Where to try a variety of Czech beers?

So I am hearing a lot lately about how Czechs make the world's best beer (admittedly, this is coming from Czech friends) and I want to try some of this storied brew. I found a place on LTH called Operetta which is sadly closed now, but based on the description in the thread that place seemed perfect for me. Is there another Operetta-like place in town? Basically I want to drink a ton of good beer, eat some greasy and heavy Eastern European food, have a gout attack, go home and fall asleep for 12 hours.

I'm interested in exploring some places around town with you. It is actually quite a coincidence that you brought this up. I've been compiling a list of Polish restaurants and making note of the ones that look most interesting. During my searching I have come across a couple czech places that look good. Cafe Prague (yelp link) would definitely have Czech beer, and it has an interesting menu with a more modern approach to czech food with some of the classics as well. They have a czech beers on tap too, and I'm sure some bottles as well.

The comments on the Cafe Prague facebook are all in czech and polish, so that's a good sign! The commentary says it is food like they have in czech replublic currently, not like what they have at the old school czech-american places. Here are some food pictures from their facebook.Some of it looks great, while others (the overcooked looking salmon and dry tilapia) look quite gross. It may be a bit of a shot in the dark with the food quality, but may be worth a look, at least we'll drink some good beer, and a good time! Here is another facebook album of food pictures.

(picture from cafe prague facebook)


Cafe Prague
6710 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 427-7587

Honestly, I haven't had much good luck with Czech beer in the US. I know people say "oh, you really have to have X beer in X country (where it's made)" and most of the time I feel that there's really not that much of a difference, but it does seem particularly true for Czech Pilseners. PIlsener Urquell, to me, has been completely unexceptional every time I've had it in the US, whether from bottle or tap. Yet in the Czech Republic it was great, and in Hungary (where I lived for a number of years), it was still damned good, although not quite as good as in Czech Republic. I really don't think it's a matter of nostalgia or anything. It just doesn't seem to travel well, and I don't think the green bottles help, either. So keep that in mind while you're trying the Czech beers if you don't immediately understand what the fuss is about.

Oh, and I should add: You can try Klas Restaurant in Cicero. Great food there, too, but I usually go there for the bar. Wonderful Old World atmosphere. According to their menu, the have four Czech beers on tap, and one in bottles.

It shouldn't be your only stop but it's essential to visit Klas, our oldest Czech restaurant (opened in 1922) with a great bar, little changed from this 1930s postcard.



Last visit the taps (four I think) were all Czech. Fresh kegs and clean lines don't seem to be top priorities but the atmosphere can't be beat. I like the food too. My first "quick stop" almost ten years ago turned into a four hour drinking and eating session. You should have a fine time but try to have reasonable expectations for the beer; I've heard numerous times the stuff we get here bears little resemblance to what's served in over there. The bar is open only Thursday through Sunday, I'm afraid. Go soon and "Enjoy yourself. It may be later than you think."

Klas
5734 W Cermak Rd
Cicero IL
708-652-0795

I know from talking to the Klas people as well as from an old LTH thread that a place called Bistro Grand near Grand and Harlem has the "Operetta menu." I cannot believe I have not tried this, so if there is an outing here, let me know. I'd like to be in too.

Bistro Grand
2362 N. Neva, Chicago

Cafe Prague's food pics don't seem too "progressive" to me, what with the dumplings, potato pancakes, stews, schnitzels and gravies, which is good by me. VI's Czech Paradox in full effect, by the way.

JeffB wrote:Cafe Prague's food pics don't seem too "progressive" to me, what with the dumplings, potato pancakes, stews, schnitzels and gravies, which is good by me. VI's Czech Paradox in full effect, by the way.

Totally the Czech Paradox! Was hoping someone would pick that up from the pic.

Also I agree, a lot of this is standard stuff, which I'm more than cool with, but a few things stuck out like Braised veal cheeks, Potato Pancake with Brie Cheese and Mushrooms, baked goat cheese, etc.. just seems like it's trying to be more euro, use of basil, risotto, prosciutto etc. I'll be the first to admit my knowledge of czech food is limited, and I agree, the standard stews/dumplings etc are fine by me.

Cafe Prague also has on tap Krušovice and Krušovice Cerne which is a Schwarzbier, one of my favorite styles. I really liked the Krusovice I've tried in bottle and look forward to trying it on tap.

eating while walking - you can also find czech beers at polish groceries. I know I've seen at least 6 options at Andy's Deli on north Milwaukee, this is where i picked up the bottles of Krusovice, also have a couple others I have yet to taste.

Vital Information wrote:I know from talking to the Klas people as well as from an old LTH thread that a place called Bistro Grand near Grand and Harlem has the "Operetta menu." I cannot believe I have not tried this, so if there is an outing here, let me know. I'd like to be in too.

Bistro Grand
2362 N. Neva, Chicago

Bistro Grand - Operetta menu is exciting. I'd love to go to this event if someone sets it up!

Foodwise, it's all about the Svickova, baby!

Years ago, a friend of mine who was teaching English in Nachod, CZ at the time, and I were trying to import that town's local beer, Primator, into the U.S. We were young and inexperienced, and were never able to put a meaningful deal together. I'd kind of forgotten about it until a few months ago when I actually saw Primator on tap at Owen & Engine. Honestly, it didn't taste anything like I remembered it. I think the brand was bought and the beer wasn't the same as it was back in the early '90's. At that time many Czech towns had one brewery, which each turned out that town's local brew. One of the most famous is České Budějovice, where the original Budweiser was first brewed.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Foodwise, it's all about the Svickova, baby!

This is my go-to, for sure, i recently made a svickova soured with some lambic and homemade ale vinegar. Served with a chocolate stout cranberry sauce.

Rene, how do you know they do not clean the lines properly at Klas? I'd like to know as that statement is on the same line as stating a business has a filthy kitchen and my 80 year old uncle is a regular beer drinker there. Please advise.

Vital Information wrote:I know from talking to the Klas people as well as from an old LTH thread that a place called Bistro Grand near Grand and Harlem has the "Operetta menu." I cannot believe I have not tried this, so if there is an outing here, let me know. I'd like to be in too.

Bistro Grand
2362 N. Neva, Chicago

laikom wrote:Bistro Grand - Operetta menu is exciting. I'd love to go to this event if someone sets it up!

I think the Czech beer/restaurant search could be the theme for a series of excursions. Let's start by investigating Bistro Grand. I have to check if I have next weekend free. If so, I'll set up the event.

I'd recommend checking out the selection upstairs at Gene's Sausage in Lincoln Square (I haven't been to the Belmont location). I haven't look specifically for Czech, but have noticed a wide variety of Eastern European brews, plus wines and liquors. Perhaps you could then go to a BYOB restaurant, or just enjoy them at home.

Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 728-7243
www.genessausageshop.com

Gene's is not the answer for Czech beers. I was in the store for other reasons on Thursday and found three: Pilsner Urquel, Czechvar and Staropramen.

My comment in the Shopping and Cooking thread in November, 2009, still holds:

My impression on the assortment of goods is that it is a mile wide and an inch deep. There is a little bit of everything but no depth of anything.

For my European beer needs It is generally the cardinal liquors on western
4905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago (773) 561-0270.

I believe that Rich's in Hardwood Heights has a half dozen or more Czech beers.
4747 n Harlem

from the website:

LIQUOR

Rich’s offers a fine selection of domestic and imported beers, wine, and liquors including cognacs and vodkas. We carry a variety of Polish vodkas and liquors sometimes hard to find in other stores such as Rectified Spirit 96%, Cherry Cordials, Advocaat, Honey Liquors and Honey Wines, Herbs Liquors and uniquely packed spirits for special occasions.

Imported beers, on the other hand, offer an exciting alternative to many domestic brews. We have in our stock all Polish beers available in US market. In addition you can select from our selection of European Craft beers such as Brouch Czech, Hevelius Kaper, Grand Porter, Staropolskie Porter, Krusovice or Karlovacko.

Did you know that all cognac is brandy but not all brandy is cognac? How about this, if it weren’t for Napoleon, we wouldn’t have vodka as it is known today. For every potable (alcoholic drink) there is a history and like history, it’s good to visit it once before deciding to repeat it.

Rich’s knowledgeable staff prides itself in being able to answer questions you may have in order to provide you with the right selection to meet your needs.

Rich’s encourages you to drink responsibly and to never drive if you plan to drink.

I've created a Czech beer and Operetta menu investigation event here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=37155

The more the merrier