cole slaw, potato, and pasta salads) were good and not too creamy. On the main dishes, I tried the blintzes, potato pancakes, perogies (not sure what they were filled with), stuffed cabbage with meat (this were great), 2 kinds of polish sausage (not spicy meaning not a lot of pepper), potato dumplings, green beans, and fry chicken. Carved roast beef and ham were OK, but nothing special and a little to greasy for my taste. Desserts were good, and I avoided the ice cream. We asked for 2 soft drinks and plain water for the adults, nothing for the kid (15 months old). Waitresses were prompt and courteous, but the check wasn't clear. 2 items for $5.00 (I guess the drinks, 2 meals at $14.99 and one at $13.99. Also, they charged $1.00 for the kid. We did give the toddler some food to taste. Overall, old place with good service and decent food and price, and the occasional bug problem.
(3)Ronald L.
great place, love that you can go in and out, great food, great service
(4)Kamile K.
The food selection is good, lots to choose from. Quality isn't the best, just decent. The prices are ok too. Atmosphere is nice. Just a nice little family restaurant to go to.
(4)Brian S.
Been here a few times over the years. The food is just...meh. The variety ranges from overly-greasy to just rich & fattening, which is to be expected from low-cost eastern euro cuisine. The most entertaining part is the people watching. If you've ever wondered what happened to all those fur coats, silver-blue bouffant wigs, brown pin-striped suits and fedoras from the 60's, you'll find the answer here! This place would be perfect for the octogenarians at your next Bohemian family reunion. Those looking for some more imaginative food and atmosphere should head down the road to Chef Shangri-La and order a Mai-Tai... or two.
(2)Karen J.
Food was good, all of a beige color on the buffet bar, server cut the beef, it was sliced nice but couldn't cut it back at table, looked like it was cut with the grain. Beets were excellent! First potato pancake was great, my next was greasy. Pierogi were good. Beef barley soup was great. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. After dinner during conversation, my husband got up and walked to the corner of the room, I thought odd because no one was seated there, he come back and then told us he saw a large mouse or a rat dart across the carpet to the corner. Women's bathroom could use some cleaning in all the corners. Small bench in front hall was filthy with stain's. Probably had been there since they opened! Cover it with some vinyl and wipe it off when soiled. Had been years since I had been there, but friends had picked this. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
(2)Jeffery S.
Seems like the only time I ever come in here is during a wake. Which is really to bad because Sawa's makes great Polish food and I probably should come in here for happier occasions. Sawa's sells itself as a Smorgasbord, a term they used to use in the sixties for a buffet. While most buffets tend to be trashy disaster areas, Sawa's does it right. Dining area is dark and windowless, so you have no clue what time of day it is. The main dining area itself has white table clothes and what looks like grandma's good china. There is also two or three segregated gathering areas for groups. There is a buffet line that has a salad bar, soup, and hot dishes. Hot entrees include beef, ham, polish sausage, pierogi's, and some of the best potato pancakes around. Most of the meat dishes are swimming in butter. There is also a dessert bar featuring these little containers of pastries, cookies and soft serve ice cream. I built myself a salad from the salad bar and had potato pierogi's, potato pancakes and polish sausage. All was absolutely Delicious and I was so full, I skipped the dessert and was scheming for a way to take a nap. Entire buffet was kept supplied with fresh food and kept neat and clean, with the exception of the soft serve area, which tends to get trashed by the kids. Sawa's makes Polish food to die for, but someone doesn't have to die for you to enjoy it.
(4)Rocco H.
First time having authentic Polish food. My father had gone here since he was a kid, and I believed him when he said it hasn't changed much over the years. The decor is really outdated, but it added to the charm and I wasn't concerned much about the wallpaper. The smorgasbord was full of Polish classics, and after our waitress encouraged me to go back time and time again I can say I had close to everything they had to offer. Even the servings beef and ham cut by one the girls was incredibly generous, so come with and appetite. The prices were incredible, so the value was top notch.
(4)Martha K.
THE nicest people. Such great Polish food. Fresh and homemade. Eat in or carry out/cater. This a wonderful family place with a quirky old world atmosphere. Did I mention how wonderful all the people who work there are? Do not miss this place.
(4)Angela R.
This place rocks my socks! yummy, easy, and hassle free. hooray! Remember kids, no overalls allowed. gotta love it.
(5)Tina A.
Check your table for roaches. We got seated went to get some food and when we came back there was a HUGE cockroach crawling across the table. My boss covered it with his empty coffee cup. We called waitress over and showed her and she offered to move us. Umm no thanks, we left.
(1)G R.
Been back several more times, and things do look much better. They've cleaned up the spoons and put the Hershey's syrup in a pump container instead of leaving the bottle out. The ladies room can still use a little work too. But hey, it's all about the food and the food seems to have improved when there really wasn't that much room for improvement. Why the extra stars, well I'm back on my chicken kick, and they have some of the best I've tasted, that alone is enough, but coupled with some great Polish food that would even put a smile on my grandmothers face, I have to give this place its due and reconsider my first review.
(5)Lisa H.
I love this place, we have been eating here for years. I even had one of my wedding showers in the private room on the side. The food is great and cheap. We also often order potato pancakes for pick up, why bother making them when I can get a dozen for $6. The buffet is always hot, and being replenished which is plus so you don't have to worry about old food. My least favorite thing is trying not to get hit by an old person in the parking lot, either in my car or walking. Many of the patrons probably should not be driving and this can cause confusion.
(4)Matt R.
Sawa's Old Warsaw is really Sawa's Old Chicago. This place is a beautiful throwback to the '50s and '60s, when it undoubtedly saw better days in terms of being a place for a night out. Now there are plenty of gray heads in here, and its imported beers don't exude the class they once did. But the buffet lives on, and the decor isn't going to be renovated anytime too soon. The one lovely update is the "free wireless". Find me a better place for a '50s/'60s Polish smorgasbord with free wireless. That's a dare, people.
(5)John K.
UPDATE: I was wrong about the pierogi's on the lunch buffet in my last review! Apparently, they alternate flavors. I went again the other day, and instead of cabbage it was cheese!
(4)Carol M.
This is THE PLACE to be if you're over 70. Especially around lunch time/early dinner/pre-Matlock hour. It's also super pink. I mean really pink. Everywhere. The food was decent. As a person with food allergies, buffets tend to make me weary, but everything was kept pretty clean and there didn't appear to be much crossover between dishes. There was also a decent amount of options that were gluten free, however most of the main dishes were fried. Gimme some sausage and a hearty salad and I'm good to go! Almost everyone in my family found something they enjoyed. Great for groups. Overall, A-OK!
(3)Greg F.
I've tried them all and for Polish style smorgasbord Sawa's Old Warsaw beats the others (although Red Apple on the north side is a close 2nd). Here I can enjoy the usual delicious food delights to my heart's/stomach's content plus top it all off with a tall cold Zywiec beer on tap. What taste! I only wish these places had later open hours. On Saturdays caution - try to call ahead if you can (they may not be able to seat your party right away)
(4)