Don’t Forget To Celebrate National Pierogi Day
These deals and festivities will help you honor pierogi’s big day on October 8.
Derek R. Trimble
If you don’t already have plans to celebrate National Pierogi Day this year, perhaps you should make some. And the best way to mark this joyous annual holiday, celebrated on October 8 every year since its official inception in 2008, is to eat some pierogi — or even attend a celebration of the Polish dumplings. The pillowy pockets of dough — usually stuffed with sweet or savory fillings including potatoes, cheese, vegetables and meat — can be eaten boiled or pan-fried, as you prefer. (Here are 10 pierogi recipes you can make at home.)
According to popular grocery-store pierogi brand Mrs. T’s Pierogies, National Pierogi Day “recognizes the day in 1952 when Mrs. T's Pierogies founder Ted Twardzik Sr., the son of the Mrs. T, made his very first pierogi sale to his local grocery store in Shenandoah, PA.”
Mrs. T’s is one of several brands and local restaurants with deals, giveaways, community celebrations and cooking demonstrations to help you honor pierogi’s big day this year. Here are a few ways to celebrate this very special holiday. (And if you don’t see anything near you listed below, it may be worth checking with your local Polish eatery.)
Local pierogi deals and events:
American Polish Cultural Center, Troy, Michigan: On National Pierogi Day, October 8, from noon to 7 p.m., the American Polish Cultural Center will host its annual Pierogi Day Buffet — all you can eat for $29.95 (adults) and $12.95 (kids). “Expect an even wider variety of pierogi flavors this year, plus the crowd-favorite Polish Dill Pickle Soup!” it says on Instagram. More info here.
Elmwood Park Library, Elmwood Park, Illinois: This Chicago-area library is inviting the community to celebrate National Pierogi Day with a “delicious pierogi-making demo.” On October 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can “learn how to prepare, fill, shape and cook these classic dumplings from scratch.” Registration is required. More info here.
Jaju Pierogi, Boston, Massachusetts: The TV-famous, women-owned brand Jaju Pierogi is hosting a $1 pierogi night in celebration of National Pierogi Day. The event — a twist on $1 oysters — will be held at Polish American Citizens Club in Boston on October 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The deal is first come, first served. The Polish Club Boston is “a great bar open to the public with Polish beers and lots of Polish paraphernalia,” a Jaju Pierogi spokesperson tells me. And in an Instagram post, the brand calls the pierogi a “steal” at “2007 prices.”
Kravitz Deli, Youngstown, Ohio: “National Pierogi Day is back in Youngstown!” Kravitz Deli, which calls itself “Youngtown’s oldest deli,” proclaims on its Instagram page. The 87-year-old establishment’s 12th Annual National Pierogi Day Celebration will take place on October 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. “All day long, you can enjoy pierogi in both traditional and creative flavors, along with plenty of Polish food, music and fun,” the deli says. This year’s lineup includes Potato & Cheese, Kraut, Cheese & Dill and Reuben Pierogi. “But that’s not all—look for limited-edition rose + cream-filled PYTown Pączki, a visit from Stan the Pieróg, and the chance to snag GOT PIEROGI shirts and gear from the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown,” it adds. There will also be live polka music and singalongs, vodka and Polish beer specials.
Lila’s Pierogi, Livonia, Michigan: This Pierogi shop in Levonia, Michigan is celebrating National Pierogi Day “big,” it says, with a one-day deal. On October 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can get Potato & Cheese Pierogi for just $8 per dozen. There is no minimum purchase, and the store is already taking pre-orders on its website. “We’re planning to have 600+ dozen ready. That’s more than 7,200 pierogi,” the brand notes on Instagram, nevertheless urging customers to “preorder early and make sure yours are waiting for you on October 8.”
Little Walter’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: This modern Polish restaurant and several others in Philadelphia are inviting pierogi lovers to celebrate National Pierogi Day on Thursday, October 8, with an all-pierogi menu featuring Little Walter’s “current favorites + one-off creations from some of our local spots.” It will be “10 pierogi. 5 Philly chefs. 1 very good night,” it says. The specialty menu will be the only one available that evening, and orders will come in batches of three or five. You can make reservations on OpenTable.
Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania: In honor of National Pierogi Day (and just ahead of that other major October holiday), the popular frozen pierogi brand is offering pierogi fans a chance to win a limited-edition Mrs. T's Pierogy & Sour Cream couples costume. To enter, follow @mrstspierogies on Instagram, like this post, and tag the person with whom you'd want to dress up. One hundred winners will be selected to win “one (1) Mrs. T's Pierogy costume and one (1) Sour Cream costume, plus coupons redeemable for boxes of Mrs. T's Pierogies at major retailers” — no purchase necessary. You can read the full giveaway details here. Additionally, Mrs. T’s is inviting the Shenandoah, Pennsylvania community to celebrate the holiday with a flag raising at Shenandoah Borough Hall on Thursday, October 8 at 10 a.m. The brand is also running several deals at various supermarket chains, including Kroger, Giant Eagle and Publix, so check your local grocer.
Pierogies Factory, Wheat Ridge, Colorado: For National Pierogi Day, this Colorado pierogi restaurant, which also ships frozen pierogi nationwide, is offering a special deal: Buy 10 pierogi and get six free. The offer will be available for dine-in only at Pierogies Factory on October 8.
Pierozek, Brooklyn, New York: Located in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood, this Polish eatery, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, says it's “home to the most authentic handmade Polish Pierogi.” It’s also home, this National Pierogi Day, to its 6th Annual Pierogi Eating Contest. Twelve contestants will compete to see which of them can eat the the most potato & cheese pierogi in five minutes. (The contest’s all-time record is 88.) First prize is $500, second is $300. The action takes place Thursday, October 8, at 6 p.m.
Polish Prince Pierogi, Billerica, Massachusetts: This handcrafted, gourmet pierogi purveyor in Billerica, Massachusetts, which makes its pierogi “with owner Doug Drozdowski’s grandmother's 100-year-old secret dough recipe from Krakow, Poland,” is celebrating National Pierogi Day on October 8 with what it’s calling “Pierogi Mania!!!” “That is where every pierogi on our packaged menu is available hot for takeout. If we have 18 flavors available you can choose any 4 for your order for $8,” the the pierogi spot says on Instagram. Every customer who visits that day will also be entered into a drawing to win a prize pack that includes a $50 gift card and other merchandise. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Polski’s Pub & Grub, Clinton Township, Michigan: Located in Clinton Township, Michigan, Polski’s Pub & Grub is “your go-to Polish-American neighborhood bar,” serving up “an array of classic Polish favorites like golumpki, pierogi, and city chicken.” But October 8, naturally, is all about the pierogi. “All pierogies will be on special all day on National Pierogi Day” along with “great deals on Polish Beer,” the eatery says on Facebook. There are a variety of handmade pierogi to choose from. Also, according to Polski’s social media, “Pierogi don’t judge. Pierogi understand.”
Rudy's Strudel and Bakery, Parma, Ohio: This Cleveland establishment bills itself as the city’s “go-to traditional Eastern European bakery, serving homemade favorites from our nationally acclaimed pierogi & delectable meaty cabbage rolls, to our sweet European tortes, kolachki & strudel.” In honor of National Pierogi Day, Rudy’s is hosting a big public celebration featuring a Hot Pierogi Bar and a food drive, among other things, on October 10. When one commenter on Facebook noted that National Pierogi Day was on October 8, not October 10, Rudy’s responded: “But that doesn't mean the party has to stop on the 8th!” Excellent point. Event details are here.
Vintage Tavern, Gillette, New Jersey: “Apparently pierogies have their own national holiday. We’re not asking questions,” this New Jersey establishment quips on Instagram. “We’re just making them $5.99 all day Thursday, October 8. Golden, pan-seared pierogies, caramelized onions, sour cream on the side — frankly, it would be rude not to celebrate. Bring your fellow pierogi people. Order accordingly.” The deal is good on National Pierogi Day for dine-in only.
The Best Potato and Cheese Pierogi
No pierogi near you? No worries. Try this crowd-pleasing recipe at home on October 8 instead.
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