Kolatek Baking Company — Restaurant in Palatine Township

I left a review of Kolatek bakery recently, simply stating that the mushroom soup was bland and it might be due to the 100% non Polish staff, that might not know the recipe and how it should taste. I wish I could follow it up in the same post. In response Kolatek owner wrote a really hideous and immature 2 page rant and personal attack on me, alleging that I; 'had a neurological problem, that I might need to carry salt and pepper with me, and that I couldnt spell' All that for a straightforward and honest critique. My senses are fine, I honestly thought your pork fat spread was very good. Some people get easily offended and political, when you criticize their craft. When did they stop using simmered onions in the Polish mushroom soup and in golabki? Or when did they stop using rose preserve/ jam in paczkis, replacing it with an artificial colored starch out of the can? Try denying it, that it became the food service and hospitality industry"s new low norm. Would your business collapse if you simmered some onions and put it in the golombkis and the mushroom soup, where it should be? You seriously believe that your mushroom soup was good and you didn't make major shortcuts., the cost and time savings? My feeling is that those people seriously don't care, the bakery is over 30 years in business, originaly was established run by the parents, original Polish way, now their kids took over who brought in new American standards, cutting costs and 'simplifying' recipies, exactly same thing happened with the Oak Mill bakery, same as in Kolatek they figured even if the clientele changes, American and other non Poles,won't notice the difference, and people will keep shopping and be happy, is what made them so ignorant and careless. I thus scratch Kolatek out of my 'original Polish stores list...

I just discovered Kolatek's Baking Co./Delicatessen a couple of weeks ago when I was back in town and driving by. So, I finally had a chance to stop in and see what they had this week. I was excited about the fact that they were an actual bakery and made their own bread, cookies, and cakes as most Polish dell's sell great rye breads and wares from some awesome Chicagoland bakeries. But it's always fresher when you make your own. And their bread doesn't disappoint. I also bought their own version of Kabanos sausage, and I must say it was delicious! Not very fat and greasy and no gristle that you may find in sausage that's not ground very fine or that the sausage makers used inferior cuts of pork. Their hot food looked delicious, and I will update after trying. The store is clean and staff friendly and accommodating. Their only drawback is you can miss them on busy Rt. 12 Rand road. BTW, they also make fresh, delicious sandwiches to take out! I highly recommend stopping by and trying them. Can't wait for Páczki...

I was so excited to try this place out, as I used to go to the one on Harlem Ave. This store is a lot smaller then that one. I arrived on a Friday at around 6pm (sign said closed at 7pm). Everything looked super clean. I got sausage from behind the counter, and asked for some ham. The ham I wanted was unopened, and the lady made a big deal explaining that it’s packaged and that it’s going to take some time to open this up, then more time if it’s stringed, and asked if I still wanted it? I said yes (I was the only one in the store, and this took less than 5 minutes). I wanted to buy more ham/cheese from behind the counter, but felt like she just wanted to finish the day and go home. I understand everyone wants to go home, but your business is still open and you have customers to take care of. I was also hoping this would be my new destination to buy paczki, however, they only serve them on Paczki Day. Not sure I would...