Croatian restaurant - Chicago

Hello - I am asking this on behalf of a Chicago friend of mine - recommendation(s) for good croation restaurants in town?

Thanks,

Paul

Paul:

Does it have to be specifically Croatian? There are a number of Serbian and Bosnian places discussed recently (search cevapcici). The only Croatian place I know just closed down recently. Simple, good fare, an interesting person (from Bosnia but a Croatian) running the place: Casino.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2163#2163

ReneG mentions another place down in that neighbourhood on the East Side, which used to have a large presence of folks from the various parts of the old Yugoslavia.

Antonius

Adria Mare is a Croatian restaurant with a seafood focus (the owner is from Split, on the Adriatic Sea). I wrote about my trip there here:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=5180

Your friend may also want to contact:

Croation Cultural Center of Chicago Inc
2845 West Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
773-338-3839

While looking for the above, I found two more:

Croatian Center Inc
9629 South Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617
773-721-3896

Croatian Cultural Club
1503 Clement Street
Joliet, IL 60435
815-723-3154

If your friend should happen to locate independently another Croatian restaurant, then please ask him to advise.

Regards,

A Metromix came up with:

Balkan Restaurant
2321 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 878-7764

Metromix says open till 10pm daily, but a quick call said 7pm

review: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dini ... 9687.story

Many thanks, all.

Paul

Cathy2 wrote:Croatian Center Inc
9629 South Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617
773-721-3896

This place is just a few doors away from the aforementioned and now defunct Casino. Is it a club? It doesn't look all that inviting (to the general public at least) from the outside, if memory serves. But definitely worth a call.

***

nr706:

I'm surprised I forgot about Adria Mare. When I read you review back when it appeared or soon thereafter, I remember thinking that it sounded really interesting, being from that part of Croatian territory that was so long under Venetian influence and not just a purveyor of the more straightforward array of Balkan delights. Anyway, from your review, it sounds worth a visit.

Antonius

Willkat98 wrote:A Metromix came up with:
Balkan Restaurant

Reading Metromix's take on Balkan restaurant, it sounds more Bosnian than Croat. Of course, there are a reasonably good number of other Bosnian restaurants in the city.

And yes, Antonius, for someone so immersed in the food of that region (using region in the broadest sense), I think you'd find it worth a visit.

Antonius wrote:ReneG mentions another place down in that neighbourhood on the East Side, which used to have a large presence of folks from the various parts of the old Yugoslavia.

A couple weeks ago I very briefly mentioned Jovial Club (not to be confused with Jolly Inn!) but I don’t know very much about it. I think it may be Croatian and it might be a true club, not always open to the public. I’ll try to try to find out more and will report back when I visit. If anyone has additional info I’d love to hear.

Another of the few remaining Eastern European eateries in that area is Small World Inn, mostly a bar but they have a small Serbian menu. Gary posted a couple pictures here.

Jovial Club
9615 S Commercial Av
Chicago

Small World Inn
3325 E 106th St
Chicago

Antonius wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Croatian Center Inc
9629 South Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617
773-721-3896

This place is just a few doors away from the aforementioned and now defunct Casino. Is it a club? It doesn't look all that inviting (to the general public at least) from the outside, if memory serves. But definitely worth a call.

It's really like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. You never see anyone go in and you never see anyone go out. Yet it seems to thrive.

Rene G wrote:
Another of the few remaining Eastern European eateries in that area is Small World Inn, mostly a bar but they have a small Serbian menu. Gary posted a couple pictures here.


Small World Inn
3325 E 106th St
Chicago

Really liked this spot

Cevap was excellent, fresh from the grill, served with pita, raw onion and I believe Kaymak. The food, a Healthy pour of Jim Beam, cold beer and a friendly bartender made for a good start to the day.



the pig referenced on the sign was just being prepped for that night, wouldnt mind checking out their pig roast sometime.

There was a small Croation cafe on Western Ave (5726N?) that went through several name changes over the last several years. I used to go there with a Croat friend from NY when she was in town. I don't know if it is still there, or what its current name might be. There was also another Croation cafe called Pure in the mall at McCormick and Devon. Again, I don't know if this place is still open, but it is still listed on several websites. I was there once, it is more of a beer and coffee place with a small menu. It was small and friendly, and opened late. Sorry, I couldn't be more informative, the next time I drive by these locations, I will look for them.

Cathy2 wrote:

Antonius wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Croatian Center Inc
9629 South Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617
773-721-3896

This place is just a few doors away from the aforementioned and now defunct Casino. Is it a club? It doesn't look all that inviting (to the general public at least) from the outside, if memory serves. But definitely worth a call.

It's really like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. You never see anyone go in and you never see anyone go out. Yet it seems to thrive.

Maybe not so much...according to Yelp, it's closed.

d4v3 wrote:There was a small Croation cafe on Western Ave (5726N?) that went through several name changes over the last several years. I used to go there with a Croat friend from NY when she was in town. I don't know if it is still there, or what its current name might be.

I remember that place, and liked it; don't remember the name. It appears to be a generic bar now.

jimswside wrote:

Rene G wrote:Another of the few remaining Eastern European eateries in that area is Small World Inn, mostly a bar but they have a small Serbian menu. Gary posted a couple pictures here.

Small World Inn
3325 E 106th St
Chicago

Really liked this spot

Cevap was excellent, fresh from the grill, served with pita, raw onion and I believe Kaymak.

I guess this is a good excuse to dig out a report on Small World Inn that's been sitting around for two and a half years. It wasn't only laziness that prevented me from posting. It was because the weekend buffet I enjoyed turned out to be their very last one and I think the business was sold shortly after. I've been back since then for drinks but not food. I'm happy to hear it's still good. I wonder if any of the old cooks are still in the kitchen. If nothing else, this old report should be of historical interest and might even cause some to seek out a good Serbian (or Croatian) meal.

Chicago's East Side used to be filled with Eastern European taverns, many with a dining room serving home cooked meals. Some might remember the Golden Shell on Avenue N, the best known of the bunch.



With the closing of the steel mills and shifting population patterns, most of these tavern dining rooms have disappeared. Small World Inn on the corner of 106th & Mackinaw is one of the last in the area.



In the summer of 2010 I dodged the street construction to stop in for their $10 weekend lunch. It was one of the best Serbian meals I've had, especially surprising as almost everything was served buffet style. A plate of cold appetizers and salads was a strong opener.



Nearly everything, from lepinje (bread) to kajmak (cheese spread), was made in house. Vegetable salads (ukiseljene paprike, ruska salata, srpska salata) were uniformly excellent. Likewise, the hot veggies on my second round were all startlingly good.



Pasulj (baked beans) and sataraš (mixed vegetable stew) were standouts but mućkalica (pork and red pepper stew), ražnjići (pork kabobs) and kobasica (smoky sausage) weren't too shabby either. Only sarma (stuffed cabbage) was at all disappointing. After I thought I was finished, a roast pig joined the buffet.



I took a small piece of pig plus some burek and a few salads to keep it company. I don't believe I ordered it, but a freshly-made palačinka (crepe) was then delivered to my table.



One of the best ten-dollar meals I've had in Chicago. It will be a tough act to follow but I'm looking forward to eating again at Small World.

Small World Inn
3325 E 106th St
Chicago
773-721-2727‎