Shokolad is not what I expected it to be. I was expecting more breakfast-y place-- busy and bustling with lots of servers. When I dined here with my husband, the lone server/cashier/barista/hostess was running here to fro. We had a hard time getting her attention to give us our bill and felt so bad asking her for milk for my coffee when she was so busy. I had crepes and they were.... decent. The lollipop cheesecake were to die for but I don't know if I'd make another trip this way for it. Too bad, I really had high hopes for this place. read more

We picked up takeout from this place and it was amazing! We found it via Yelp and my friend who lives two blocks had never been before. Awesome grilled cheese but amazing perogies. read more

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to Shokolad. I couldn't help but think of I Love You Man and the great Chocolat debate when I first saw the name. Then I saw the high reviews, the fact it was a couple blocks away, and that they served breakfast. I had to check it out. There were really only two negative things about this place. I don't know if it was a patron or the restaurant but there was a distinct smell lingering the entire time. I couldn't put my finger on it but it was eerily reminiscent of my great grandmother's house. Aside from the foul odor, I noticed that the servers were quite slow at times. Not a huge deal since I was in no rush but I could see people getting angry about it. The food was fantastic. I had the brie/spinach omelette and some not-ridiculously-greasy-and-fried hash browns. I think it was one of the best omelettes I've had in quite awhile. I also had a couple bites of the banana and chocolate crepes. The banana tasted like straight banana pudding which...I enjoy. So it was a win. Verdict? I think I found a new go to breakfast spot for my out of town visitors. read more

Shokolad - Banana chocolate crepes. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was adventuring about and found this quaint spot. It's been awhile since I've been to an actual cafe so I thought I'd give it a try. The place is actually a decent size, much different from places the "hipster" cafes where there's 3 small tables in a 7 square foot shop. The lovely waitress was friendly and promptly took my order. I decided to try the beef stroganoff and the cold tuna sandwhich. I'm so used to stroganoff coming with pasta, it was a surprise to get a plate of just beef with a side of potatoes albeit nowhere near worth the $12 price tag. Everything was good so I decided to try a slice of honey walnut cake. The slice brought out you could tell had been in the fridge for awhile. It was okay, most likely much better when its fresh. Overall, I'd try this place out again just to see what they offer in terms of baked goods. Food was good although the price was steep compared to what you get. read more

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The chicken with bacon panini is awesome. Always tasty and filling. Friendly service and clean dinning room. Thanks. read more

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Amazing food! I went here probably 10 times over the course of the last 2 years and I absolutely love the food here! I'm Russian so this was my idea of comfort food, but I went here with many of my (non-Russian) friends and they all loved it too! I've had: cheese and potato vareniky, meat pelmeni, meat vareniky, cherry and blueberry vareniky, beef stroganoff, Ukrainian sweet crepes, cheese and ham crepes, the potato latkes and the chicken noodle soup which is to die for! I've also had numerous desserts, the best of which was undoubtedly the napoleon! Some of the items come with a delicious carrot salad and the soup comes with delicious bread and garlic dipping sauce. This place is amazing and super cheat for the amazing quality (home made everything) and quantity of food that you get! The people who work there are all very nice, the service is great, the place itself is very nice and clean and airy and the food is truly Ukrainian/Russian and did I mention - amazing? I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! read more

Mr. Char Y and I must have eaten the same meals because he basically sums up my whole perspective on this place. We went because my cousin and aunt have taken many trips to Russia. They love the food and wanted to see what the Ukrainian Village of Chi-town had to offer. We definitely ate well. For 5 of us, our bill was about $87. Entree breakdown: 1 large bowl borsch 2 small bowls borsch 1 tomato/cucumber/mozz salad 1 dozen eggplant/pea perogi 2 orders pelmeni 1 order roast pork 1/2 dozen potato/cheese perogi 1 slice napoleon cake 1 slice chocolate mousse cake 1 espresso 1 coffee I'd say that was a pretty nice breakdown and fairly reasonably priced! As for the entrees, we were all very happy. The borsch was sweet, but good. It was my first experience with it, so I don't really get a vote-- but my Russian explorer peers said it was pretty darn good. All of us loved our entrees and felt they were fresh and delicious. My husband ordered the roast pork and really loved it. It looked a bit like a German schnitzel (of which we've had mannnnny!) but was considerably better quality, seasoned very well, and pan fried with a coating of egg as opposed to deep fried. He said he'd order it again and that means a lot coming from him! The napoleon cake was pretty much amazing. It was flaky layers of deliciousness. The mousse cake had a layer of some type of marmalade and we loved that as well. I'd absolutely go back if we were in the area. Pay attention to their hours... they close quite early (I believe 5 p.m.) on Saturdays--- as we accidentally sat there until 6 p.m. assuming they were still open! Oops! read more

Atmosphere: Comfortable, well lit, quiet, peaceful, clean. Service: The young woman was very nice, friendly and attentive. She let me stay after hours which was truly appreciated. Food: I had the borsch along with their home baked bread. Superb. Best borsch I've had in Chicago so far. Conclusion- I'll be back =) 4 stars! read more

For Saturday brunch we enjoyed sitting in the outdoor space on a sunny autumn day. Two servers kept pace with a lunchtime crowd of families and young adults. Mushroom potato tarragon varenyky had been recommended by others and it was delicious with a wonderful creamy sauce. Mushroom noodle soup with bread slices and borscht group with soft rolls were savory. Cinnamon chocolate crepes topped off the meal read more

Before covid there was a point where I would stop in at least once a month. Even though I come in less frequently, this place still reigns as a gem. I have had their mushroom soup, salmon, and beef stroganoff. All of which are amazing. To end my meals I always make sure to grab a small dessert. They have a front case right in the entry with cookies, crumbles and cake. The atmosphere is always so inviting and serene. This is a reliable place with great meals and kind staff. read more

Officially my favorite lunch spot in the neighborhood. I could eat just a plate of the carrot and cabbage salads alone. Absolutely delicious. read more

This place is just fantastic. The smoked salmon sandwich is just delicious and the baked good are all so fresh and yummy. Can't say enough about how warm and friendly everyone who works there is. Never disappointed...a very wonderful dining experience every time. read more

Next level borscht. Great service. Delightful fresh pastries. Wonderful cafe. Would come back in a heartbeat

Nice little and cozy cafe/restaurant with traditional meal! Daily menu looked good too.

Tried the potato pancakes with mushroom sauce and sorry to say they are infinitely better than those my baba makes. Amazing stuff!

Hello,FOOD SNOB here. Nice little store front neighborhood cafe. Tastes like its all home made. Potato Pancakes, Sauerkraut and Sausage, Perogies, all Delicious. Get there early if you want some sweets because there was not much of a selection left later in the day. Check the hours because they are not open to late. read more

A mom's and pop restaurant, they serve authentic dishes. I am a huge fan of polish food especially the cheese blitz. I was here for work and took an Uber for over 30 minutes just eat dinner here. The food didn't disappoint. read more

Everything was fantastic!! Had ham and gruyere crepes, pierogies (mushroom, potato & tarragon and eggplant, green peas and potato), their Saturday special mushroom soup and hutsulske pechenya. I don't think you can miss here! Service was also wonderful! read more

This is a real diamond in the rough. Every bite was thought out to be perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of acid and fresh herbs. Had a great tuna panini on exceptional Publican Quality Bread with a Greek salad. The salad was enormous and will be a side to lunch tomorrow. read more

More like 3.5 stars - Saw this place on check please and couldn't wait to try it. The borscht and homemade ricotta bread are delicious. I had the mushroom and tarragon pierogi that came in a cream sauce. They were food but I think I prefer the usual pierogis with sour cream and bacon. Another person ordered the special Sunday stew and loved it. Desserts were tasty. The Napoleon wasn't as tasty as it looked but the walnut cake was awesome. Would return if I was in the area for sure. Service and prices were good. read more

One of the all around best ethnic restaurants in Chicago..service is great and food is execellent not to mention it is the only restaruant I have ever been to that when you are finished with breakfast they ask what would you like for dessert?? Great Cappucinos and marvelous desserts...Cookies and cakes exceptional!! Tom and Lynn read more

A really nice spot if you are looking for some tasty breakfast. I went here last Sunday with my sister and the place was a bit crowded. Nonetheless, the waiter was super polite and helpful. She recommended to try out their Ukrainian cheese pancakes which were super tasty! I loved the interior of Shokolad and overall the place seemed pretty clean. In my opinion, the prices are at the fair range. read more

Lovely cafe with great breakfasts, lunches and wonderful assortment of desserts! And it's tight in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village. read more

Not Ukrainian but this place a go to for Ukrainian food, breakfast or just sandwiches. Girlfriend is in love with the crepes and cake!!

Love this little neighborhood joint!! Food is always fresh and tasty. Especially a fan of the perogies!

Pierogi on any menu gets my attention, and when it's as good as my mothers (including the butter and fried onions), it makes me want to eat there often! Hidden in a Ukrainian section of suburban Chicago, we were able to walk from our Airbnb for an early dinner. The menu includes crepes, daily specials, a variety of pierogis, sandwiches and the dessert case. Potato and cheese pierogis were baked and served in butter, with a side of sour cream and topped with fried onions for no extra charge. You could order in dozen or 1/2 dozen increments. I should have just stayed with the usual, but tried the cherry "dessert" as well. Those were tart cherries served with powdered sugar and unsweetened cream. Not as impressive but those don't hold dear memories! A carafe of cold water let us serve ourselves. Service was great, and there seemed to be a great mix of both locals and visitors to the area eating here. I highly recommend you seek out this area near the 66 bus stop and give it a try! read more

A standby among Chicago Ukrainians and beyond (as someone adjacent to the diaspora.) Absolutely fantastic. Love the owner. Started as a pastry shop, and they do those well. Love the entrees and sides. Catering is great also. Slava Ukrayini! Check out my BF Julian reviewing it on Check, Please! http://checkplease.wttw.com/restaurants/shokolad read more

After staying in the Ukrainian Village for a few days, I noted to my husband that we hadn't had any Eastern European food. We had stuffed ourselves with hot dogs, Japanese food, and exotic cocktails, but hadn't sampled any Old World cooking. We had seen charming babushkas and heard the church bells from the Orthodox churches, but I had yet to plunk pelmeni in my mouth, and that was a problem. We found Shokolad and all was well. The borscht was phenomenal and full of flavor which comes with a few tasty rolls on the side. We sampled some of their exceptional pierogies-some with meat and some with mushroom and potato. All of this loveliness was ours for under $20, and managed to be filling without being overwhelming. This was one of the last meals of our Chicago trip, so we were waddling around like penguins from all of the rich food that we had eaten. Definitely a stand-out in this charming part of town. read more

I brought 25 delicious mini treats over to Brett D's house to enjoy as dessert during our weekly Project Runway "dinner party". At $0.50 per mini item it was a steal; dessert for the 6 of use was under $15! The pizza ended up taking so long and the goodies looked so good it took all of our will power to not break into the desserts early! Luckily, our willpower (barley) prevailed and we were actually able to wait until after dinner to devour the sweets. We had mini pyramid, shaped, chocolate dipped macrons, apricot bars, Russian tea cookies/Mexican wedding cookies, airy sugar cookies which were all amazing but the of the evening mini ginger sandwich cookies with cream cheese filling. Everything was moist and fresh and wonderful. I believe I have converted the rest of the girls into "Shokolad-ers" as well. I am also sure that I will not be allowed at the next get together unless I promise to bring more items from this pastry shop. Hmmmmm, I believe next week will be the chocolate dipped cheesecake bites! read more

Usually I ignore Daily Candy's dispatches urging me to go to this business or that, but I couldn't resist today's email, urging me to try Shokolad, a new pastry shop/cafe on the edge of Humboldt Park and Ukrainian Village. Although it was snowing, the space was airy and bright. A table of four Ukrainian men were the only people in the shop and each turned to stare at me when I walked in. I fixed my gaze on the sizeable refrigerated pastry case that groaned with pastries both familiar and unknown. I bought a small seletion of pastries to bring home - a custardy lemon bar, a honey walnut layer cake, a ginger snap, and a coconut macaroon in the shape of a small pyramid. The lemon bar was easily the best I've had in Chicago - it had a thin layer of crust -perhaps too thin for some - and a thick, smooth, lemon custard layer. It was ooey gooey lemon bar non pareil, and measuring at about 1-1/2" by 1-1/2", it was the perfect size. The ginger snap was a sandwich cookie and had a creamy layer of icing between. It was soft and chewy and utterly delicious. The macaroon was adequate, but the chocolate had a slightly waxy mouthfeel. The honey walnut slice was also delicious. Five cake layers with a rich cream cheese icing loaded with walnut pieces tasted was simple but satisfying. The icing could have used a touch of salt, just to bring out the flavor of the icing. There were many other tasty looking treats that I didn't buy during this trip. I'll have to keep going back until I can try them all. read more

A cheesecake lollipop? No way! Ok so they DO make these, and they are perfect! I like this place because they have a bunch of small, inexpensive treats so you can stop in and satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling too guilty about calories or price! The only weird thing was I was the only person in there. it was like 4pm on a Saturday so maybe the toward the end of the day, the crowd dwindles down. So... want a cheesecake lollipop? go for it!! MMMM. read more

On my one and only visit to this place I can definitely say one thing, their treats are as advertised ... yumtastic. At a recent office hours, I tried a few of their treats and they were very good. I liked the mini macaroons with a chocolate base and I also liked the mini gingerbread cookies with creme in the middle the best. I tried their mini empanadas as well and was happy to have done so but I was even happier when I tried their eggplant poppers. I hate eggplant and yet after having one bite I realized I had no basis in hating such a vegetable ... or it can just be that anything deep fried is bound to be good! The place is very cozy and very well kept. The staff seem nice and answered any questions I had. I also like that this place is a BYOB and I may need to come back and try them for dinner - that way I know I can have dessert afterward. read more

Uh-oh....that smells like bad-taste joke....sorry but I can't help it... (Last) word of wisdom: don't read any further if you are touchy about religion. Or bad jokes. So....yes. On Easter Sunday around 7pm, Shokolad rose from the dead. In style. There was no special effects, lights or heavenly trumpets - just some really good home-cooked food, some delightful company and a place all to ourselves. I loved every minute of it - from the piping hot soup to the delicious lamb stew of my hubby to the perfect potato cake and the wonderful green beans that would have made my great grandma proud (yep - she was growing her own and I had the chance to eat them until I was 15). My chocolate cake was deeply satisfying and judging from the loud noises coming from my right so was the rhubarb and strawberry tart... A second chance, another life filled with love between my tasting buds and Shokolad. Not enough to found a new religion but I'll still call it a miracle. Amen. read more

This place is walking distance from my house. Went here for some lunch with Mom. We both had the paninis (chicken & bbq pork). They were very good. The chop salad was great as well. Service was good. Prices reasonable and there is street parking on Chicago ave with no meters. read more

One more fan of the sweet treats Erin brought over. In addition to the ginger cream cookie, I also loved the chocolate covered macaroons. Yum. Perfectly bite sized so I didn't feel too guilty. Saving a star for when I go in person and can try more. read more

When this Russian/ Ukrainian cafe opened in the neighborhood, I was ready to welcome it with open arms. Chicago has suffered a sharp decline of Russian restaurants in recent years but the food of Russia and the Former Soviet states is delicious. The borscht at Shokolad is amazing. I would love to get their recipe. As a person that grew up eating borscht her whole life, I have never had a such a lovely warm take on this healthy stew. My favorite borschts, up until now, have always been the vegetarian varieties. A major difference with this borscht is that it is made with chicken stock. Most meat borschts in my past were made on beef or veal stock. Chicken stock really lightens the soup, as beef bases can create an oily finish. Not only is this a much lighter and refreshing version, it is punched with flavor. Skokolad's version comes already mixed with sour cream (smetana) and the fresh herbs really bring out the delicate flavor of the beets. Every order is served with the very traditional garnish of fresh baked bread pom-poms and a garlic sauce dip. I have picked up from here, dined-in, brought family from the suburbs and Canada to try their wonderful fare. If alone or with a group, you must order a plate of varenkiy (Ukrainian Pierogies). You will not find a more tender dough which is properly cooked in the city. I can recommend the mushroom and eggplant varieties. My only complaint is their hours. Shokolad, please stay open past 5pm. After a strong craving for borscht, I have found myself standing outside your locked door too many times. read more

Great place! Very nice staff and delicious food. Ukrainian borsch was awesome! So is their pastry!) recommend! read more

I am new to the neighborhood and read the great reviews about this place, so I tried it out. Their cake is to die for! The problem is their customer service makes you want to die. My belly is full of delicious cake, but my heart has indigestion from the extremely rude way I was treated. I can't recall doing anything wrong or not being considerate, so I'm not sure why I deserved to be treated in such an unfriendly way. There were two young women taking orders and waiting tables. The place seemed busy, so I could understand if the service was quick and not overly friendly, but outright rudeness is not okay. I was served by the darker haired girl. She waited on me the last time and was not rude but not exactly friendly either. Maybe she just doesn't like the cut of my jib? I ordered a piece of walnut cake to go and asked about the chocolate mousse cake after I paid. Another lady walked in at the same exact moment and wanted to know about it too, as there was no label describing it, and it looked so yummy. After hearing the description, I asked if I could get a piece of it as well. I went to pay with a ten dollar bill and two pennies. The girl behind the counter seemed annoyed that I gave her two cents on the thirty seven cents and even said, "that's not going to help." She seemed really annoyed that she had to wait on me and made me feel like she was doing me a favor by allowing me to patronize the business. The other lady who wanted the mousse cake was actually really cool and friendly. When I went to leave the store, I said thank you. The other customer acknowledged me and said you're welcome! (We had been chatting about Thai mango dessert, so maybe she thought I was thanking her for information.) The girl behind the counter said nothing for the whole transaction other than the quip regarding the pennies and did not respond with a "you're welcome" when I left the store. Have you ever been to a business where you leave feeling like sh*t and that you did something wrong? That's exactly how I felt after my second and last trip here. All three types of cake I tasted were fantastic, and I was really looking forward to trying the crepes, borscht, pierogis and other savory treats. I literally live right around the corner from this place. But now that won't happen. I promise I won't come back! And that's my two cents. read more

Visited on a Friday at 12:20pm. Do you like rancid bacon? Do you like uncooked processed convenience-in-a-bag hash-brown shaped potato-emulating mush? Do you like your omelette missing one of it's two supposed to be included ingredients cooked in artificially flavored hydrogenated technology run-off? Do you like extremely stale rye-bread toast? (You know the kind! where the bread just shatters into powder when you so much as look at it) Seriously though... re-read the first question. Yep, I was served cooked, completely rancid bacon. The second it hit my mouth I had to eject it immediately. It's not hard to know if the food you are preparing is rotten... It's not like I ordered something foreign or unknown or novelty.. It's bacon- a pork product that is more than ubiquitous in Eastern-European (the theoretical regional flavor this place is supposed to exude) life and kitchens.. make that 'omnipresent' Cool, I just saved a bundle on some travel expense experiences- I didn't have to go to a foreign country that has no refrigeration to get served rotten bacon. I got it right here at home in Chicago- NOTE: at one point in time, Chicago was hailed as 'the hog butcher for the world'. Proof this place (chef/cook/social malcontent stationed where food is supposed to be prepared) could give a sh*t less what it serves to it's clients. The TV was blaring the best of early afternoon 'judge/reality/he wanted a stripper not an escort so she gave him herpes for not paying her a cancellation fee' type programming. The waitress had a lot of facebooking and speakerphone calls to get done in between watching me gag on the plate she gave me and not caring. What they prepare and call 'food' here is literally inedible- this is a fact, not an opinion. I refuse to believe the rating here. read more

I've lived blocks away from Shokolad for almost two years now, and despite some recommendations and its convenient location, I never made it in to try anything. Now that I have been, I'm supremely upset that I've missed out for so long. I went in with a couple of friends this afternoon for a late brunch. I was hungry for something breakfast-y, but once I perused the menu, I realized there was the possibility for some delicious Ukrainian/Eastern European-style dishes with which I have little experience. After some negotiating, the three of us decided to split the mushroom, potato and tarragon varenyky (Ukrainian pierogies), the Ukrainian sweet cheese crepes, and a Saturday special, gutsulske pechenya, which was essentially a hearty beef stew. While we were waiting, I noticed a table order a handful of little cookies before their meal, so we decided to follow suit. The cookies turned out to be shortbread wrapped around a delicious honey hazelnut butter. They were so well executed--perfectly buttery, not too sweet--that my already high hopes for the impending meal were substantially raised. We were not disappointed. Everything was absolutely, amazingly delicious. The varenyky were served in a deliciously smooth cream sauce and topped with fresh chopped dill. The potato, mushroom and tarragon filling was earthy and herby, though not overwhelming, and the dough was perfectly silky. The crepes were also very well prepared, avoiding the cloying sweetness that many brunch spots in surrounding neighborhoods push on their sugar-crazed acolytes. The gutsulske pechenya was phenomenal. It was, essentially, the platonic ideal of pot roast: deliciously tender beef, soft potatoes, whole braised mushrooms, and a thick, well-seasoned and freshly herbed sauce. I've been home for a few hours now, and everything I ate has haunted me with memories of gastronomical delight. I want to go back. Like right now. I will go back, probably tomorrow. And sometime next week. And at least once a month for as long as I continue to live in this neighborhood. A couple other items of note: for this kind of quality, Shokolad is insanely cheap. Our tab for all the items above, as well as three cups of bottomless coffee, was $39. Seriously. $13 a person. I think the exact same meal, served at Lula cafe, would have been nearly twice as much. Finally, I would recommend you avoid the mistakes made by some reviewers of this spot. You can get an omelette anywhere, or a turkey club, or a caesar salad--all of which Shokolad also serves. Why go for ubiquitous deli/diner staples when hard-to-pronounce deliciousness awaits you on the other side of the menu? Help yourself to Shokolad's specialities. Order something off the daily specials list. Order something with an intriguingly vague description. My buddy put it best: everything we ate tasted like someone's Ukrainian grandma had spent all day cooking it at home. What else could you want? God. Damn. Delicious. read more