Mabenka Restaurant in Burbank to close Aug. 14
Mabenka Restaurant in Burbank has been a go-to place for more than three decades for people seeking Lithuanian and Polish delicacies as well as those planning a party or banquet.
That will come to an end Aug. 14, when owner Janina Galica closes the doors for the last time at 7844 S. Cicero Ave.
“It’s time to move on,” Galica said Wednesday morning, grabbing a few minutes to talk while filling to-go orders.
She cited a few reasons for closing the business that she opened in November 1991.
“These last few years have been tough on everyone, and we were not immune to the struggles of the challenging times. There are no people to work, taxes are too high and food prices keep going up,” she said, going down the list.
“It’s time to retire. I need to rest,” she said with a laugh. “But I want to thank everyone who has been a customer for the last 31 years. We feel very blessed for the support of our patrons and community for this long. We hope you’ll join in making this time a joyous transition full of memories and laughter.”
The closing was announced on Facebook on Monday and Galica said people have been calling in orders or stopping by from as far away as Valparaiso, Indiana, and downstate Illinois.
“It has been so crazy since word got out,” she said. “Where have
these people been for the past few years?”
In her post, Galica asked people to stop by to share memories and photos of occasions celebrated at Mabenka over the years.
“Over the last 30 years, we have celebrated thousands of birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and shared in countless celebrations and passings of life,” she said.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to experience it all.”
She urged anyone with a gift certificate to redeem it as soon as possible.
Catering and banquets have ended, but Galica will continue serving her specialties up until the end.
“We will keep on making our specialties ‘till the end. People really want our pork chops, kugelis, pierogi, dumplings and stuffed cabbage. Some of the other items we may run out of before we close.”
Galica said the restaurant name Mabenka was created from the first letter of her children’s names.
The restaurant will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
She asked groups of five or more to call ahead at 708-423-7679.