Craving borscht and shashlik? Live in the Midwest? This is a problem we have in our family. We search everywhere for Russian and Uzbek restaurants. A problem we run into is that restaurants listed are usually closed or have strange hours. Some are only to be used for private parties. Sometimes they are listed as Mediterranean but really have Russian food. I hope to help others find the best in Russian food. Please give me your advice. I have visited most of these places.

LOUISVILLE
Grocery Store
Golden Key International
3821 Bardstown Rd
502-485-9009
Russian and other foods like samsa.
Offers DVD rental of Russian TV shows like Ne Rodis Krasivoy and Kursanti

Restaurants
Gavi’s Restaurant (Russian)
222 S. Seventh St
502-583-8183 (I have not been here yet)

Bosna-Mak/ Jasmin Cafe (Bosnian)
3825 Bardstown Rd
502-458-0013
Bosnian owned, but you can buy delicious
Shashlik and Gyros here, people from all over the Former Soviet Union can be found here
The owners do not speak Russian well however.

Cincinnati
Restaurant
Mirage (Armenian)
1379 Montgomery Road
(513) 469-0089
Advertises as a Mediterranean Restaurant
but offers Armenian, Georgian, and Russian food. The waitresses all speak Russian.

There is another Tajik restaurant reopening soon in Cincinnati. There seems to be a large Ukrainian community there. At least on the day I was hanging out there.

CHICAGO Click on Chicago to see some listings in Chicago