Poland!

What better way to experience Polish food in Cleveland than by celebrating Cleveland Pierogi Week! 30 Cleveland-area restaurants served up the Polish dumplings January 30 - February 5. I went to Pierogis of Cleveland, mostly because it was stamped "Grandma Approved!" and grandmas don't steer you wrong. 

Pic snagged from their Facebook page featuring the large menu board.

Their menu is expansive - 36 different flavors! Lots of traditional combinations - potato cheddar, potato onion - and lots of modern takes - buffalo chicken, lasagna, sloppy joe. There are even a few vegan and dessert options on there. In addition to pierogis, they have cabbage rolls, sausages, cabbage and noodles, and chicken paprikash with spaetzle. But it was Pierogi Week so pierogis I was eating. I ordered three savory - potato, broccoli, and cheddar (a favorite of the guy taking my order), sauerkraut, sausage, and kielbasa and chicken paprikash - and three sweet - apricot, prune, and sweet cottage cheese. 

Order in, time to research!

From Cleveland Historical:The Polish Cultural Garden is located at 820 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108, 100 feet south of St Clair Ave. and adjacent to Slovenian Garden. At the center of the Polish Cultural Garden stands an octagonal fountain decorated with allegorical figures that represent music, literature, science and astronomy. It has an ornamental border of jumping fish and small carved turtles along its base. The fountain was dedicated to the daughter of 16th century poet Jan Kochanowski. The little girl's death at 2 ½ years of age prompted Kochanowski to write a series of 19 elegies. Fittingly, the fountain was built largely by the help of small donations from schoolchildren. It was dedicated in 1953.

Surrounding the central fountain are seven busts showing Polish notables. All the busts were dedicated between 1947 and 1966. Among the notables are 19th century composer and pianist Frederic Chopin (1810-1849), 16th century astronomer Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), and 20th century physicist and chemist Maria Sklodowska Curie (1867-1934).

There is a long history of Polish immigrants making their home in the Cleveland area. From Cleveland Historical: Poles were one of Cleveland's largest nationality groups in the 20th century. Some arrived even earlier. In 1870, the first notable U.S. Census counted 77 Poles living in the city. The earliest Polish immigrants settled within the Czech community around Croton Street. Eventually, however, the Poles created their own settlement adjacent to Tod (E.65th) St. and what became Fleet Avenue. The area soon became known as Warszawa, after the capital city of Poland. Today, the area is known simply as Slavic Village today. Immigrants continued to move to Cleveland in the 1880s, increasing the Polish population considerably. Two more settlements grew up in the late 1880s and 1890s. The Poznan neighborhood was established around E. 79th St. and Superior Ave. and Kantowo arose in the Tremont area.

Cleveland's Polish community continued to grow with the city's need for workers, many working for Cleveland Rolling Mill. The largest influx occurred between 1900-14. The U.S. Census for 1920 records 35,024 Poles with several smaller neighborhoods having been settled by WWI: Josephatowo near E. 33rd St. and St. Clair Ave., Barbarowo at Denison Avenue, and along Madison Ave with other groups including Slovaks. All immigration after WWI was inconsequential and the Cleveland Polish community peaked in 1930 with a population of 36,668 foreign-born Poles.

The movement to the suburbs began as early as 1910. By 1970, only 6,234 Poles still resided within the city limits. The U.S. Census for 1990 estimated that only 1,635 Poles remained in the city, with Slavic Village being the community's main center.

Enough research! Time to eat!

While I waited for my food, I wandered around the market and cafe. There was a lot of Polish pride on display! Tees, hats, coffee mugs, keychains and the cutest knitted stuffed pierogis! There were also cases full of all the varieties of pierogis to bring home and make yourself. The market had a steady flow of customers either picking up takeout orders or the premade pierogis for home. 

I opted to dine in so they'd be hot and fresh. I was not disappointed. These pierogis were crisped up on the outside with the chewy potato dough and hearty filling. You can choose your toppings and I went with sour cream and the sauteed onions which is the most common (and best!) option.

I'd never tried sweet pierogis before and that was a big mistake. They are so good! The apricot and prune ones were especially good. I chose applesauce as the topping and barely touched it. They were perfect on their own. 

When I first moved to Cleveland, my sister recommended a pierogi tour - trying out the pierogis at restaurants all over the city - and I gotta say, that's a pretty great idea. Working my way through the 36 flavors of Pierogis of Cleveland would be a good place to start!

21 down, 31 to go! 

Pierogis of Cleveland

4131 W. Streetsboro Rd.

Richfield, OH 44386

330.659.4309

Website

Operating Hours:

MON - SAT | 10am - 6pm

SUN | closed