The love affair Pittsburgh has with pierogies can be traced back to the city’s Polish heritage. No matter how many food trends come and go, these comforting dumplings continue to be a culinary staple in the Steel City. Just how popular are they? Local print shop Commonwealth Press sells a Pierogi Pillow and the Pittsburgh Pirates feature a Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Race during every home game, where humans dressed as various flavors of the popular dumplings compete in a 280-yard dash.
Our unofficial “favorite food” lives large in our imaginations and on our dinner plates, evidenced by the delicious hometown choices below. Some of which were even chosen by you!
Pierogies, Where to Get the Quintessential Pittsburgh Food
Apteka
4606 Penn Avenue
Try the Pierogi z Ziemniakami, boiled potato and cabbage pierogi, at this all-vegan Central- and Eastern European-focused restaurant. Or, Smazone Pierogies that are fried with zucchini, lentils, onion, cabbage, and tomato inside.
Butterjoint
208 N. Craig Street
Locals for years dine on Butterjoint’s pierogies for celebrations or from day to day. We recommended the pierogies with kielbasa, featuring greens, caramelized onions, pickled beets, sauerkraut, and sour cream.
Church Brew Works
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pair your pierogi with a delicious draft beer in this former church-turned-brewery. Try their traditional potato- and cheese-filled dumplings or splurge on one of their newer creations, like a buffalo chicken pierogi sauté, tossed with beer-braised chicken and celery in a zesty buffalo cream sauce.
Pierogies Plus
342 Island Avenue
This beloved McKees Rocks takeout spot creates its pierogi dough and fillings from scratch every day. Grab a hot plate of one of their sample platters, featuring traditional pierogi and other Polish delicacies like haluski, or, if you’re planning a party, special-order a large cold order of more unique offerings, including a wide variety of dessert pierogi.
S&D Polish Deli
2204 Penn Avenue
Catering is key at this Strip District deli. They feature traditional Polish potato and cheddar pierogi that’s frozen by the dozen or, for the ultimate host, a full-size pan containing four dozen of the dumplings ready to be refrigerated and reheated at home.
Polska Laska
1100 N Canal St
Possibly the fan favorite on this list, Polska Laska was mentioned time and time again. Even owner, Olive Visco recommends her delicious variations on the classic pierogi with “no shame”. The menu is always changing for flavors like Buffalo Chicken, Sauerkraut and Mushroom, and even Roasted Carrot with sunflower seeds and herb pesto.
Gosia’s Pierogies
5803 PA-981
You may have seen Gosia’s Pierogies down at the Market Square Farmers Market on Thursdays. This deaf-owned business supplies traditional cheddar pierogis that are also available in bulk. Order a bunch and freeze them for your next get together!
St. Vladimir’s in Arnold
1600 Kenneth Avenue
We’ve heard Ukrainian churches make the best pierogies in town, especially St. Vladimir’s. This church even won best pierogi in the 2024 PTL Pierogi Bracket earlier this year. They choose to boil their pierogies and top them in tons of butter and onions. Keep an eye on their social media (in the link above) for pop-up sales throughout the year.
Starlite Lounge
364 Freeport Rd
A feature on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Stalite Lounge is a hidden Pittsburgh gem. To quote Instagram user @netsirksaah, “If you know, you really do know.” The bar even notes that their pierogies are like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. And they’re huge, to boot. Try their flavors of Potato and Cheese, Spinach and Feta, and Jalapeño and Cheddar. Or, pick up a Polish Platter with pierogies, kielbasa, haluski, and sauerkraut.
Forgotten Taste
11978 Route 19
There are many different ways to enjoy peirogies at Forgotten Taste. Try a platter of cheddar and potato with either hot sausage goulash, smoked polish kielbasa, stuffed peppers, green beans, or meatballs on top. Though if you’re craving only pierogies, they carry flavors like Cottage Cheese, Spinach & Ricotta, and even Roast Beef.
Story by Lisa Cunningham and Kylie Thomas / Photography by Jeff Swensen / Styling by Nina Katz
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