Pierogi-Mania

Having a “Babcia” (Grandma in Polish), I am no stranger to the pierogi. What is a pierogi you may ask? Put simply, a pierogi is a filled dumpling, originating from Eastern Europe. Some of you may be familiar with “Mrs. T’s Pierogies”, which can be purchased in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket. While I have eaten many boxes of these, we are going to the heart of where pierogi lives, Warsaw Poland.

Warsaw is the capital of Poland. For any history-buff’s out there, you may remember that Warsaw was invaded by the Germans during World War II. The burning of libraries, looting of museums, expulsion of citizens and subsequent bombing left the city in complete ruins after the war came to a close. Warsaw was rebuilt and has become a symbol of reconstruction. You can visit “Old Town”, which is an exact replica of how the city looked prior to destruction, and more importantly, an excellent place to find fresh pierogi.

Just as New York City has hotdog and pretzel stands, Warsaw has pierogi stands. These tiny wooden stands offer fresh, cooked to order pierogi for you to take on the go. Only ever heard of potato and cheese or sauerkraut filled?  You are not alone. Options here however can range from the usual cheese to mushroom to blueberry to meat filled, each one more delicious than the next. 

All this pierogi eating will most likely make you thirsty. The best way to quench that thirst is to find yourself a nice outside seat at a local bar and order a Zywiec. Zywiec is considered to be Poland’s best pilsner-type brew. It can be found all over Poland, and even right here in the United States. Next time you’re in the liquor store, keep your eye out for their unmistakable white label of two Polish folk dancers. 

Bored with a regular beer? If you’re feeling adventurous, try one with an added fruit syrup. It provides just the right sweetness to offset the bitter hops. Raspberry is a fan-favorite. You will not be disappointed! Not a beer drinker? Lucky for you, Poland is also known for their wide array of vodka. Just please, drink responsibly.

So if you find yourself hungry in Warsaw, Poland, explore the "Old Town" for some serious history. Then, grab an ice cold Zywiec and go dive head first into pierogi-mania!