Potato Latkes in Chicago

Who knows the best place to find potato pancakes or Latkes in Chicago? I have tried many and currently favor Manny's, Frances', The Bagel, and Finkle's. Also, they are usually pretty expensive. Anyone know of a place to get a cheap order?

Get thee to Podlahanka

Welcome to LTH. I'm also a fan of Frances' latkes.

There's a decent thread on the subject here

Best,
Michael

Ann Fisher wrote:Get thee to Podlahanka

Ann,

I still haven't had Podlahanka's potato pancakes and I was there just a week or two ago as I had a craving for White Borscht. Darn, next time for sure.

Resi's potato pancakes get the nod as well, really quite good, ask for them crisp.


Enjoy,
Gary

Resi's Bierstube
2034 W. Irving Park
Chicago, IL
773-472-1749

Podhalanka
1549 W. Division St.
773-486-6655

Jolly Inn has great potato pancakes! Irving Park and Natchez.

Few places out this way serve potato pancakes so when I get desparate, the potato latkes that Trader Joe sells are pretty good. We fry them.

Hi,

I had nice potato pancakes at Szalas the day after Christmas. They are on the lunch menu for under $5.

Potato Pancake Hungarian Style (Placek Po Wegiersku) from Zascianek:


Szalas Restaurant
5214 S. Archer Avenue
773-582-0300
www.szalasrestaurant.com

Zascianek Restaurant
5752 W. Belmont (around Central)
Chicago

My favorite latkes come from Max & Benny's . Northbrook may or may not be a long (though I would posit worthwhile) trip, but word is they're opening up a place on Illinois, near Fox & Obel. I for one cannot wait.

csenone wrote:...and Finkle's.

I have a namesake deli? Where? -- oh, it's Finkl's -- they dropped a vowel somewhere.

Healthy Food serves a pretty good version (3236 S. Halsted St., Phone: (312) 326-2724), altho I don't recall my bubbe sprinkling bacon shreds across the top.

Just a personal preference (not something to live by) but I love the potato pancakes at Barnum & Bagel in Skokie. I know the place gets mixed reviews but the latkes there have never dissapointed me.


Barnum & Bagel
4700 Dempster St
Skokie, IL 60076-2045
(847) 676-4466

Ada's deli makes a decent latke.

Actually, what I really like about it is that they serve a half-pound of pastrami inbetween 2 latke's and call it a sandwich. Sinfully good. A Jewish Jibarito? Anyway, if you're into substituting deep-fried veggies in place of bread (like me), you gotta try it. I'm currently in post-sandwich bliss as I type.

Ada's
14 S Wabash Ave

Go to Andrzej Grill at 1022 N. Western Avenue for great potato pancakes and other Polish goodies! The restaurant is very small and is family-operated. They serve good, hearty, authentic Polish food for very low prices. Although the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired, the service was very friendly, prompt and helpful. If you're looking for a no-frills place that serves great potato pancakes, this is the place!

ab wrote:Actually, what I really like about it is that they serve a half-pound of pastrami inbetween 2 latke's and call it a sandwich. Sinfully good. A Jewish Jibarito?

Now we're talking!!!!!!!!

In that vein, Zofia's (originally on Milwaukee south of Touhy, later on Rand north of Palatine, now nowhere) served a sauteed trout on a huge potato pancake with a little thick brown gravy over the whole thing. Initially repulsed (mostly because I was expecting a side dish of potato pancakes), it was a great way to serve the fish.

JoelF wrote:...it was a great way to serve the fish.

I think you could serve me an old shoe with some gravy on a potato pancake and I'd say, "That's a great way to serve an old shoe!"

Best,
Michael

G Wiv wrote:

ab wrote:Actually, what I really like about it is that they serve a half-pound of pastrami inbetween 2 latke's and call it a sandwich. Sinfully good. A Jewish Jibarito?

Now we're talking!!!!!!!!

Do you think they could do the same with corned beef? Maybe add some saurkraut...do you see where this could be going?...some Russian dressing? Reuben on latkes? That would be awesome!

viaChgo wrote:

G Wiv wrote:

ab wrote:Actually, what I really like about it is that they serve a half-pound of pastrami inbetween 2 latke's and call it a sandwich. Sinfully good. A Jewish Jibarito?

Now we're talking!!!!!!!!

Do you think they could do the same with corned beef? Maybe add some saurkraut...do you see where this could be going?...some Russian dressing? Reuben on latkes? That would be awesome!

Just started working downtown. I am soooo there.

kl5 wrote:...word is they're opening up a place on Illinois, near Fox & Obel. I for one cannot wait.

Anybody know if this ever came to fruition? Illinois St. would be much closer than Northbrook for me, especially with all that mayhem on 94 currently.

ab wrote:Ada's deli makes a decent latke.

Actually, what I really like about it is that they serve a half-pound of pastrami inbetween 2 latke's and call it a sandwich. Sinfully good. A Jewish Jibarito? Anyway, if you're into substituting deep-fried veggies in place of bread (like me), you gotta try it. I'm currently in post-sandwich bliss as I type.

Ada's
14 S Wabash Ave

A sandwich with latkas instead of bread is Cleveland style. When I first heard this from an Ohio expat I went to Manny's and ordered my corned beef Cleveland Style and was given sideways glance, a couple smart remarks and an enormous pile of corned beef between two potato pancakes.

Maybe WASC can do a Drew Carey Burger

third coast foodie wrote:A sandwich with latkas instead of bread is Cleveland style...

I thought the consensus on this a few months ago was to call it a Heebarito.

Oculi wrote:

kl5 wrote:...word is they're opening up a place on Illinois, near Fox & Obel. I for one cannot wait.

Anybody know if this ever came to fruition? Illinois St. would be much closer than Northbrook for me, especially with all that mayhem on 94 currently.

Ada's opend and then closed in short order.

third coast foodie wrote:
A sandwich with latkas instead of bread is Cleveland style. When I first heard this from an Ohio expat I went to Manny's and ordered my corned beef Cleveland Style and was given sideways glance, a couple smart remarks and an enormous pile of corned beef between two potato pancakes.

Maybe WASC can do a Drew Carey Burger

it'll prob be better then the Luther burger.

stevez wrote:

Oculi wrote:

kl5 wrote:...word is they're opening up a place on Illinois, near Fox & Obel. I for one cannot wait.

Anybody know if this ever came to fruition? Illinois St. would be much closer than Northbrook for me, especially with all that mayhem on 94 currently.

Ada's opend and then closed in short order.

Steve means Max and Benny's opened and then closed in short order, and it definitely did. Under a year, I think.

Bumping an old thread now that Hanukkah's here. Any new discoveries?

Manny's Potato Latke Recipe (and Mix)

Ina's is serving mini potato latkes ($3.99 for six) as a side during Hannukah. They went very well w/ the brisket on brioche.

Ina's
1235 West Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60607-1517
(312) 226-8227
breakfastqueen.com