Bags of pirogies

Hi, all

This is something I've been wanting to find out for some time: the Illinois mushroom club goes for walks at Schiller Woods (Irving Park and Des Plaines River Road) in the spring and fall. After some of those walks, we've gone out to lunch at The Jolly Inn, a Polish buffet a bit east of there on IP. They have a big display freezer by the door with big bags of frozen pirogies for sale at $5/bag. Does anyone else know of a place where one can buy pirogies this way that's closer to the center of town? That's a long way to go from Hyde Park (esp. via public transportation), but the stuff in the grocery store is $5 per dozen, and it's just killing me. It's been a while, and the grass is always greener, so I may be exaggerating the inexpensiveness...

Check the freezer section at your local Jewel or Dominicks. I've seen them in both places when scanning for something else. Also, there are several delis along Milwaukee avenue that are definately closer in. They would probably havbe fresh, but maybe frozen, too. There was the Mil-walk-eathon a while back. I'm sure someone who went on that trip will chime in with more specific info.

Somewhat closer,but not much is a place on Central Av. just north of Belmont that sells em fresh made from huge glass cases. Sorry I can't be more specific since I've only eyeballed the place as I drive by.

John

Hey people, where are you?

There is a large Polish presence in the southwestern part of the city, starting somewhere off on Garfield, with a number of restaurants and shops (e.g. Bobaks) on Archer down toward Midway. Details I don't know, but there MUST be someone down there who sells good pierogi in bulk.

Of course, Milwaukee Ave features dozens of Polish stores, some of them so far out there they're nearer Minnesota than Hyde Park. But there is also a cluster of Polish deli's (most advertising 'home-made pierogis' on their etalages) on Western round about Augusta, which isn't all that far north (though requiring a couple of transfers from HP). I can offer no details at the moment but am intending to explore those shops soon, now that that area is a short trip on the #49 away from the Drei-Schneider (a.k.a. Tri-Taylor) neighbourhood where we now reside.

Hope that helps as a start but there are folks out there in LTH-land who can give specific tips...

But the hunt is half the fun, no?

Antonius

Try Bobak's:

http://www.bobak.com/

MycoMan wrote:After some of those walks, we've gone out to lunch at The Jolly Inn, a Polish buffet a bit east of there on IP. They have a big display freezer by the door with big bags of frozen pirogies for sale at $5/bag. Does anyone else know of a place where one can buy pirogies this way that's closer to the center of town? That's a long way to go from Hyde Park (esp. via public transportation), but the stuff in the grocery store is $5 per dozen, and it's just killing me.

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I'd been hoping to do some large-scale pierogi tasting but it's clear it won't happen any time soon. So here are some miscellaneous comments that may still be useful.

I believe Jolly Inn is owned by the Staropolska people (restaurants on Belmont and on Milwaukee). I've had pierogi at Staropolska and they're not bad at all. I never bought the frozen ones but the price sounds right and they have a wider variety of fillings than usual.

JSM wrote:Somewhat closer,but not much is a place on Central Av. just north of Belmont that sells em fresh made from huge glass cases. Sorry I can't be more specific since I've only eyeballed the place as I drive by.

That's Alexandra Foods at 3308 N Central. They sell frozen pierogi for $2.50 per dozen. If you buy 10 or more trays, they're only $2 per, an unbeatable price. I haven't tried them but a friend of mine, a Warsaw native, thinks they're pretty good, not the best around but a good value. She recommends the potato version.

Antonius wrote:There is a large Polish presence in the southwestern part of the city, starting somewhere off on Garfield, with a number of restaurants and shops (e.g. Bobaks) on Archer down toward Midway.

As the Southwest Side becomes ever more Mexican there are fewer Polish markets but a fair number remain. Archer Avenue has the most shops but they're not always simple to get to by CTA, often requiring three bus rides from Hyde Park. Bobak's isn't a bad suggestion but you can do better in the area (certainly for quality, possibly not for price).

Here's a list of some places, all east of Cicero Avenue. There are many others beyond Cicero, extending into the suburbs, but for ease of access by CTA you may as well head to the north side.

Mammoth Bobak's is probably the best known deli but it's certainly not the best. Be sure to check out the selection of marinated mushrooms in the pickle aisle.

JJ Deli (I think the sign may also say Anjelika's) is just off Archer & Kostner at 4358 W 51st.

Celina's Deli (5089 S Archer) is a small, neat shop. Haven't tried their pierogi.

Gilmart (5050 S Archer) is good-sized Polish market. Pierogi are a bit thick-skinned but I like their sauerkraut filling. Gilmart is right by the Pulaski Orange Line stop, handy if you're coming from the Loop.

I've always been intrigued by Matthew's Supreme Homemade Sausage (4328 S Archer) but never visited.

I think Bacik's Deli (4249 S Archer) is the parent of the north side branches.

Lassak Deli (5754-1/2 S Pulaski) is probably the easiest to get to from Hyde Park, a straight shot on the #55. Nice selection of freshly made cutlets, stuffed cabbage, etc.

Tatra Inn (6040 S Pulaski) is perhaps Chicago's best Polish buffet. They sell pierogi to go for $4.40 a dozen.

John's Deli (4145 W 47th) with its 'Homemade Sausage' sign looks worth a visit. Solty's Deli used to be a block east but it's now a carniceria.

I think Lithuanian Plaza Deli (2616 W 69th) may still be in business but it's been a while since I was there. I need to revisit.

Polka Market (8753 S Commercial), a longtime South Chicago fixture, sells fresh pierogi but doesn't always have them in stock. Good sausage too (try the Polish and German style).

My wife and I make a few batches a year. Bag them up and toss in the freezer. Why not make your own some weekend. I have a great recipe if you like. I'm "old school" so it's fun and you can make any kind you like.

Thanks, ReneG and Mr. Chris

Mr. Chris,
if you could post that recipe, that would be wonderful.

ReneG,
thanks for the profile of the pierogi scene. I may go in with you on a batch from Alexandra's. And just for the record,

I believe Jolly Inn is owned by the Staropolska people (restaurants on Belmont and on Milwaukee). I've had pierogi at Staropolska and they're not bad at all. I never bought the frozen ones but the price sounds right and they have a wider variety of fillings than usual.

when I was doing contract work at a totally-Polish business near Logan Square, they universally acclaimed Staropolska as the *best* Polish restaurant - - perhaps not in all of Chicago, but certainly in "that area", and considering how far away it was from them, "that area" must have covered most of the north side.

It was actually too far away for me, since I was on foot - - though one receptionist said she would drive me if I took her out there. Instead, I lunched at a place called Angelika's, which was very good and (of course) had huge portions. It also had a "salad bar" with enough substantial Polish sides to be a complete dining experience in and of itself. I had a different entree each day, and don't remember them individually except for the blood sausage: because it was so strange that something could be both black and lemony.