One of the key ingredients behind the popularity of Polonez Restaurant, 4016 S. Packard Ave., St. Francis is co-owner/manager Aleksandra Burzynski.

Aleksandra graduated from University of Gdansk, Poland with the major in Sea Transport. Aleksandra Burzynski worked for a steamship and air freight company in Milwaukee several years before working for a restaurant. Along with her Polish educated, economist husband George, the pair started a small restaurant across from St. Josephat’s Basilica on Milwaukee’s South Side in 1983.

They’ve been in their current location for almost four years after spending two years refurbishing it, including building a custom bar that stocks a variety of Polish vodkas and liquors.

”We offer genuine homemade Polish food and traditional hospitality for lunch and dinner,” she said. “The restaurant has an excellent reputation, which we’ve worked hard to earn. “We’re proud to being in business for twenty one years and always offer the same consistency of the finest quality of homemade food.”

Amidst a host of other local and national dining honors, The Burzynski’s are most proud of the fact Polonez has earned a place on Dennis Getto’s Top thirty restaurants the past two years.

”My husband and I are always on site, and service by our staff is very attentive” in what our customers describe as very homelike, friendly atmosphere. “It is actually a very elegant look,” she added, pointing to the stark table linens, spotless silverware and French china.

Polonez prepares all its food made to order even the fish and potato pancakes which are popular staples of its busy Friday Fish Fry. Of particular interest to someone new to Polish food is the “Polish Plate,” a sampling of various items including the popular mushroom soup.

Burzynski’s recipe for success?

”Have a good education, strong will and friendly personality,” she said. “I smile knowing our guests eat good food and are enjoying themselves.”

As printed in the Milwaukee Post, May 2005 – written by Julia LeGath.

*Items may have changed since the printing of this article.