Is Pittsburgh The Pierogi Capital Of The US?

Pierogi is a popular potato-based dish and a favorite comfort food of many. The dumpling-like dish is traditionally filled with cheese, potatoes, or sauerkraut, then pan-fried in butter. Those with Polish heritage may have a particular soft spot for this food. Pierogi are the national dish of Poland and an important holiday tradition for Polish families. Thanks in large part to its Polish-American population, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is arguably the pierogi capital of the U.S.

The history of pierogi in Pittsburgh dates all the way back to the 1800s, when major industries such as boat building attracted immigrants to the city. Starting in 1830, political upheaval in Poland increased migration to the city, leading to the formation of neighborhoods that remain heavily influenced by Polish culture today. While pierogi were initially a food relegated to immigrant communities, they gained wider popularity after World War II, often cropping up at church fundraisers. Mass production of pierogi gained traction in the 1960s, and frozen pierogi (or pierogies) became widely available at grocery stores. This helped launch the once-obscure food into mainstream popularity.

Today, pierogi are a huge component of Pittsburgh food culture. The city has an Annual Pierogi Festival in the late spring. The dish is a staple menu item in many of Pittsburgh's bars and restaurants. Pierogi food trucks also have a ubiquitous presence in the city. Pittsburgh Pirates home games even feature the Great Pierogi Race, a mascot foot race between giant pierogi held at the end of the fifth inning.

Pierogi are all over Pittsburgh. Even non-Polish restaurants and bars often offer pierogi as an appetizer or side. Those on the lookout for pierogi in the city should have no problems getting their fix, but let's take a quick look at some local fan favorites.

If you're strictly seeking authentic pierogi, there are plenty of options in Pittsburgh. S&D Polish Deli has been a staple for nearly 20 years, serving not just classic potato and cheddar pierogi but other traditional Polish foods you need to try, like kielbasa. Forgotten Taste has ample pierogi options stuffed with classic fillings like sauerkraut and potato (though they do shake it up a tad with a jalapeño option as well). If you're looking for a sit-down restaurant, Butterjoint offers pierogi with veggies and sausage, plus plenty of brunch dishes, soups, and salads.

While Pittsburgh residents are, of course, proud of their Polish roots, not every pierogi joint sticks strictly to tradition. Church Brew Works, a church-turned-brewery, for instance, serves up both traditional pierogi alongside more innovative varieties like pierogi with buffalo chicken. Cop-Out Pierogies offers a massive menu with unusual pierogi fillings like spinach-feta, shrimp and grits, and pepperoni pizza. There are even vegan restaurants in the city, like Apteka, that reinvent the classic Polish dish for the meat-free crowd.