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Lamb and Potato Pierogi from Domku Cafe.
Pierogi are popular in the Midwest and along the Rust Belt -- generally, you can find pierogi anywhere you can find a large Polish or Ukrainian population. Indeed, the Midwest takes their pierogi quite seriously. Every summer, Whiting, Indiana holds a pierogi festival, featuring the world's largest pierogi, Eastern Bloc-themed Jeopardy!, and Mr. Pierogi and the Pieroguettes. Pierogi are a bit harder to find in this part of the country, but you can get your fix at Domku Cafe in Petworth.
While pierogi are always on the menu, Domku has recently started holding a monthly
Last month, my dining companion and I sampled two savory and one sweet orders of pierogi. Our traditional mashed potato, cheese and bacon pierogi were boiled and topped with a healthy serving of sour cream. The dough was tender and not too thick; the potatoes were pillowy soft with just a hint of smoky bacon. The spiced lamb pierogi were more reminiscent of an empanada; instead of a traditional pasta dough, the ground meat was wrapped in a pastry crust. While tasty, we were craving tradition, not Polish-Latin fusion.
It seemed only natural to end our meal with some dessert pierogi, filled with fresh strawberries and mild farmer's cheese. Despite both being pierogi-loving Midwestern transplants, neither of us had tried a sweet pierogi. We were skeptical that a fruit filling could improve upon the near-divine combination of potatoes and cheese. However, we were pleasantly surprised by how lovely the warm, sweet strawberries and the crumbly cheese tasted alongside the chewy dough. The pierogi were lightly pan-fried and sprinkled with sugar, creating a nice crunchy contrast to the soft filling. Initial reservations aside, dessert turned out to be the highlight of the meal.
Domku's next pierogi night is Wednesday, February 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Domku Cafe
821 Upshur Street NW
202-722-7475
Metro: Georgia Avenue/Petworth
Hours
Tuesday - Wednesday: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
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Tasty--I haven't had a decent pierogi since I left Chicago. How much was it?
It's about $10 for an order of 6 pierogi. The meat ones tend to run a little bit more; the dessert ones are a little bit less.
My Hungarian-Israeli mother used to make "piroshkis" with puff pastry dough-- don't know if its a regional variation or her own time saver.
I think nearly every culture has their version of perogies.
Kreplach, wontons, pot stickers/gyoza, ravioli, etc.
I think of piroshki as Russia's answer to the empanada. They're not quite pierogi or ravioli-like.
Domku is great, but for good pierogis and kielbasa, head up to Baltimore. There is a sizable Polish population up there and there is nothing like fresh. MMmmm
Speaking of momo, anyone know where to get any in this area? I liked the ones at Himalayan Heritage, but would love to try some others.
Ostrowski's in Baltimore is what you're looking for if you want the real-deal kielbasa. The place goes nuts come Easter; there's a line around the block.
I grew up in Whiting! Peirogi Fest is one big drunken eating party. I'm thinking of flying home for it this year. Good to know I can finally get some in the city.
Nothing quite like a winter night spent at the neighborhood dairy bar discussing bank nationalisation over a pierogi or two, am I right comrades?
I second the Baltimore recommendation. For whatever reason, Washington has never sustained either Polish or Kreplachistani populations for long enough for their respective cuisines to gain a foothold here.
You can have pierogi, just bring me back my kishka!
There's a good place to get Pierogies at a stall in Broadway Market in Fell's Point in Baltimore. They have kishka too (unfortunately not kishki.)
PA has a lot of pierogies too.
you can have the pierogi, just let me have the pasties!
Amen sir! Amen!
I spent 4 years eating the damn things in the U.P., and have missed them ever since.
~EEE~
Ukrainians? Please, the Ukraine is weak. The Poles dominate the Ukrainians in the pierogi game.
My dad loves sweet pierogis (prune and apricot are his favorite, easy to find in Cleveland) but I could never really get behind them. But now, I'm officially craving potato and cheese...