Satisfy Your Hunger for Hungarian Food at Budapest Restaurant

I'm descended from Hungarians, and, while I cook many of the entrées that I ate regularly as a child, I approached Budapest Restaurant with an expectation of trying some of the more labor-intensive dishes I don’t make myself.

Budapest Restaurant is nestled off U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. The building is small and easy to pass, but I recommend that you turn on your GPS locator so that you don’t miss this dining experience.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Ernesztina and Laszlo Cservak, who both take pride and care in serving and preparing your meal. Entrées range from $10-$15. Most appetizers and salads cost $5-7.

We were greeted by Ernesztina in the cozy dining room as if we were family. A gentleman appeared in the kitchen doorway to check us out. I assume this was Laszlo. Service is informal, friendly and efficient.

The menu contains so many choices, and I wanted to try so many things, that I was fearful for my already increasing waistline. Then we spotted a menu item called the “House Plate-Dinner for Two.”

If you are new to Hungarian cooking, this is a good way to introduce yourself to the cuisine.  An excellent value under $15, it includes ample servings of chicken paprikas, beef goulash, stuffed cabbage, spaetzel (flour dumplings), red cabbage and cucumber salad. The chicken paprikas was tender and creamy in its thick sour cream sauce. The goulash had a rich gravy, and the stuffed cabbage was made just like my grandmother’s, with a combination of pork and beef filling. We started with potato pancakes and finished with palacsinta (pronounced palachinka), a crepe stuffed with your choice of cheese, apricot, walnuts or strawberry. My grandmother had a special talent for palacsinta, and these were every bit light and tasty as hers.

House wines and beer are available by the carafe at reasonable prices. Nothing at Budapest is a disappointment. If you love Hungarian cuisine, or have never before tried it, Budapest is the place to go.

Budapest Restaurant

7411 US Highway 19
New Port Richey, FL  34652
(727) 848-4437

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Sunday:    3pm – 10pm