After launching two Polish-inspired neighborhood restaurants since the beginning of 2024—first Pierogi Kitchen in Wicker Park in January 2024, followed by Wurst Behavior in Irving Park in November 2024, a love letter to traditional Polish kielbasa and house made sausages—husband-and-wife restaurateurs Chef Art Wnorowski and Gosia Pieniazek are at it again. Their latest venture, Spoko, will bring Polish street food to Lincoln Park when it opens its doors on February 26, 2025. As their third Polish concept in just over a year, the duo now also makes things more official by introducing Na Zdrowie Hospitality, their new restaurant group dedicated to heritage-driven Polish eats.
SPOKO
Spoko is taking over the 1,600-square-foot space at 723 W Armitage Ave, which is currently home to the couple’s existing restaurant, Ella’s BBQ. The new concept will offer a modern take on Poland’s street food culture, with a menu packed with nostalgic favorites and flavors.
Expect to see Polish street eats, like:
Zapiekanka– A crispy, open-faced sandwich found at street carts across Poland, traditionally piled with mushrooms, cheese, onions, and more—often finished with a drizzle of ketchup. Spoko’s version, called “zapis”, will introduce new twists on this dish including a prosciutto zapi with arugula, figs, and Gorgonzola, and a beet and goat cheese zapi with pistachios.
Maczanka Krakowska (“maczanka”) – Poland’s answer to a pulled pork sandwich, hailing from Kraków and packed with rich, slow-cooked flavors and dipped in a natural jus. Spoko also offers brisket maczankas.
Potato pancakes
Polish-style street kebabs
Gofry (sweet Polish waffles) and creamy milkshakes
Spoko will also feature a greatest-hits selection from Pierogi Kitchen and Wurst Behavior. Plus, all zapis and maczanka sandwiches will be served on bread from D’Amato’s Bakery.
"Most people know Polish cuisine as sausages and pierogi, but street food is a huge part of the culture, too," says Wnorowski. "The response to our first two spots has been incredible, so we’re excited to go even deeper and share the kind of under-the-radar eats we grew up eating ourselves—of course, and as always, with our own unique Chicago spin."
Spoko will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 am - 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am - 10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am - 8 pm, with brunch coming soon. A sidewalk patio and beer garden is set to debut in summer 2025.
NA ZDROWIE HOSPITALITY
With three Polish restaurants now under their belt, Wnorowski and Pieniazek are more officially launching their restaurant group, Na Zdrowie Hospitality—named after the Polish phrase for “cheers” or “to health!”
The growing restaurant family includes:
Pierogi Kitchen (Wicker Park) – Handmade pierogi, Polish comfort food, and local beers.
Wurst Behavior (Irving Park)– A deep dive into house-made Polish sausage and kielbasa traditions with fun local flavors.
Spoko (Lincoln Park) – Street food favorites with a playful, modern twist.
Earl’s BBQ (Jefferson Park) – Southern-inspired barbecue with a Polish touch.
After launching two Polish-inspired neighborhood restaurants since the beginning of 2024—first Pierogi Kitchen in Wicker Park in January 2024, followed by Wurst Behavior in Irving Park in November 2024, a love letter to traditional Polish kielbasa and house made sausages—husband-and-wife restaurateurs Chef Art Wnorowski and Gosia Pieniazek are at it again. Their latest venture, Spoko, will bring Polish street food to Lincoln Park when it opens its doors on February 26, 2025. As their third Polish concept in just over a year, the duo now also makes things more official by introducing Na Zdrowie Hospitality, their new restaurant group dedicated to heritage-driven Polish eats.
SPOKO
Spoko is taking over the 1,600-square-foot space at 723 W Armitage Ave, which is currently home to the couple’s existing restaurant, Ella’s BBQ. The new concept will offer a modern take on Poland’s street food culture, with a menu packed with nostalgic favorites and flavors.
Expect to see Polish street eats, like:
Zapiekanka– A crispy, open-faced sandwich found at street carts across Poland, traditionally piled with mushrooms, cheese, onions, and more—often finished with a drizzle of ketchup. Spoko’s version, called “zapis”, will introduce new twists on this dish including a prosciutto zapi with arugula, figs, and Gorgonzola, and a beet and goat cheese zapi with pistachios.
Maczanka Krakowska (“maczanka”) – Poland’s answer to a pulled pork sandwich, hailing from Kraków and packed with rich, slow-cooked flavors and dipped in a natural jus. Spoko also offers brisket maczankas.
Potato pancakes
Polish-style street kebabs
Gofry (sweet Polish waffles) and creamy milkshakes
Spoko will also feature a greatest-hits selection from Pierogi Kitchen and Wurst Behavior. Plus, all zapis and maczanka sandwiches will be served on bread from D’Amato’s Bakery.
"Most people know Polish cuisine as sausages and pierogi, but street food is a huge part of the culture, too," says Wnorowski. "The response to our first two spots has been incredible, so we’re excited to go even deeper and share the kind of under-the-radar eats we grew up eating ourselves—of course, and as always, with our own unique Chicago spin."
Spoko will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 am - 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am - 10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am - 8 pm, with brunch coming soon. A sidewalk patio and beer garden is set to debut in summer 2025.
NA ZDROWIE HOSPITALITY
With three Polish restaurants now under their belt, Wnorowski and Pieniazek are more officially launching their restaurant group, Na Zdrowie Hospitality—named after the Polish phrase for “cheers” or “to health!”
The growing restaurant family includes:
Pierogi Kitchen (Wicker Park) – Handmade pierogi, Polish comfort food, and local beers.
Wurst Behavior (Irving Park)– A deep dive into house-made Polish sausage and kielbasa traditions with fun local flavors.
Spoko (Lincoln Park) – Street food favorites with a playful, modern twist.
Earl’s BBQ (Jefferson Park) – Southern-inspired barbecue with a Polish touch.
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