Restaurateurs like Brendan Sodikoff are placing bets on one Humboldt Park intersection—and now Pierogi Wagon's Damian Warzecha is joining the game with a Polish-contemporary American fusion concept. Polak Eatery, a fast casual counter service establishment, will open September 20 just one block north of Sodikoff's revamped California Clipper and planned restaurant in an auto body shop, as well as Rodney Staton's soon-to-open Haywood Tavern. Pierogi Wagon was one of Eater's top new food trucks of the spring this year.
The 800 square-foot dining room, constructed with reclaimed wood from a 100 year-old Michigan barn and exposed brick, fits about 15 tables. The combination of old and new reflects the menu where "we bring rustic cuisine and give it a fresh, modern touch," Warzecha says.
Open 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily, Polak Eatery's blackboard-style menu includes a selection of pierogi, coffee, and rotating sharable dishes like charcuterie and white bean dip. An expanded seasonal menu is also in the works, as well as goulash, poutine, schnitzel burgers, borscht, and pastries like paczki (Polish donuts).
Warzecha is also planning prix fixe dinners "serving elevated rustic ingredients" and a liquor license, but the restaurant will be BYOB until then.
If you can't wait until September 20th to grab a pierogi, head to Logan Square. Starting this weekend, the popular Pierogi Wagon food truck will serve as a pop-up restaurant at Slippery Slope on Thursdays through Saturdays.
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—Aubre Andrus