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    Ruta Cafe and Restaurant

    3.3 (30 reviews)
    InexpensiveModern European
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Ruta Cafe and Restaurant Photos

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    Front door
    Sheila C.

    This is just an "ok" place to eat. Three of us showed up for lunch on a Tuesday and were the only ones in the restaurant. Our waitress was only semi-attentive to her only guests, but maybe she was working with the carry out orders. They seemed to have a lot of those going out. The food was good, but not stellar. I had the tenderloin with cabbage and potatoes at a $10 price point. My friend had the "crepes with meat" and said "it's good, but I've had better'. Next time, maybe I'll try something different, but use the carry out service.

    Mini " wiener "
    Rasa K.

    Went with my kid , ordered mini wieners , got deep fried pieces of bologna. Waitress said that it is the same thing! Got nuggets instead, which came with still frozen inside fries!!! Just awful!!!

    Cepelinas
    Pam H.

    It's a Lithuanian restaurant located off the highway that serves traditional European style food. The prices are fairly reasonable and I had ordered a stuffed potato and it was delicious. The setting is pretty cozy and cute inside .

    Stuffed cabbage rolls with potatoes and sour cream

    My 1st time there!!! Absolutely delicious food cooked the way it should be just like my Grandmother...I ordered the hot beet soup and stuffed cabbage rolls that came with potatoes. The potatoes were amazing! Great customer service but you need to understand that the girl in the deli also is the waitress for the restaurant. She was friendly and courteous. Ruta cafe is a hidden gem and I'll definitely visit again!

    Chicken kabob "platter"
    Al M.

    Terrible value. Got the chicken kabobs ($12.99) which supposedly comes on a bed of rice with several accompaniments. Check out the pic of the reality

    Kugelis
    Grant P.

    While we were dining at Ruta yesterday I kept telling my wife we needed to check the kitchen because I thought my grandmother might be back there. She wouldn't check for me. She doesn't like to join me on my misadventures. But that's not the point. This place has the best kugelis I've eaten since my grandma died. Well, I've made a pretty decent batch myself once or twice, but this place still does it better, and more authentic I would imagine too. We tried koldunai, kugelis and cepelinai. The latter which I would not recommend unless you've had it before. I kind of hate them, but most Lithuanians do not feel the same way. I'm broken, I guess. I think they're gluey and tasteless. However, they're very authentic, because I never liked my grandma's either. So if you want the real deal, get your Lugan butt over to Ruta!

    Kvas

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Food was exceptional, the portions were ok, the main dish could be a little more. Great customer service. So worth a try!

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Last review....I meant "welcome with OPEN arms". LOL. I have arms. Food still very good. Digging the huge wooden "thrones" (chairs).

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Imported European chocolates!! Chicken kabobs were moist flavorful and wonderfully seasoned.

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    18 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Service horrible, food - so so, interior poor, cold inside. Truly said- I'll never come again.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Babba Grill

    Babba Grill

    4.8
    (45 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    HOW THIS PLACE ISN'T ON A BEST BURGERS LIST SOMEWHERE IS INSANE…read more Get the sharska burger, with beef soup as a side. Get some bread and dunk it in there. Get a double shot of espresso before you leave, else there is no way you'll be productive the rest of the day after that big, hearty meal. But I regret nothing. The staff are friendly. Ask them what they think is best, and they will not lead you astray. Just real, down to earth people who you can just tell love love love food.

    We try to visit Babba Grill every time we are in town. For Balkan food, especially…read moreMacedonia-centric dishes, no one in the area tops Babba Grill. It's awkwardly positioned in a small strip and the parking is terrible, but worth the inconvenience! Three of our group shared the mixed grill, selecting the beans and fries as their side. They thoroughly enjoyed it and even had a small bit leftover to take home. It's a generous platter of various grilled meats including the signature favorite Macedonian kebapi, as well as a few types of sausage, pork and chicken. The bread provided was the perfect texture for nestling these cuts to form the perfect bite. I decided to go with the Sharska Burger and the classic (and nostalgic) presentation with the fries inside the burger. Even though the burger was a bit overdone for my liking, I suppose it has to be cooked to a higher level of doneness to ensure the cheese filling is thoroughly melted. The fries were hot, crispy, and fresh but I had to get through a lot of them before I could access my burger. Not a bad thing, but I think I would get them on the side next time for convenience. We actually started with an appetizer of a few pieces of burek to share- one meat and one cheese. We found the meat version to be better than the cheese, which was on the dry side. The burek, when ordered by the piece, is just okay. I suspect it's possibly reheated in the microwave which makes the exterior a bit soft, less crispy. We've never had that issue when ordering a whole burek- it's always been flaky, crispy, and delicious. I would skip the individual pieces next time and order the whole, because any leftovers can be easily reheated and crisped up in the oven, avoiding any sogginess. Service is always good and attentive. An employee was celebrating a birthday when we were there, and staff kindly shared pieces of birthday cake with the diners in the restaurant. Thank you! The only off-putting thing was a table of several men who sat along the back window tables, shifting from one table to the next repeatedly. They finished their meals as we arrived but proceeded to linger there for the duration of our visit and were still there when we left. They seemed to be in the trucking business, as it sounded like they were interviewing at least one person and talking about trucking. People came in to see them and left repeatedly, as if the space was their own office. Many restaurants place a 90-minute limit on a table, which is what I personally think should be done in situations like these, especially when seating inside Babba Grill is already limited, and these individuals don't see the inappropriateness of treating it as their personal office. Disrespectful of the staff's time and the restaurant's space, imo, and affects the ambiance. Hopefully this type of thing doesn't happen to them often. We are already planning for some pastrmajlija on our next trip and we can't wait!

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    Babba Grill
    Babba Grill
    Cokta drink (Croatian)

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    Cokta drink (Croatian)
    McCook Bohemian Restaurant & Lounge

    McCook Bohemian Restaurant & Lounge

    3.7
    (119 reviews)
    7.8 mi
    $$

    I enjoyed my meal here very much! Couldn't decide between the roast 1/4 of duck or breaded pork…read moretenderloin so I had the combo meal! The pork was crispy, thin and delicious! Not sure what happened with other experiences because for us, the gravy was great! It was tasty and thick enough but definitely not gloppy. I was told the dumplings are homemade and you can tell! So light and fluffy! I didn't have the sauerkraut but instead had the cucumber salad. This was not a creamy salad as I'm used to but a light, sweet with just enough sour vinaigrette type sauce it was delightful! My friend had a similar meal but with no duck. She loved it. We started out with superb liver-dumpling soup and finished with a perfect and homemade kolacky! Washed it all down with a tasty Czech beer. It was a wonderful meal. I cannot forget out knowledgeable and doting server, Agnes. The busboy was around every few minutes to clear spent plates and drinks. In other words, service was top-notch. The ambiance is a perfect mix of old-world kitsch and 70's supper club. It was clean and inviting. The bar is an old, 70's winding island of a bar that welcomes customers with comfy, cushioned stools. I even walked out with my very own, "Last of The Bohemians" t-shirts! Perfect night.

    Legit Czech food! The last one in Chgo metro area. Sad!!!…read moreBabi would approve of EVERYTHING except the kolachky. They should be a cream cheese dough. NEVER a puff pastry. Fast service! Pleasant, attentive staff. Old school feel, not fancy Parking adjacent Full bar, import beers.

    Photos
    Bar Area
    Bar Area
    Kolaches, goulash & liver dumpling soups, gravy, breaded pork tenderloin & pork Sammy.
    Kolaches, goulash & liver dumpling soups, gravy, breaded pork tenderloin & pork Sammy.
    McCook Bohemian Restaurant & Lounge

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    Dunav Restaurant

    Dunav Restaurant

    4.5
    (53 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$

    Had any Serbian Food recently? This Serbian food was excellent and portion were bountiful and huge…read more( we took food home since potions were large.). Don't refuse the big portions of pita bread, when offered; the pita was warm and fluffy. The Serbian salad of tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and mild cheese , all ingredients marinated in a mild, clear sauce , was a meal that can be shared by two ( or more). My spouse had the marinated mushrooms with chicken , which was very flavorful; the accompanying fries were a joy to eat. I had the signature 'stew' , which went by a local name, with subliminal spices; also very good in quantity and quality. When the food is accompanied by a thoughtful waitress , the experience is really enjoyable: she made recommendations and ensured ou experience was engaging. Not much to see here in terms of decor, but if adventurous food and welcoming people is higher on your list, then please visit.

    For starters, this was my first experience with Serbian cuisine. It won't be my last…read more How this even hit my radar - I was hanging out at a Brewery in another part of town and struck up a conversation with a couple who recommended it. Strongly. Said it's what they grew up with and they've not had better. The friend I was traveling with was on board so it's how we both ended up having Serbian in Chicago. Lots of parking. Small private lot. Street parking galore. It was a sleepy evening. There was only one party (of four) when we went in. I have to admit, I was skeptical. But the aroma wafting from the kitchen ... My friend and I shared everything. Generous portions. I stuffed myself beyond what I should have. But I couldn't get enough of the grilled meats and roasted vegetables. I could have eaten nothing but the lepinja and kajmak but putting them altogether was so tasty that I just kept eating and eating. The one woman show - she was awesome. Not much English but wasn't needed. She was so pleasant and welcoming and the barrier wasn't an issue - at least for me. As she was a one person team FOH, there were times I wondered if she was also in the back cooking as she would be gone here and there but would show up right when she was needed. I don't know of many Serbian restaurants here in SoCal but when I do (and remember that is), I'll definitely go and see if it compares. I just know it was an excellent meal on my last evening in Chicago for my summer road trip.

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    Dunav Restaurant
    Dunav Restaurant
    Dunav Restaurant

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    Fluffy Bunny Ranch House

    Fluffy Bunny Ranch House

    4.0
    (36 reviews)
    28.3 mi

    Finally, Long Grove has a place where you can enjoy a truly delicious breakfast on a Monday!…read more We visited Fluffy Bunny this week and absolutely loved it. The food tastes homemade and prepared with so much care and love. My daughter completely fell in love with the syrniki -- they were honestly some of the best we've had. I also tried the pumpkin soup, which instantly became my favorite. My husband ordered the Nordic omelet, and when my husband compliments food, trust me, that's the highest praise possible! One of the biggest highlights for us is the amazing play area for kids. Anyone who has breakfast with young children knows that once they're done eating, they want to run and play. Here, kids have a beautiful playroom where they can have fun while parents can actually relax and enjoy a great cup of coffee. Another thing we really appreciated was the wonderful staff. The girls who served us were incredibly friendly and welcoming. It was especially helpful that they spoke both English and Russian. My daughter doesn't speak much English yet, and my husband doesn't speak Russian, so having staff who could communicate with both of them made us feel even more comfortable and welcome. And a special thank you to the owners for being open on Mondays! So many places in Long Grove are closed at the beginning of the week, and it's such a treat to have somewhere cozy to enjoy a great breakfast. Highly recommend Fluffy Bunny to anyone looking for delicious food, great coffee, a family-friendly atmosphere, and a place that genuinely makes you feel at home.

    So much potential, execution fell flat. We visited for date…read morenight and were drawn by the organic, whole food offerings. Fluffy Bunny is a great concept and the menu is stellar. I was ready to start sharing with friends/family but I'm glad I waited. The restaurant is tucked into a historic house in long grove, so the layout/seating areas are cramped. The drink selection is limited and my wine was warm. Our food came and they completely forgot my husband's side of roasted vegetables, so he ate just a steak with raw button mushrooms atop. My salad was great, filling, and flavorful. My great assumption and hope is that they make the roasted turkey in house. But it was very similar to thick cut lunch meat. Our server was very slow to check in and with the previously mentioned misses, we left a bit underwhelmed.

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    Fluffy Bunny Ranch House
    Fluffy Bunny Ranch House
    Exterior Entrance

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    Exterior Entrance
    Szarotka

    Szarotka

    4.2
    (80 reviews)
    8.1 mi
    $$

    This is a bit far from the usual places we go for Polish food. It's located in Justice, IL. It's…read morekind of a quiet, small town. The good news is that they have late hours, they don't close at 8 pm like most places. The staff was friendly and attentive. Food portions were very generous, you will have leftovers for sure. Prices are very typical of this cuisine. You'll have to walk up the steps to go inside. We ordered Highlander soup with smoked rib, tripe soup, Polish plate number 2, and Bavarian style pork shank. -Highlander soup with smoked rib 5 - the broth is sour due to it being sauerkraut, but you have to eat it with the smoked rib and potatoes. I ordered the cup so it looks like a bowl size. -tripe soup 5 - this is a good soup. We got the cup size, it's good for a cold night. -Polish plate number 2 5 - it comes with two stuffed cabbage rolls, Polish sausage, 6 meat pierogis, and dumplings. You can choose your side. I chose dumplings. Everything was delicious. Polish sausage was tender and juicy. Cabbage rolls and pierogis were fully cooked. -Bavarian style pork shank 5 - you get two humongous pieces of pork shank and the meat falls easily off the bone. It was very tender.

    Very disappointed, We went here after my Gram's funeral, it is most certainly not ADA compliant…read more They sat us downstairs, and sat 5 others upstairs because they have no elevator or way of getting downstairs. It was very unfortunate that on one of the saddest days we couldn't celebrate grams life together as a family. I will say the say the serving staff was friendly and efficient. The food was good. I wouldn't say it was worth the prices that were paid per person. But it wasn't terrible.

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    Bavarian style pork shank
    Bavarian style pork shank
    Szarotka
    Rainbow trout and dumplings

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    Rainbow trout and dumplings

    Ruta Cafe and Restaurant - modern_european - Updated July 2026

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