Stan's Corner & Helen's Kitchen

This place receives a 4 star from me mainly for the food.  It is old and outdated in terms of the interior but I feel the food and prices more then make up for it.  It would be a solid candidate for "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" because the food is hand made from scratch.

The first time I went was after a long day at Six Flags and looking for a quick watering (or beer consumption) with sustenance.  It is a VERY blue collar neighborhood so I was not surprised as to some of the other customers nor how the bartender was keeping them in line.  All in all though, I found them to be relatively harmless and glad to see a newer face.

I went with the saurkraut soup with the spare rib added.  Two HUGE pluses from me:
1) I did not have to add any extra spice or salt.  I felt it was too flavorful for me to ruin it with my own addition to it.
2) I could not finish the portion (and I am a rather large mammal with an appitite to match).

With this, I suggested to my work staff that we go for a lunch during our meetings.  I then went with the potato pancake stuffed with pork.  Again, I did not know what I was getting into.  A perfectly prepared potato pancake over flowing with virtuous cubed chunks of delicious cooked pig nicely topped with a flavor filled brown gravy, chives and melted cheese.  Again, (not trying to impose on a trademarked saying) Food won.  The leftovers were outstanding the next day.

The others in my group ordered the perogis (not sure of spelling), mushroom soup, chicken sandwich, pork tenderloin sandwich, orange roughie, and potato pancakes.  They looked delicious from my vantage point and they concurred with my observation without allowing me to confirm it with taste.  The mushroom soup orderer was a bit disappointed in it maily for the lack of mushrooms in his portion.  He offered me a taste knowing full well of my allergies to the wonderful fungi since I was asking for tastes from everyone else.

Other items I could write about second hand but I rather comment on those after I have eaten them.

My third and most recent trip, I decided to go for the chicken sandwich.  For $6, the size of the chicken breast is well worth it and very filling.  Hand breadded from a house recipe, it came out light and complimenting the chicken.  I ordered everything on the sandwich except onions ( you never know who you are gonna want to kiss) which consisted of lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo.  I would have liked a little more mayo but the sandwich was very fulfilling.

There is a back room, divided by swinging doors, which you may wish to retreat to if the look of the bar is not pleasing to you.  It, itself, is very spartanic with a couple of unplugged electronic games and small TV.

I met Helen, one of the owners and she is a very sweet older lady who loves making food for people.  I feel she does here nationality proud with the food she makes.

If you plan on going, anticipate a wait for your food for groups of 4 or larger, since all is made from scratch.  You can phone ahead your order and carry out is an option.

On my "hit list" of what I am wanting on my next few visits are the smoked polish sausage sandwich, perogis, and goulash.

Again, if they were able to update this place, it would really take off.  I, personnaly, am ranking this establishment by food alone and not the interior.  Take this for what it is worth, but you will be missing out if you are afraid to go past the first layer.

Just my 2 cents.

this lil dive has some great food and cheap drinks.  it used to be fun to meet up with friends there.  now its dead all the time and different bartenders from the ones I knew.  try the ribeye sandwich.  you will not be disappointed.  6 dollars gets u a 10 oz ribeye on garlic bread with tomato pickle and onion, add fries for a dollar.  delicious.

Totally unfriendly bartender never once talked to me. The place is very old and kinda dumpy. They have one pool table and some small TV sets. The beer didn't taste right from the tap. The bottles were limited in choice, but the prices did seem reasonable. This is just a small neighborhood bar that looks like it hasn't changed much from the sixties from the look of the interior.