Explore Czech Food: Svickova

If you’ve been following our series on the Top Czech Restaurants In America, you are probably craving some delicious Czech cuisine.

One dish that we really enjoyed on our travels is svickova. We’ve had many versions, the best in our opinion at the Bohemian Cafe just south of downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

Svickova is made with beef tenderloin or beef sirloin tips. The meat is marinated for a day in pickled spices, vinegar, and vegetables. The result is one of the most tender cuts of meat you’ll ever enjoy!

The dish can be served with dumplings or over noodles with caraway seed (our favorite). Either way, svickova is Czech cuisine at its finest!

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Czech Restaurants In America: Five (More) Great Czech Restaurants

Five More Great Czech Restaurants In America

There are several notable Czech communities in the United States where settlers from eastern Europe made their home over a century ago. Thankfully, many of the cultural traditions are upheld and celebrated to this day.

Some of the more well known communities are in near west suburban Chicago, central Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Cedar Rapids in Iowa, and Wisconsin. That’s where you’ll find these wonderful restaurants just waiting to introduce you to Czech cuisine and hospitality!

Bohemian Crystal: Westmont, Illinois

We’ve been to Bohemian Crystal many times and are always looking forward to going back. The dining room is traditionally decorated, the portions are huge, and prices are low.

Roast pork loin, roast duck, and breaded pork tenderloin are three of the most well known dishes. Westmont is about 30 minutes west of downtown Chicago and is not far from the near west suburban Czech enclave of Chicago.

Al’s Blue Toad: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

A big Czech community with a specialty shopping area known as Czech Village, Cedar Rapids was devastated by flood waters a few years ago. It all but wiped out Czech Village, and Zindrick’s Restaurant was forced to close. Zindrick’s was one of the best known Czech restaurants in the country.

Now, the same owner has changed the name but kept the same great recipes. Al’s Blue Toad has been open since late 2009 and is a go to place for goulash, dumplings, and many other standards.

Hotel Wilber Restaurant

About 25 miles west of Lincoln, Nebraska, the small town of Wilber hosts an annual Czech cultural festival. The downtown area is a walkable, traditional Czech village, with specialty stores and a museum.

If you are ever in the area, be sure to eat here and stay overnight. It is Czech style hospitality at its finest!

Old Prague Restaurant: Vermilion, Ohio

This is one of our favorite places in one of our favorite towns. Old Prague is located in the harbor district of Vermilion, a picturesque town about 40 miles west of Cleveland and a short stroll to the shores of Lake Erie.

Since 1971, this welcoming restaurant has been dishing out home made soups, European style pastries, and hearty dinners that are easy on the wallet. Spend a day in Vermilion and cap it off with dinner at Old Prague.

Czech Plaza: Berwyn, Illinois

Circling back to suburban Chicago, you will find this mainstay conveniently located on Cermak Road in the near west suburb of Berwyn. Berwyn is one of the largest Czech and Bohemian communities in America.

In business for close to 50 years, everything here is home made and delicious. We recommend the Farmers Platter, a sampling of several meat dishes, or the Bohemian meatloaf which is one of the best we’ve ever had. Wash it down with one of the many beers available from the full bar.

Summary

Experience real Czech and Bohemian style cuisine in America by stopping in at one of these warm and welcoming restaurants. You’ll enjoy the authentic hospitality, which is only surpassed by the food!

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Czech Food And Drink: 5 Best Czech Restaurants In America

Are you craving some hearty, satisfying Czech style cuisine but you’re nowhere near the Czech Republic? Never fear … here are five inviting, authentic restaurants in America where you can sample the finest Czech style food and drink …

Although there are millions of people of Czech descent in the United States, Czech restaurants aren’t particularly common. We are not sure why, because the cuisine is some of the most satisfying and delicious you’ll ever find at a dinner table.

Pork, beef, dumplings, and home made desserts are key elements of a Czech style dinner. The meat is prepared in a variety of ways, from hearty stews and soups to baked or pan breaded. In several heritage communities across America, you’ll find a few gems, just waiting for you to stop by.

In no particular order, here is a list of five of our favorites:

Milan’s Restaurant: Brooklyn, New York

Milan’s doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once inside you are transported to central Europe. The comfortable and traditional decor melds well with the lovingly prepared meals.

You can also buy authentic packaged goods from Slovakia and the Czech Republic here, including bottled beer, soda, and grocery items.

Our favorites here? Cabbage soup with smoked meat, roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings, all washed down with one of the four Czech beers on the menu.

Cafe Bohemia: Omaha, Nebraska

Just a mile south of the Old Market district in downtown Omaha is Cafe Bohemia. This cozy restaurant has been serving authentic cuisine since the 1920’s, at very reasonable prices. You won’t go home hungry, that’s for sure!

Cafe Bohemia is a great place to try swieckova, a sauerbraten style dish usually served with dumplings or potato pancakes. But if you’re not sure, don’t worry. The friendly, experienced waitresses will steer you in the right direction.

Klas Restaurant: Cicero, Illinois

The largest Czech restaurant in the United State, Klas has greeted diners since 1922. It is only open Thursdays through Sundays. The large interior room is decorated with original antiques and assorted treasures directly from the Czech Republic.

We like coming here for lunch. Lunches are served Bohemian style, with soup, salad bar, entree, two sides, and dessert. Cicero is a near west suburb of Chicago, about 20 minutes from downtown.

Moldau Restaurant: Brookfield, Illinois

A staple in the thriving west suburban Chicago Czech community, this is another comfort food gem. It is located on Ogden Avenue, about 10 minutes west of Klas Restaurant.

Moldau is a small, quaint place that does brisk business on Sundays. Come here for the roast duck and home made desserts.

Czech-Tex Restaurant: Snook, Texas

Like Chicago, south central Texas also has a large Czech heritage community. The little town of Snook, about ten miles from College Station, boasts Czech-Tex, kind of combination barbecue and old world place that dished up traditional dishes to your hearts content.

Every day, you will find the chicken and dumpling special on the menu. Pot roast, grilled pork chops, and smoked prime rib are other favorites.

Summary

Are you hungry yet? If so, head to one of these authentic Czech style restaurants for traditional central European style food in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

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