I felt like I was in an authentic European restaurant, in Serbia to be exact. Like a mirage, this colorful trailer beckons hungry"Over the road" (OTR) semi truck drivers as well as locals to experience this truly original gastronomic treasure. It's quaint, it's charming and speaks to old world sentiments that makes travelers long for home. So many different languages can be heard here Romanian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Arabic and of course, so many Serbian speakers. There's maybe four (4) tables for two and that's it. In summer, you can eat outside on the picnic table. Really, the atmosphere is that of Europe and the food is home cooked exceptionalism. The food is tasty and oh so wonderful! It's freshly prepared and made to perfection. Some of the best food is served in simple places just like at Balkan Grill. Experience what others already know. This place is the bomb! Long live the Serbians! read more

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all I can say is ooh wow when i say the food is delicious i mean every bit everything is so fresh and authentic

I can never tell if this place is open and which side is the entrance, plus where to park.. If they're still in business some better signage would help tremendously. read more

I found this place while searching online for worthwhile places to stop on a Chicago to New York road trip with a friend, and this place popped up on a couple of sites, namely Food & Wine, so we decided to give it a shot. It's apparently got a big reputation among truckers, which makes sense, given that it's right next to a big truck lot/stop. But regardless of vehicle, I would say Balkan Grill is an absolute must pit stop if you can fit it in any reasonable way into your path and itinerary. I'm tempted to even say you should go out of your way for it, because it's both wholly unique and just that good (if you're a meat fan, at least). It's very random in terms of location, but you should see a big sign that'll take you toward it. It doesn't have a lot of seating inside, and there'll probably just been one Serbian dude chilling at the counter when you get there, but don't let looks deter you. The menu is pretty simple. The Stuffed Burger is probably the most noteworthy thing: it's basically a hunk of sausage-like meat stuffed with cheese inside, squeezed between soft and delicious flatbread. It's not necessarily a traditional burger by any means, but this truly blew my mind. The Balkan Mixed Meat is another good way to get an introduction to the food here, and the portion is quite generous for what you're getting. They have a bigger meat platter type thing that I almost regret not getting, but you'd probably need a carful of people to actually finish it. The flavors are pretty unique, and there's this spicy feta they give you with your food that ranks among the best dips I've ever had. You wouldn't think there could be some of the best meat you'll ever have in the middle of nowhere, but I find that the low expectation perhaps greater enhances the experience. This was the most pleasant road trip stop surprise I've ever had, and a part of me is already trying to think of an excuse to pass through here again soon. read more

Balkan Grill - Stuffed Burger - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Epic food authentic setting great service and local ambiance to Balkan country. Love the sweets I think they excel at that.

Sergei was awesome, the food was very good. I highly recommend it. Park in Petro Be sure to park in one of the long semi parking spots. This place has some of the best parking. If I was going to a park, I would park here, while I was parking. read more

Great food , good sized portions! Service is kind but a little slow, typical with a European style.

this place is amazing. Couple of picnic tables outside but only 1 small table inside. it's all about the food which was awesome. read more

Balkan Grill - Menu - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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If you like Balkan grill, worth a stop. If you have no clue what to expect, order cevapi and grab a soda from the cooler. Lots of Eastern European truck drivers on I-94/I-80. For the uninitiated, it's in a trailer, quick service style, you order at the inside window, 'everything takes 15 minutes' as the counterman will tell you, they call you when its ready. Everything is in clamshells, plastic forks and to go style. Some high top tables inside and a picnic table outside. The staff speaks Serbian among themselves, customer service is a bit gruff compared to American standards, but that just how Eastern Europeans roll. Don't be a snowflake. I was unclear about the parking. The entry door is on the north side of the trailer, not well marked, facing the Petrol truck stop entrance. I parked in the Petro C-store lot(good idea if you are going to buy gas), but had to walk across the entrance with moving 18 wheelers. If one goes further south before making a left/U turn, then turns into where the yellow trailer is, it's not really set up like a parking lot but I guess it would work. 18 wheelers, park at Petrol and you're fine. read more

Balkan Grill - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Very tasty and flavorful food . Downside is customer service . Orders are online only , they can't take it over the phone . Not everyone is a repeated customer here . Sometimes people have questions about your food and they are trying it for the first time so it would be great to help and take orders over the phone . Orders are ready in about 30-40 minute ( a little bit too long ) Their business ours are different then stated on google and Yelp which says 10 pm but they close at 7 pm ( at least update your hours online) . As a feedback improve your customer service !!! Overall recommend and food is very delicious! read more

This place is incredible! It's a small and unassuming place built in a trailer with 2 small tables and one table outside but the food is outstanding. If you ever had Balkan food it's as good as or better than anything you'll find in Chicago. The cevaps are delicious and served with fresh homemade bread and the fixin's. The cabbage salad and kajmak are fantastic as is the spicy feta spread it comes with. The portions are huge and worth the price. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the menu. What a great hidden gem in a busy truck stop! read more

Great love the food ever time I'm in Gary,Indiana I stop and got to get a bite , good big portions at great price for the amount of food you get. My go to and love that they have online ordering now available. Stuffed Burger read more

Really good grilled food for cheap price, just call ahead for whatever you gonna have

Thanks to the reviews I decided to give it a try. Had stuffed burger. Hamburger stuffed with Mozzarella. It's a meat mixture. At first texture is a little odd (not same as hamburger) but it was good. Cabbage has a touch of vinegar (I think). Guy behind glass not friendly by any American means and most especially not southern friendly. Maybe he just had a difficult time understanding me. He wasn't really rude, just not friendly. This is at truck stop. There are a lot of non English speaking drivers grabbing a bite at dinner time. I did not understand one word any of them said until a woman walked in ordered bean soup, no meat and when she asked for extra bread he made a huff noise. My thought was wow, she did t ask you to substitute for meat, simply asked for extra bread. Either charge for it, give it up or refuse. Noises not necessary and are rude. Now today is a cold day and it was freezing in their. They may have been hot cooking in back but up front was past cold. Took food back to vehicle to eat, where there was heat. Steady flow. I may stop again and maybe try the soup. Burger was to much food for me. Burger and cabbage 10.69 plus tip. Huge burger for the price, lots of melted cheese in middle well worth the price and experience of another cultures food and people. read more

Don't let the exterior fool you. There is fine food coming out of this small trailer next to the Petro truckstop in Gary. There are a couple of small tables inside but most people get their food to go. The grilled chicken can not be beat. Come hungry. read more

Balkan Grill - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Food is excellent, you would have never guessed just looking at the trailer. Bean soup with a link of spicy sausage is to die for. Pork kebabs are juicy, everything is very good. Recommend read more

Balkan Grill - grilled meat and vegetables in a styrofoam container - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

RIDICULOUS portions! Hot, fresh, & guy behind counter was affable enough. Not the best eastern european fare I've ever had, but it beats the pants off anything served at the truck stops! I'll definitely be back! (I ordered the "ustipek", which came with FIVE meat patties that I'd guess were each over 1/4lb, cabbage salad, onions, homemade pita, & excellent feta spread) read more

Balkan Grill - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

The food here is the best ! Every time were passing through the area we gotta stop... This portions are huge, sometimes you can't finish it all there's so much food, and the price is right !!! read more

Balkan Grill - Pork Kabob :) - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

By far the best place to eat for truckers !!! Big selection of grilled goods to die for, they also have meals and soup. A must stop for every trucker !!! Go try it once and you will make this Petro favorite truckstop !!! "Balkan grill" is located at your right hand side of the truck entrance !!! read more

I order the grilled chicken it was very good the portion was huge a great meal for a respectable price very very good food.

I got the Pljeskavica burger filled with cheese, omg, one of the best burgers I've ever had. Looked online to see what it was made of but there was no consent. The person who took the order did seam like the soup natzi. It sounded like arguing in the back then laughter then singing. Huge delicious burger read more

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Big plate, tasty food and not expensive! Simple take out place but so good! If you want to discover meals coming from the balkans, it's a must! read more

This was a tough one to rate. In a yellow trailer, off the exit, next to a rest area and large truck parking lot, you will find the Balkan grill. The menu gives you a choice of bread, meat, and various combinations of thereof. I was feeling hungry, so I ordered the sampler which included two types of sausage, a patty, a pork chop, and chicken, a homemade loaf of bread, split in two, a chopped up onion, and some sauce. The entire thing ran me about $13 if I remember correctly. When I started eating it, I began with the chicken. It was juicy, flavorful, very enjoyable, and went well with the bread and onion. If a portion of meat is the palm of your hand, there was likely a solid three portions of meat in that chicken. Next I started eating the pork chop; to me it was too salty and tough, so I sat it aside. Next came the skinny sausage, it was smoked perfectly, and delicious. Next came the larger diameter sausage, that was quite good with the sauce provided. Last I had the patty, that was juicy, flavorful, a bit salty, but still delicious. In retrospect, this meal would have gone really well with a beer. At this point, I had consumed a week's worth of meat, so I tossed the remnants of the porkchop, and debated taking a nap. read more

Balkan Grill - a view of the outside of a restaurant - American Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Very dirty place to start with. Reading reviews thought it would be like on reviews. When you walk inside looks like a horror. Ordered burger - OMG - SOOOO SALTY OLD MEAT - DISGUSTING !!! Cabbage salad - OLD and sticky. Watch OUT people! Stay away! read more

Authentic Balkan food! What a nice treat instead of the typical fast food places. Healthy portions! Definitely will make it a point to stop when we are back in the area. Don't let the truck stop area and unassuming small kitchen dissuade you. The classic cevapi and pleskavice are really good....especially if ordered a little spicy. read more

Excellent food I could eat here every day. Get the mix meat it will fill you up. Call a head very popular place for lunch.

Great place for Serbian food. They offer all the Serbian cuisine that you want. They are super busy with all the Serbian, and Eastern European struck drivers. A few tables to eat inside, two picnic tables outside, weather permitting. read more

Great place to eat something good.reasonably priced. Especially for truckers who are tired of travel center food. Delicious giant burgers. Fresh off the grill. read more

U will be fooled by the look of the trailer , go in there n I assure u whatever it is ur gonna order is gonna be great, homemade bread grilled with ur food tastes real good, a small place n u wouldn't find a lot of people eat inside , I was skeptical until I read the reviews so I decided to give it a try I wasn't wrong , by the way the portions are very good too . read more

Will come back. Exactly what I had a taste for and freshly made. 15mins for a full order of Cevaps, side onions and a cabbage salad.

Absolutely delicious! We had the sausage & the stuffed burger, both with the cabbage salad. Huge portions, and SO good. I would say that the sausage was better than the burger, but both were great. The bread is amazing, the cabbage salad is so good... What's not to like?! We called ahead to avoid the 15 minute wait--a move that I would recommend. Two thumbs up :) read more

This is my second time visiting Balkan Grill & I can honestly say it's one of the best Balkan spots to eat in America! You have to try the filled burger!!!. read more

I tried the stuffed burger and it was delicious. The burger was seared completely on the outside. The seasonings in the meat made it tasty. The bread was kind of like a large and thick pita bread. Different but tasty. Bring an appetite. The burger is rather large. It takes a while for them to cook the burger. Recommended food stop. read more

Is this place closed permanently? Came today around 2pm and they have been open before on a Sunday? Any updates would be greatly appreciated! Also, when you call the phone goes to voicemail.... read more

Wow! We had the chicken thighs and the stuffed burger. Not only was the tasty meat grilled to perfection, but it was wrapped in a pillowy-soft pita that made it easy to eat all this deliciousness! The spicy spread, cabbage salad, and onions added even more flavor! We can't wait to go back and try something else! read more

Ordered Balkan traditional mix....Exellent !!! Will stop again to try somethin else..

This is not a place to go for ambience. It is, in point of fact, a trailer. There is very little seating inside, and you should expect to eat out Styrofoam trays with plastic utensils. All of that said, the grilled meats are fantastic. We had the stuffed burger, the sausage, the meat sampler, and the pork kebabs. All were stellar, and the portions were mammoth. The meats come with limited side dishes, and some in our party wished that there had been more vegetables. Still, I have to give the place five stars. If huge portions of beautifully grilled meats sound good to you, you won't do better than the Balkan Grill Co. read more

Always wonderful I wish they were still open on the weekends the last 2 times we passed thru they closed. Dammit I miss the great grilled goodness read more

This is my favorite steak house in town,all kinds of food it's cooked great,everybody have to try this!!!

The food is excellent. It seems that Serbians don't like americans. They don't give change with the money you give them. The excellent muckalicka isn't isn't sold to people who don't speak the language. the food is great, but the people not so much. They do themselves a disserves. You ask for extra of there wonderful bread the answer is no. You look them in the eye and you can see the hate. It's a true pain getting good food there. Leaving with what you get is the best from bad people. I digress the last year when the people changed not for the better. I have gone there 200+ times in five years. the people before gave you what you ordered. now it's what they want to give you. It's BS for sure. I just want good food that is on the menu. read more