Old Vilnius Café

I try to avoid getting Eastern European food as take out because for some reason it doesn’t seem to hold up as well and of course I like the beer to be readily refilled. But my takeout here didn’t disappoint. The menu had items from various Eastern European traditions — I ordered a wide variety and had some great dishes I’m not sure if some were new takes or just new to me. At any rate all incredible!

Not open on the hours posted.
If you’re going to post hours, at least post accurate ones.

It was our first time here and it won’t be our last!!! If you’re looking for good Authentic, fresh, homemade European food this is the place!!! We had stuffed cabbage, breaded pork tenderloin, Zeppelin, and pierogis. Everything was delicious and the service was great!

Lamb stew is great and the stuffed cabbage. They also have a deli where you can buy Lithuanian specialties.

Waited about 15 minutes after being seated before someone finally came and took my order. I ordered the kugelis with mushroom barley soup. The bread was very good, pumpernickel, and houska. The soup was terrible. Thin, no flavor. The kugelis, when it arrived, was swimming in grease. I was very disappointed with the service (lack of it) and poor food quality. I will not b back.

Incredible from start to finish. Finally stopped in here after years of passing by and was not disappointed. This is my new favorite spot. Details aren’t necessary, just go.

Really like this place. . I’m Polish/​Russian, so have been exposed to a fair amount of Slavic food, but they had plenty of things that I’ve never tried before, and they were all good. Particularly, the herring appetizer and dumpling soup got our meal off to a fantastic start. The ½ duck w/​sauerkraut and kugel was stellar, and the Stroganoff first rate (albeit the accompanying potatoes were a only just warm). The only disappointments was the chicken Kiev, which was actually dry. We left feeling confident that anything on the menu that had the «Vilnius» logo next to it was going to be something special though. Worth mentioning too that the décor, while simple was rather charming, and the service was terrific. Will take this over any of the other Slavic specialty places along 75^th street *any* day!

This place was a gem in the rough. Very easy to miss if you don’t know about it. The interior was very cozy and the addition of a Lithuanian gift shop/​store was a neat thing to find.
The food was delicious. I had the Lithuanian Combo plate which I recommend you have if this is your first time visiting here. It has a little bit of everything that is good. I also had the meat pockets (which were so yummy) and the fried bread with cheese and garlic blanket (this was so much better then I had been prepared for — do not pass this up).
Their selection of unique beers and wine was also worth taking note of.
My only issue and the main reason I don’t award this place five stars is the wait time. We waited much longer then I think was appropriate for our drinks and our main dishes (though the appetizers did show up promptly).
They seemed to be short staffed.
But for the food alone and the unique atmosphere this place was pleasantly surprising. I plan to visit again and hope my wait isn’t nearly as long next time.
Thank you for a delicious meal!

(Tip: Turn in on Main St. from East bound 75^th St. It’s just East of the big shopping center with the Kohl’s in it.) The service was good but the food was average at best. We started with the tomato rice soup of the day. Right out of a Campbell’s can. The cabbage rolls were large but were room temperature when they were served. The filling was OK but needed seasoning. The tomato sauce was too sweet for our taste. The Lithuanian pork tenderloin was covered in some cheese and mushroom glop. I noticed a lot of dishes come with cheese and/​or a creamy mushroom sauce. We assumed this was traditional.

Went on a recommendation that they had ethnic food from Lithuania. My husbands mother was Lithuanian and taught me to make a meat dumpling dish. Walking in brought her memory flooding in. LOVED the food, atmosphere, gift shop and grocery. Tried the Zeppelins, dumplings, fried cheese bread, sausage with yummy sauerkraut. Loved it all. Cannot wait to visit again.
The wonderful lady in the gift shop even helped me pick out a a doll with traditional dress. That reminded me of my mother-​in-​law.

The food is exactly as it should be heavy, hearty and somewhat bland. As I said that is what your buying when looking for Lithuania food. It’s old Vilnius not a modern take on Vilnius. Is that not clear. I’m not sure what’s up with the flip flopping on the reviews, the food is what it is and you can try it and understand what it’s like or go buy tacos next door and yes no one is in a hurry just like in Europe. It’s authenticity is what makes it good and I score it as a 4 for that reason, otherwise it’s average and not comparative with standard fair.

What a pleasant surprise.
We stopped on a Saturday night and had a great meal. Cocktails were very good and our entrees, zeppelins and stuffed cabbage were great.
Looking forward to returning.

Amazing food, great portions. Everything we tried was delicious, and I loved the little shop next to the restaurant where you can buy alot of their authentic food and goods. My friend and I both loved everything we ordered and shared it all so we could try everything!

Oh my gosh. The beet soup and the sauerkraut. Amazing. Took some home. Ate it all up. Want more.

Here’s my question.
How have the Lithuanian People survived so long eating this food?
I have German/​Polish blood in me, and I’ve never shied away from a hearty meal. Then again, there might be cause to state I’ve never shied away from ANY meal, but I digress. How is it Lithuanians aren’t all 750 pounds? How do any Lithuanians live to any age past 35 without their hearts exploding in a Cholesterol rage? Do the Chefs have to join OPEC? I have never encountered such a wall of starch and grease like I did during today’s throwdown at Vilnius.
I don’t know anything about Lithuanian eating habits, save for one of my high school chums was Lithuanian and his family et open-​faced Ham Sandwiches for breakfast. (This was in the early sixties before gourmet eating was legal in the US).
Maybe what I had today was the epitome of Litho fare. I don’t know. The place was packed, and people were tucking in, that’s for sure. All the plates that came out looked like what I had, and I ordered what the non-​English-​speaking waitron suggested. It also wasn’t the most expensive thing on the menu, so I know I wasn’t being grandstanded.
Lunch started with a Wild Mushroom soup that was delicious, and quite light, despite being described as a «creamy» soup. I had heard this place was a haven for Garlic, and as a strict aficionado of the «stinking rose», I ordered what is purported to be the menu «Garlic Bomb», the «Fried Bread». What came out was a large dish of thick matchsticks of what appeared to be Pumpernickel, fried crisp in Garlic-​infused oil. Over the top was some sort of mozzarella-​type cheese. There was about a quarter-​inch oil slick on the bottom of the dish, that did not look inviting. Here was the first «Uh-​Oh». Heating certain cheeses in a Microwave melts the cheese, but also effects a byproduct of gredue that slinks to the bottom of the cooking vessel. It’s not appetizing. This plate was obviously the work of «Chef Mike». Sampling the sticks «up top», they were indeed chock full of the stinky stuff, and rich to the taste. A few bites in and I was done. That cloying feeling when you eat too much rich stuff was on the horizon, and I still had my Entrée to go. I set the plate aside, and it appeared untouched, even though I had et my share.
The Entrée (the «Lithuanian Sampler») came, and it looked like a platter for 4. A hunk of Kugelis the size and shape of a building brick; a long, browned tube that was ostensibly «Potatoe Sausage», alongside another short and squat grey sausage that had absolutely NO plate appeal, and a Litho specialty called a «Zeppelin”-which was again, a doughy white football that looked uncooked. A mound of dark Kraut rounded out the plate. Yes, and over EVERYTHING was sprinkled some pinkish meat preparation that I could not identify.
What I DID identify was another off-​putting oil slick at the bottom of the plate.
I sampled everything before me, and found none of it except the Kraut to have any discernible flavor whatsoever. The Kraut was greasy, and tasted reheated and old. There were also a LOT of whole Bay leaves that kept getting stuck in my teeth and resisted being chewed, I made a pile of them on the bread plate. I don’t think I’ve ever left that much food on a plate in a restaurant. I didn’t complain, because I had no reference as to whether this was actually a fine fine Litho Resto, or a Crime against cuisine. As I saw the same plate come out a number of times, and the folks accepting them were digging in, I figured I had just chosen wrong, and that’s not the resto’s fault. I asked for a few doggy boxes, and when I went to put the remainder of the Fried Bread in one, it tipped over and I saw the congealed mess at the bottom of the pile. Ug. Same thing as I dumped the remainder of the sampler plate in the box. I put both boxes in the provided plastic bag.
I paid thirty dollars for this lunch. $ 30.05, to be exact. No Booze, No Coffee, No Dessert.
I contemplated this on the way out, as I was toting the bag that, if you told me contained a child’s bowling ball, I would have believed you. It was that heavy.
I further contemplated the family what walked in and sat down opposite me. An older Mom and Dad of Bovine/​Porcine proportions, and two gorgeous, young middle-​aged daughters with slim, spectacular figures. I noticed the first thing they ordered was the fried bread. You do the math.
And also-​that Lithuanian friend who et the Ham Sarnies for Breakfast was a superstar in the locker room due to his enormous Penis. Another Math problem…
The service wasn’t as lax as the reviews here would have you believe, it actually wasn’t bad. Will I be back? A few bowls of the Mushroom soup would be a fine Lunch. There were also some straight meat dishes that looked good on the menu, so even though I’m throwing only one star, I will prolly be back.
Maybe.
Do they have Ham Sandwiches on the menu?

Everytime I come back and visit my hometown of Chicago (I live in California) I make a priority to eat the food of my ancestors that I can’t get out west. Checked this place out with my mom and was very happy. They have some lunch specials ranging from $ 5 — $ 7 that were of good portions. mom got some meat crepes that were very tasty. I ended up getting the fried Lithuanian platter consisting of Kugelis, potato-​sausage and «zeppelins» which were fried potatoes topped with a bit of sausage. Everything I ordered was potato-​based topped with bacon bits served with a side of sour-​cream, but I didn’t care. It was downright delicous. Probably not the healthiest thing to order, so for only an additional .99 I got a bowl of creamy tomato soup. I went home with plenty of leftovers.
I liked the interior décor, dark, with a large wall mural of a castle in the night. Very Prussian-​Germanic-​Goth inspired. The women that worked there were all beautiful.
IN ADDITION, Old Vilnius has a store/​deli in the front where you can buy some Lithuanian-​pride clothing, trinkets, books, dvds, and pretty much anything you can think of.

The people giving negative reviews here don’t know what the heck they’re talking about. This is some of the best-​quality Lithuanian food in Chicagoland. The quantities of food that you get are amazing for the price. The only justifiable complaint that anyone can put forth is that the service is slow, which it is, and for good reason — everything is cooked from scratch to order! How can you beat that? People who are looking for eastern European «fast food» have their heads you know where. This type of food simply CANNOT be prepared expediently.
Additionally, they have a cute shop that sells many hard-​to-​get eastern European goods and small gifts.
I will most certainly be back many times. YUM!

I use to like this place in past but no more longer. Reason — food became disgusting! I didn’t visit Old Vilnius for a couple of month and when I decide to come back and to give the last chance I was totally disappointed!
Arunas

Potato pancakes very greasy, also had chicken dish and just so so. Not great service either, definitely won’t be back.

My friends and I all enjoyed our long lunch with no pressure to leave. We tried pork cutlets (more like meatballs), salmon, dumpings, borscht and Lithuanian beer. The waitress was attentive and helpful. The little store attached to the restaurant offers an excellent selection of items as well, from groceries and liquor to DVDs and folk crafts.

We’ve been meaning to try Old Vilnius Café for some time since we pass it nearly every day. We headed over around 7:30pm on Saturday night. There was a 20 minute wait so we headed to the bar in Mi Hacienda next door for a beer. I purchased a $ 25 for $ 12 Groupon while we waited, score! Our table was ready when we walked back over 20 minutes later. The menu is extensive and we had a difficult time deciding! We ordered the fried bread in warm cheese & garlic sauce and 2 large Svyturys beers to start. Think of the fried bread as large toasted croutons with a thick, melted garlic cheese on top. A little heavy but absolute heaven. The hubby and I decided to share 2 different combo plates in order to get a taste of everything. We tried polish sausage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, fried zeppelin, kugelis, & potato sausage. Everything was OUTSTANDING! I think it’s very easy for potato-​based foods to be bland and heavy, but the food was FAR from that.
Our server was incredibly friendly and answered all of our questions. I have to deduct 1 star because they were out of stuffed cabbage rolls for the evening. I am a cabbage roll addict and was pretty disappointed. But it gives us another reason to visit soon!

Delicious, hot European food. We enjoyed it very much! A lot of great Polish and Lithuanian options on the menu. We had mushroom soup and red beat soup with pork to start. For dinner we had potato pancakes, potato sausage and Lithuanian dumplings. Everything we had was superb. Great portions, nice server very comfortable chairs. We took the Napoleon dessert home with us. We will definitely be back.

I would have given this joint 5 stars, but can’t due to the temperature of the food they are serving. Soup and the entrée was barely warm!
Décor is nice, food tasted great. Service was fast. I would recommend this place for a good Lithuanian grub

I just finished eating at Old Vilnius Café for the last time.
Why?
Because this once 4-​star (according to my original review) restaurant has seriously declined over my past few visits, culminating in tonight’s horrible meal.
The service has slid to the point that you have to wait and wait and wait for your food, your drink refills, and ultimately your check. Tonight our soup and meal came out at the same time, so our food sat getting cold while we ate our soup.
I thought it was perhaps a singular occurrence last time we came, which is why we decided to try it again tonight. No. Clearly this establishment has gone downhill.
My meal was burned to the point of being inedible. The kugelis was blackened on the top. Our server, Anda asked how it was and I told her it was awful. She offered to have the cook make me another, but I told her I didn’t want another one. It was terrible.
I told her again how bad it was when she came to clear the mostly uneaten meal from the table. I was never offered something different, and when the bill came the burned food was on the bill.
I told Anda how disappointed I was and she proceeded to argue with me that 1) that’s how the food is supposed to be and 2) she offered to bring me something different, which, she didn’t. She offered to bring me another kugelis.
I am so disappointed in the decline of this establishment, especially to see that the staff simply doesn’t seem to care about customer concerns, or in pleasing them. I was, what I’d consider, a semi-​regular customer. We came about once every few months. But from now on I will drive a little further and go to Grand Duke’s on Harlem for Lithuanian food, where the food and service continue to be excellent.
EDIT: I am shocked to read another reviewer state that they are owned by the same family as Grand Duke’s. The food is vastly different, and the service is so much better there.

Best kugelis since Harriet and Joe Bartkus sold Palanga in Marquette Park!
I’ve found that kugelis made in restaurants is typically dry or flavorless. This gives my Dad’s kugelis a run for his money! (Does my Dad work at Old Vilnius Café and he never told me! Lol!)
The Lithuanian sausage and sauerkraut was delicious! The hot beet soup was great!
Definitely going back! Terrific!

Old Vilnius is more than a café. The small store front also contains a grocery and souvenir shop. In this review, I will attempt to highlight all aspects of this fascinating new addition to Darien.
First, let’s discuss the souvenir shop. When you enter Old Vilnius, you pretty much walk straight into it. The souvenir shop has tons of fascinating items: flying witches on broomsticks, Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin glassware, wooden religious figures, beer steins, etc. The list goes on. Behind the souvenir shop is the grocery. There are various pastries being prepared fresh, I believe, and other Eastern European grocery items. You can even find books and DVDs here. It is a fun place to browse. You will find some odd and rare merchandise here.
Now to the actual café. First of all, it is very small. There are only a handful of tables. The walls are painted to look like night. They are all black and what appears to be a church is painted on the wall. Very unique artwork. I ordered a huge Russian beer and the Lithuanian sausage platter. The Russian beer went down easy like a Miller. There was nothing special about it. It was just enormous. Also, I found the Lithuanian sausage too mild. It didn’t taste like anything. It was a substantial sausage but it needed seasoning. Everything else was quite average as well. Perhaps Eastern European food is meant to be mild.
In any case, Old Vilnius is such an interesting place that I will return. Most likely, it will be to browse the oddities in the souvenir shop.