Bobak's
Nothing Beats A True Polish-style Buffet
As a younger reporter, I remember covering Chicago politicians traipsing through the Southwest Side and stopping with them at local Polish delis where we all enjoyed boiled polish sausages sliced in half and decked out on slices of tomato, onion and rye bread.
It was the best. You could find a few places that offer the original ethnic sandwiches, or you could just go to Bobak’s which offers a complete selection of Polish and Eastern European delicacies.
Bobak’s in Chicago at 5275 S. Archer Ave., was always one of my favorite stops. Bobak Sausage Company first opened it’s doors in 1967 as a storefront deli by Frank Bobak. Today, Bobak’s is both a sit-down buffet and a grocery store with that unique Eastern European flavor and four locations.
Success moved the Bobak family to open a 3,000-square-foot processing plant in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood in 1975, where they began to sell products to wholesalers. By the mid-1980s, the Bobaks' three sons began running the company and pursued a wholesale business with large distributors and supermarkets, such as Jewel-Osco and Sam's Club.
I love browsing the grocery side, looking for exotic cheeses, sausage and other deli items, but my favorite is the pre- or after-shopping meals I’ll have at their buffet.
Today, Bobak’s has four locations, including Burr Ridge, Naperville and newly opened in Orland Park, which is late in opening. The 50,000 square foot Orland Park Bobak’s was to open in the heart of a new $9 million mall at 159th Street and Wolf Road in the summer of 2005, but wasn’t ready when I dropped by so I had to look elsewhere.
The first thing I look for in a buffet besides great tasting food items is cleanliness and Bobak’s has it with sprite waitress service and attentive support that whisks away old plates to make room for repeat servings.
First stop, the Cheese Perogis and Shrimp. Then, pile your plate high with potato pancakes that sizzle, and alternatives like Apple Pancakes and cheese blitz. Main meals consist of hearty servings of beef stew with rice and mashed potatoes.
But there is also prime rib slices, pork roast, chicken and corned beef.
There is a little Pasta Bar at the Burr Ridge location where I enjoyed a lengthy sit-down feast with the family. The dining room is narrow but expansive. Nearby is a narrow serving area where you can pick from the main food items on one side and a salad bar that offers basically everything you can imagine. There’s also a fruit and desert bar and nearby a Pasta Bar where you can order cooked pastas with sauces while you wait.
I love fried Perogis. I went back for seconds on the corned beef.
The buffet prices are standard. $15 for each adult and $6 for children. Drinks are $2 each, so the meal at $43 for three people can be a bit pricey.
But you can eat to your heart’s content.
The 411
Bobak’s Chicago
5275 S. Archer Ave
773-735-5334
Bobak’s Burr Ridge
100 Burr Ridge Parkway
630-655-2100
Bobak’s Naperville
955 W. 75th Street
630-961-9200
Bobak’s Orland Park
159th and Wolf Road
Get more information at their web page at
http://www.bobak.com/
5275 S. Archer Ave
773-735-5334
Bobak’s Burr Ridge
100 Burr Ridge Parkway
630-655-2100
Bobak’s Naperville
955 W. 75th Street
630-961-9200
Bobak’s Orland Park
159th and Wolf Road
Get more information at their web page at
http://www.bobak.com/