Under the Eagle
9000 Joseph Campau St
Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 875-5905
Under the Eagle on the south end of Joseph Campau is possibly the best Polish restaurant in town. I asked for a take-out menu, but they have different menus for every day of the week. Last Friday, I had the Polish combo plate and Steve had the fish-fry special. Delicious!
Hours: Open Mon-Tue 11am-7pm; Thu-Sun 11am-9pm
Payment Accepted: Cash Only. ATM available at the A&C Market next door.
Hamtramck Star
Hamtramck, Michigan
Grandma always used to take us to the Polish Village Cafe down the street and around the corner (on Yonge, maybe?) … But Under the Eagle competes well and is easier to find.
Polish Village is great, we’ll do a post about them too. I’ll have to get a photo of the mini they park out front.
Polonia (right across the parking lot from Polish Village) is tops in our book, and this is based on the opinion of my Polish wife. Polish Village is a bit too American-style for her taste. Maybe Pod Orlem is the ticket. We’ve still never been.
Never been to Under the Eagle? hee hee :)
I had noticed that Polonia serves potato noodles rather than mashed potatoes with goulash and the cucumber salad has dill on it while the salad at Polish Village does not. Is that the kind of thing that make PVC more American-style?
Generally the food at Polish Village is very greasy, almost pub grubby. It goes along with the vibe of the place, and you simply won’t find better atmosphere than Polish Village. They are the number one destination in Hamtramck, period, and not without a reason.
The fare at Polonia is more delicate and flavorful and overall more authentic. Plus Polonia boasts the absolute cleanest kitchen in Hamtramck; the men here know what I’m talking about.
Funny thing about Polish restaurant names. Under the Eagle follows a common “Under the…” construction. When my wife and I were in Poland we briefly contemplated dining at a place called “Pod Czarny Kon.”
This translates to “Under the Black Horse.”
Yum.
I hate to say it, but I consistently get bad food at Polonia, served on a plate with no garnishes, which means half the plate is empty–not too appealing. I gave them another try a month or so ago after I saw they were advertising on public TV–figured they were worth supporting for that–but I was served the absolutely worst potato pancakes I’ve ever had in my life. I couldn’t even eat them. The waitress made no offer to bring me something else or knock a few bucks off the bill. So although I like John, the owner, and have great memories of the hot folk dance scene we had going upstairs there in the ’90s, I can’t imagine ever trying to eat there again. Szkoda.
I keep hearing that the best Polish restaurant around is Krakus, just north of the Hamtramck border on Jos. Campau.
Wow. That’s tough to hear. I’ll admit I haven’t eaten at Polonia in maybe a year, but back in summer of 2003 when our kitchen was torn up we ate there almost every other night and had great service time and again.
Krakus (Ooh, that crazy witchcraft) has always intrigued me. I’d like to go there before their sagging facade slides right onto Campau.
Anything for the vegetarian at Krakus?
As a vegetarian myself (for 30 years) I just always figure the choices will be limited at a Polish restaurant to potato pancakes, pierogi, and nalesniki. I would never trust the soups to be made with a vegetable stock.
It’s always seemed strange to me, though, that Polish restaurants in America are so heavily weighted toward meat dishes. In Poland I never have any problem getting great and imaginative vegetarian food. First of all, EVERYTHING tastes better there, so even the simplest food is satisfying. Anyway, peasant food, upon which the menus of most Polish American menus are based, could never have been so dependent on meat because people simply couldn’t afford it. And now in Poland there are lots of “salad bar” restaurants–nothing like an American salad bar, but an eatery where you pay by weight or number of selections for these incredibly varied salads with different sauces. Yummm! And cheap, too. Now that might be a good business for Hamtramck…
I’d eat at a polish salad joint, that sounds pretty good.
A halal Polish salad joint would kill.
I’d like to learn how to make Polish food. In Ypsi, we shopped at the Mexican grocery and I’m having trouble finding the things I need for the food I know how to make. I refuse to drive to Krown (except on bottle return day).
Is there a good English language Polish cookbook available?
Polish Village is exactly like my mother’s cooking…anyone want to bad mouth my mother’s cooking can meet me under the Belle Isle bridge(McCarther) at 11pm Saturday night. That’s where I settle all my disputes.
It makes perfect sense that Polish Village serves what some consider “bar food”. They’re a rasthkeller after all, it’s fitting.
“The point of cities is multiplicity of choice.” – Jane Jacobs
Chris’ mom is a cool lady. We chatted for about two hours straight while canvassing outside the library during the September 11, 2001 primary. The discussion never came around to food (not the hot topic that particular day) but I’ll take you at your word regarding its deliciousness.
Never said Polish Village was bad, just not terribly authentic.
By the way, be careful hanging around under the MacArthur bridge. SERIOUS troll problems.
My mom sleeps under the MacArthur bridge, so if you have anything to say about . . .
Hey man, you lay down with trolls you ARE a troll.
Mike “My Daddy Was an Ogre” Rehfus
I have been to all the Polish retaurants and the Under the Eagle has the best Dill Pickle Soup. My kids love the soup and they make my husband go downand buy 4 quarts to bring home atleast once a month. If you have never had it, try it sounds wierd but everyone who tries it loves it.
The dill pickel soup is great. I just wish they would have kept the mushroom sauce as an option on the stuffed cabbage. And *sigh* still no Polish Salad Joint in town (Halal or not).
In my opinion, Polish Village is far ahead of all the Polish restaurants in the city. Price, quality, and atmosphere! Why else would President Clinton choose to eat there? Plus the waitress’ are hot!
To die for! Better than Polish Village, that is for sure. Park situation sucks. They cater and it’s amazing and cheap…I love this place–in fact, I picked stuff up for Christmas and cannot wait to eat it. Try the dill pickle soup and their pierogi–my faves are kraut and cheese(sweet and they also make blintzes from the same cheese)…
Polonia Restaurant is the best! If you want real home made type Polish food this is the place. Cheap too. :)
And wairesses… so cute…
I’ve been going to Under the Eagle for 30 years. By far the best Polish food in Hamtramck!
Hello,
My 15 year old son has been playing the Chromatic accordion since the age of seven and I am looking for somewhere that he could get some exposure to public venues. He knows many, many Polish songs as well as Waltzs and other Polish ethnic music. Would you ever consider having a musician come in and stroll through the restaurant on a Sat. night to entertain the customers? I think it would be a great boost for business and give my son an opportunity to show his talent.
Would you consider something like this? I could bring him in one Sat. early and have him play a few songs for you. I appreciate your consideration. Thank you.
John, I recommend calling him off school for Paczki Day on Tuesday and have him play some tunes for the people waiting in line at the bakeries! I bet they would love that.
Sorry, but the people at Under the Eagle have retired and place is closed (I believe the building has been bought by the gas station next door. 38 years is a good run; just sorry to see they couldn’t sell it to someone that would continue the business. Maybe your son could try the Polish Village?