Polka Polish Restaurant

Paula T. sounds like someone I'm glad I didn't marry! Seems like an unhappy person. The reality of this place is that the food is plentiful, tasty and really reminds me of a restaurant in Europe. The place reminded me of my mom so much (from Stuttgart) as Katherine has it decorated with various knick-knacks and cute signs. The goulash by the way was GREAT and I'm trying to steal the recipe so I can make it at home. Oh, and the next time we go...Paula T. you're not invited!!!

Posted 10/15/09 | Report Abuse

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Expected so much... received so little. Made a special trip to Polka after reading the reviews and seeing it on Diners'Drive-ins and Dives. Have to agree with the Dive part. Hoods hanging in the parking lot made us afraid to get out of the car. Tripped on the uneven doorway and almost injured myself. Interior dark, cramped, and ewwww...dirty. Don't they dust? Owner's wife "greets" you at the door. A less friendly person I have never met. The restaurant smelled like old cabbage. The pierogi were heavy, gluey and just plain bad. My husband could not eat the goulash because it was so salty it hurt the tongue. The prices were ridiculous for a dump like this. Even worse, at 4:30 on a Sunday afternoon, they told a walk-in couple it would be THREE HOURS until a table would be available, even though there was no one waiting anywhere near and the previous couple had been told 45 minutes. We wondered why, until we realized the second couple was mixed race and gay. This is an ugly place, and we will NEVER go here again.

Posted 10/13/09 | Report Abuse

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I love this place --it's a really warm environment, with two sweet and friendly owners (and sometimes their charming young daughter in attendance) and delicious Polish recipes. The pierogis are delicious as is their basic chicken dish (which I usually order in the interest of health, as long as I get a side of sauerkraut (which I love here even though I generally don't like that stuff at ALL). Their many meat dishes also get rave reviews from my companions. Each meal comes with soup (always good), salad, and a dessert, and they are priced really well for all of that. The decor is crowded and really kitchy, but that just goes along with the warm, friendly feeling of the place. It's small, so reservations on weekends or weekday visits are your best bet.

Posted 07/11/08 | Report Abuse

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I can't add more to reviews already written about this place -- except that Huell Howser digs this place. And can you remember the last time Huell was wrong? No, you can't.

Also, according to newspaper clippings proudly displayed by the owners, the Polish president's daughter is involved in some brouhaha. I think it involves dancing and poles*, but don't quote me.

*I swear that was an unintentional pun.

Posted 03/18/08 | Report Abuse

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The old clich about not judging a book by its cover applies here. Polka is one of the best restaurants in the L.A. area. Family run with great service and great food.

Posted 09/25/07 | Report Abuse

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I love, love, love this place. From the outside, it doesn't look like it could possibly be much of a place. Located on a street corner in a plaza that includes a dry cleaner and some taquerias, you'd never guess the wondrous world that awaits you inside.

It is a festival for the eyes-- a crazy mish mosh of just about everything you can imagine adornes every inch of space. If dining alone, you won't even have the inclinatin to open your book, for there are so many things to take in and ponder.

Upon your arrival, you are greeted with a hot mug of soup-- whatever kind they felt like making that day-- but it is always, always toasty and delicious. Then, you can peruse the menu (littered here and there with lovely feel-good quotes and kitschy gifs of teddy bears) at your leisure while you sip your soup. Polish food is rich and hearty and they do it great here, and at great prices. My fave is the pierogies. Yum!

Check out their business cards-- the restaurant is run by two people-- a married couple from Poland-- and the business cards feature a picture of the two of them flanking the President of Poland!!! Really!

PROS: everything!
CONS: closed sun-tues

Posted 04/19/06 | Report Abuse

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www.polkacatering.com
Polka's is a family run restaurant with good polish style food and reasonable prices. The decor is funky but fun. The restaurant is small and only seats about 40 people or so. The location is a small strip mall and parking is found on the street for the most part. Reservations are accepted. For a $1 per person you can bring your own bottle of wine.

Posted 12/28/04 | Report Abuse

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