Polka Polish Restaurant

I discovered Polka years ago and been going through the years for one thing only and you don't have to pay for it. It's the complimentary soup they serve before your meal. I just love their soups. You never quite know what you're going to get but it's always cooked with love and is so tasty. I talk about their soups so much, some people tell me they crave them too and they've never been there! I also really like Polish food and Polka's some of the best I've had. Pros: complimentary soup Cons: can be crowded, cramped parking more

I learned about this place from Guy Fieri on Food Network and wanted to check it out myself. My brother and I had already decided to order the same items that Guy had cuz they looked good on TV and we figured the restaurant would want to feature their best dishes. We made the mistake of not making reservations (it was a Sunday at 1:30). Upon entering the small, and tacky-looking joint, we were told it would be a 25-40 min wait. We waited for 50 minutes. Once inside, the owner immediately brought the house noodle soup (it was ok) and she didn't come to our table again for 15 min. At this time we were both thirsty from waiting outside in the heat this whole time. Finally when she came, my brother asked for the goolash. She said that they ran out and it would be another 20 min and to order something else. As he took a moment to see what else he'd want, she rudely said, ""I'll be back"". She didn't return to get our order for another 10 min or so and only after my brother got her attention. At this point we were both annoyed and irritated by her rudeness. No sorry to make you wait, no sorry we ran out of the most popular dish at lunch time, none of that. I ordered the potato and cheese peiurogi (sp?) and the bro ordered the chicken kotlat (cutlet), and both were equally delicious dishes. B/c we'd been there so long, we ordered the crepe dessert to go which was also very delicious. I'm still on the fence about going again just because of the rude and slow service...I'm hoping it was just a one-time thing b/c it happened to be a full house and almost everyone was asking for the goolash. Pros: food Cons: service, ran out of goolash before 2 pm, random decor more

Has Schnitzels. Yes!!! Unfortunately also has what looks like canned vegetables. Hilarious Polish couple... more

Has Schnitzels. Yes!!! Unfortunately also has what looks like canned vegetables. Hilarious Polish couple runs it. The place is even more hila... more

After watching Huell Howsers ""California Gold"" segment on this restaurant, a friend and I decided to try Polka. We were very pleased with the food, I had the stuffed cabbage, and he had the meatballs. It reminded us both of down home comfort food. I make a mean stuffed cabbage, but I would order theirs any day. The other entrees we saw coming out of the kitchen were of good portion size. The soup that automatically comes to your table as part of the dinner was delicious, although the salad was not chilled well, but their homemade dressing made up for it. The veggies that come with the meal (fresh sliced carrots, mashed potatoes, canned corn) were a little overcooked, but perfect if you didn't have teeth. And I mean that in a good way. Dessert was a small dish of vanilla pudding with a raspberry sauce, and it too was not chilled at all. For the price of a 4 course meal, you can't beat it. Service could have been a little better, but hey, it's a small place, you can't get lost in the crowd, the server will eventually know he/she forgot to bring you something, or just a wave of the hand will get his attention. The ambiance feels like your dining in the owners' own dining room, with kitsche everywhere to keep your eyes busy. Parking, during peak hours, can be frustrating as the restaurant shares the parking lot with a tiny strip mall, then it's street parking. I will definitely be a return customer when I'm craving polish comfort food. Pros: Avoid coming during peak hours, unless you have a reservation Cons: Parking and no rsvp, prepare to wait more

I moved to LA from Chicago nearly 7 years ago and have been searching for a Polish or German restaurant. Last weekend, I found one of the best Polish restaurants I have ever been to!! Polka is it!! Yes, I am Polish and yes I know good Polish food. The service was exceptional, the best I have had in LA. The food was so delicious, I was waiting for my mother to walk out of the kitchen. The Polish beer...the Porter...kinda strong for me, but good with Coke. Yes, you will have to wait, I waited nearly an hour and a half, I would wait three hours. Everything was fresh, flavorful and very cozy. I will be back so often, they will get tired of seeing me. more

I wouldn't recommend this place at all! I was going off of the recommendations on that have been previously posted thinking I was in for something great and that was so far from the case. To give myself some legitimacy to this posting I would like you to know that I am Polish. My parents are from Myslenice, Poland, I have just recently relocated to LA from Chicago and have spent ever summer in Poland with the extended family. Recently I was needing some familiar food and I came across Polka. I was so excited to have some yummy Polish food but all I found was the food extremely greasy and over cooked. I won't even talk about the ambiance because everyone else has that covered. The food at Polka I found was extremely sub-par the cabbage rolls were horrendously seasoned, the breaded chicken could have been from KFC, and the perogis were well over the point of being over done. The only thing that was somewhat decent was the beef stew but even that was over cooked. I was so disappointed! Is there no good Polish food in the LA area? Pros: The owner has a super cute little girl !?!?!? Does that count? Cons: Anything that goes in your mouth more

this restaurant is outstanding. i'm writing this based from an experience with their take-out, and four people loved their food. i had the kielbasa lunch, which included a fantastic cabbage soup. those who had the perogis and cabbage rolls expressed their deep affection for the whole meal. perhaps a dark horse to cater a wedding. Pros: old world served with new school style Cons: not for those on a diet more

I took my girlfriend for her birthday last night after reading the other reviews on city search. What an amazing find! Delicious home-cooked food (with good vegeterian options). Big portions. Very authentic. You can tell a lot of love and care was put into this small, cozy restaurant. The service also really stood out. Very welcoming and friendly. So glad places like this exist in LA. Pros: Great home-cooking, Friendly service, Ambiance more

The food is always amazing. The family that owns this place is sweet, and genuine, just like the food and atmosphere. You will get a kick out of the decor as you enjoy your meal. more

What a wonderful find! This little place is just adorable! The food just keeps on coming!! I love the homemade soup, the sweet salad and yummy food! The owners treat you like family. I'll keep coming back! Pros: candlelight, service more

The food and ambience remind me of my Polish grandparent's house. Energetic and friendly staff make this a really homey and welcoming place. Pros: Inexpensive, authentic more

Lovingly kitschy decor, tasty but salty versions of old favorites. Overall, food could use a bit more spice and less salt, but was nevertheless well executed. Pierogi are twice the size they should be, but delicious, especially the cabbage/mushroom. Their ""polka tea"" (hot tea with a touch of rum) was flavorful and welcome on a rainy afternoon. Did not try the pork cutlet, but it looked huge and yummy like a Wiener Schnitzel. Golabki were a bit bland, but the addition of chicken livers with onions on the menu made this girl's heart sing. Pork loin was fork-tender and sweet as only pork can be. Polka fills a nice gap in the otherwise dearth of Eastern European restaurants in LA. You might cook better at home if you're Polish, but if you're not, this food is a nice substitute for Mom's and definitely rib-sticking. Pros: ambience, home-cooking Cons: parking, spotty service more