Warsaw Inn put up for sale attracts interest from potential buyers | Northwest Indiana Commercial Securities

LYNWOOD – Queues stretched to the gate and – at times – roadside car park entrance after the Warsaw Inn was announced to close later this month.
But there’s still a chance the popular Polish restaurant could enjoy a second trip to the buffet line under new ownership.
Longtime owner Angie Golom decided to close the buffet at 2180 Glenwood-Dyer Road in Lynwood after 50 years because she thought it was time to retire. But it just put the Warsaw Inn up for sale on Wednesday after a wave of public mourning sparked interest from potential buyers.
“There have been a number of people who have expressed interest,” she said. “But we just put it on sale a few days ago.”
The huge crowd that unfolded also prompted Golom to consider extending the closing date beyond the currently scheduled Feb. 27, but she’s unsure if there would be enough food left to do so. The Warsaw Inn ran out of Polish sausages, blintzes and other food when it reopened on Wednesday after announcing the closure.
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“I don’t think we can keep up with the pace of the last few days,” she said. “It’s amazing. An overwhelming number of people are coming out. I’m so flattered, I feel so blessed that so many people love our food.”
Parking lot license plates come from as far away as Wisconsin and Michigan.
“We see people from all over,” she said. “We have always had customers from all over. They come for the quality of the food. Here we still make the pierogi by hand.”
Polish immigrants Eugene and Angela Zubrzycki opened the Warsaw Inn in Calumet Park in 1972.
Golom, their daughter, has run it alone since 1983.
After half a century in the restaurant business, she wants to retire at 69.
“I can’t wait to be there,” she said. “My kids and grandkids are really excited. They live in different states. I’m going to visit and hope to go on vacation together. It will be wonderful.”
Her husband, Edward, retired a few years ago.
“He was just waiting for me to retire,” she said. “But I wanted to hit the 50-year mark. That’s quite an achievement, don’t you think? It’s been half a century. We survived COVID, and now I’m retiring.”
If she can strike a deal with a potential buyer, he would get the old family recipes that have been tweaked and improved over the years. Adorned with wallpapers, light fixtures and pastoral paintings reminiscent of the old country, the restaurant serves more than 60 dishes, including stuffed cabbage, hash browns and many varieties of pierogi.
Staff would be willing to return if a new buyer takes over, employee Debbie Morey said.
Hundreds of people have shown up since the announcement of the closure for the chance to dine there one last time.
“We’ve been waiting for a one to two hour table since Wednesday,” she said. “We actually had to pick up the phone. On Wednesday the line went all the way to the back of the building and stayed there until about 6 p.m.
“People tell us they’re going to miss them so much. They’re so heartbroken,” she said. “They want us to stay, they’re so happy they were able to come for the last time. It was very surreal.”
Many people have been coming since it opened half a century ago.
“We have a lot of regular and loyal customers,” she said. “Many.”
A few other old-school Polish restaurants remain in the area, including Big Frank’s Sausage in East Chicago, the Polish Peasant in Michigan City, Cavalier Inn and MJ’s Polish Deli in Hammond, and Dan’s Pierogis in Highland.
The Warsaw Inn will be open 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12-8 p.m. Sunday until closing February 27.
For more information, visit www.angieswarsawinn.com or call (708) 474-1000.