At Nick's Grill - Des Plaines

Nick's serves incredibly delicious traditional Bulgarian cuisine. It's not an exaggeration to say that their food is the best in all of the Chicago area. The owners are warm, approachable, and take great pride in their work.

Another customer suggested I try the pork chop if I ate meat, or the bean soup if I didn’t. The chicken soup came highly recommended as well, but I ultimately opted for the pork chop. When I ordered the pork chop and fries, I noticed some surprised looks, but I wasn’t sure if it was because of my English or the fact that I hadn’t ordered in advance. Nick asked me, “Are you ordering for now?” It became clear that most customers during the lunch rush had pre-ordered (it was before noon on a Tuesday), and he kindly instructed me to take a seat. Not knowing how long I would wait, I started a timer, and it wasn’t more than 10 minutes before I received a delicious, juicy pork chop alongside a generous plate of fries and what appeared to be a whole loaf of bread. Altogether, the meal cost around $12.50. I enjoyed my meal as much as I could, cleared my table to the counter, paid, and left. If I return, I would definitely order the pork chop again, but I’d probably choose a healthier side next time, as receiving a loaf of bread with my fries felt a bit excessive. Perhaps a salad would be a better choice... Overall, this is a great lunch spot, and I do wish someone would translate the menu.

The Bulgarian food at this restaurant is excellent—very delicious! The service is fantastic as well. The food and atmosphere remind me of Atlanta.

The traditional Bulgarian dishes here are absolutely delicious!

We gathered with friends for dinner at this restaurant after hearing positive things from several people, and we were not disappointed. The staff was incredibly friendly, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The food was delicious, and we truly enjoyed our experience. We loved this place and will definitely be back. Highly recommended!