Shokolad Pastry & Cafe — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Everything was deliciously perfect at our first culinary experience at the quaint lil Shokolad Cafe!

My husband and I were wandering the streets around here with some time to kill and decided to pop in here. We were pleasantly greeted by a kind woman (possibly named Tania, as it was printed on our receipt) as we walked in for our first Ukrainian dining experience, and it was WONDERFUL!

After we were seated and began browsing the menu, a 1 liter caraffe of water was placed before us, which I know is not a big deal, but little touches like this make me very happy...I tend to consume enormous amounts of agua when eating.

We started off with a large bowl of the Borshch which came with a side of 2 rolls (see my pictures) and it was completely foreign to us to have magenta colored soup, but it was stellar! The spices were so perfectly flavorful, we were both quickly slurping it up... nice image I know, but we ate it as fast as politely possible, it was so darn good!

Then our potato pancakes w/ mushrooms & coslaw, and 3 rasp2 crepes came out. We ended up sharing everything because it was too delicious not to share! Each bit was better than the last, it was sensational! The nice lady who greeted & seated us was perfectly timing visiting our table for water refills and chit chat, she was lovely and personable.

We ended our Ukrainian culinary experience with a Chocolate Mousse cake with Passion Fruit layer to go, and went back to wandering the neighborhood & errands down on the shirt 3 mile jaunt to the Magnificent Mile...all the while raving to each other how AWESOME our lunch had been! Deliciously amazing food, local small business, fair prices, classy updated decor & fun atmosphere, if we lived downtown, this would quickly become one of our favorite regularly attended spots.

As it turned out, we ended up going back hours later, after we were done with our shopping and cruising the Magnificent Mile, and grew hungry again. We both decided we should absolutely stop here again on our way back out to the 'burbs. We rushed over because they close by 6pm, quite early, and it seemed strange for us, but as long as they still had some of that sweet sweet hot magenta stew, we would be happy!

So for our 2nd meal time here in 1 day, we ordered the Borschsh, a large bowl again of course, and decided to try their most popular flavor of perogis: The Mushroom & Terragon. They come in 1 dozen, unless you specify that you only want the half dozen. We got just 6, but we should have known how delectable they would be and gone with the full dozen! Ohhh my word, they came out, and were presented to us swimming in a gorgeously comforting cream sauce. Best. Perogis. Ever. I'll admit they are a bit newer to us, just the past few years, but these took the cake for numero 1 top perogis in our book.

They have a cooler case in front with drool-worthy baked goods, and I had to exercise great will power strength not to take them all home with me, they all looked so appetizi, and everything we had here had been absolutely stunning in flavor and quality... it felt as if we were guests in this nice gal's home and she was feeding us her homemade treasures from recipes perfected over the decades.

Seriously this place is the bomb dot com. My husband and I might need to do some business in the neighborhood again soon, and we talked about making a stop back in here again, or heck we might just make the hike from the 'burbz just because we want to be back here!

Can't wait until our next bowl of hot steaming magenta amazingness!

Que the...

"Shokolad Pastry & Cafe, located in Ukrainian Village, is an absolute haven for pastry enthusiasts. It proudly serves the best pierogi in Chicago and is known for its outstanding chicken soup.

From the moment you step into the cafe, you are greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The delightful aroma of freshly baked pastries fills the air, setting the stage for a culinary adventure. The cafe's cozy and charming ambiance adds to the overall experience, making it a perfect spot to indulge in delicious treats.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the pierogi. Shokolad Pastry & Cafe truly excels in crafting these delectable Eastern European dumplings. Each pierogi is a delightful combination of a soft and perfectly cooked dough enveloping a flavorful filling. Whether you prefer traditional fillings like potato and cheese or more adventurous options like spinach and feta or mushroom and sauerkraut, Shokolad's pierogi will leave you craving more. The quality of the ingredients and the careful preparation shine through in every bite.

In addition to their incredible pierogi, Shokolad Pastry & Cafe is known for its mouthwatering chicken soup. Their chicken soup is a comforting and flavorful delight. It's made with care, using high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes that result in a rich and satisfying broth. The soup is filled with tender chicken, vegetables, and aromatic herbs and spices that create a truly delicious experience.

Beyond the exceptional pierogi and chicken soup, Shokolad Pastry & Cafe offers a wide array of other delightful pastries and treats. From fluffy and buttery croissants to rich and indulgent cakes, their menu is a haven for anyone with a sweet tooth. Each pastry is made with precision and passion, delivering a heavenly combination of flavors and textures.

What sets Shokolad Pastry & Cafe apart is not just the outstanding food but also the warm and friendly service. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and always willing to provide recommendations based on your preferences. They take pride in sharing their culinary creations and ensuring that every customer has a delightful experience.

In conclusion, Shokolad Pastry & Cafe is a must-visit destination in Ukrainian Village for pierogi lovers in Chicago. Their commitment to crafting the best pierogi, their mouthwatering chicken soup, their cozy ambiance, and their exceptional service make it a standout establishment. Treat yourself to the mouthwatering pierogi, savor the comforting chicken soup, and indulge in the array of delectable pastries that Shokolad Pastry & Cafe has to offer. You won't be...

A cute and homey spot with an old-school feel, Shokolad serves a wide variety of Ukrainian breakfast/lunch dishes and pastries/desserts. While I haven’t tried the pastries/desserts yet, I felt that the food I tried generally lacked flavor, though there were some highlights. The restaurant had a good amount of people for a Thursday afternoon with plenty of seating still available. There was only one server who seemed really busy, so the food came out a little slow, but the service was good and friendly overall.

Food I tried: Ukrainian Cheese Pancakes (4/5): These were not as flavorful as I would’ve liked, but still tasted good— I liked the textures which featured a hot, slightly crispy exterior and a soft, curdy cheese interior. It paired nicely with the sour cream and sweet berries.

Eggplant, Green Pea & Potato Varenyky (3.7/5): This dish lacked a lot of flavor. Though I liked the fresh and chewy skin texture, both the sauce and the filling had dull flavors.

Mushroom Varenyky (4.5/5): The mushroom varenyky flavors were much more robust than the eggplant ones— exceptionally creamy with a nice, earthy flavor. The skin here was also...