Janko’s Little Zagreb

Unfortunately had a pretty sub par experience here. I went to IU and recently went back to Bloomington with friends so we came here for a nice dinner. We had an 8:30 reservation but didn’t get seated until 9:30. From reading reviews and talking to friends I now understand this is common. Its very frustrating. Especially since they don’t have a good place to wait so you just shift awkwardly to try to stay out of the servers way. They did give us a couple free appetizers which I appreciate. The food was just okay. I liked the meatballs but my steak wasn’t anything special. Considering how much it cost I would expect it to be better. Service was interesting. Wasn’t bad but ironically after waiting forever to be sat, it felt like they rushed us through our dinner because the dining room started to clear and was virtually empty by the time we finished dinner. I wish I had better things to say but this experience just wasn’t worth my time or money.

It was my first time at Little Zagreb and I made sure to make reservations for 8:30pm about a month in advance. We were not seating until an hour after our reservation. It is clear there is some management issues in this restaurant. While waiting the hour for our table, I had a house salad spilled down the back of me as a result of waiters basically running through the dining area.
After we were seated, we were given 2 free appetizers for the delay, which seems to be a trend from Unilocal reviewers, why not work to correct these issues instead of trying to make up for it afterward? Still, I did appreciate them «trying.»
Unfortunately, my «medium-​rare» filet came out half medium and half rare, which is an interesting take on «medium rare» that I haven’t experienced before and hope I never run into again. We had been at the restaurant for two hours at this point and the last thing I wanted was to wait longer after sending the steak back.
This restaurant is subpar, lacking management and overpriced for a steakhouse that can’t get steak right. I hope this was just an off night, but it seems many others have experience the same fate.

Going to Janko’s Little Zagreb is like a religious pilgrimage. Your holy grail may very well be the best steak in the Midwest. Even if you do not agree on that, you will not be disappointed.
We try to make the expedition each summer while neophytes are away from the city (much like trekking Jerusalem outside tourist season). Some of the obstacles vary depending on the time of year. This year we waited until move in weekend, which was a mistake but as they take reservations it could be dealt with. I dropped off my companions and was able to find parking within two blocks. The walk was no trial but going through the sun heated narthex is a brief purgatory.
Our table was ready within 20 minutes of our reservation time and we were glad to grab our pews in the crowded and noisy nave. We had been standing uncomfortably at the chancel entry where we were very much in the servers’ way.
The penance for your feast is to eat the nondescript bread and run of the mill salad (very fresh) but you do not come to this sanctum for those things. You come for the meat and like crusaders crossing Turkey you will overcome. Press on and the blessing will appear.
My wife and I had filet mignon and it was as exquisite as a benediction. So we have experienced every steak we have ever eaten here. Our friend ordered ribs, hoping for soft meat her false teeth could manage. Unhappily this is not the «falling off the bone slow cook» barbeque she had hoped for but «the make it, bake it, smother it in sauce» kind. This is okay, it was tasty, just be aware of what you are getting. As our friend was sampling our filet, she said, «I can’t believe it is so tender.» I was sampling her ribs and thinking the exact opposite.
The offerings are generous at Little Zagreb. I would like to enjoy a meal like this in a reverent quiet but this is not that kind of gathering. It is a full volume echoing walls cathedral where everyone is celebrating the generosity of the menu and the full blessings of the huge wine list. It is a chaotic pentecostal meating (sic) of celebrants where all confess at once and at full volume the joys and delights of a day ended in feasting.
For a little footnote please be aware this temple to meat also has an illustrious wine list. If you appreciate such a thing you will be doubly blessed. We enjoyed a Malbec as good as I have had in years. You get all the benefits of fine dining except wide choice and nice décor. Our server worked very hard for us and many others and kept up while being pleasant and just attentive enough to get us served. This is not damning with faint praise, she was excellent but did not have time to linger.