Teresa II Polish Restaurant & Lounge

While the place hasn't changed its decor for 30 years and looks as humble as your old grandma's kitchen, the food at Teresa II remains on top amongst all other Polish restaurants I've tried in Chicagoland. And that includes Staropolska, Smak-Tak, Apple and Podhalanka.

I recently took a friend with me for lunch. We parked for free in the parking lot behind the restaurant, sat in a comfortable, sunny  booth and enjoyed the best pierogis, hunter's stew (bigos), and potato pancakes you can imagine. You can order pierogis as one kind, be it sauerkraut/mushroom, cheese, potato or meat, or as a mixed variety. The waitress, cook, owner/operator is the sweetest elderly lady who makes sure you have everything you need and could care for. Time Out Chicago also gave it a recent great review in its "El Eats" issue earlier this year.

There were few others who stopped by during our Friday lunch at Teresa II and there is no excuse for that. The food is utterly fabulous. One caveat, however,perhaps  the barley-mushroom soup was a little too salty. But to think that I blew a landmark birthday a couple months ago with family at Staropolska to bad service and mediocre food, even though its medieval high-ceiling decor is a showstopper. While Teresa II will not provide any such visual circuses, it is the bread (food) that is supreme. Isn't that what counts?

BTW, during your visit to Milwaukee Avenue, you might stop by the little herbal store a few doors north of Teresa II, which is a small, clean apothecary of vitamins, herbs, essential oils and an array of Polish shampoos, conditioner and deodorants you'll find nowhere else.

I went here last Thursday night as a part of a 60 person or so vegan meetup group.  We were seated in the banquet section.  Now by no means is this a fancy restaurant; it's more like your neighborhood restaurant, which you may remember as a child.  Our group was treated to a vegan buffet of pierogis, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and on and on and on.  I felt like it was hugely generous for what we got and the price per person and the people there (who worked at the restaurant) were extremely nice.  I'm really glad they hosted us!  Thank you!

My first time in this place It was delicious,  the dill picked soup was so good, potato pancake, pierogi and homemade apple sauce. I will Certainly will be back soon.