![]() That said, we understand that our tours are not for everyone! Regarding the tips, they are standard in this industry. Elizabeth has so many five-star reviews on TripAdvisor that your critique is really a surprise to us. We are disappointed to hear our tour did not meet your expectations. Chicago has much better tours to offer than this one. She kept looking at her watch and left pretty abruptly after passing around the "tip bag". Walked to another restaurant and had some good garlic bread, a half of a glass of wine, and it was obvious Elizabeth had somewhere else she wanted to go. We were all through by the time she returned, but had to sit and wait while she consumed her glass which was pretty full. Elizabeth got her glass of wine, then disappeared for about 10 minutes. Seriously not something to write home about. We walked to the Marriott where our appetizer was 1 deviled egg. We got a small beverage, and a quarter of a Cheeseborger. Then walked to the Billy Goat Tavern of SNL fame. It started out ok - saw the rocks/bricks in the Chicago Tribune building except it felt like Elizabeth, the tour guide, was a little patronizing with her questions to make us think, like we were in elementary school. I had high expectations for this tour but was severely disappointed. For a 90-minute tour that focuses on a small section of the Loop, this is really recommended. Even as a semi-"local", I learned quite a bit! And the tour-guide was excellent: very friendly and clearly knowledgeable about his subject. You get a good overview of the main periods and styles. It's not a comprehensive tour of key buildings in Chicago (which would take a lot more time.) While this tour focuses only on a relatively small number of buildings (about a dozen or so), each one gets a lot of attention and the discussion is really thought provoking. It's not the kind of tour where you fly by a bunch of buildings and get essentially a list of names. Although we knew a fair amount of what was presented, information-wise, the tour-guide was very good at getting us to think about different eras of Chicago architecture and the context of the times in which particular buildings were constructed. I grew up in the area and was somewhat familiar with the city my wife is not from the city, but knows quite a bit about design. Helena could use more than what is listed here! Either donate now or stop by and get some food.įirst 5 donors of $200 or more get invited to a group meal at Podhalanka w/a guest, date TBD (bill covered by Detours).We had only a few days in Chicago and wanted to learn a bit more about the local architecture, so we took the "Best Architecture Tour for Design Lovers" offered by Chicago Detours, and we really enjoyed it. She's the sweetest! We've been talking walking tour groups with Chicago Detours to her for years because her restaurant is just plain awesome - in the most warm, cozy, grandma kind of way.Īmong trendy new high rises and hip cafes, Podhalanka is a truly special place. I know that if I told Helena I was doing this, she would say that she wouldn't want to bother anyone. They have no email addresses! They have no online marketing! But they make the real Grandma Polish food! ![]() ![]() Helena and her nephew Greg run the place, and they are from another time. The pierogis and soup make one cry for their real or imagined Polish grandmother. She's been working her butt off ever since. Helena came from Poland to the United States in 1983 via Pan Am Air. Podhalanka is the last Polish restaurant of what was the Polish Broadway, aka "Polish Triangle." Today, it quietly serves up true home-cooking at the border of Noble Square and Wicker Park. Helena of Podhalanka Restaurant needs help.
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