The $6 Polish food platter: NOW CLOSED

This is cheaper than a value meal at McDonald's

Editor’s note (aka me, Dennis): This bums me out to say, but Zaza’s permanently closed some months back, I just hadn’t updated this post.

It’s been replaced by a shop called The Chicago Pickle, which basically appears to be an all-purpose hot dog stand that also serves wings, cheesesteaks, Italian beef—you get the vibe. I have to say the idea of visiting there probably would make me bitter, but if we do hop in someday, I’ll of course, let you know.

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Finding a full meal under $10 these days is starting to get a little challenging.

Hell, even McDonald’s prices are starting to creep up there. A Big Mac meal, according to my mobile app, is now $8.89. That’s not cheap. This is what makes today’s neighborhood pick so much more remarkable.

While I haven’t been to a ton of them, Chicago’s got a healthy scattering of Polish delis all around the city. When I lived in Ukrainian Village, I used to go to a little place called Andy’s Deli, which served massive $5 sandwiches back in the day (easily worth two meals, they were that big). Andy’s has long since moved out of that neighborhood, but that place has definitely left me with good memories.

These Polish delis, like Andy’s, are usually humble places that sort of blend into a city block. They’re an essential part of Chicago’s culinary backdrop, and places you really should be dropping by more often. Consider this your reminder.