Veselka

It's amazing how many restaurants there are in New York City that rate mediocre at best. Given the number of great establishments you can eat at on every type of budget, mediocrity is not something that should be tolerated in New York. Veselka perhaps slips under the radar because of their eclectic menu -- I can't think of too many places where I can choose between pierogies, chili, mac and cheese, and borscht -- to name a few. But sadly, everything I've tried here is just ok; fine if you're passing by and need a quick bite. But for those people who tolerate the long lines, especially for weekend brunch -- move on. There's plenty of other much better eats in the area.

Posted 03/12/03

Growing up on homemade Polish food may not sound great to many, but after tasting a few bites of my mothers cooking you would change your mind. I never thought anyone matched her skill in the kitchen, but Veselka does up some of my classic favorites to delight. Try the glumpki (stuffed cabbage) or Peirogies (like ravioli's). They will not disappoint.

Pros: Glumpki, Peirogies, Quick Service

Cons: Long Wait for Seat

Posted 03/03/03

having used to work at a bakery where the closing shift ended at 1:30 in the morning, i've grown to appreciate how rare it is to find a really good place to eat that's open any time of day. veselka does breakfast all day and night, and their waffles with raspberry sauce are killer (they make a mean omlette too). unfortunately my friends and I rarely get the chance to enjoy all their wonderful food...because we've gotten so addicted to their bacon burgers. a good burger with everything is hard to find in this city...at least when you want it under ten dollars. the only one i've had in manhattan to beat veselka's is at the corner bistro, which unfortunately has disappointing fries. veselka does not have this liability.

Posted 01/30/03

This place was simply excelltent, with great staff, service and value. Highly recommended!

Posted 12/08/02

the mashed potatoes are not too good. the egg noodle side dish is even worse. my order of egg noodles seemed either very old, or undercooked. i think it was both. the corner i sat in was infested by fruit flies. the place itself is nice. the service is teeters between mediocre and bad.

Posted 11/07/02

This restaurant has potential but the food was just OK and the service was bad. I felt uncomfortable in the atmosphere....which makes comfort food not as grand.

Pros: location

Cons: service

Posted 11/04/02

I used to love going there for their "stuffed cabbages". They used to make them perfect. I recently ordered it twice and they seem to go downhill. Why? Twice it came back burnt, the filling was hard and burnt and nothing as delicious it used to be. Overall, i love their food & portions. Great home warming meals and quick service.

Pros: value, variety, portions

Cons: waiting, waiting, crowded

Posted 10/28/02

Veselka has good diner food in a comfortable atmosphere. Everyone in your group will be able to find something they like and everyone will leave satified.

Posted 10/03/02

Veselka is my absolute FAVORITE place to eat late at night- the food is filling, delicious, and fresh. My favorites are the boiled potato perogis, the cheese blintzes, and the coffee. My fiance LOVES the soups, especially the cold borscht (served with great bread). The service isn't wonderful, but they get the job done, and quickly enough. It actually adds to the authenticity (Czech servers are known to be a bit brusque). Overall, I highly recommend a trip to Veselka, especially after a late night out.

Pros: Delicious, 24 hr., Authentic

Posted 09/19/02

Just so good! Perogies just like my grandfather used to make. My husband and I love the cabbage soup so much, we can't wait for cooler weather to arrive!

Posted 09/18/02

Veselka is one of those East Village 24 hour burgs where the food is rich, and the service bites. Go for the Goloush, the Ukranian Meatballs, the potato pancakes, the blintzes, or the burgers, it's all great, and really cheap. You don't have to make fun of fellow New Yorkers, like Eek and his Taliban buddies do, all you have to do is sit back get a great meal, look at the mural, or through the large sidewalk windows and enjoy yourself!

Pros: lots for the buck, tasty, 24 hour

Cons: so-so service

Posted 09/17/02

Try the Cheese Blintzes and a Mediteranian Omelette. Be prepared to wait 30mins on Sat/Sun 'morning' (2-4). Service sucks, but the coffee is good.

Posted 08/29/02

join the older locals and laugh at the yuppies and hipsters while getting some of the best bargains around. not the 'best' food, but, something for everyone can be found on the menu. sometimes service can be slow - just pretend it's your grandma.

Pros: cheap eats, variety

Cons: loud hipsters, loud yuppies, can be slow service

Posted 08/26/02

I have never had worse service in my life. I gave this place three chances and each time a different waitress was more rude and less intelligent than I could imagine. The food took forever, and not because it was coming out of the kitchen, it just sat on the counter until they decided we should eat. Then after asking for water it was another 10 min... Not to mention they drop the check on the table right after you order your meal, forgetting they have a dessert menu... Lastly, the food was horrible.

Pros: Location

Cons: Bad Service, Loud, Bad Food

Posted 08/23/02

Veselka is my number-one spot for Cheap Eats. Yes, a combination plate will run you $8.95, and you might be able to find a cheaper entree elsewhere. But a combination plate gives you a salad, soup, unlimited (and excellent) challah bread, four pierogi, and a big stuffed cabbage. The food is incredible, and the other choices are equally large-portioned for the price. You can go a whole day on a Veselka meal, and since they're open 24 hours, I sometimes do.

Pros: Excellent food, Low prices, Huge portions

Cons: Often crowded, Service can be slow

Posted 08/20/02

i love the food here. my boyfriend's family is ukranian (his mother is a fantastic cook), and HE loves the food. it's a very good deal. the service is sort of slow, but what do you expect--it's a diner. the cold borsht here is excellent, as well as the many different kinds of pierogis and meatless stuffed cabbage.

Posted 08/15/02

I have a group of friends that sees a fair amount of theater on the LES, and we always make it a point to trek over to Veselka afterwards. I have two words: raspberry blintzes.

Go forth and eat.

Posted 08/12/02

This is the "Bomb". Good food and service! Great after a busy nite out.

Posted 08/12/02

The food is terrific- great variety, great flavors! The service is great, just my all around favorite place!

Pros: 24 hours a day, Good prices, Good seating

Posted 08/08/02

Good spacious eatery,lots of variety at this 24 hour resteraunt, not another boring cafe.

Pros: 24 hours, stuffed cabbage, price

Posted 07/27/02

Fun place with great food at a good price. Casual atmoshphere, not a date place. But great for after clubbing or a night out drinking. Open 24 hours.

Pros: Inexpensive, Good Food

Posted 07/23/02

Thank goodness somewhere's still open all night, and that it's Veselka. Lots of Eastern European favorites with a downtown twist, plus some slightly yuppified offerings, a small but not unpleasantly crowded space and an inexplicably high-energy vibe make Veselka an East Village classic.

Posted 05/21/02