4. Restaurants

Polish Village Café

2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI, 48212
  • (313) 874-5726
  • Store is closed

Polish Village Café Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Hamtramck for healthy meals suggestion.

Chicken Shack ( 11401 Joseph Campau St )
Hamtramck Coney Island ( 9741 Joseph Campau St )

Visit below restaurant in Hamtramck for healthy meals suggestion.

Hamtramck Coney Island ( 9741 Joseph Campau St )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Mara K.

    Come here every trip to Michigan. I've tried to recreate the Dill pickle soup on my own but it never compares. Everything is good here. Cash only! They have like 4 or 5 different soups Everyday. So good! Definitely try this spot!

    (5)

  • Bob M.

    I can't remember the last time I posted a 5 star review but this place gets a solid 5 stars. We arrived on a very busy Sunday afternoon but the wait for a table was minimal. Our waitress was friendly, high energy, and (part of my 5 star review) totally connected to her restaurant and the food. We usually have a light lunch but when we saw the menu (Schnitz- els! City chicken! Sausage! Chicken livers! Stuffed Cabbage! Pierogis!) we decided to go for broke. I had a wonderful cucmber/onion/fresh dill salad and my husband had a chicken noo- dle soup with wonderful Kluski noodles. I had city chicken and a mushroom cutlet; he had the chicken livers, both meals served with mashed potatoes/gravy, sauerkraut, and green beans. The food was absolutely delicious and a wonderful break from all the small plates/kale/BS that usually passes for good food these days. The setting was a classic Rathskeller and we had one of the nicest meals we have had in a long time. Again, our waitress was delightful: friendly, totally engaged, and definitely part of the positive experience. NOTE: NO CREDIT CARDS!!! Make sure you have cash BUT having said that the price point seemed to be a bargain considering the quality of the food and the portions. FIVE STARS!!!!!

    (5)

  • Allison F.

    ******Polish Village Cafe is CASH ONLY****** A-ok. There's nothing special about most of the food here. The service was kind and the prices were decent, but don't come in expecting food that'll blow your mind. We ordered a great variety: dill soup, cabbage soup, pierogies, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, garlic chicken and various side dishes. Everything was delivered in a timely manner. The cabbage soup was a standout, but it could have used a bit more of that rich broth and less cabbage. The potato pancakes were... bready? Mushy? They hardly had any potatoes. They were seasoned well, but didn't taste as any others I've had in the past. The garlic chicken tasted wonderful but the breast was really tough (with tendons, not overcooked). The gravy on the mashed potatoes was so generic, I'm sure it came from a can or powder mix. The pierogies were also generic and a bit tough. So, overall, the food was okay but it definitely wasn't anything special. The prices were fair but we'll probably go next door next time the Polish bug bites.

    (3)

  • Leah E.

    Small and quaint, but the food does not disappoint. The polish platter was my childhood on a plate. The flavor was big, without being overpowering, and the portions were huge! We must've got in to sit at the perfect time. When we were leaving the place was getting pretty full. We will be back when we visit home again!

    (4)

  • Jon G.

    Contrary to it's name, this place is not a village of Polish people but rather a restaurant serving Polish food within a village of Polish people. I understand this can be confusing but I assure you, eating Polish food in this "makeshift village" is much better than meandering around a village with nothing to eat. Started with the Jalapeno and cream cheese perogies because nothing is more inherently Polish than hot peppers. Because I'm watching my salt intake, I settled for some kielbasa soup which proves the American dream is alive. My wife had the dill soup which also proved that Polish people love soup. Soup comes with every meal. I wonder if you bought soup if they would serve you a side of soup. I'll have to ask next time I go. For the main course I had stuffed cabbage served with potatoes and green beans. The stuffed cabbage was the best I have ever had. Seems like the kind of thing that was made by an old lady. Green beans were canned and so was the sauce on top of the potatoes and cabbage but the sauce was still very good. My wife paired her dill soup with dill chicken and it was, well - very dill. This proved to me if there was one thing Polish people love more than soup it is dill. Take note: this village doesn't take credit or debit so have cash on hand. We found out the hard way. I wish more restaurants would just upcharge to use credit. I would rather do that then have to run to the ATM. After all, ancient Polish VIllages don't have ATMs.

    (4)

  • David Z.

    Everytime I come back to Detroit I make it a point to stop here. Best. Polish. Food. The pierogis are great, so is the stuffed cabbage and the kielbasa. I had the dill pickle soup with smoked kielbasa and it was other-worldly good. It's not light food at all, so don't go here unless you don't mind putting on a few pounds. But your tummy will thank you if you try it.

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    Polish Cafe is the best authentic style polish restaurant in Hamtramack/Detroit. I really like the atmosphere, its a unique little place. It was even features on "Diners, Dives, and Drive Ins". The Dill Pickle soup and pierogis are outstanding. I also really like the Potato Pancakes. The sweet cheese and berry crepes were excellent. For the best polish food in Metro Detroit this is the place to go!

    (5)

  • Jessie M.

    I straight up almost died of cardiac arrest after this meal. I got one of the mixed sampler platters with smoked kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, pierogis, saurkraut, mashed potatoes, dill pickle soup, potato pancakes, and city chicken. Ya it was a lot. I'm glad I tried it all but more importantly glad I lived through it. The dill pickle soup was the surprising stand out of the night. So amazing, need to learn to make it. I don't think I will need any polish food for a while after this meal though.

    (4)

  • Shantel T.

    I've lived in detroit for the past 5 years and boy have I been missing out. This was always on my radar, but I just never got around to going with a friend or even by myself. I came here the other weekend with two dear friends of mine on a Sunday. First off, when you come through the main door take a left and go down the small staircase, that's where the actual restaurant is. Did I go that way first? No. I went upstairs to a vacant room full of empty tables and chairs stacked on eachother, lol. I know im not the only one that has happened to, so I'm just putting it out there to help any newbies to PVC. You should expect to stand there and wait for a table on a Sunday afternoon, which is well worth the wait. We got a few beers at the bar until our name was called. We sat down and ordered pierogis and the polish plate. I got a mix of pierogis and the potato and cheddar pierogi was by far the best one, IMO. Now, the polish plate. This is a good dish to get if you want to sample a little bit of everything. It came with polish sausage, mashed potato, stuffed cabbage, kraut, and a pierogi. I'm sorry, I can't even explain how delicious and perfectly it all went together, you just have to go and try. Same goes for the dill pickle soup! :) BTW, CASH ONLY

    (5)

  • Maureen M.

    I feel like it's sacrilegious to to give this place a less than stellar review. It's old school. It's Hamtramck. This is what people come to Hamtramck for! The good ol' days of Poletown. Ugh. I do love the history of the place. I love that it hasn't changed, probably ever. It's in the basement. It's dark. It stinks. It's loud with chatter. The night we were there, Ron and Miriam were serenading customers, table to table. Ron was singing Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Polish songs. Miriam played her violin and Ron played his guitar. They were very nice to listen to, although it was kind of awkward at our table. It's just not my thing. Absolutely nothing against these two lovely people. I just preferred to listen from a distance. : ) The food- pierogis and potato pancakes are amazing. There is no doubt. I also love their Dill Pickle Soup. The rest of the food is just meh. The green beans are from a can with a hint of brown. The potatoes are scooped out with a little gravy on top. I ordered the City Chicken and my husband ordered the Garlic Chicken. I feel like it's just ok. Maybe it's great for Polish food. I'm not a fan. The bread basket was filled with leftover bread in sandwich bags (some had 2 slices, some had 1 slice. lol). The wait staff was very nice. They run their butts off. Beer prices are kind of odd. The Polish/Czech beers are reasonably priced. However, Bell's Oberon was $12? Seriously? No. The biggest downfall is the lack of ventilation. Not only does it stay hot down there, but you leave smelling like grease. I mean, it's awful. We had to shower when we got home.

    (3)

  • André L.

    Loved the dill soup, and all the Polish dishes. I was at home at my mothers and grandmothers kitchen, I loved it. The Pierogies were so fresh and delicious my grandmother couldn't even do better than that. The stuffed cabbage was so delicious that I felt like I was right in my grandmother's kitchen, besides her burnt cabbage lol. Five stars; because I felt I was at home and with family, thank you so much!! Can't wait to come back

    (5)

  • Kelly J.

    This place is cash only and there are no ATMS in sight, beware! Prices are awesome and portions are large. A large plate full of kielbasa is, like, four bucks. It was also packed (I'm talking 5-family line) on a Monday afternoon, so be ready to wait a bit and for service to be rushed and minimal. But it doesn't matter, because the fried pierogi are everything you need in life. Everything. Special shout-out to the sauerkraut and potato cheddar--but they have an assortment, everything from a popper-like jalapeno cheese to "meat." Not sure what kind of meat, but my guess is: delicious. The potato pancakes are the best I've ever had! I didn't know I could feel passionate about a potato pancake. Honestly, Annette's tip was correct: make a meal out of the appetizers. You can't go wrong. Kielbasa on top of a potato pancake is just sinfully good.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    Best authentic polish food. We come here many times a year and special occasions. City chicken, kielbasa, Perogi, beef roll, 5 soups .... It's all wonderful!! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Erika D.

    Since this was my first time eating here, my dining experience was ok. It was very busy, so Polish Cafe is doing something right. I asked for a sample of "the famous" dill pickle soup. It's not for me. I also sampled the kielbasa soup as well as the mushroom soup. If you like tangy food, the dill pickle and kielbasa soup are worth a try. I ended up getting a cup of mushroom soup. With a little more salt pepper it was better. For my main course, I had the hungarian pancake, which was decent. It's a huge potato pancake topped with slow roasted pork and veggies (goulash). The goulash sauce makes the dish (in my opinion). It was flavorful, however, I did add a little more salt to it. I would like add that the roasted was extremely tender. I did notice that alot of people ordered the hungarian pancake. I may have it again myself someday. Overall, I'm curious about some of the other dishes and will be back someday... The prices are extremely reasonable, but they only take cash.

    (3)

  • Victoria K.

    So we got here for lunch on a cold October day. We were greeted by friendly staff and headed toward the bar. We started with draft polish beer and some pierogies. Ehh. Can say I had better. It's just ok. I guess, being born in Europe myself, I have high expectations :) Next we got a special noodles and meatballs and schnitzel. For the price it was a good amount of food, yet did not satisfy our taste buds. I'd say 6* out of 10. The good part it was pretty darn cheap and entrees come with soup or salad for max of $12 an entree. Special was $6.50 and schnitzel was about $8. So, last but not last, they do not accept credit cards which is a bummer. This day and age, gotta have credit card access. I am not sure if we we will be back, but I know where I am going again.. Fiddler :) the best Ukrainian/Eastern European food out there. With the coupon you get 10 for 20 ;) Polish food joints I'll leave to Chicago for now. Hope this review helps :) dzenkuje :)

    (3)

  • Nika J.

    My favorite polish restaurant in Detroit. Anything I ordered there was delicious. I like any kind pierogi, placki and so on. When lived in Michigan, I would drive 100 miles just to eat there. It was always busy and food excellent.

    (5)

  • Shauna G.

    Growing up I was convinced that Polish Village Café (then called Zosia's) was adult Disneyland. Every year during family pilgrimages "home" to Detroit, the adults would leave us youngins with a babysitter for the night and disappear for a few hours only to return endlessly happy and ambivalent to whatever mess we had made. So you can imagine that when I was finally granted adult status, I was excited beyond belief. While there were none of the amusement park rides, costumed characters or giant heads of cotton candy that I imagined as a kid, I was not, and have not been to this day, disappointed. So what should you get? I've always been a Polish Plate with a cup of dill or beet soup (still can't decide which one I like better, they're both fantastic) kind of girl. It's the best of everything, especially if you order a side of potato pancakes with it (just be prepared to roll yourself home). But this time, I felt a little adventurous and went off the beaten path and got the Hungarian Pancake. O M G So good. So basically on my next visit, I'll be ordering the Polish Plate, the beet soup, the dill soup, a side of potato pancakes AND the Hungarian Pancakes. Good thing there is no weight limit at adult Disneyland. Woof.

    (5)

  • Nicole M.

    Best authentic Polish food in Detroit's Polish community of Hamtramck. Great food, great service, and a really authentic vibe are what make this place exactly what you want from a Hamtramck dining experience. Even better are the really reasonable prices- you get a lot of food without having to spend a lot of money! Just make sure to have cash as they do not take credit card. Oh, and don't forget to try the dill pickle soup!!

    (4)

  • Ashwin B.

    Fame needs no introduction - the Polish Village Cafe (or PVC) along with Polonia across the parking lot are the de facto spots for legit Polish cooking in Detroit. PVC is definitely unassuming from the outside but the food that exits its kitchen is ah-maz-ing! I started with the czarnina (duck blood soup!!) and it was epic. The czarnina at PVC is thick and rich, with a sweet and slightly tart taste (thanks to the plums complementing the blood), it was thickened by the addition of thin pasta noodles, and raisins to round off the sweet note. The appetizer was a selection of pierogies (sauerkraut, sweet cheese, potatoes/cheese and spinach/cream cheese). They're crispy on the outside, with a soft and chewy shell that provides a satisfying bite. My favorite was the sauerkraut - which somehow managed to be not 'sauer' at all. The main course for me was the pick two (kielbasa and garlic chicken). The kielbasa was cured to perfection and grilled just so - the rind had a good bite to it and was outstanding, needing nothing but yellow mustard to bring out all the nuances of the flavor. The garlic chicken was breaded and pan fried, and the breading was doughy and had a little sweetness to it. They definitely did not skimp on any garlic - ask my fiance! The main course came out with mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed green beans and sauerkraut (which I declined). The gravy was really something else - it was made from real meat and stock, not just broth, with little chunks of meat down at the bottom of the additional bowl (yup - additional bowl!) of gravy that we ordered. We rounded off the meal with crepes for dessert - one filled with cherry and one with sweet cheese. Now, to try out Polonia - for science, of course!

    (4)

  • Will B.

    I love the atmosphere, the food is pretty good, but some things are off. The mashed potatoes weren't good, and the gravy tasted like it was from a can. The pierogi were particularly disappointing. They just deep fry them in oil. They're too hard, too crispy, and no flavor. I prefer mine sautéed/fried in butter with garlic and onions. It's just not the same in a deep fryer. The stuffed cabbage, kielbasa soup were both delicious, as was the kielbasa, and sour kraut. All in all, I enjoy my time here, and won't turn it down if others suggest it, but it's not some place I'll ever be dying to come back to.

    (3)

  • Nha V.

    3.5 stars Small place but very good food! The sausage & meatballs are so good! I would give 5 stars just for those 2. I felt like the perogi were good but nothing special about them to stand out from the rest. The chicken noodle soup is very harty and good. They use a thin noodles. I also tried the stuffed cabbage & stuffed bell peppers. Were good but nothing special about them. I would definitely come back for the sausage and meatballs & chicken noodles. Definitely the best choice if u have a small group.

    (3)

  • Michael A.

    You know the food is great when I'm giving a five and the waitress was only okay. You feel like you're transported to 1950s Warsaw as soon as you go downstairs and enter Polish Village Cafe. It feels small, it's dark and it is intimate (but not romantic). The real star, or should I say five stars, is the food. I had the beet soup, a roast pork sandwich and potato pancakes. All of it was excellent! And possibly the best part was the gravy. My wife had the Polish plate and couldn't stop eating it or talking about how great everything was. She even had me taste the dill pickle soup. I hared it, but I hate dill and I hate pickles. But she LOVED it. I have her on video saying it's the best soup she's ever tasted. I don't hold a lot of stock in DDD places, but the Polish Village Cafe has certainly earned its Yelp stars!

    (5)

  • John W.

    Amazing food. As authentic as I could imagine and just as delicious as my Ciocia's! Only watch out is that they take cash only.

    (5)

  • Stephen J.

    Amazing in every way! Food Atmosphere Service Authenticity Highly recommend this place and will be returning when back in Detroit. Thank you for the great meal and experience!

    (5)

  • August M.

    Definitely a locals spot. Prices were great. I guess I prefer the boiled pierogies to the pan fried ones. Friendly and quick service.

    (4)

  • Karleigh W.

    *Noted for future visits* THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS! CASH ONLY! Great authentic polish food. Tables are way close together. Very tight space in a basement, but the food made up for that :) The potato and cheese pierogi was surprisingly my least favorite of everything. Not very flavorful. I wish they would add some spices to it or at least more cheese to get the flavors there. I got the polish plate. The stuffed cabbage and kielbasa were outstanding! I'm not a huge fan of saurkraut, but I almost ate it all. For all the food you get it is also very reasonable prices. They have daily specials that sounded great so I will have to keep my eye out on what days to come! I cant wait to go again soon!

    (4)

  • Alex C.

    Great food and good service. Garlic chicken is the only item I get from here. Good atmosphere and always good service. Sometimes there's a line but you can't help that when you have a gem like this place.

    (4)

  • Nick M.

    I went here for a special milestone birthday luncheon for a family member, so we had a reserved space upstairs. The place is quaint and has that old-timey feel of many things you would see in the area, especially when it comes to food. I'm not sure how the 'regular' service is, but our server/bartender was hustling his ass around to give people drinks (Polish beer, anyone?) and bring food in and out of the backroom for everybody. It was impressive and admirable; he seemed to really take his job seriously, so a definite 'A' on service. As for the food, it was pretty good from the salad and bread to all the entrees. We were served corn, mashed potatoes, perogies, city chicken, chicken breast, some cabbage-wrapped meat and meatballs. It was plentiful and pretty good overall. Not groundbreaking food, but good nonetheless. It definitely feels like a place of yesteryear, like sitting in your grandparents' basement as a young child and eating their food. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

    (3)

  • Ashley R.

    Is this my grandmothers Christmas decorated basement or a restaurant? :) The charm that PVC oozes is beyond this world. Seeing little polish grandmothers dining with their grandchildren, telling stories and eating pierogies is super cute. I was seated immediately by the staff and they were as nice as could be. Started off the meal with some delicious cold polish beer. Their menu has all the typical treats you would find on a polish menu- stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, pork cutlet, etc. Our meals started off first with the dill pickle soup- to die for. If you haven't tried it I suggest you go now. Along side of that we had potato pancakes, and some sweet cheese piergois. The potato pancakes were very simple but good. However, the sweet cheese pierogi was divine! My partner in crime said they reminded him of an elephant ear lollll, I don't know if I'd say that- but they did have a nice sweet bite! For dinner, I went for the smoked kielbasa dinner. It came with a side of sauerkraut, mashed potatoes/gravy, and green beans. The green beans were bland, but wow- the kielbasa was top notch! (Pics to follow). In the hammtramck area I know there are a lot of different polish places to try, but definitely make PVC the top of your list!

    (5)

  • Brent C.

    This place is great! It was recommended by a friend of mine who lives in the area . We are down here for business, so we decided to give it a try. It is a bit interesting getting to the place, but the food is amazing.. I will definitely come back next year when I am back in town!

    (4)

  • Shaheda K.

    I finally got the chance to come to this hole in the wall around January. I had kept this in the back of mind as one of the restaurants I must try! My love for pierogis could be the reason why. Okay so it might be in a sketchy area, but believe me when I say you will forget that once you walk in. It's not very spacious but it is beautiful inside, and hey a little clutter isn't too bad, because it adds to the cozy feeling the lights and lanterns bring. I ordered the sauerkraut pierogis, as well as the cheese and potatoes one and it was a delight. Definitely will come back again.

    (4)

  • Greg P.

    Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing atmosphere! I always order the Hungarian Pancake. It is by far my favorite. As others have said, cash only. The only complaint is they got rid of the Polish beer on tap, only in bottles now. Not as fun as ordering a fishbowl.

    (5)

  • Daphne B.

    So I eat at both Polonia and Polish Village Cafe. They are separated by a parking lot and are two of three Polish restaurants still left in a once predominately Polish community of Detroit called Hamtramck. The third restaurant my dad got us kicked out of so I have yet to sample, but its a little ways away from the hub of the neighborhood. Both places have completely different vibes. Polish Village Cafe reminds me a lot of places I ate at when I was in Krakow. I get a little nervous when I walk in as the place is basically located in a dark house basement and everyone in the place turns and looks at you when you enter. It has more of a seedy underbelly feel to it, like an old speakeasy where everyone checks to make sure your not the police. You definitely feel out of the country at this place but it adds to its charm. Polonia, has more of a Bavarian Sound of Music feel to it, something you might find at Disney as an interpretation of Poland. So this is what I have noticed between the two - Polonia definitely has better sausage, and they make it themselves. The sausage is probably the only reason I would choose to eat at Polonia over Polish Village Cafe. Polonia also has a pretty good cucumber salad and duck soup, which even though its on the menu, isn't always available at the Polish Village Cafe. Polish Village Cafe has better and bigger perogies, they also have more options for fillings in their perogies, and a much better dill pickle soup than Polonia. My Grandpa, who is not Polish, loves coming here for the chicken livers. This is place if you want a meal that sticks to your stomach. I purposely don't eat at all that day before I arrive!

    (5)

  • Jocelyn W.

    I'm giving this restaurant a 5 star review based on Unique enjoyable atmosphere, relaxing vibe, good homey food, value, friendly service and good overall experience. We had a group of 5 people and tried several food items. We really enjoyed the food! Some of it wasn't excellent but seemed well prepared. Some was unique like the dill pickle soup. We enjoyed the many different pierogi. We had a polish beer. Garsh we had fun. There was a guitar player and a violinist. They were just cutsie. It was so fun. It was in a basement like. Oh gosh what character!

    (5)

  • Daniel D.

    Thus far, this is the spot for pierogies. No other place has ever compared over the decades of different places I've experienced. The meat one is probably least favorite, tends to be dry.

    (5)

  • Di Z.

    I went with 3 friends on a weekday for dinner, I was surprised how packed they were at 6pm. Always a good sign. Cute ambiance not exactly what I expected from a Polish restaurant in Hamtramck but I'm okay with it. The service wasn't wonderful, it took a while before any staff noticed us waiting to be seated and we waited about 10 minutes at the bar. But on to the food... I was reminded of all the authentic food I had in Poland. The dill soup is amazing...probably best thing on the menu. The stuffed cabbage is a huge portion of food with meat mixed with cabbage. The Hungarian pancakes were delicious as well, wish we ordered 2 plates for the table. Things I didn't love: mashed potatoes was really bland but it's Eastern European food, so somewhat expected. They ran out of all mushroom related dishes and they ran out of most of their pierogie dishes, I wanted to try some of their sweet ones. Overall, I think the cafe hits the spot and does a good job of bringing authentic Polish food. And the prices are a steal for the portions you are getting. Would definitely go back and also they have a private lot with plenty of space so that is always appreciated!

    (4)

  • Tracy A.

    I love pierogis. I can't get authentic pierogis in South Florida so when I was here for a business trip with one night to myself..I made a beeline for the best pierogi place in Detroit. I think I found it. First off, it's a little hard to find. And once I did find it, I thought that it was empty. Once I opened the door and walked down some short stairs I saw the place was packed! I sat at the bar and was greeted by a super sweet barender. She showed me the menu and low and behold there were 12 KINDS OF PIEROGIS! I had kraut, sweet cheese and jalapeno and cream cheese pan fried (of course! there is no other way). I also tried the dill pickle soup which sounded completely strange but I was assured was great. It was delicious. It was definitely something different. The place felt like stepping back into the 70s and made me miss my family who have since passed. Great establishment. Great pierogis. Great people. I will go back if I'm in the motor city again! I might even try some other dishes.

    (5)

  • John N.

    Hungarian Pancake, kielbasa, sauerkraut perogi's, dill pickle soup were all excellent

    (5)

  • J B.

    Great Polish food...watch out for the crowd, a little wait is almost inevitable but worth it. Having traveled about 350 miles to visit this place and a couple of other Polish VIPs(very important places) around Hamtramck we were not disappointed. We sampled a whole bunch of the most iconic Polish selections and there were no dissappointments.

    (5)

  • Doug M.

    Went here with an old friend, we're both Polish. Food was good but not as good as homemade. I had the platter with a side of city chicken. Was good but not excellent. The dill soup however is stellar. When I'm back in the area I come here for it. The pierogi features the fluorescent orange cheese. Good, put a sautéed version would be better. I think it glows in the dark. Service was ok, as the waitress was rushing to leave and gave us the bill without the option of ordering dessert. I'd recommend this place tho. I've been coming here for years.

    (3)

  • Al H.

    One of my favorite Detroit restaurants. Good Polish food cheap and strolling musicians who come to your table and sing Sinatra songs while you eat. Price is super reasonable. Dinner for two with drinks is around $20 usually. Be sure to tip the musicians and waitstaff well.

    (5)

  • Lee M.

    Delicious! A small little place with your grandparents basement feel! I love the fried pork chops and Hungarian pancake. Good beer selection but mixed drinks are on the weak side. Prices are very reasonable. Cash only

    (5)

  • Bruce R.

    Great food. Only problem is they only accept check or cash. I only had a my cards on me, good thing my girlfriend had some cash on her. Go with cash and you should be fine. Great food.

    (3)

  • Scott C.

    Great traditional polish food. We had the polish plate with kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, a potato pierogi, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes ( you can select other sides). All was great except the sauerkraut, it was bland, but some mustard did the trick. Very good value for the price at under $11. We also had the half and half appetizer with 4 potatoes pancakes and three pierogi (about 10 different fillings to chose from). Pierogi is very good. Recommend asking for the applesauce for topping the potato pancakes. Locals recommended the pork chop, they also liked the meatball over noodles with gravy and the Dill pickle soup. Only reason I could not give it 5 stars was the service, but food and value are worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Richard B.

    Awash with the babble of life, the PVC was crowded the night I visited and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. We did too. My friends ordered sauerkraut and had me try it: it's the only time I've ever enjoyed it, so they must have done something right. The rest of the food was delicious as well. Only downside were the couple of TV's in the room. Normally, these aren't too distracting, but, in this case, they were playing Jeopardy.

    (5)

  • Emily D.

    Absolutely amazing! The food was excellent and came out quickly. We were seated immediately and the service was prompt. Ordered mixed 6 perogie and kielbasa as well as cabbage soup. All of it was perfect. The location is very cool too, great decor. Cannot wait to come back!!

    (5)

  • Scott X.

    Cold War comfort food. This place is a rathskeller-style bar & restaurant. The atmosphere & menu are very authentic Eastern European. The bar's selection includes Czech & Polish beers, plus Polish vodkas (even bison grass vodka!). Note: CASH ONLY. They do not accept credit cards, & good luck finding an ATM in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Amber P.

    Cash only! This place won't break the bank! We got a glass if wine, a nonalcoholic drink, an appetizer and two entrees for $32!!! Pork chops were great and you get two big ones in a $10 entree. I liked the dill soup and mashed potatoes with gravy. Will be back to try the fried cod which the waiter told us was great! Service was friendly and quick wow. Get here at 5:00 PM for dinner to avoid line Monday-Sunday.

    (4)

  • Robert G.

    Excellent food with a fair selection of vegetarian items. The pickle soup may not sound awesome, however, it is incredible!! The service we received was a bit weak unfortunately. Not terrible, just not overly friendly.

    (4)

  • Kat D.

    Best Polish restaurant in town. We used to live 3 blocks away, & would eat here once or twice a week. We now live on the other side of town, but when we are in the mood for Polish food, we make the pilgrimage. Huge portions, & if you want to mix & match, you can get half orders. Even the bread basket is good! They have a nice selection of Polish beers to choose from Always crowded, but worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    This place is the best. It always makes me feel good just walking inside. This place always has lights up, which makes it so cozy. The food is AWESOME! Get the potatoe and Cheddar perogi and potato pancakes. But remember, CASH ONLY!!

    (5)

  • Lindsay M.

    Love this place! Great food and cheap prices. I always get the Polish plate and dill pickle soup. The upstairs is great for larger parties. Call to make reservations for the upstairs!

    (5)

  • Matthew H.

    I have to give this place credit for the business that they do. Though the stuffed cabbage was horrible. It tasted like it came from the frozen food section at the grocery store and the tomato sauce on top was nothing more than tomato soup out of the can. The drinks were watered down to the point that there wasn't even a hint of liqueur in them. I can honestly say that I would never go back for a second attempt at really bad cafeteria food!

    (1)

  • Rey F.

    OUTSTANDING!!! Words cannot describe how I miss this place. One of the best places for the common person to eat in Detroit. It has outstanding polish food. Just go and order The Polish Plate and fall in love. Cash only . . bring your green backs.

    (5)

  • Rodger W.

    Fourth stop on a legendary pub crawl. I did not eat any food, but i did really enjoy my Moscow Mule that was served in a old copper mug. Lots of old ladies cooking in the kitchen, and lovers of stuffed cabbage and pierogi filled the dining room.

    (4)

  • Erik M.

    There's a lot of weird Polish charm that emanates from Polish Village Cafe. The walls have a lot of Polish Posters, old Hamtramck depression scrip, and t-shirts for sale. Everyone is packed into this tiny restaurant, but nobody seems to mind. They even hire musicians to play for the crowd in the tiny space. Personally, I hate being sung and played too while I'm eating and having a conversation, especially when it is a polka rendition of Stairway to Heaven. But it's pleasant enough when they aren't at your table! Prices are decent, you can get most meals for under ten dollars, and the specials are fantastic. The polish Plate will set you up with a little bit of everything (pierogi, golobki, kielbasa, sauerkraut, potatoes) and has a ton of food on it. I have never left the village without a carryout container and a nice lunch for later. If you like the oddball things, the chicken livers are really good. But you really can't go wrong with their smoked kielbasa (super juicy) or breaded pork chops either! A couple polish beers on tap (okocim really goes down smooth) and a stocked bar keep patrons happy and drunk, cries of na zdrowie emanating through the cramped passages. Don't be deterred by the annoying entranceway, it's worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Anisha M.

    I guess if you're into bland food you'll enjoy this. First time polish experience and everything was just dough and fat and greasy. Not my palettes taste unfortunately. The place itself is super trendy looking and is always crowded, so obviously people do like this food!!

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    I've been wanting to come to this place for quite some time and was excited when a friend suggested going to Hamtramck for a Sunday dinner. Service was a bit spotty - we never got our bread basket and our waters weren't refilled but the food made up for it. We ordered the entrees: Smoked Kielbasa, Polish Sampler, and Schnitzel. They ran out of the Hungarian pancake which was pretty disappointing for the guys. I was happy with my plate because I got a little bit of everything - a cheese filled pierogie, a cut of kielbasa, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffed cabbage, and a load of sauerkraut. I love every taste I received especially the complimentary soup of my choice: dill pickle. This soup is delicious and unique - definitely will become something I have cravings for. It was creamy but tart - so good. The Kielbasa soup is more earthy and rustic but also delicious. The kielbasa was fantastic - the outside was extremely crispy and snapped when you bit into the meat. I'm definitely coming back and trying more of the menu!

    (4)

  • Ed S.

    I've eaten at Polish Village many times over the past few years. Always a great meal. This time around I started with the dill pickle soup, tasty as usual. For my main meal, I ordered the pick 3 combo. I had a cabbage roll, city chicken, and the fried chicken livers. First time with the chicken livers, they were served with caramelized onions and were delicious. The cabbage roll and the city chicken were outstanding. The meal was served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and green beans. Huge meal, had to take half of it home.

    (5)

  • Marcy R.

    first time here with my manfriend; loved it! the aesthetic was incredibly warm and culturally respectful. based on other recommendations, I knew I HAD to try the dill soup - I'm so glad I did. the soup was creamy and tangy, I could have eaten a big bowl and been happy stopping there. we had a mixed plate of pierogies, stuffed cabbage, schnitzel, kraut, and mashed potatoes - all of which were absolutely fabulous. the restaurant was packed at 2:30 on a weekday, that's how you know, without a doubt, that you're in for a treat. we can't wait to go back and try more!!

    (5)

  • Kyle Martin D.

    Once a week my parents and I would go to my grandma's house for dinner. She'd cook up a storm. We'd have an assortment of delicious Polish offerings: fresh sausage, smoked sausage, cabbage, golabki, pierogi, tubs of sour cream, city chicken and of course, angel wings, or chrusciki. Just a plethora of old country goodness. It was filling. It was comforting. It was love. Well, those days are gone. Grandma's dead now. Train accident. The crash took the lives of 51 others in her Polish dancing troupe, making it the worst train wreck involving a Polish dance team in history. Apparently some demented teenager, Danny Boyle, thought it would be a good idea to stack 22 deer carcasses atop the train tracks, knowing full well the drunken conductor wouldn't stop. "Not even 22 deer carcasses can prevent the Wolverine No. 27 from getting to its next destination," he proudly proclaimed to his friends at the bar the evening of the wreck. Boyle sure showed him. People who lived near the crash site said they could smell the burnt flesh of both the deer and the passengers for months on end. No one had a chance once the train struck those carcasses. The highly-flammable dance costumes started on fire at the moment of impact. The lone survivor of the crash, the inebriated conductor, took his own life days later by stuffing three whole potatoes down his throat while taking a bath at a state-run rehabilitation facility in Novi. For his crimes, Boyle was sentenced to 30-years in prison, and has since been paroled. A court mandate prohibits him from being within 100-yards of a railroad track. With grandma gone, my family and I go to Polish Village Cafe for a taste of how things used to be. Although nothing will replace the meals cooked by my grandma, this place comes close. Stepping in Polish Village Cafe is like stepping back in time. A time to eat and converse with loved ones. A time before grandma and 51 Polish dancers were eviscerated in a horrific train fire fueled by 22 deer corpses and a mean-spirited teenager. I just wish there weren't so many goddamn old Polish people at Polish Village Cafe. They are the absolute worst.

    (4)

  • Edward L.

    Reminders of childhood and smells of Grandma's kitchen. I walk away ready for more. Polish beer, dill pickle soup, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage and pierogis were all amazing. Go get some polish! Thanks for the memories I forgot.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Delicious food like my grandma used to make. Excellent pierogis. Make sure to try the stuffed cabbage. Soups are also very good especially the kielbasa soup. Wash it all down with some Polish beer - Okocim.

    (5)

  • Devin S.

    This is perhaps the best ever polish comfort food around. The kielbasa soup is money and the city chicken is to die for. The ambience is low key and the prices are extremely low for the amount of food and quality of food you get. Must bring cash because they don't accept credit cards.

    (5)

  • Al M.

    Step down 5 steps from street level on Yemans in the heart of the Polish enclave of Ham-Town and you will enter an old world atmosphere that hasn't changed in the last 50 years. The Polish Village Cafe doesn't grab four and a half big ones without earning it every day with a loyal clientele that knows hearty Polish cuisine. The smoked Kielbasa plate complete with mashed potatoes (hold the gravy please), saurekraut, green beans and for an extra buck, you can enjoy some freshly sauteed peppers & onions. The 3 waitresses working here are a hard working crew and cover the whole dining area. They are constantly moving and actually can be a challenge to flag down to get the bill. You gotta love the prices here for a plate of Polish comfort food. Enjoy!!!!

    (4)

  • Vickie R.

    Every time I've gone to Polish Village Café, it was always packed. I'm not sure if it's like that normally, as I really only get to go there when I go to Hamtramck for some kind of music festival. Either way, I love the food and the décor is very festive. Their offering of Polish beer is also quite respectable. Since I love meat and I love potatoes, the Hungarian Pancake was the spot-on dish for me. I've never been able to finish the dish in one sitting. It's a huge potato pancake covered with delicious goulash (basically a meat and vegetable stew). The meat was very tender, no knife is needed. Paired with a Polish beer and I have pretty much the perfect meal. Don't tell their competitor right next door, but I still think I prefer the Polish Village Café. Shhhh.

    (4)

  • Martha V.

    Love, love, love the food. We've been coming here for years and you simply cannot beat the fried cheese and potato Pierogi. Yum, yum, yum. My husband loves the dill pickle soup and will vary his dinner order from the Polish plate (a sampling of many of the tasty menu items) to the City Chicken. I stick with pierogies and if I'm extra hungry will add a piece of kielbasa. The price tag can't be beat - we were there for dinner last week and, drinking water, walked out with dinner for two (very full) for less than thirty dollars with a tip. There is frequently a line here, which is not surprising given the quality and quantity of the food and the price you pay for it, so be prepared to wait during peak times. There is a lot next to the restaurant and street parking as well. You will need to walk downstairs to get to the dining area.

    (5)

  • Lindsey S.

    Great polish food hands down!!! Anytime I'm in the area I hit this place up. Paczki run last three years then eat here but the place fills up quick!!

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    Come on....this is Hamtramck! The food should be delicious. This is run of the mill uninspired carbs. I'n so disappointed.

    (1)

  • J P.

    Unique establishment with good, inexpensive Polish food. Sometimes there's a wait but it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Get there early, the place fills up fast. Great polish food. Had the Polish plate, wife had the potato pancakes. Also sampled the chicken livers and Polish beer they had on tap. Everything was great, left stuffed. Staff was friendly and attentive. Please note, place is CASH only, dinners are about $10 - $12 apiece.

    (5)

  • Andy C.

    Love this place. Best place for Polish food for those who know! A Family tradition. Have to try it all. My suggestions would be Dill Pickle Soup, potato pancakes, pierogi, pork chops, Hungarian Pancake! All are amazing!

    (5)

  • Ann H.

    Food is decent, soups are wonderful. The people including bartenders act like they're put out and doing you a huge favor by waiting on you. They were extremely rude to us when we brought a big group of people and they were busy. I went again and they were just as bad. If I had to guess, no one is present or in charge who has a financial stake in the business. It's pretty rude treatment, exactly how NOT to run a business.

    (1)

  • Chris D.

    I love the atmosphere in this place! I dig that nothing has changed since it opened. Very warm and friendly staff. I sat at the bar and the bartender waited tables as well. He was an animal, never stopped but never complained. Smiled the whole time even though the place was suppose to be closed but bunch of people came in the last minute. I has the perogi and potato pancakes for an appetizer.. Delish! Then I had the "pick 3" combo and opted for the smoked kielbasa, garlic chicken and the city chicken (which is actually pork). It came with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and sauerkraut. Also should of soup or salad. Everything was great! This is real down home fresh home cooking anybody would enjoy. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Christina M.

    I'm going to be perfectly honest. I came here because of the excellent reviews on Yelp, and I was rather disappointed with my experience. While the dill pickle soup was delicious, everything else was pretty bland. The pancakes were more flour than potato, and the vegetables were clearly canned. The restaurant it's self was cute in that "basement bar that also has food" way. Our waitress was nice enough, but our food took forever to arrive and came in the wrong order (entrees came first, appetizer after!) My husband, who is not Caucasian, received a lot of funny looks from both patrons and staff, so that made a *meh* experience turn into an uncomfortable one. Do I suggest that you go here? If you're in the area, maybe, if you're in the mood for crepes, which were indeed good. Otherwise try checking out a different Polish restaurant. Just goes to show you that you can't always trust Yelp reviews!

    (2)

  • Randy G.

    When in Hamtramck, isn't it a sin not to try a polish place, especially one that was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. This was an evening of food and left with probably 3000 more calories than when I came into the place. The first to come out was the the PLACEK PO WEGIERSKU, or Hungarian Pancake. It is one large potato pancake covered in a pork and vegetable Goulash, with a kick of spice. It is a meal to its own, except when you are with my group, it is just the appetizer and split among all of us. The pancake is good and crispy like a potato pancake should be, while still soft in the middle. It does have a stronger potato flavor, which I'm use to some being a little more mild, so be prepared. The Goulash is hearty and thick with a wonderful pork flavor broth. The vegetables are stewed together with the meat so they're wonderfully soft, but still flavorful. Excellent, we're off to a great start. Now for the NALESNIKI Z GRZYBAMI, or Mushroom Crepe. I didn't particularly think this was a home-run or even a triple. It's good, crepe cooked well, but not sweetened enough. The mushrooms inside are not plentiful, but I can't help think they are canned mushrooms, I could be wrong, but they had that soaked canned texture that really is so common among canned goods. Ah, time to move onto the next dish that comes in front of me. The Dill Pickle Soup arrives and surprises everyone, including myself. I was expecting a slight dill flavor, but received a soup that you could have literally said, I think I'm eating a strong dill pickle. The dill immediately hit you and then the flavor finished with that vinegar pickle flavor. It also had a nice creamy consistency. No one else wanted to try the CZARNINA, or Duck Blood Soup. I eventually did get one person to try it, after explaining the flavor, and we both really enjoyed it. I could easily order it again. I anticipated in tasting the iron and mineral flavor from the blood, but quite the contrary. There is a balance of sweet and sour, with both sugar and vinegar used with the blood to help mask the flavor. It also had chunks of plums in it to sweeten it up. It is traditionally, no exception in this case, prepared with small noodles similar to chicken noodle soup. I think this should be a definite inclusion in your order, worth trying. If I wasn't full by now, I would continue eating, which I did. I warned you, it was an eating fest. The last of the appetizers arrived being the mixed pierogi plate. All are prepared right there in Hamtramck. It has a variety of fillings, I recommend all of them. Not a single one had an unfamiliar flavor, all prepared well with the crispy outside and delicious soft inside. Some are potato and cheese, others just cheese, and lastly some are sauerkraut. After all of us trying to figure out what kind of cheese it is, we finally asked turned out to be cottage cheese. Hmm, interesting. Finally for dinner, which I can barely eat anything else, comes the SUROWA KIELBASA W SOUSIE PIWNYM or sausage in a beer sauce. The sausage has the wonderful natural casing allowing it to "snap" when you cut into it. The sauce was heavy, strong and rich, but not a strong and even a subtle beer flavor. That was unfortunate. What lacked in the sauce the sausage made up in flavor. It had a nice blend of spices, and thought it had a better flavor than the smoked sausage that someone else ordered. The mashed potatoes, were just mashed potatoes, nothing special or to die for. The corn can go along with the potatoes, it also was just basic corn. I could have done without both of them. The sauerkraut was traditional and authentic. It was slowly cooked and had a wonderful vinegar flavor and wasn't over cooked to take on that soggy texture. It still had the crunch it needed. 3000 calories reached, thank you Polish Village

    (4)

  • Debra D.

    Authentic Polish food and music. It is a small place, so expect to wait on Friday and Saturday evenings. But it is worth the wait. I have ordered the fried pork chop dinner. It is a large portion served with 2 big pork chops, choice of soup, salad or cucumbers. I have tried all three. Their mushroom soup is very good and so is the dill pickle soup. The cucumbers in sour cream taste just like my Grandma use to make. The dinners are also served with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. On each table is a basket of baked breads and breadsticks and butter. They offer a full bar and carry a few different kinds of Polish beer. Their potato pancakes are very tasty. The Hungarian goulash served on a giant potato pancake is another great dish. The mushroom cutlets are also wonderful. This place never disappoints me. I am 100% Polish and their food is authentic like my family makes.

    (5)

  • Bill B.

    This is one of those times when I wish that Yelp had half-stars. If it did, I would give Polish Village Cafe 3.5 stars. The food is generally good (very good beet soup and potato pancake; good mushroom crepe and dill and sour cream cucumbers; forgettable green beans that looked and tasted as though they came from the freezer or can) - slightly better than Wawel in Troy, not as good as Legs Inn north of Petoskey. The service and room, on the other hand, could be better. I had almost finished my soup before our waiter informed me that my entree was out. When you wait, you have to stand at the bar and try not to block the parade of servers or run into others in your situation. Maybe I caught Polish Village on a bad day. I may come back but, next time I'm in Hamtramck, I'll probably try Polonia nearby.

    (4)

  • Sophia G.

    This restaurant should get 6 stars! Their polish food is exceptional! Love everything on the menu!

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    Chicken Liver was very tender with good flavor. I like the family feeling here. I've had better in sterling heights.

    (3)

  • Kit S.

    First time here last night and was blown away by the food! Crowded but still comfortable, my kids turned me on to this place and what a treat! Will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Brittany Z.

    Their pierogies are just delicious! I recommend this place to anyone. Good for families, kids, groups, lunch and dinner. Fun, casual atmosphere. Note: Cash or Check only! :)

    (4)

  • Katherine T.

    Favorite restaurant ever hands down. Most amazing food. Get the combination plate. Also cucumbers and cream, chicken noodle, meatballs, city chicken... Hell get anything!!! Hands down best pierogi and galumpki in the US. Not kidding. I've had polish food in every city I've lived in (NYC, DC...) and nothing holds a candle to this place. Stop what you're doing and go now.

    (5)

  • Cynthia Z.

    Are you kidding me? The stuffed cabbage was an abomination; a pureed unidentified paste mess of a bland filling with an equally bland tomato sauce. What happened to real stuffed cabbage? This was a complete embarrassment, and I am Polish. Please, do not go. Have no idea why so many good reviews. None of the food at my table got raves, and people politely ate it, though clearly not enjoying it. Many years ago I recall the food being more palatable, but in November it was very, very sad. The stuffed cabbage from Hiller's deli is more authentic than the Polish Village inedible mystery. If you still must go, please do not order the stuffed cabbage and good luck.

    (2)

  • Jordyn K.

    The best food ever and an awesome atmosphere. Very home like and comfortable. Very inexpensive for the quality of the food. Be sure to get the kielbasa soup.

    (5)

  • Kimberly I.

    I visited Michigan for the first time. I'm quite the foodie, so this was one of my choices for a meal. I had the pork schnitzel with a potato pancake and sauerkraut and the kielbasa soup. I'm disabled tho. So I was able to get to the main entrance, but then I had to go down 6-8 steps into the dining room. Don't expect to go during a lunch hour and be to work on time. We arrived around 1:30pm and there were still large groups of 6 coming in while we were there. Nice selection of menu items to choose from.

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    Fantastic food possibly the best polish food I've ever had! horrible service and wait staff however. Be prepared for the attitude and inattentive service you will receive with your meal, been here probably 50 times, and it is always consistently moody inattentive service, like no one wants to be at work ever. Also I understand it is part of the charm, but I wish it was about 3 times bigger, they have other space that is not utilized

    (3)

  • Melissa C.

    Such a great experience. From waiting in line with a bunch of eclectic group of people chatting with each other, great waitstaff, Polish beer and food that was so authentic and delicious. I feel we may have started a Saturday night tradition for us.

    (5)

  • Shannon Q.

    Did you know they have fruit-filled perogis? You do now. Try them. (The rest of the food is good too, ESPECIALLY the Hungarian Pancake.) ... And not that it's what they're known for, but their ranch ranks high on my Ranch Scale.

    (5)

  • Nichole H.

    The food was outstanding, the prices are reasonable, the service is a little slow. They only accept cash or check.

    (4)

  • Paul R.

    The atmosphere of Polish Cafe has to be experienced, it's café feel as you walk into the basement overwhelms you so that you feel like you're home. The food will not disappoint you. Something as simple as sauerkraut is comfort food

    (5)

  • Tressa G.

    Great and affordable menu. Never had a visit that I haven't enjoyed. I usually always order the polish plate...that way you get a little taste of everything; kiełbasa, gołąbki, pierogi, sour kraut, and potatoes. The dill pickle soup and the beet soup are also both very yummy! This place has a great vibe and has even opened the upstairs to accommodate for larger parties. Make sure to bring cash...truly old school...no plastic!

    (5)

  • Irwin F.

    THE BEST! When you see older (respectfully) Polish ladies in the kitchen - you know you are in in for a treat! Wow is the food here AWESOME! Cucumbers w sour cream like I remember as a kid. AMAZING city chicken and the meatballs blow me away. There can be a well worth it wait on weekends and/or Wings/Tigers game nights but it moves quickly. Great atmosphere and we go at least once a month!

    (5)

  • Andrea C.

    Love it here! Tonight we had the potato pancakes, pierogi, stuffed cabbage, city chicken, and sausage. We also had the cucumbers in sour cream and dill pickle soup. We order different things so we can share, though the prices can't be beat. City chicken is the bomb! Potato pancakes were especially yummy too. Packed but we finally snagged a corner table. We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Tanya L.

    I am a fan of this ridiculous place. My husband and I refer to it as The Basement. Because that's where it is. You have to hoof it down some awkwardly steep stairs and then waive frantically at the nearest waitress across the crowded, somewhat dim room. Of course, if there is an open table, you will be seated immediately. The service is prompt, if somewhat brusque, many of the menu items are fried in lard (vegetarians, beware!), and someone has recently filled my sugar bowl with salt. You can imagine how disconcerting it is to gulp what you think is sweet tea, only to choke on the tea you have just liberally SALTED. Annoying, although my husband fell over himself laughing. Oh, and they DON'T TAKE CREDIT CARDS. In 2014. (But they will take a check.) So yes, somewhat of a ridiculous place, but oh, the food is SO wonderful. Like many on here, I am a fan of the Polish plate, with the very mild stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes, and a generous helping of sausage (which can be regular or smoked, depending on your preference, and I say, smoked is much, much better). Also, their Hungarian pancake -- a huge potato pancake loaded with goulash -- is delicious, as are their assorted pirogies. And don't forget the dill pickled soup -- nothing better on a cold Detroit afternoon.

    (4)

  • Greg S.

    I give a 3.5 out of 5. The food was pretty good. I've eaten a good amount of polish fare - within the united states and in Warsaw, Poland, and I would say the food is above average in my opinion. Prices are fair and it has a cozy, European basement joint feel to it. One thing I will say is that it does not appear to be the cleanest of restaurants, but that was just a vibe that I got. Also, it's CASH ONLY, just a FYI.

    (3)

  • Karen A.

    OMG! This place is a hidden piece of Polish heaven. What a surprise when you enter... You are transported to a small restaurant in Poland. I had the dill pickle soup which has now become my favorite soup EVER! A DELISH taste sensation!! I also ordered the Polish plate which has a kielbasa link, a stuffed cabbage, a potato and cheese pierogi, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Everything was great!!! Overall it was the best soup and sauerkraut I ever had. My hubby had the roast pork sandwich which was also great! Wonderful homemade everything!!

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    The pickle soup is my best friend:)

    (4)

  • The Parnell Firm P.

    We would go here everyday if possible. The kielbasa sandwich is so simple (bread and meat) but amazing. We have taken many clients here. The dill pickle soup is the best I have ever had

    (5)

  • K S.

    I have been wanting to stop in since I started working in Hamtramck a few months back and was not disappointed!! I brought my mom and sister along and we have been telling the rest of our family about our meals since we left. We ordered 3 plates of pierogis- sweet cheese, sauerkraut, and the cream cheese and spinach, a plate of potato pancakes, kielbasa, and the dill soup. Everything was delicious!!! The environment was very cool to eat in and the service was fantastic. Just know that the dining area is small and you prob will have to wait for a table but the bar is open and the staff moves quickly to get you seated. I'll be going back next weekend again with my husband.

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    This place has the best Polish food in Hamtramck hands down. The food is great here (and super consistent) really quaint old-world atmosphere, great staff, good prices and the service is very prompt. I have eaten here dozens of times over the last 10 years and we always enjoy it. Everything I have tried on the menu has been great (especially the Dill Pickle Soup.) This place is so awesome that there is often a line out the door. But said line does move quickly and the staff doesn't panic because their kitchen is so fast. You know a restaurant is good when a 60 year old woman will stand around and wait for twenty minutes to eat there. If I had one complaint it would be: this place is CASH ONLY. Yes in 2013 this still exists. My friend suggested it probably cash only because they are skimming money out somewhere, which he claimed only added to the charm for him. The only place I have had better Polish food is Krysiaks in Bay City.

    (5)

  • Virginia S.

    Fantastic food. Cabbage rolls were great and the city chicken were the best outside of homemade.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    The best! You have to try some sweet cheese perogis with okocim...

    (5)

  • Dom C.

    Good value. Good food. Good portions! We had never been to a Polish restaurant before. Our early dinner included the dill pickle soup, potato pancakes, and pork chops. Everything was great. Polish Village Cafe was packed but we were seated without too long a wait. Bottom line is we will be back, but probably not during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Cyndi J.

    Not one for polish fare, except perogis. Those were great! The cucumber and sour cream side was delish too. We used to have those during the holidays growing up. Small place and they have live music that plays for each table. Nice staff and they seem to be of Polish descent so it makes for a real original experience.

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Still a good place for Polish food but not as good as it used to be. Higher prices, lower quality, long waits, poor service. The wait staff seem like they are doing you a favor. I've been eating there for forty years and have never heard a welcome back, how are you? We always left good tips and it always seems like we are treated like vagrants. This is not unusual for a Polish restaurant but I would expect better anyway. Used to be great Gołąbki but now....eh. The side vegetables are canned and the mashed potatoes taste like they are from flakes (I'll bet they are). I once had an argument with a waitress when I asked for a fried egg on my Schnitzel and she told me that she had been working there for thirty years and said no one had ever asked for that. First, she was wrong, I had and second, this is a common way to serve Schnitzel in Poland and many Polish restaurants (I have photos). In any event, if the customer wants a damn fried egg on his Schnitzel, he should get it, right? And what's with the beat up Mini Cooper out front with the flat tires, been there for years. Fix it up or sell it already, for crying out loud. Tasteless. This was a place we used to enjoy going to at least once a week, now I can't get anyone into the car when I mention it. It's obvious the owners are resting on their laurels and reaping the rewards of a high reputation that is quickly becoming unwarranted. They haven't put a dime into the decor in thirty years. In my opinion, they are not the best Polish restaurant in Michigan anymore. If you want a restaurant to compare to, go to the Red Apple in Chicago and let me know what you think. As we say in Hamtramck, "stara bieda".

    (2)

  • Heather Z.

    It's like having a Polish dinner the way Grandma used to make. Truly delicious Polish food. Try the pierogi and mix and match, just heaven. The food is great and the service is excellent. Downsides: cash only - make sure you hit up an ATM; also the decor could probably use an update - it might actually be from Grandma's basement.

    (4)

  • Felipe R.

    Pickle soup was great and the pork chops were amazing but the green beans and the grave are canned almost ruined my meal but it. Oh and the beet soup is really good too.

    (3)

  • J H.

    Went to the restaurant tonight. It smelled awesome, was packed.. unless you've been there before (we haven't) there isn't any sign to say where to stand.. seat yourself? Ask? All of us at the door looked confused. The waitresses were annoyed we were in the way. We left... Also, per another yelp review, it's cash only with no atm around. Who knew? No sign saying cash only. Good thing we left, who carrys cash anymore. ...

    (3)

  • C P.

    Hands down the BEST Polish food in the Detroit area and anywhere in Michigan. Cool old world atmosphere with some of the best smells coming right out of the adjacent kitchen you could ask for. Potato pancakes are phenomenal; pierogi flavors abound; kielbasa smoked or fresh; chicken livers that match those in Frankenmuth; the list goes on. Great food at a great price with a great atmosphere. Love it!

    (5)

  • Annie D.

    This place receives 0 stars. I traveled all the way from LA to have some polish cuisine and my experience was completely ruined by the waitresses. We walked in and asked and the red head with the blue hat on her head if we could sit in a better table where people were just getting up from and she rolled her eyes and in a condescending way said "I guess" The blonde waitress that was taking care of our table was so incredibly rude it ruined all of our experiences. It's my grandmas birthday so we put confetti on the table and she yelled at us for putting confetti on there so we cleared the table so that we could clean it up and they threw away all our drinks and she yelled at us for moving our drinks around. The two waitresses then started talking about us and looking at us and laughing. I've never felt more uncomfortable in my life. When it came to order, some of us weren't ready and the waitress yelled at us and said that she was just going to put us on a separate check. When we asked not to be put on a separate check she put her hands up in the air and started yelling "fine I'm just going to put this in" and then started taking with the other waitress and looking at us in a rude way. I asked to talk to a manager and they just looked at me and said "out manager isn't here". They continued to ignore our table for the whole rest of our time there. They brought us the wrong food and ignored us when we said we had the wrong food. This is not how people treat people. I used to work the service industry for 14 years and these waitresses would've been fired in a second anywhere else. So much disrespect. **and then they added a tip to the bill because they knew they weren't going to get one!

    (1)

  • Miss K.

    It is not particularly clean, I'm pretty sure that the green beans come straight from a can, the staff are efficient but borderline surly and you will almost certainly wait for a seat. There's lots that should turn me off to the place, but it's been over a decade and I still dream about the schnitzels. the dill pickle soup. the potato pancakes. the nalesniki (sweet cheese of course}. The things that I don't like on the menu I REALLY don't like, but on more than one occasion, I've literally wept when informed that they were out of schnitzels. Cheap, cozy & the best Polish food I found in Hamtown. Go and eat hearty.

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    I love the Potato Pancakes. I tried the Garlic Chicken, it was pretty good. But I also got to try the Hungarian Pancake, I don't think I'll be able to order anything other than that next time I go. It was delicious.

    (4)

  • Charles W.

    As my yelp dining experiences have increased, I have been more reluctant to give out 5 stars but this is the closest to a 5 star restaurant that I have been to in many months. The service was quick and very friendly. The food was amazing and very inexpensive ($40 for a meal for 3, including tip). There is a large menu but the staff is ready to give suggestions. My friend and I went with the polish sampler. We started with an appetizer of potato pancakes. I have had better pancakes only one time in my life. The stuffed cabbage was the best I have ever had. I wish that we had tried the fruit filled pierogis but our stomachs only had so much room. The only downsides are the cash only policy and the tables are very close together. Another "must visit" restaurant for Detroit. The decor is fantastic and just adds to the dining experience.

    (4)

  • Max M.

    How can you not dig this place, it is the epitome of a speak easy joint in a basement of an old Gentlemen's Hotel in Hamtramck. Its worth a go, just to have the experience. The menu is classic old school Polish (also German), not an American dish to be found (I got a "look" from our server when I asked if they had fries for my little one). y partner had the pierogis,. our dinner guest had the smoked kielbasa, and I had the pork schnitzel... everything was delish. The sauerkraut was very sour, the mashed potatoes and veggie were great. My partner particularly liked the pierogies as you can chose from a variety and she chose all veggie options. Our kid had the dumplings with ketchup and was happy. No credit cards, bring cash - or checks if anyone still has those.

    (5)

  • Mary S.

    Delicious Polish Food. Casual atmosphere, Polite and Prompt service, Inexpensive :). It's true what they say about the wait, but we got in fairly quickly and enjoyed a Moscow Mule in a copper cup from the bar while we waited (delicious!). This has immediately become one of my new favorite restaurants and I will be telling everyone about my experience and bringing family and friends here for years to come.

    (5)

  • Ben N.

    Since we moved to Cincinnati from the Gulf Coast five years ago, I have made the unfortunate and disapponting discovery that Central and Eastern European restaurants are disappearing from the Midwest. Disappointing because I didn't get to eat this stuff growing up down South. About a year before moving to Ohio, and before attending a wedding in Wisconsin, I researched German and Polish restaurants in Milwaukee and was shocked at how little there was to choose from. Hell, I expected to see one every other block! We moved to the heavily German town of Cincinnati and found a virtually German-food-free city. A visit to Cleveland, with a good population of Eastern European folks, surprised us with its slim pickings of Polish restaurants. Even big old Chicago has surprisingly few of these, although more than the rest. Anyway, Hamtramck's Polish restaurants have apparently mostly disappeared because Hamtramck's once dominant Polish population has mostly dispersed. Lucky for us, though, Polish Village Cafe is still plugging at it (along with a few others nearby). This ancient basement restaurant/bar has a classic ambience; the low-ceilinged dark room looks like it hasn't been updated since about 1947. (This is a good thing.) A Polish singer doing Sinatra songs in Polish seranaded us over the sound system. Probably about 107 million pierogis have been consumed here over the years, and probably about 150 million beers have been drained. The wide variety of food we sampled was mostly very good, too. Especially excellent were the pierogis, the pickle soup, and the (pork) meatballs. Personally, I got the roast pork, which came in a gigantic portion (four decent-sized slabs) and which, oddly enough, varied in quality; mostly juicy and tender, but one or two were little overcooked and dry. Tried czarnina (duck's blood soup) for the first time--a nice richness to it, but a bit sweet for my taste. Polish draft lager--wish I could say which label it was--was very nice. The most amazing thing about this place is the prices. Entrees are all well under $10, and the small mountain of food the three of us ordered, plus a couple of beers, clocked in at under $40. Warning: no credit cards accepted here.

    (4)

  • Colette N.

    I didnt realize until I walked in that I had never actually been to the Polish Village Cafe. Charming! I could tell I was going to love it immediately. On recommendation, we had the dill pickel soup and it was terrific. What wonderful flavor. We loved it. We decided on the City Chicken and the Pieorgi and Potato pancake plate. Everything was delicious. I am still not used to the idea of cash only. We were almost in trouble! Luckily it was so reasonably priced, between the 2 of us we were able to scrape together the cash! BTW, its right next door (shares a parking lot with) Polonia. The service was fast and efficient, the price is definately right and the atmosphere is great. I'd higly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Shawn P.

    It was three o'clock on a Saturday, and the regular crowd shuffled in. There was lots of old men next to me, making love to their surowa kielbasa with Sousie piwnym. That was the scene. I tend to plan going to DDD on off hours to avoid crowds but it looks like there is no lull here. There was a short wait list and 5 of us were seated within 15 minutes of arriving. I agree with many other reviews about the no nonsense attitude of the waitstaff. It's not a bad thing. If you want traditional Polish food served traditionally then drop in. Goblets, bowls and plates are slammed down throughout the meal, but in an efficient and endearing way. Five of us tried the cabbage rolls and five of us were happy. The Surowa kielbasa with Sousie piwnym is sausage with beer sauce. The sauce was a nice heartwarming compliment to the dish. The dish came with kraut which stole the show. The Hungarian pancake was over the top. I saw it on DDD and thought Guy was pulling tricks on me. He wasn't. Everything was done exactly as described and the flavours were rich. Pork vs beef is a mundane argument when the seasoning is so incredible. Any place that makes 6 soups a day is a friend of mine. I had two..the dill pickle and the chicken noodle. Based on the ratings of the first, I expected a bit more but it was good. The chicken noodle soup was straight forward and delicious. The biggest disappointment was the pierogi. They were rather bland and overcooked. This may be a difference of opinion, but I prefer a softer dumpling, not one with a crunchy exterior. They were decent but not what I had hoped for. Dessert was two crepes, one apple and one cheese. I ordered this because the waitress said they were both homemade. Apple was great. Cheese was a bit chalky and the sour cream made no sense as a side. Some of the tasty apple compote on the side would of been a better balance in regards to taste and flavour. Portions are plentiful and the food is good. The menu is diverse enough to appeal to any combination of people you choose to dine with. Just don't expect too many smiles, except for the mischievous dolls which adorn the walls of the Polish Village cafe. Oh, la la la, di da da La la, di da da da dum.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    This place is awesome, seriously. From one Polack to another, you can't go wrong with the Polish Village Cafe. Bring cash, because they don't take credit cards! The polish platter is awesome, the city chicken moist and delish, the pierogi's are perfection and the potato pancakes are the best. The dill pickle soup and the kielbasa soup are yumm-o! I love that this little place is in the basement, it is so cozy.

    (5)

  • Dale E.

    I really like this place and will definetely eat here again when im visiting hamtramck. I had the potatoe pancakes and perogies. The food was was fresh and tasted awesome. I definitely recommend the dill pickle soup, so delish! the Polish village cafe is also beautiful inside, I love the lighting. This over Polonia any day!

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    I love this place! Heck, everyone I know loves this place! I am Polish and this food is authentic. Best you can get in Hamtramck. Try it, you will love it, too!

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    Amazing place and one of my favorite establishments! A definite must stop when you are in the area. Can get a bit busy during the weekends. Generous portions of great food and at a great price!

    (5)

  • Heidi M.

    Yum, this is my idea of comfort food. I love the Hungarian Pancake, so yummy and seriously huge. The meat is always so tender it just falls apart and the goulash has just a hint of spice. I always get the dill pickle soup, it's good, but I have had better. This place definitely has character. The bar serves up some stiff vodka tonics and the strolling musicians area always borderline creepy or amusing to me, which I think is great!!! CASH ONLY!!! I always forget that part!

    (4)

  • Matthew B.

    Went there on a Saturday afternoon. I ordered the boiled chicken special. The dill pickle soup was excellent, but the main dish was disappointing. The chicken didn't have much flavor and actually tasted as though it was starting to go bad. The mashed potatoes were alright, but the vegetable accompaniment was canned green beans. Not very appetizing. The price was good but I don't think I'll be back.

    (2)

  • Mark W.

    5* on the "Persian Conversion" for Polish food. Is it 5 star quality?... hardly. Is it 5 star flavor? No doubt!!!! Stuffed cabbage is amazing! Kelbasa ... top notch! Go with the sampler as a baseline and include the dill pickle soup! It's a must. Not what I was expecting but delish nonetheless!

    (5)

  • Erin K.

    I love the Polish Village Café! It reminds me of hanging out in my grandma's basement, the food and the décor are the same. You can get some fantastic food at an amazing price! We both ordered Polski Talerz (Polish plate - Stuffed cabbage, pierog, kielbasa, sauerkraut and mashed potato) and it is only $6.95! It also comes with a choice of of soup, garden salad, Cole slaw, sweet cucumbers w/ sour cream, cucumbers w/ sour cream, dill and onions, surowka (cold sauerkraut salad), cottage cheese or Czarnina. The cucumbers and sour cream were not the best, but they have great dill pickle soup. We finished our meal off with 2 Polish beers and 2 crepes and the bill was under $20! Definitely come check this place out, but be prepared to wait. We went on a Tuesday and got there at 530 and we got the last table and there was a line when we left.

    (5)

  • Kristie L.

    I prefer this place to the one next door which is similar. This one doesn't have the noisy music and is cozy in the basement. I got the potato pancakes and the pierogi selections which was great!!!! So authentic and it was during the hamtramck labor day festival!

    (5)

  • Kevin W.

    First time to Hamtramck. Looked specifically for this place based off of the Yelp reviews. The food was awsome, the service was quick, and I will definitely be back whenever over that way. Had the pierogi, potato pancakes and the kielbasa. Tasted exactly the same as what my family has been making since I was a kid back in Erie, PA. Service was great too. This is a must if in the area. Loved everything about it.

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    First off: I'd LOVE to give this place 5 stars, but it can be crowded like nothing else. It was so crowded this evening, it was like we were starring in an off-Broadway show: "Chowing down on authentic Polish Food", and the big musical number was finding out which kind of pierogis we got. Having said that, the star of the show is Dill Pickle Soup. This is "take your clothes off and jump in the freezing lake" bracingly delicious soup. It is NOT overwhelming, but very subtle. The flavor of Dill, and the pickles permeates, but doesn't knock your tongue out for the rest of the mouthwatering meal. I had a Hungarian Pancake with vegetable and pork goulash, which was very surprising. I'm used to Goulash being "spicy", but this had a very mild flavor. The pancake was delicious on the edges, but soaked badly in the middle before I could finish. The pierogis (cheese, potato, sauerkraut, etc) are spectacular. They're not HOME MADE great, but they're better than anything you'd find in another restaurant. Sausage in Beer Sauce is so tasty, a child will beg for it. The Polish Platter is a Polish sampler plate with sausage (made fresh just down the street), Saurkraut, Pierogis... all the traditional Polish goodies. This is a great change of pace from steak houses and sushi bars. You may have to wait, and play "see food" with the massive crowd which almost seems to be sitting on your shoulders, but it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Mark D.

    Best pirogues, meatballs, and kielbasa I've ever had. Ambiance is nice and prices can't be beat. My wife and I eat here regularly. Don't think about it, just go and eat there.

    (5)

  • Flannary S.

    Upon returning to Detroit from SoCal from an impressive week of innovative, exciting, fresh, naturally light and healthy meals, this Midwest girl was craving heavy meat and potatoes. So when my dear mother picked me up from the airport, and suggested we go to Polish Village, my obsessive love for all things SoCal was pretty much forgotten, my thoughts immediately transitioned to which side I would choose with my Polish Platter. I love Polish Village Cafe so much, and here's why. Polish Village has a European-American vibe, leaning more towards European. The bar looks just like the one my grandparents had in their basement, and the Polish liquors are the same ones they drank. The Polish beers compliment any of the meals, but I also recommend trying the crisp vodka and apple juice cocktail. Keep in mind though, everything you get here is similar to what you would eat or drink at a Polish American family party, it is not fancy or trendy, but tried and true traditional. I almost always order the Polish Platter because I like the sampler theme of eating a variety of items, and I only change things up with the side; dill pickle soup and the cucumbers with dill and onions are my favorite. The Hungarian Pancake is ridiculously large, it could easily be more than enough for two people. It is also quite delicious. I've tried the Czarnina, but the dill pickle soup is the best I've ever had. The staff and atmosphere of Polish Village are also what make it special. Many of the staff members were born in Poland, and because it can get busy at times, they sometimes have a quirky no-nonsense approach to waiting on guests. I have many comical and memorable stories from here including, befriending a lone diner in line then having him join our table, watching an unruly drunk family get ushered out by a kick-ass waitress, having our waitress flabbergasted that we had Polish immigrant grandparents yet were unsure of how to polka, then proceeding to teach us to polka (on a slower night), and singing along with the polka band. Perhaps the final thrill of a meal here is picking up the tab. It is so inexpensive! A huge dinner and a beer is about $10. This restaurant is awesome. Dining here is an experience. It's not the food, prices, or the staff, or the old world charm, or any of its parts alone. It is everything combined that make Polish Village Cafe a great dining adventure.

    (5)

  • Dick S.

    Being of Eastern European ancestry and living in a city with a large population of Eastern Europeans I am not a stranger to the food served at Polish Village. I was pleased Detroit still has a Polish area that has managed to keep much of its identity. I went to a nearby Polish bakery where prices were cheap and selections of home style baked goods filled the shelves. Walking down the stairs and into the narrow busy dark restaurant suggested this was going to be as good as any grandma's dinner. Quite the contrary. I had the dill soup and combination platter. The soup was well flavored and I enjoyed each spoon full. That and the bread were the only things noteworthy. The stuffed cabbage, sausage, potatoes, and sour kraut were not as flavorful as Stouffer's frozen dinners. The worst was the over fried pierogi. Never had one so chewy before. The dish of dill cucumbers were too thickly cut in bland sour cream. What a shame. Not sure why this place is so highly ranked. Perhaps nostalgia keeps people coming or at one time the food was good. I have had far better at every other Polish restaurant I have visited. I would return only to support the neighborhood's persistence in survival.

    (2)

  • Dennis F.

    First off, my family is no stranger at the Polish Village Café, having eaten there several times over the years. This time however, we decided to have them cater a 70th birthday party for eighty guests, and it turned out to be terrific. Not only was the food just plain great (fresh and smoked kielbasa and kraut, city chicken, stuffed cabbage, and plenty of sides), the service that we opted for (two servers, Paula & Martin) made the setup, the serving, and the clean-up go as smooth as could be. Along with plenty of flattering comments about the food, our guests continually remarked at how professionally the servers went about their business. All in all, it was a great party. Carolyn runs a good ship.

    (5)

  • Lynn H.

    Best. Beet. Soup. Ever. The ambiance is mid-century Hamtown, and the food cannot be beat. If you're a Hamtramck fan like me, the ambiance is great... your grandma's kinda Polish (if your grandma were Polish). Seriously, this is as genuine Polish as you can get and still be in the good-ole U.S. of A. The waitresses (mostly) speak Polish natively, the food is is as genuine as can be. Go ahead and try the Zyweic beer with whatever you choose.

    (3)

  • DeeDee L.

    The pierogi are excellent, the zupa ogorkowa (dill pickle soup) is PERFECT, and how could you go wrong with a $4 pint of Zywiec?! Such a unique restaurant! Smacznego!!!!!! Bring cash, no credit cards taken!

    (5)

  • Robert M.

    Oh my! Oh, oh...my! My wife and I had a craving for Polish food. Impulse decision said go to Polish Village. I remember this place from years ago when Hamtramck was hustling and bustling with fun and excitement. I am 100% Polish and have childhood memories here but it has been many years. Anyway. I order the combo platter with fresh kielbasa as does my wife. Then add (1) piece ala carte City Chicken. Nice size portions of everything. Kielbasa, pierogi, stuffed cabbage, city chicken...huge. I love the kraut. A little bit sour for my wife but she ate it. This is my review though and I think the kraut was perfect. My wife can do her own review lol. Waitress (blond hair but we did not get name) was very polite. I asked her first if the city chicken was good? I explained that I meant soft and fork tender with juices...the way I remember my mom had made them before her death in 1999. She said, "they are great and tender and juicy". She told the truth. Everything was perfect. Too much food but that is ok. Brought the extra home and my 20 year old son devoured it:) In summary. Excellent food and service. Atmosphere was fine. Not crowded at 3pm on a Saturday so noise level was low key. Prices were great since what you get are large size portions. 5 Stars is easy to place on this one today when we went. Looking forward to going back more (once a month I hope) to enjoy other menu selections!

    (5)

  • Victor S.

    Not gonna lie. I went back to Michigan for other things (a bachelor party), but this was a place that I was dying to try. The place is super cute -- filled with local Polish-Americans (duh). I didn't find the service to be all that bad or surly, even. Dill pickle soup to start -- I was a bit skeptical because I really hate pickles (exception being pickle back shots), but this soup was actually damn tasty. For lunch, the Hungarian pancake (potato pancake), which came with a spicy pork/mushroom goulash on top. This thing was simply breathtaking. Seriously. I haven't had this type of food in a few years (since a trip to Slovenia), but I simply loved my plate. The stuffed cabbage was also flavorful. I recommend ordering the 20 ounce Polish beer, mainly because it comes ice cold and in a huge glass goblet. Lunch for 4 with 2 beers total and tip came out to about 50 bucks. The price is right, and especially so for someone who lives in NYC, such as myself. I never grew up on this type of food -- nor did I grow up in Michigan (although I did go to college in Ann Arbor), but I had always heard of Hamtramck and its community. And I'm really glad that I was able to find some time to check out a really cool slice of Michigan -- one that most visitors don't get to see.

    (5)

  • Kirk B.

    Traveling and was brought here by a long-time Detroit area resident. We had the daily special (meatballs and noodles in my case) along with a Polish beer and Kielbasa soup to start. Big filling meal even if light on the finesse.

    (4)

  • Jeren W.

    Had zywiec for starters and ordered the two meat dinner which included: beet soup, kraut, mashed potatoes, green beans, kielbasa, schnitzel. The beer was light and tasted good. Beet soup and the schnitzel were exceptional. The atmosphere was lively and very polish. They had a man playing Lynyrd skynyrd on the guitar and a woman playing the violin.

    (4)

  • Kristina K.

    Best fried Pork Chops ever!!! I have been coming here since I was a kid with my Dad who is from Slovakia so we grew up with this kind of food. This place is Deeelishhhhhhhhhhhh! My Favorites: Pork Chops (obviously based on my first comment!), Cabbage Soup, Stuffed Cabbage, Potato Pancakes, Sour Kraut, and Cucumber and Sour Cream. Whenever I go back to visit we go here at least once if not two to three times. It's sooooooo good. I'm craving it now just thinking about it !

    (5)

  • George P.

    We popped in here just to try the Pickle soup as it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Great little place tucked away in a residential neighborhood. It was quiet and dark, but the staff was friendly they put a table together to accommodate 8 of us and we sampled the soups, and the Perogi. Everything we had was great! If we lived closer we might stop by more often! Sláinte!

    (4)

  • Andrew A.

    The dill pickle soup is unbelievable. Bring a cooler to take some home. The sauerkraut is great. They are really nice and the servers really run. My wife is Polish and is an excellent cook so I'm a little spoiled about certain dishes. But we go there any chance we get.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    My mother was the one who turned me on to this place and for the favor, she used to make me take her. As the years went by, that got to be more difficult due to the steep stairway one must take to get to the basement restaurant. If you can make it, you will forget any effort expended to do so. I grew up with tons of homemade Polish food and this place comes to closest to replicating it. It seems all of their fare is made fresh daily I usually go for the pierogi and potato pancakes. My drink is coffee and at times, I'll have the chicken noodle soup. The soup, by the way, is kept seperate from the noodles until mixed for your order. All of this stuff is wonderful and plentiful. The prices are unbelievably low. Service is old country. This place has atmosphere up the dupa. Any time of year is great, but my favorite times are around the winter holidays. Festive lights abound and the whole place exudes a warm (literally) welcome and arommas are present to drain your salivary glands in an instant. Given that the restaurant serves what is ultimately comfort food, winter is the best time for the experience. I've been to the other two Polish places in Hamtramack, but this is the best.

    (5)

  • Claire L.

    Potato pierogi, chicken noodle soup, kielbasa soup, schnitzel, noodles with meatballs, city chicken... Everything is PERFECT. So freaking good.

    (5)

  • Kyle P.

    The idea of Czernina is not appealing, I won't lie about that. But the Polish Village Cafe was the first the place where I indulged in the delectable delight. Yes, it was terrific and now understand what all the hype is about. At the Polish Village Cafe, you are greatest with broken English and a dark musty, Eastern European atmosphere. I'm not sure about you, but something I'm looking for when I am looking for authentic food. I suggest the stuffed cabbage, which was large enough to fill up a young man with the appetite of a 400-pounder. The food, along with the soup, was delicious and most definitely for the right price. My only complain is that is was obvious that the food was not put together with the finest ingredients. Having said that, the food was more than suffice to please my Polish taste buds.

    (4)

  • Sal P.

    I went here with my family and we are all ethnic Polish. The decor makes you feel right at home. For whatever reason the best restaurants I have been to are always in basements. The seating is a little crammed, but once the food hits the table you don't seem to mind at all. Speaking of the food I had a cup of the Dill Pickle soap and loved it. Not exactly what I was expecting, but the taste is one of a kind. A cream base with mixed carrot and potato veggies. I ordered the pirogi mixed plate. The sour-cabbage wasn't the best I've had, but good. Potato was too die for! I also got 1 meat pirogi because I've never had that before. The meat filling sort of reminded me of a crumbly cheese, but it was amazing! I wish I would have ordered a few more. My mother got the Polish plate(which seemed to be the popular item on the menu). Cabbage roll, pirogi, sour cabbage, and mashed potato's with gravy. She loved everything and said it was just as good as she made at home. I wish this place was closer too home because I would love to eat and drink here more often. Whenever I am in town I will stop in again. Cool looking old fashioned bar too!

    (5)

  • Bruce F.

    Great place for authentic Polish Food. Being in Hamtramck, it should be! I've been going to Polish Village since 1984 and it's maintained an authentic, delicious take on polish cuisine the whole time. The stuffed Cabbage, the Pirogues, City Chicken, even the Pork Chops are great. I even like the Dill Pickle Soup. It's old style, but the best style. Be careful how much you order. It's cash only. A solid 4 stars..

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    What is there not to like? Food is home cooked deliciousness and the atmosphere can't be beat. This, and the other establishment next door are institutions worth your patronage and preservation. They wouldn't be the same if ever forced to move to the cookie cutter suburbs.

    (5)

  • Jade K.

    They best!! I have been coming here for years! Although the service is not the best the food more than makes up for it. The staff is very busy because the place is always full. Do your self a favor and try this place! My favorite is the polish plate with dill pickle soup.

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    An experience not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Charles T.

    Waited for 2 hours after being told it would be a 20 minute wait. Too crowded while waiting. The hostess sat groups before us saying they had a reservation. They do not take reservation. Only had 1 bartender. Ended up walking out before getting seated

    (1)

  • Steven B.

    We come here ALL the time. It's a very small place but the food is great. The pierogies are delish and the potato pancakes are awesome. The soup here is very good, too. Come here if you would like some very good authentic polish food.

    (5)

  • Christine S.

    The atmosphere of the place is fantastic, the wait...is not. It took the bartender a good 1/2 hour to acknowledge that we were standing in front of him salivating for a drink. After being in the way of everyone for at least an hour we got seated. 3 latkes and 3 pierogies was my plate of choice, it was good, but I think I've had better at the Polish Festival in Hamtramck. The others in my party were not super satisfied with their canned green beans as a side and the kielbasa that tasted like Eckrich. One gal did love her mushroom crepes, they loved the dill pickle soup, and the cucumber salad was outstanding. I love the kitsch of the place, the lights strung up everywhere and the invitation from the old Polish man to sit on his lap while I wait. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Sam L.

    The atmosphere of this place is what makes it, but the food is close runner-up. Its in the basement of a now closed Polish hotel. Its low lit, filled with Polish0American artifacts and classic Polka music plays across the stereos. The golumpki was good, very good, but I was recently had the golumpki at Polonia which are perfect, so... These golumpki are a bit larger than traditional - almost the size of a clenched fist. They are seasoned well (mildly). The sauce was good, but perhaps there was a pinch too much sugar in them. Beet Soup was fantastic. Its creamy, vinegary, and rich. I gave this place a 4/5 and not a 5/5 because it is not the greatest Polish restaurant in world, but it is VERY good. You're still better off eating at Polish Village Cafe than eating a nonPolish place. I really look forward to returning to this place and trying more things on menu.

    (4)

  • Gwen J.

    A charming cozy european atmosphere. The best dill pickle soup around. You can't bet the prices and potions. My fav is the mushroom cutlet

    (5)

  • Michael J.

    so fucking good!

    (5)

  • Allan Y.

    Although I was born and raised in Detroit, and we were the only Asian family in a 100% Polish neighborhood, we very rarely had Polish food. Only when I moved to Sterling Heights years later did I find the American Polish Cultural Center on Dequindre and Maple. After that experience, one of my favorite comfort foods was Polish cuisine. And then recently, a friend introduced me to the Polish Village Café in Hamtramck. Now this restaurant has become one of my favorites. The ambiance is typical old Eastern European, but the multi-colored lights added some festive atmosphere. Their menu is written in Polish with an English translation and best of all, you can get a great meal for $10.00 or less. I'm talking a "full" meal with soup, salad, home made coleslaw, or cucumbers with sour cream as a starter. My first selection was their "Polski Talerz" or the Polish Plate which consisted of stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut and mashed potato, with a delicious Cabbage Soup as my starter for a low price of $6.95 On subsequent visits I tried their "Golabki" (stuffed cabbage), City Chicken, and "Wedzona Kielbaska" (smoked Polish sausage). All these selection were delicious and filling. By the way, if you are really hungry, order a side order of their "Fried Chicken Livers", they are excellent. The bottom line, at the Polish Village Café, you'll find a friendly waitstaff, "Old World" ambiance, traditional Polish comfort food that will exceed your expectations, all for a great value! What more can you ask for? Also, since they don't accept any credit or debit cards, please be sure to bring some cash.

    (5)

  • Mary Y.

    This place is old school, and feels like your grandma's basement. My grandmother was Italian, but if she was polish, her ghost would be hanging here. We had at our table, golabki, pierogi, smoked kielbasa, saurkraut, beet soup, chicken livers, and other delights. That would be the company I kept. We also sampled a few beers, and wearing our yelp swag obtained at the Labor Day Fest, some old guys who claimed to have "a problem with perversion". But, I digress. Try the Zwiec. It's tasty. It's cash only, so stuff your pockets.

    (4)

  • Jeff P.

    Absolutely delicious! The Polish Village Café is one of my favorite places to eat while in Detroit. Everything on the menu is sublime and the food is worth about twice what you are actually paying. I would highly recommend this restaurant! Besides the classic polish combination plate, the pork chops are great, and you must try the boiled strawberry pierogi!

    (5)

  • Erica M.

    Who needs to go to Poland when you can just eat here? The place is small and sometimes there is a wait. Don't let this deter you. Stick it out. It's worth it. I promise. The atmosphere is so cool and you feel like you are in an old Polish lady's basement. Everything about this place screams authenticity- from the food to the staff to the polka band that sometimes plays over in the corner. I love to order the polish plate for a little bit of everything (stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, mashers and gravy) with a cup of dill pickle soup and a Polish beer. The portions are very generous and everything is homemade and delicious. There's always a point where you know you should stop eating, but you just can't. Your eyes may pop out of your head when you get the bill and see that your total cost is less than $10pp. This is comfort food at its finest. After you roll out the door, you will probably be in the mood for elastic waist pants and a nap.

    (5)

  • Julie W.

    So I'm sure everyone reading this is thinking, "This girl is out of her mind, is snooty, and/or doesn't know what the heck she's talking about". None of the above apply. I'm just a half Polish/half Ukie girl who knows good food when I taste it, whether it be from a Coney Island or from a 5 star restaurant. 1. The Good: Ambience. This place is friggin adorable. Also, the prices. Hard to beat, especially for the portions. The stuffed cabbage wasn't bad. I've had better. 2. The Bad: Service was terrible, and it was a Wednesday night with only a few other tables. We were there for almost 2 hours, and our waiter came back ONCE after he dropped off our food. We ordered a round of chicken livers for an appetizer. It tasted like the burnt breading it was coated with. I ordered the polish plate. The kielbasa was good (but you can't really mess that up, you throw it in a pot of boiling water). The pierogi was the biggest dissapointment of the night. WHY DO PEOPLE FRY PIEROGI? Ahhh, terrible. The sauerkraut was dumped directly out of a can bought at Costco. Everything was terribly over-salted, and I LOVE salt. Bottom line: I would rather spend a few hours in the kitchen and make the whole thing myself, guaranteed to come out better! I waited so long to come here and was so excited...oh well :(

    (2)

  • Eric R.

    Good food and cheap. Cool place

    (5)

  • Bridget K.

    Walking downstairs into Polish Village you feel transported back to central Europe. Step up to the bar and get a beer while you're waiting for your table. They told my party of five at 6 pm on a Saturday night that we would have a 25 minute wait. We were seated much quicker. At the advice of one of the people in my party we all got a round of dill pickle soup. I was a little skeptical at first but it was amazing! I finished my bowl first and could have gone for more. Our waitress was so cute with her authentic Polish dress. I ordered the Polish Plate which was a great choice. It's nice that the menu is written in Polish and English. My friends and I had a great time. I'll definitely go back in the future.

    (5)

  • Evelyn D.

    yesterday was fat tuesday. I had no idea that fat tuesday was such a big deal in hamtramck! Myself and a co-worker (my aunt) placed a carry-out order before we left work. They were sadly out of a couple of my favorites like the potato dumplings! Anyway, we went there and the place was JAMMED. I've been there when it's been busy but have never seen it so PACKED! It was a little difficult to get to the bartender to let him know that we were there to pick up a carryout. I will not hold it against him, it was so crazy i'm surprised he remembered who i was once he was ready to settle out the bills. I was expecting to have something wrong with my order and wouldn't have blamed them at all but it was PERFECT! The placki (potato pancakes) are my favorite or is it the Garlic Chicken!? or the pierogi's...ok...it's official i can't pick a favorite. They're all my favorites! If you've never been...bring CASH and be ready to eat a ton of food for very little money!

    (5)

  • Kate R.

    MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm Piiiieeeerrrroooooogggggiiiiii. Soooooo delicious. I don't really eat much Polish food - mostly because I never order anything other than my delicious pierogis. And where better to get Polish food that the Detroit-area Polish food experts in Hamtramck?! There's not much more to be said. Go enjoy some carb deliciousness. Highly recommend the potato and cheese.

    (4)

  • Elly L.

    As a true Polack, I can say that this place is THE REAL DEAL. I've been coming here for as long as I can remember. When my little nine year old tastebuds were not yet fully "grown", I always devoured the nalesniki, piergois, and latkes. Of course, although all of these plates are still great, I now devour the hot Hungarian pancake or the city chicken. Their dill pickle soup is even better than my Babcia's (shhh, don't tell her I said that!) . The ambiance of the place is homey and comfortable. Just beware if you're with a handicapped person; there are some tight stairs leading down to the place.

    (5)

  • Jenny K.

    This place makes my grandmother look like a joke. Sorry grandma, but it's just so good. Upon first impression, I thought this place was kind of a gimmick, but as soon as I noticed the AstroTurf as carpeting on the stairway and heard Polish coming from the kitchen, I knew it was the real deal. I ordered perogis with a side of pork form a very sassy waitress, as well as a light polish beer. Everything was kickass. And my favorite part? The bill...a full belly, light buzz and leftovers for under 15 dollars.

    (5)

  • Shelby N.

    AMAZING! We went to michigan for a wedding, Our friends there are from polish decent as well as I, they insisted we go and have real Polish food. Everyone~POLSKI TALERZ (POLISH PLATE) "A Taste of Poland" Stuffed cabbage, pierog, kielbasa, sauerkraut and mashed potato. Me~PLACEK PO WEGIERSKU (HUNGARIAN PANCAKE) One huge potato pancake covered in a pork and vegetable Goulash, with a kick of spice!. SO GOOD! I also had pierog on the side AMAZING! Everyone also had the dill pickle soup! This I have to say is in my top 3 for soups! AMAZING! The restaurant it's self is like be taken to poland simply by walking threw the door. SO cute and quant! I loved the fact that the chefs are polish grandmas cooking! and the waitress we had spoke broken english! This restaurant is a must if your ever in michigan!

    (5)

  • Lori K.

    I can make better perogies at home, just go to Kroger in Ferndale, buy the Dudek brand perogies, and the dough, taste is spot on. At Polish Cafe, it is not. Frozen perogies served right up, Next! The wait is atrocious. It went from 5 minutes to 2 hours in 10 minutes. People hover over you while you eat, Aaawkwaard.. We brought out of towners here, no one was impressed. On the plus side, beers are huge and they are $5, food is cheap too. They have a Great Lakes Porter on Tap. Will not be coming back. Cash only.

    (2)

  • Jeff P.

    No wonder this place is crowded on Friday night. The authentic Polish food is tasty and dirt cheap. The beers are cold and tasty. The atmosphere is typical Eastern European cozy/fun. When it is busy, be prepared to awkwardly wait hovering over people's tables as there is NOWHERE to stand.

    (4)

  • Julie C.

    Authentic, homemade Polish food. Quaint restaurant with a neighborhood feel! Fantastic value!

    (5)

  • Patrick R.

    Im polish, hated polish food when I was young, love it now. Get to have it every Xmas eve for Veguila (polish celebration), but with the passing of my Grandma, and thus her oversight of the meal prep... It will never be the same. Polish Village is solid food. Stuffed Cabbage was awesome, potato pancake was good, kielbasa and kapusta were good. The pirogies were OK, but they seemed deep fried, as opposed to my preferred pan fried with butter. I got Duck Blood soup just to try it. A little weird.... Prunes, blood, and little noodles. The sweet n sour thing was interesting, but i couldn't finish it. Service was mehhh, and the decor is interesting. I'd go back, but will look for somewhere else to score my rogies!

    (4)

  • Jaime S.

    Great food, only 4 stars because the last 2 trips I've been sat right next to the front door. If you have ever been there before, you know that means a line of people standing waiting next to your table. When you are seated and people are standing, think about what you are at eye level. Apparently waiting in line causes a lot of wedgies, there were a lot of adjustments going on. Other than that, the service was good, the food was great as always, and the prices are great. I love the new 2 and 3 meat combos. I got a city chicken and smoked kielbasa. SO good! I could do without the canned beans, and the potatoes weren't as good as last time. I should have paid the extra buck and got a potato pancake. I love this place, and I will be back. But I'm going to ask to be seated in the back!

    (4)

  • Badrul F.

    Every single dish on the menu is made with lard. There are only two dishes you can get that can be made to order without the use of lard. Also, they only accept cash. I still give the place 3 stars because the service was excellent and the one dish all of my friends and I tried was good. The place itself was pretty cool and its packed with the remaining Polish community in and around Detroit.

    (3)

  • Jenna S.

    I come from the city with the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw living in it, so there is no shortage of Polish food here in Chicago. But I'm still giving this place five stars because it was so much better than anything I've had here! We had to wait approximately 45 minutes for a table but it was well worth it. The restaurant had a great atmosphere. It was on the small side and definitely packed, but it was so much fun to wait around with everyone and listen to the kitchen crew speaking Polish and bustling around to accommodate everyone in the restaurant. They had a good selection of beer and spirits at the bar, so our wait was a bit more comfortable that way. Once we sat down at a table, we found that the food was absolutely delicious. There are some old Polish ladies in the kitchen literally making everything by hand, from the pierogies to the stews to everything else. It was great to eat at a place where the staff took that much pride in their food preparation. I definitely recommend to anyone in the area visiting. The wait is well worth it.

    (5)

  • Joseph H.

    I've never been exposed to real/authentic Polish cuisine before, my pallet is accustomed to Italian and Mediterranean fare. For my birthday I took the advice of family and friends and indulged my curiosity by going to Polish Village Café. It was one of the most interesting and exquisite food I've ever had. I will become I regular of this restaurant for life! The establishment is small and decorated in an ethic-gaudy way which I LOVE!! The wait-staff and cooks in the back look like they came from off the boat, old school Polonia. There's a full bar, where I opted to have a Polish Beer which was a lighter beer but strong and full of flavor that complimented the food amazingly. We started with the potato pancakes as our first course. They were perfectly seasoned with hints of onion and cracked black pepper, dense, yet fluffy as a cloud. They were the most addicting thing I've came into contact with since booze and cigarettes. For dinner I ordered the Polish Plate which starts with a choice of soup then the main course entails a stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, kielbasa, pierogi and mashed potatoes with gravy. For choice of soup I had the dill pickle soup which was cream based and had potatoes and chunks of pickles. It tasted so delicious and perfectly envelopes the palate with all the comforts of a warm and luscious soup. The Polish Plate was amazing!!! The stuffed cabbage was cooked to perfection; delicate tomato sauce and the filling of the stuffed cabbage was light and fluffy meat and rice, perfectly seasoned with Polish spices. The kielbasa wasn't smoked but had good quality ingredients and the skin was plump and firm, yum! The pierogi was the BEST pierogi I've ever had. The dough was semi-sweet and had a mashed potato and cheese filling with hints of bacon. the mashed potatoes were fresh and home made with a rich, thick gravy. This place is divine, to say the least, it was the best place to pop my Polish cherry.

    (5)

  • Denise E.

    Ok, which one should you go to? Polish Village or Polonia? It's a polarizing debate, but here's where I net out: I prefer Polonia. Comparison -Better pierogies: Polonia -Better soups: Polonia -Better taste plate: Polonia -Better sausages: Polish Village -Better ambiance: Polish Village -Open later: Polish Village -Featured on No Reservations: Polonia Both have VERY similar menus, very similar pricing, authentic, hearty

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    The food was GREAT. Just like Polish Grandma used to make. The ambiance was real, comforting and friendly. Every time the door opened you expected to see a friend or relative walk in.

    (5)

  • Craig K.

    We went there today...The food was excellent. The service from our waitress was .so-so. We ordered pierogis as an appetizer. They came out at the time as the main dish. Both were cold, I had to send back my order. I think our food sat in the back for awhile because the couple that sat next to us came in after us and finished their meal before we got ours. Reminder: they do not take credit cards. A lot of people tried to use the ATM in the restaurant and it ran out of money. They were not happy to walk 2 blocks to fund another ATM.

    (3)

  • Michael P.

    Best Polish restaurant in Detroit. Hands down. Polonia is good. Polish Village Cafe is better. Everything is amazing from the pierogi to the city chicken to the stuffed cabbage to the kielbasa to the potato pancakes to the nalesniki! I've never had anything that wasn't delicious! Oh and the dill pickle soup is awesome too! If you like Polish food and you haven't been to Polish Village Cafe you have to go. Now. Seriously. My one complaint is that they only take cash. No credit cards.

    (5)

  • E D.

    This place rules. Its a basement of an old hotel. When I went I felt like I was at a best friends house and his mom was making us all dinner. The place was packed and we had to sit at the bar. I had not been before so I wasnt expecting much but the Polish sampler plate was awesome I had stuffed cabbage and added perogies with a Polish lager to top it off with an excellent price tag by the way. The server was bubbly and made you feel at home...Im going back.

    (5)

  • Jenny F.

    Took some friends their they are from Poland. We ordered pretty much everything on the menu to try. The food was cold and just ok. Service was decent. I don't think we will be coming back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Dennis L.

    I had no idea that the Polish Village Cafe existed until my parents suggested the restaurant for a New Years Day lunch. The restaurant is located in the heart of Hamtramck, a small city inside Detroit that was once a thriving Polish community. While the city looks and feels quite different today, the Polish Village Cafe takes you back. The restaurant is located in a cozy basement, and it truly feels like a European cafe. The staff are very friendly and thankfully, Polish. As for the food.... Yes, try the Dill Pickle Soup if available. It is light and delicious. The Hungarian Pancake (goulash over a potato pancake) was excellent. The Polish platter is a great sampling of several polish dishes, all of them perfectly cooked. Finally, the Garlic Chicken was moist and flavorful. Everything I tried at the Polish Village Cafe left me wanting more. I certainly hope to return on a future trip to the Detroit area. Cash or Check only...so come prepared.

    (5)

  • Larisa B.

    Absolutely delicious cheap food. There isn't anything on the menu that I don't like... it's all great. The only thing I don't appreciate is their bread basket... sliced store-bought bread. You would think they'd utilize a Polish bakery nearby...

    (4)

  • Chris T.

    The Polish Village Cafe is a tiny little downstairs place off a side street in Hamtramck, the place is about 20 feet wide and 60 feet deep. There's a bar to the right that extends through the entire length of the place, which leaves room for about 25 small tables or so. Claustrophobes need not apply. If you can get past the cramped quarters -- and it does get cramped around dinner time every day -- there is much to love here. Simple dishes prepared lovingly with no frills and all at a working person's wages. If you've grown up with homemade pierogies and for some reason grandma can't get down like she used to, this place will take you back in a way few polish places can. Everything feels authentic because it is, and if you're into Polish beer then you're well off to get a few pints of your favorite import... in fact, the cafe started as a beer garden. Some may complain of the cramped quarters and rather homely look of the place, but if you simply want to have good, authentic Polish cuisine then bam, you're home.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    Wow! Great food and even greater prices! Go hungry.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    Short and sweet review. Awesome pork chops. Good soup.

    (5)

  • Mari T.

    Yes, dill pickle soup was really good I could have had a whole pot of it. I've been to Poland a few times and loved their food (and drinks:-)) and I thought food and atmosphere of polish village cafe were quite authentic. I couldn't find bigos in the menu but loved the polish plate that you get to enjoy a few different dishes. I'm looking forward to go back there soon! *no credit / debit card, cash only.

    (5)

  • Sally B.

    Excellent! First it's the cute Mini out front... not a new one, it's direct from an eastern European country. Then, the food would make my Polish relatives weep for the Old Country. And finally, there's the fact that my husband and I had our first date there. (I know... that makes us a bit unusual.) It's cozy and the food is excellent... pirogie, cabbage rolls, goulash, potato pancakes, DILL PICKLE SOUP!! Yum! It's hard to get away from the Polish Plate and the Hungarian Pancake. But today we tried the garlic chicken and it is now another staple. The bean soup is like my mom would have made, but a little better. And it's fun to notice that the light fixtures are upside down. And there's a coat rack that seems to be a decoration also... it has to be, because it's upside down too. Ah... I love my Polish heritage. :-)

    (5)

  • Eric P.

    I'm not going to enter the debate on whether Polish Village Cafe is the best Polish restaurant in Detroit, because frankly I am not experienced enough to make that call. I will say, though, that I love PVC for two-and-a-half reasons. 1, they have a great variety of foods available, and insofar as I know, it's all been good. They even had czarnina the last time I was there, which was pretty darn good. 2, it's undeniably cheap. A full dinner for two (including at least one, maybe two pints) can easily come in under $15 - kind of anachronistic, in a way. 2.5, convenience. It takes me less than ten minutes to get there. Overall, I love it.

    (4)

  • Hope S.

    I love traditional polish food and what could be better than eatting it in a basement in Hamtramck? hehe, seriously though. Polish Village Cafe is a must stop if you havent been. What is good to eat? Just about everything! If it's your first time going I highly recommend the polish plate as you get a sampling of pierogi, potatoes and gravy, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. Pair this up with the Pickle Soup. Even if you don't like pickles, I swear, you'll like this. Totally unique and delicious.

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    Zounds, I am in love with this place. Yum.Cheap and amazingly good. Every time I have gone it's been crammed full of happy diners. Last time there was an 80 year old man celebrating his birthday visiting all of the other tables wishing other celebrants long life and happiness. If they eat here often it's almost guaranteed. Each day they have as many as five specials in addition to their extensive regular menu. We've tried half the offerings, and have yet to be unhappy. One important suggestion- make sure that you have the dumpling side dish, and don't forget the gravy.

    (5)

  • Lola D.

    Wonderful. Cheap. Delicious. Grandma cooking. Real Polish. Go-go-go-go-go there, don't doubt me on this one and don't waste your time thinking. Go enjoy it. i would give it 6 stars if I could.

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    I grew up in a "off the boat" Polish family, so I am very critical of Polish food. My grandma and "Babcias" always made stuffed cabbage, pierogis and paczkis from scratch, so any restaurant has a lot to live up to. Polish Village does. Between my family and I, we have tried a lot of items on the menu and nothing disappoints. I crave the Dill Pickle soup and potato pancakes nearly monthly! The pierogis are the only ones I have had outside of my grandma's kitchen that taste as good as hers. I even get nostalgic when we get our handwritten bill and it looks like my grandma's handwriting. The only downfalls are the crowded space and the no credit card policy.

    (5)

  • Adela B.

    I have loved this place ever since I was a kid. Everything on the menu is good. For example...I had virtually no money in my pocket but my daughter wanted me to take her out to lunch. We went here and I ordered the boiled chicken (a Saturday special). The full dinner with soup, half a chicken and side dishes was 4.75. I would have a hard time making that meal at home for that price. My 4 year old and I were able to split the dinner and we had a great time. Now, you may think that boiled chicken sounds incredibly boring...but with their tasty brown gravy and amazing dill pickle soup, even something that simple can be very satisfying. I am also a fan of their stuffed beef rolls with kopytka dumplings. Another delicious treat they sometimes serve is fresh cabbage soup. They often serve cabbage soup, which is not my favorite, but their fresh cabbage soup is just like my mother makes. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for delicious home style food at very reasonable prices.

    (5)

  • Ben H.

    Considering I'm not Polish, but Scottish, I think this place is super. The mixed pierogi were great and the beer is awesome. Definate must if go to Hamtramck. Love it!

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    Dining here was one of the highlights of my trip to Detroit. This place is the real deal. You may have to wait ('30 min wait' = 1 HR) & space may seem tight in your Polish grandmother's basement, but isn't that why we love it? Grab a spot at the bar, order a drink, and soak up the smells and sounds of this Polish kitchen. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Allen L.

    What a difference a server makes. Tried for a second time. Big fan of the zrozy (stuffed meat roll). Sausage not as good as Polonia but the sauerkraut is great here.

    (4)

  • Dea A.

    The dill pickle soup was great! The stuffed cabbage or glompki was not great, but the pierogi, sausage, mashed potatoes, and vodka selection were all worth mentioning. Not the best, but not the worst. CASH ONLY! But it is cheap (about $6-7 a dinner).

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    We took my Dad here when he was visiting because he's Polish & he likes to check Triple D locations off his list! It was great! The Dill Pickle Soup was yummy! I enjoyed the Polish Platter, with a cabbage roll & Polish sausage, both quite tasty. My husband had the schnitzel & my dad the chicken livers. My 5 year old liked the crepes! It was very reasonably priced, all the food, plus sodas & alcoholic beverages & it was under $50. **They take cash or checks only. No credit cards.**

    (5)

  • Lorna D.

    I know this place has a faithful following, and I really wanted to love it. I went on a weeknight to avoid the throng, and was not impressed. The door hit me in the hiney on the way in, almost making me trip down the few stairs that lay ahead. The waitress didn't feel the need to be attentive, friendly or pleasant, and the service in general was extremely slow for the few tables there that night. I tried to suspend my displeasure til the food came, which turned out to be quite mediocre. Sauces were absent or drab in flavor. I excused myself to the loo to see the open kitchen doorway butted up to the bathroom doors-yuck! While back there I took the opportunity to peek inside the kitchen, which looked kinda dingy. I'd be open to trying this place again, as so many dear friends are huge fans.

    (2)

  • Bryan V.

    Worth the wait in line. Bring cash. Perogies, potato pancakes, and stuffed cabbage can't be beat.

    (5)

  • Kooky M.

    Atmosphere - my only real complaint was that it was awfully cramped. Service - wonderful Food - I got the beet soup and the stuffed cabbage rolls. The beet soup was absolutely the best I ever had. It just tasted like fresh beets - not all vinegary like some places. The stuffed cabbage plate was fantastic! The meat was flavorful, the cabbage was tender and a nice background. The mashed potatoes were a bit bland, and the green beans were canned. It was a very nice experience to go. The food was positively worth the price (We got two complete dinners that included soup, and one order of crepes for just over $20). I would highly encourage anyone to go here and try it out!

    (4)

  • stan s.

    Atmosphere and the service are very good. I really like PVC and go there often, but I have one complaint. I wish they'd get rid of the sauce that tastes like it came out of a can of spaghettios. Clearly they're not making their own. It's a little annoying eating a very good golumpki and tasting canned spaghetti sauce.

    (4)

  • Christine R.

    What can I say about this fantastic restaurant that hasn't already been said? I am being picky and giving 4 stars instead of 5 because of the atmosphere (small and smokey) and the fact that they don't take credit cards... and don't tell you until you pay. (yes, I am hanging my head in shame for not noticing that from the other reviews, I will do better next time). The food is hands down a 5 star! Both my husband and I grew up eating grandma's homemade Polish food and we both agreed and that grandma would approve of the PVC. Since we do not frequent Hamtramck often, we got enough peirogis to take home to eat for another meal or two. They were by far the best I have tasted (sorry mom). There is no doubt in my mind that we will be back at PVC, though I am now determined to try Polonia (apparently it got a thumbs up from Anthony Bourdain and I cannot agrue with that) and Under the Eagle also.... but they will have to impress the hell out of me to keep me away from PVC.

    (4)

  • viv l.

    Coming from one Polish neighborhood (Greenpoint, Brooklyn) to another, Polish Village Cafe brought back so many delicious memories. Two of us shared the potato pancake & pierogie platter and the Polish favorites combo. LOVED the kielbasa and sauerkraut. The potato pancakes are dense, chewy, savoury, and absolutely fucking delicious smothered with sour cream. Yes, I will concur that the dill pickle soup (creamy, dilly, potatoey) is also amazing. I DO wish that we ordered the Hungarian Platter (with the giant potato pancake and the meat&veg goulash) instead of the pierogies. Which isn't to say that the pierogies were mediocre -- because they are textured perfectly (firm, not soggy, exterior, well seasoned interior), but damn, I'd give both of my pinkie toes for a bite of the Hungarian pancake. Crispy on the outside, dense and chewy on the inside, smothered in goulash, and finished off with a side of coleslaw. Hearty comfort food at its best. One more thing: the bartender was so right on with her vodka recommendation. We were looking for a good value, Polish vodka, which we wouldn't find elsewhere (suck it Belvedere) and she came up with Luksusowa. Clean, a bit on the sweet side, it was perfect for cutting our very rich meal.

    (5)

  • Deborah R.

    I have been eating here since I was a child and the food never dissapoints. Polish employees and authentic food. I had split a combo-type platter of polish goodies with the friend I went with and it was tasty as well as filling.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Simply the best Polish food outside of Poland!!!!

    (5)

  • Nishy P.

    Yum, yum, yum, give me some. I'm polish and this place rocks. Love the vibe. Food reminds me of babcia's home cooking. Everything we ordered was delicious and we left the table stuffed and happy. The neighborhood is sketchy yes but once you're inside it's all good. Love the Christmas lights. It's not fancy or trendy and that's what makes it awesome and very cool. Skip the lame chain restaurant and enjoy some ethnic flavor. Oh and the Bison Vodka + apple juice is a fantastic drink to wash it all down with. Na zdrowie!!!

    (5)

  • Athena K.

    Love the dill pickle soup. The pierogi are pretty good too. Everything else is okay at best.

    (2)

  • Suzy Q.

    Zywiec Beer. Dill Pickle Soup. Pierogies. Polish Platter. Crepes. Your life is now complete! I love the old polish ladies in the back making the food - it makes you feel like you're in Poland staying with family. P.S. This place is cash only.

    (5)

  • Michelle W.

    By far the best pierogies I have ever had :) This place is GREAT! From the giant beers, traditional dress and creepy stairs you have to walk down to go in the place. You won't be disappointed, and the food is great!! Love the kraut pierogies the best :) Next time I go back to Detroit I would love to hit up this place again!!

    (5)

  • UniqueRwe2 T.

    We went on 3/19 a Monday evening. It is located down stairs (basement level) of an old hotel that hasn't been in operation for many years. It's kind of dark and gloomy. It has a long bar and tables & chairs crowded in. Old Polish decor of course. The food wasn't bad but not good either, lacked in flavor. The portions were good. The mixed plate, served with a bread basket, Stuffed Cabbage, Kraut, Mashed Potaoes, 1 Pierogi, was bland & a small piece of Polish Sausage was very tasty "Kowalski". The older waitress was rude when I asked if she could tell me how the food was prepared. Nope I would NOT go back. Too bad Pole Town is dieing out... Sad

    (2)

  • Phillip K.

    Some family members were in Hamtown for the holidays and, of course, wanted Polish food. Against my suggestion (Under the Eagle), we went to Polish Village. PV is not my favorite of the Big 3 Polish restaurants in Htown, but since they wanted to go, I thought I would give it another chance. PV was exactly like I remembered it: disappointing. I had the dill pickle soup, cucumbers in sour cream, and potato pancakes -- my yardstick at Polish places. The soup was good (better than I expected) but tepid in temperature, the cukes were way to sweet -- they tasted like the sour cream was dumped with sugar -- and the potato pancakes were cold, overdone, and heavy. Not at all like the homemade cakes I ate growing up just a block from the restaurant. (I marvel that reviewers say this place is so "authentic." Not in my memory.) My brother-in-law had stuffed cabbage. Good, but instead of being served in a light tomato sauce, they were served in a bright orange, tomato paste sauce -- way too heavy and distracting from the dish. My sister had the kielbasa/kapusta plate. The kielbasa tasted store bought -- not what I would assume from a Polish restaurant. We did have a side order of pierogi, which were crisp and excellent. Plus, the place was waaay too cold. (I rolled down my sleeves and my nephew put on his sweatshirt), too dark, too small, and too loud with ambient noises. And, they don't take credit cards. The only saving graces were that PV is open later than the others, and the cost was under $40 for four. (Included one beer.) For a superior Polish food experience, I still recommend Under the Eagle.

    (2)

  • Steve W.

    It's a Polish restaurant in a basement in Hamtramck. How can you beat that? The food is great and reasonably priced as well. Okocim on tap. Most of the help are Polish. And I'm not talking about their grandparents being born in Poland and then immigrating. I'm talking about fresh off the boat Polish. Get a free Polish lesson while you're there! It doesn't get any better than this. I suggest the Hungarian pancake - it's super good!

    (5)

  • Chilly C.

    BEST Polish food outside of Poland! The potato pancakes are amazing (especially w/ bowl of dill pickle soup)!

    (5)

  • B. M.

    We had dinner here last week. When we walked down the stairs into the craziness below I started to have second thoughts. The place was crazy packed and we were immediately standing in a line with the last person in our party of 5 half out the door. The waiter nearest to us shouted to "close the door" as I apologized to the couple behind us who were eating with our asses in their face. Well, the line went rather quickly although we had to be proactive about getting on the waiting list. After standing for about 20 minutes we asked the woman about putting our name in. We were seated about 10 minutes later. Our waitress was apparently the manager too. She was awesome. Being from Toledo and not out this way too much we proceeded to order about 4 different plates each. She had our drinks refilled pronto and our food all came out perfect and as ordered. Being a former waiter it was very appreciated. The food was amazing. We had all different flavors of pierogi, kielbasa, various sides, etc. everything was delicious and we ended up taking about 5 boxes to go. The price was unbelievable cheap and we loved the cozy atmosphere. Definitely going back for more.

    (5)

  • Joan M.

    Polish cafe as good as always!

    (5)

  • William S.

    A short time ago my wife and I tried Polonia restaurant on Yemans in Hamtramck and were thoroughly delighted. This time we decided to try Polish Village. We loved the atmosphere which was festive and extremely inviting. Walking down from the street it seemed like a great location and unique. Visually it was obviously Polish. Unfortunately, the food was not the best. It was ok, but not excellent. The sausage was only decent, not excellent. The soup was very good and that was probably the best thing I could say about the food. The red sauce that was used tasted more like catsup with sugar in it - nasty. My wife had schnitzel and was thoroughly disappointed. It looked more like a loaf than a schnitzel. As far as I'm concerned the food missed the mark, but everything else was great. The waitresses were obviously Polish, the menu looked like an old school Polish menu. However, just down the street at the Polonia you'll find better food! The decor might not be quite as wonderful as Polish Village, but for me food comes first! I guess in this case it's all a matter of how you like your Polish food. I'm sure some people love this place and I certainly can understand why. We, however, will not be returning any time soon. Another issue is that they do NOT accept credit cards, which was an issue on this particular day for us.

    (3)

  • Guillermo K.

    Had some delish duck blood soup and their Warsaw chicken, which was a'ight. Yumsters.

    (4)

  • Melody B.

    Polish Village Cafe has the most authentic Polish food in the area, with the best atmosphere. Highlights include the traditionally-dressed waitstaff, HUGE frosted beer goblets and the Polish Plate, a dish that gives you a sample of the best Polish food. The best time to go is a Friday or Saturday night, a little later in the evening. When things get boisterous and fun, it seems to feel like you're at a Polish family's gathering. If you go Sunday afternoons, it's hetic, be prepared to wait! Also, bring cash, they don't accept credit cards.

    (5)

  • Jeska D.

    This is the Polish food I dream about since moving away from the Detroit area. After college, I spent 2 wonderful years living just down the block from this Hamtramck hotspot and I still remember the smell of fresh pierogi's and potato pancakes when I'd get home from work. Many other dinner plans were 'ruined' by a trip to the PVC after that warm, inviting smell hit my nose. If it's available, try the Dill Pickle soup - it's to die for. I know, I know I was worried about the "pickle-y" taste the first time I tried it - but think of the most comfortable comfort food imaginable, this is it! The mushroom soup is almost as good. I don't eat much meat, but everyone I've taken here who's had their juicy kielbasa loves it. Final reason to go? My good friend who is 100% Polish swears that this is the only restaurant that can recreate the pierogis her grandmother made.

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    I'm half Polish, but, picky child that I was, I never ate any of the Polish food my Bousha made. So maybe this is what authentic Polish food is all about, but I wasn't all that impressed. It's the kind of place I really wanted to love. One of those Detroit institutions, a hidden gem tucked away on a residential street in Hamtramck where once inside you are transported to another world - one that is inhabited by old Polish biddies serving huge platters of delicious cheap food and old men sit at the bar drinking vodka or Polish beer. But it just didn't work for me. We waited about 15 minutes for a table for 6 around 7 on a Saturday night. Not bad. We had a pitcher of Polish beer while we waited. Okay, off to a good start. We sat down and about 2 seconds later our gruff waitress came over to ask what we wanted. We said we didn't know what we wanted for entrees, but Dan suggested we start with soup. She said no, you order all at once, and walked away.... We ate some of the bread on the tables (without any bread plates), waiting a few minutes for her to come back. Everyone ordered before me. I went with the pierogi (cheese) and placki (potato pancakes). She started to walk away when Dan asked me what kind of soup I wanted. The waitress said "no, it doesn't come with any" and walked away. Okay, just because it didn't come with any, didn't mean I couldn't order some. When she brought the soup, she brought the wrong kind. Everyone ordered the beet and she brought the keilbasa. I said "actually, I'll take one of those" but she just walked away again. No soup for me. (yes I could have been more assertive at yelled HEY gimmie some soup, but at the point I gave up). After 20 minutes we had no entrees. We asked her to check on the delay, since the table sat 10 minutes after us had theirs. A few minutes later our food appeared. I sampled the Polish sausage (tasted like a big hot dog) and Dan's pork goulash on placki (damn tasty with tender, flavorful pork) and then moved on to mine. Big dissapointment. The potato pancakes were fine. They just tasted like greasy hashbrown patties. The pierogies were not so good. The only ones I have had may not have been authentic as the cheese was goey and melty. This cheese was a weird consistency (like dried out cottage cheese) and had a sour taste. For dessert the table ordered blinis to share - 2 cherry, one blueberry, and one cheese. We got 3 cherry and 1 blueberry, no cheese. I think that for a lot of people, this place is a novelty. The "old world charm", somewhat hidden location, servers who've been there for years (or, more like cranky waitresses who can't get the order right), rock bottom prices (it was $60 for dinner for 6 and 3 pitchers of beer) and authentic Polish food (which was hit or miss) was a change from the average family dinner outing. But I didn't love it, and I don't know that I'd rush back. Even if I was craving the pork goulash (which could definately happen) I don't see the wait and the crappy service being worth it.

    (3)

  • Rick K.

    Wow! Don't really know what to say other than the best Polish food ever! 15 of us went here for Father's Day and it was just the best experience! There is not really anything I can say that hasn't been said already! I had the dill pickle soup and polish plate and every bite of every single item was 5 star! if you like polish food this is your place...if you have never had polish food this is your place...if you dont like polish food this is your place! If you dont like polish food here you wont like it anywhere...it's like eating polish food right out of my grandma's kitchen! Just wish they'd open a place in Portland, OR!!!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Best Polish food outside of Warsaw. The owner is a doctor. We call him "Doc Ted". He and his daughter run the place. This place is a true Hamtramck institution. Yes, Bill Clinton ate here back in the 90's. No one knew that the President was coming in for lunch. He walked in that day with a few local congressmen and the Mayor of Hamtramck (this location was the Mayor's choice). Everyone was told to stay seated and continue eating their meal as if nothing was happening - except the President of the United States was eating two tables over. Must of been a hell of surprise for those eating lunch that day. As the story goes he got his cuff link and shirt cuff dipped in the stuffed cabbage tomato gravy while reaching for some potatoes across the table. (This is first hand from a local cop who was assigned to his detail for the day and, then, Mayor Bob Kozaren who was eating with him). Clinton didn't notice it and kept on eating. The gravy then rubbed on to his suit jacket and made a real mess. No one had the heart to tell him he was wearing his food. For desert they had a cop run to the bakery and pick up "angel wings". These little Polish treats are covered in powdered sugar - and if you are new to eating them you are sure to get the powder sugar on yourself when attempting bite into one. Sure enough, Clinton took one bite and a big dollop of powdered sugar got all over the front of his dark blue suit coat. That stuff does NOT wipe off easily. The cup that Clinton used to drink his diet coke from is on display behind the bar in a glass cabinet. To the Yelper below me that talks about old memories of his grandmother. The "Mrs. K" funeral home owner in his grandma's story was Mrs. Krot of Krot funeral home. I worked for her for several years. She was a wonderful and generous woman, especially with all her "busha" lady friends. She was in her 80s when I knew her and she had stop driving for many years by then. She used to complain and say: "I drove all those ladies around in my Cadillac for years and years, now that I can't drive anymore none of them come around to pick me up in return..." She had a great sense of humor - God rest her soul.

    (5)

  • Chandra P.

    There was about a 15 minute wait for our table but the other patrons were in such good moods that the wait went by quickly. The wait staff was fast and to the point - no messing around, chit chatting or small talk for them. I ordered the dill pickle soup and boiled (not fried) cheese and potato pierogi. Husband ordered chicken liver and beet soup. He said the beet soup was the best he ever had. My soup was also very good. The pierogi were good although they showed up FRIED. That's my only complaint...and the waiter didn't even seem to notice. They were very busy so I didn't bother sending it back. The potato and cheese filling was amazing - best I've had in a while. We ordered crepes for dessert (cheese and blueberry). They were pretty good as well. Now I am STUFFED and, all of that, plus a beer cost only $25.00!

    (4)

  • Murray R.

    If i had to live in Michigan and couldn't afford Ann Arbor, Hamtramck would be my second choice. What a great ethnic neighborhood. It' s too bad C-town' s own Slavic Village is uninhabitable, because that's what this place reminds me of. I loved the grandma's basement ambiance. I had the mushroom crepe dealies with ,duh, pierogi and chased them with a Polish beer. Too bad the Stereolab show we went to Detroit to see was an hour later. I could barely stand up with such a full gut.

    (4)

  • Chip W.

    Authentic is the first thing that comes to mind. Saying that the food is good, or that it's [insert adjective], is the understatement of the century. The food is literally home cooked. Literally, in that the restaurant is located in the basement of a row house. This provides for an unbelievable atmosphere. The service is veteran. Everything simple appears right when you want it. Definitely suitable for a family dinner. Oh and make sure to use the restroom. You'll have to take a stroll through the kitchen to get to it.

    (5)

  • Eben W.

    Polish plate is a great sampler - kielbasa, potato, sauerkraut and awesome stuffed cabbage... and the borscht is tasty as well. Also a good selection of polish beers!

    (4)

  • Daniel L.

    If you want a Polish meal that compares to home cooking this is the place. Five Star.

    (5)

  • Kathi C.

    This was my first full-on Polish meal (I didn't make it to Polonia down the street), but everything I had was delicious- pickle soup, cabbage soup, smoked sausage, stuffed cabbage, city chicken, potato dumplings, potato, cheese, blueberry and strawberry pierogies, and blintzes. Everything goes great with a little honey wine. Don't pass up the cherry blintz- you might need a moment to compose yourself after tasting it.

    (4)

  • Ellen O.

    the problem is that i live in chicago and every time i head back to detroit it's usually for a family event that involves over-eating, so the thought of ALSO gorging on polish food during the same weekend makes me want to hurl. however - this place is amazing and i crave it all the time. i need to plan a detroit trip just to eat here.

    (4)

  • Samir N.

    I must not be a fan of Polish food. I found it too simple and too bland for my taste. The bread basket was a fail - sandwich bags, really? The most exciting thing for me was the mashed potatoes and gravy (which is pretty sad). The waitress seemed to be pretty enthusiastic about what I ordered, but I just did not share her sentiment.

    (2)

  • Ben W.

    The food was good, but the service was slow, was slow when I went . I went middle of last week for dinner.

    (2)

  • Amber H.

    holy crap, this place is amazing. i went there last night for the first time and i still can't stop thinking about it. I was with 5 people and with beer & tip our bill came to $60. i got the polish plate and the only thing that upset me is that i had a beer before dinner. if i go back i will wait and order a beer with dinner so that i can finish all of my delicious food. and the beer i will order will be Zywiec - traditional polish beer that is served so unbelievably cold - a perfect accompaniment to a great meal.

    (5)

  • juston m.

    last night we had a concert to go to at smalls in hamtrack and i suggested polish village to fill our bellies. this is the only restaurant on this block that i have ever been to. my family always goes there. my friends always want to go there and bill clinton went there during his presidency. i'm sorry bourdain, i know you went to polonia and you ARE my fake boyfriend, but i can't break tradition. i probably hadn't been in a year or so and was so mad at myself for waiting so long to go back. other reviewers have complained of cold food and cold quarters. i was very surprised of that because the place is always warm and snuggly inside and the food is so hot i have to wait to eat it. another amazing tidbit, polonia was empty, while we had to wait 45 minutes for a table at polish village. we ordered potato and kraut perogis, dill pickle soup, fried chicken livers and hungarian pancake. i usually order stuffed cabbage, but i plan on making it from scratch tonight so i passed. the perogis where so crispy and the kraut was perfection. the soup is what i crave every time, although i love czarnina, i never actually order it because the dill pickle is so good. bf loved the livers and my hungarian pancake was really fucking good. the pork stew on top of it was delicious and slightly smoky/spicy. we both wished we could have finished more of our dinner, but had drank 2 huge ociwik and oktoberfest beers (only 4.50 on draft!). they don't accept credit, but i had cash thank god. the basement setting reminds me of eating in someones kitchen and i love it! so warm and cozy and loud. love, juston

    (5)

  • J. M.

    A definite must try. Great polish food. I loved the atmosphere here and very reasonable prices. Its a cozy atmosphere with a full bar. They have a great variety on their menu and tons of soups. They server was attentive. I will definitely be back. Parking in a meter lot right next door and cash/check ONLY so be prepared!

    (5)

  • Sara A.

    Located on Yemans Street, in a tiny neighborhood in Hamtramck, Polish Village Café offers authentic Polish fare in a quaint setting. As soon as you step into the warm wooden restaurant your senses will be on overload, the scent of sweetness from the delicious crepes on the menu, onions and sausage collide with the fragrance of beer and potatoes. Polish Village Café has a menu as true to Polish cuisine as one could ask for in Michigan. Descending from Polish heritage I know a bit of something about pierogies and other polish meals. I have to say that Polish Village offers dinners flavorful, reasonably priced Polish dishes that are guaranteed to satisfy. In addition to the authentic menu which includes a Polish classic Dill Pickle soup Polish Village also has a full stocked bar as well as Polish beers, which are ridiculously affordable. The service at Polish Village Café is wondrous, the majority of the staff reminding me of my aunts and grandma. The take care of customers, are attentive and kind. With fantastic service, tasty Polish eats, and a great environment one your debut visit I assure you'll become a repeat customer.

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    THE BEST!!!! everything is as good as it can get. Great prices, and the best dill pickle soup I have ever found anywhere. This place can not be beat! We drive all the way from the Lansing area for this place. The whole car ride trying to decide what we want to have, everything is so good.

    (5)

  • Kellie B.

    Walking in there are some old crooked stairs and a small gallery of ukranian dolls and polish knick nacks....you have arrived to the place people have been giving high reviews for years. Beautifully well preserved dolls are also encased in the bar by the foreign vodka bottles. From living in michigan, I have acquired a taste for pierogis (not hard to gain a taste for carbs, butter, potatoes and cheese with onions) and came here in search of a bulk order to eat some and stash the rest away in the freezer for later. Wow -- the prices are very affordable, a dozen pierogis cooked anyway you like for $7.25 Also ordered the cabbage rolls, which are divine. Almost like a small meatloaf wrapped in cabbage with a very simple but not canned tomato sauce. And the green beans that came with it, were homemade. And I mean like your Auntie would snap the peas, strip the membrane then simmer then in saltwater until they were done but still bright green and tender to the taste? Exactly like that. Amazingly simple food, and its a full house. Even with all the one way streets (starting to think once you find your way into Hamtramck its twice as hard to find your way out) this place deserves a nod for a revisit.

    (4)

  • Rhonda L.

    Just went for the first time. It was packed and small but the food was excellent and the bill was incredibly small. I loved the pierogis and potato pancakes.

    (5)

  • Matt S.

    You tried the rest, now try the best! The other big restaurant on the block got a stellar review from some clowns on the Food Channel...not bad, but not in the same league with the Polish Village. Great beer selection, fantastic food and good service. I only wish they could expand to the entire building so there was more seating available!

    (5)

  • Polska P.

    One of my favorite places in the world. Do yourself a favor and don't miss out. Get out of your comfort zone and try some amazing authentic Polish food.

    (5)

  • B K.

    The dill pickle soup, potato pancakes, and cheese and potato pierogies are incredibly good. They alone are worth the trip. The city chicken is not bad either. Skip the sandwhiches -- I ordered a sandwhich and it was literally two piece of bread with meat. Period. No condiments, no lettuce, onion -- just meat. (Granted the meat was good -- but plain plain plain.) The one thing that lacks in this restaurant is the ability for the owners to recognize they have the skills and ability to make this a 5 star. But what keeps them down is the sides. Every meal with sauerkraut, mashed potatos drowned in gravy and canned green beans. Or if there is another side offered, it is prepared without care and definite lack of presentation. Large cubes of cucumber doused in sugar and sour cream - bleah -- They could go so much further if they changed those little things. And yes -- friendlier service would be nice.

    (3)

  • Lisa W.

    I actually came here specifically to have the pickle soup and it was amazing. It actually sounds quite disgusting, but it is so flavorful and savory goodness. The atmosphere is perfect. It's dark. You don't have to look at the pierogies you're eating. It is great, and I am going to go again and eat the pickle soup in front of my boyfriend because he hates pickles.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    This place is just down the street from my apartment, and if I had the time/money to eat here everyday, I would. It's two blocks away from downtown Hamtramck on Joseph Campau- that's about a 20 second drive if you don't hit the light at Holbrook. It's super easy to just pop into - parking isn't congested in this area usually. It seriously looks like one of those restaurants from the Godfather films inside - dark and murky. Once you park in a chair though, the fun stairs, and you don't have to watch the door so closely. As many have said, yes, a thousand times yes, the pickle soup is amazing, as are the pirogies. I'm not too picky with my stuffed cabbage (glompkis?), and I thought the cabbages were equally as tasty as the aforementioned items. One thing I have had at other places is not enough sauce over the top or it tasting bad. Neither of these things happened to me here though. I've never been brave enough for the duck blood soup (whatever the actual name for it is, I don't know) but my father approves of their rendition of it. If you're braver than the brave, give it a shot, but don't expect me to follow suit! Honestly I've been eating this sort of stuff since I was a wee one. PVC makes awesome AUTHENTIC Polish cuisine, and I'd recommend blindly going there to anyone!

    (5)

  • Shelley R.

    Decent food, horrible customer service. After waiting in line for over an hour, one of the waitresses made a mistake with the list of names for seating. Instead of seating our party of five, she broke up a group of seats and made them into a few smaller tables, then called out 2 names for groups who had been waiting less than 15 minutes. Apparently she grabbed the wrong list of names. When called out on her mistake, she did nothing to rectify the error, not even an apology. Two groups behind us who had been waiting for a long time walked out. When I asked her where we were on the list, she snapped, "I don't know anything about the list. Whatever." Needless to say, we took our party of five elsewhere and don't plan on ever going back.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    I love this place. It definitely like being in Europe. The beer is cold and they carry Atwater which is getting harder and harder to find. The food is excellent-try the combination plate with Kraut & Sausage, Perogies, Potatos, and a Cabbage Roll. The only complaint is that they do not take Credit/Debit cards. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere-go during a tigers game and you can sit at the bar with the old die hards from the Tiger Stadium days.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey N.

    The Polish Village Cafe is my favorite restaurant. It can get busy but the food is well worth the wait. There is a good selection of traditional Polish cuisine and it's also quite inexpensive. I take all my friends here and they all love it.

    (5)

  • bee h.

    Pirogies.. ..wonderful delicious pirogies I am polish & I've had killer homemade pirogies.. This place knows what they are doing.. It is one of my favorite Detroit/hamtramck restaurants.. it is always packed full of old polish men & when you walk in they all glare at you.. haha.. but don't back down.. be strong.. stand there & wait around until you get a table.. you won't be disappointed

    (5)

  • Lori D.

    This is my new favorite place for amazing Polish food! I can't say that I have had better food or service at a 5 star restaurant. I went to PVC for the first time with 4 friends. It was pretty busy for a Thursday evening, but we were seated immediately. It is a very charming, warm and cozy place to have a home-cooked meal on a cold winter evening. We all ordered the Polish beer on tap, easily one of the best beers I've tasted. 4 of us ordered the light, but the dark was just as good. It came in a big, cold goblet and was just wonderful! I ordered the Polish plate with a stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kraut and gravied mashed potatoes. It came with choice of soup or salad and I ordered the mushroom soup. The soup was amazing! It was just the right consistency, not too thick or thin and very flavorful. My platter was perfect! It arrived quickly and hot. Every bite was Polish heaven! For dessert we all ordered crepes. Mine were blueberry, and the cheese crepes my friends had were yummy as well. The 5 of us had drinks, soup, main course and dessert for under $78 (without tip) It was a great food experience and I must say I will return to this little Hamtramck gem! Don't miss a trip to this little slice of Poland in the middle of Hamtramck!

    (5)

  • Elisa R.

    Oh my... Small, cramped but Delicious! Sometimes I'm a danger on the road because my mind is thinking pierogies and potato pancakes and dill pickle soup!

    (5)

  • Dann A.

    I've never had such delicious Polish food - and I'm part-Polish. Since turning vegetarian about a year ago, the ONLY meat dish that I miss is the Polish Village's golabki. Holy hell is that stuff good. The atmosphere is far from great. It's always crowded, has the charm of your parents' basement and the chairs and tables look like something out of a bingo hall. But you'll forget about all of that the second that top-shelf dill pickle soup slides down the back of your throat. Oh hell yes. This is my favorite of the so-called Big Three Polish restaurants in Hamtramck. Only dislike is the sometimes-lengthy wait times (both for a table and service) and the fact that it's cash-only.

    (4)

  • Evan P.

    Absolutely amazing polish food... I go here about once a year with friends and can't wait to go back! Good service and atmosphere to boot.

    (5)

  • Al L.

    I can't stress enough how much I love Polish Village Cafe. The food is excellent, and the prices are DIRT CHEAP! Dined there last night, and began with the kielbasa soup. O. M. G. Tangy and somewhere between a broth and a chowder, it was to die for. Followed the soup with my usual Polish Platter (I think that's what it's called). Kielbasa, sauerkraut, pierogi, stuffed cabbage, and mashed potatoes, washed down with 20 oz. of fabulous Polish beer, the name of which escapes me. Everything was so delicious--like grandma used to make, or would if she emigrated from Warsaw. Had a bite of my friend's pork chops--tender and succulent. The pay-off: the platter was $6.95! It was a Wednesday night and the place was packed. I have been here on some nights when the line was out the door and up the stairs (the restaurant is in the basement of its building). Hamtramck is fairly easy to get to from anywhere in the Metro Detroit area, so I implore all of you who love comfort food to visit Polish Village Cafe at least once. You'll definitely return for more.

    (5)

  • John Nathan U.

    Like all my other reviews on Detroit restaurants, I've been coming here forever, I even literally bumped into Jack White, and Renee Zellweger while trolloping down the stairs to join Carolyn at the bar to take our Polish beer and eats order. Always the best atmosphere to enjoy Nana's best cooking. Well worth the wait, and always better than Polonia, and better hours. Cash only, and extremely reasonable.

    (4)

  • Len M.

    Because your Grandmother cannot be every place. One of the best in the city.

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    My family and I were visiting family in Michigan over the Christmas holidays and my two sons wanted to celebrate their heritage and experience real Polish food as my husband and family are 100% Polish. We were in for a real treat! The Polish Village Cafe serves a wonderful variety of authentic Polish dishes and each of them were delicious! The service was excellent and the waitress we had was delightful. The true testament to this restaurant was the absolute pleasure expressed by my father-in-law who said in his 87 years it was the best Polish food he has had (with perhaps the exception of his mother's) in the Detroit area.

    (5)

  • Kevin R.

    mmm...heart warming Polish food. This place is so good and so cheap. I was raised near Hamtramck and this was a mainstay for this Irish boy. Go, get the Polish plate and you wont be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Lawrence L.

    Well this really is as good as it gets! I have been dining here for years and it never fails to please. Ask for soup to-go the Dill Pickle and the Kielbasa or the best. The prices are very reasonable - so you'll be able to tip big. One caution: NO CREDIT CARDS, hit the ATM on the way.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    SHUT UP! I couldn't find my Grandma in the kitchen, but I know she had to be there. 'Nuff Said. Hands down the best Polish Restaurant in Hamtramck. And probably the World. I know...Boo Hoo...you have to wait. There's a reason you have to wait sometime, it's the place to be.

    (5)

  • Richie J.

    very good polish food...sweet cheese pierogis are delicous,excellent dill pickle soup,the combination meal is great,you can take a family of 4 here and have dinner for less than 30.00...city chicken is awesome and my moms favorite there- fried chicken livers and onions are good too.I always get the sweet cheese pierogi with my combination and red sauce instead of gravy on potatoes..definetely try the dill pickle soup!! and remember its cash only!!I've found myself walkin down Campau more than once lookin for an ATM!!

    (4)

  • Annie B.

    mmm mmm mmmm what can I say about Polish Village that hasnt been said before. It's amazing! First of all, the atmosphere is just awesome. It's pretty much located in a dim. dark basement that sets the mood for the place. There's a small bar and no matter what time of day you go, youre bound to see a few old Polskas drinking some vodka or beer. It's always packed....which should say something. Where else can you find people from all walks of life eating yummy Polish food? I love it. The food is great.....Dill Pickle soup is amazing, meat and potato pierogies are awesome as well (my grandma's OF COURSE are the best, but P.V. is second) I had a schnitzel sandwich once that was a chunk of breaded pork abot 3 inches thick, between 2 peices of bread...awesome with some horseradish. Oh, speaking of bread each table has about 6 peices of fresh bread and butter in little plastic sandwich bags just waiting for you when you get there. All in all, this place is just great. Yummm Im getting hungry just thinking about it.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : No
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Polish Village Café

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