Best Restaurants For Pierogies In Orange County

Pierogi, or vareniki, Eastern European in origin, are dumpling specialties filled with potato, meats and sweets. Our ancestors from Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazahkstan, Poland and Latvia considered these dumplings as a food staple due to their satisfying nature. In the 50s, as immigrants made their way West, pierogi found a new home in American kitchens. When craving this old world food item, there are several restaurants and even a food truck that serve this favorite delicacy.

Warszawa
1414 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-8831
www.warszawarestaurant.com

Born in Krakow, Poland, Warszawa chef and owner Elina O'Lague shares her homeland recipes. Not to be missed on the Warszawa menu are O'Lague's authentic and traditional pierogis. Her steamed pierogis feature a beef and carrot filling or mushroom filling. Each is seasoned with time-honored spices, potato and sour cream. Patrons also visit Warszawa for Polish classics such as kielbasa, stroganoff, schnitzel, chicken paprikash and the vodka.

Specializing in authentic Russian cuisine, Traktir Restaurant is the place to indulge in favorite old world dishes and fine vodka. Traktir's specialty vareniki are a wonderful starter to the meal. Several Russian style dumplings are recommended – potato, ground meat with spices, and cabbage and mushroom. For the sweeter side of things, Traktir's cheese vareniki is made of farmer cheese and served with freshly made strawberry preserves and crème fresh. Customary shots of vodka are a local favorite here. In Russian style, Traktir serves several vodka flavors (horseradish, raspberry, cranberry, pepper garlic and lemon), with the black bread and a slice of pickled cucumber. Na zda-roy ye!

Steel City Sandwiches food truck pays tribute to its Pittsburgh blue-collar roots with good quick meals, just the way steel workers preferred during the Great Depression. Satisfying and savory, Steel City makes homemade pierogis which are substantial for lunch or dinner. One order features four Polish dumplings filled with cheddar cheese mashed potatoes that have been sautéed in butter and covered with caramelized onions and sour cream. Want bigger and better? Try Steel City's "Loaded Pierogies," which are topped with even more onions and sour cream, as well as bacon and cheddar cheese.

Related: Best Food Trucks In Orange County

Known for "old traditions from new Russia," Premier Restaurant & Bar was one of the first Russian restaurants in L.A. Distinctly Russian, Premier also infuses French and international flavors into recipes and overall menu. Vareniki is a Premier house specialty and a perfect share for the table. Made with either potato or cherry, the vareniki goes well with some of the restaurant's fish and meat marinated dishes including bass filet, lamb kabobs, beef stroganoff. The restaurant lends itself well for small celebrations including bar/bat mitzvah parties, wedding receptions and dinner parties.

It's just like family at Grandma's Deli. Here, not only do you get delicious homemade style Russian food, you also get an experience. Celebrating its 12^th year, this family-owned deli and café sees regular patrons who come in daily for their morning coffee, a chat (likely in Russian) and to read the daily international newspapers. Every day, Grandma makes fresh pierogi. Savory and traditional fillings include chicken, potato or cabbage. Cherry and apple pierogi are perfect for breakfast, a snack with tea or dessert.

Related: Best Delis In Orange County

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