The spruce goose...

When thinking back to my pierogie experience at Gooski's, a fabulous dive in Polish Hill, this weekend all I can think about is... the comeback kid. I say that because the last time I had pierogies at Gooski's I wasn't nearly as satisfied. This time they really hit the spot. I went with potato and kraut, because I wanted the best of both worlds when it comes to fillings - potato I usually associate with cheese, and kraut with shrooms.

The pierogies are puffed nicely with filling, as almost to pop when you go to cut them with a fork. Probably a little more boiled that seared/fried, the doughy encasing went down easy and with pleasure, complimenting perfectly their ample beer selection. Although they might not make the top three, they certainly leave a lasting impressing of admissible quality and dedication to such a fine polish culinary tradition. STAMP of approval.

A new king! Spak...

Yes indeed, there is a new king, and that is Spak Bro's on Penn Ave in Garfield. They are amazing to put it plainly. Although I have only tried their standard potato and cheddar pierogies, they are truly the best thing since sliced bread. Amongst the larger pierogies out there, they are home-made, boiled and then fried in butter with onions (fried to perfection I might add) so there is a good seared texture that precedes a creamy and supple happy ending filling. I think the observed magic is the product of a perfect filling to pasta shell ratio that hits the sweet spot of both that starch and heart warming pasta craving. There really is no weakness to this particular version, which in my mind more than makes up for the lack of variety. Personally I agree with the philosophy of doing one thing well instead of a lot of things, well... meh...

I think it's a appropriate to say that I like the place in general. They are in my mind the best "pizza and sub" place in Pittsburgh. They have courteous blossoming youths behind the counter, their music selection, although not my favorite genre in primarily punk, is very fitting and mood setting, and their food is healthy, made with noticeable good ingredients for what it is. Also, everything is home made practically - including the pierogies of course. That's a bonus, and a reason to write home about. Not to mention they have more than adequate bike lock stations outside, local artwork on display, and video games for the impatient! I'm a believer... can you tell.

Long live the king!