Polish restaurants nationwide saw crowds line up for special promotions and pierogi feasts, turning this humble dumpling into the star of the day.
National Pierogi Day, first declared in 2008 to commemorate the anniversary of Mrs. T’s—the largest frozen pierogi producer in the U.S., founded in 1952 by the Twardzik family in Pennsylvania—was at the heart of the festivities. Today, Mrs. T’s churns out an incredible 600 million pierogi every year. The celebration came in the middle of Polish Heritage Month, offering the perfect excuse to indulge in this beloved staple.
In Troy, near Detroit—a hotspot for Michigan's Polish community—the American Polish Cultural Center hosted an all-you-can-eat pierogi buffet for the third year in a row. For just $25.95, guests filled their plates with a selection of nine different pierogi, ranging from classic “ruskie” to spicy jalapeño-stuffed varieties.
“I was there last year, and it was packed! People were devouring pierogi left and right,” said Alicja Karlic, director of the Polish Media Center and editor of Tygodnik Polski, a Polish-American weekly in Michigan. “This day is growing in popularity, even among non-Polish Americans—and that’s great. Pierogi are a fantastic way to promote Polish cuisine.”
Events like this took place across the U.S., with Polish restaurants in New York, Chicago, Buffalo, and beyond joining the party. According to Metro Philadelphia, Little Walters, a trendy Polish eatery in Philly, kicked off the day by giving out free pierogi at 8 a.m. before offering a nine-course pierogi tasting throughout the day—all tickets sold out well in advance.
(jh)
Source: PAP