Pierogies Plus - Home cooking, Eastern European style, in McKees Rocks

The lot at Pierogies Plus was empty at dusk. Lights were on inside, but no one could be seen. A sign on the window read ‘no hot food after 5:30’.

This place is sketch, said the nine-year-old.

A woman appeared behind the glass, with a friendly smile and an explanation about the sign. Too late to prepare food, but everything is cooked and ready to be reheated. I explained that it was our first visit and she walked us through the menu and made suggestions.

At home we reheated potato pierogies with butter and onions in a pan, poured stuffed cabbage with sauce into a pot to simmer (pro-tip: cut the cabbage in half for faster heating and easier sharing), and sliced and browned kielbasa on the stove.

We served the pierogi, oversized and overstuffed with fluffy potato, with a dollop of sour cream; The kielbasa with their homemade sauerkraut and deli mustard from our fridge; haluski straight from the carton; warmed borscht in teacups so everyone could have a taste.

Quick side note: Pierogi is actually already plural. A single Polish dumpling is a pierog. I can't imagine the folks at Pierogies Plus don't know this, so the name is likely just Americanized for our sake. Cause, you know, society. And Google searches. Anyhoo...

The pierogies were the first to disappear, their thick homemade dough bursting at the seams with filling. Most of us declared the stuffed cabbage to be the winner of the night, with ample proportions of seasoned meat to just a smattering of rice, bathed in a light tomato broth. Kielbasa is the only item that required a touch more effort from the home cook, making sure to slice it on a bias and browning thoroughly in the pan. Their sauerkraut was an interesting departure from the heavily acidic packaged versions.

The borscht was serviceable, the search continues for a standout cup.

We sat and we ate, we talked and we laughed. We didn’t check our phones, no one ran off to do something more interesting. Instead we discussed all the neighbors and friends who we’d need to tell about this place, those with some eastern European connection, who appreciated a good pierogi (who doesn’t?), who needed to know.

You know, said the nine-year-old, wiping butter from his chin, sometimes sketch places have the best food.

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Your online concerns, addressed

(they won't do it, but The Monster will):

Yes, Polish American perogies perogies that are overpriced. And they brag on holiday love America as they rip you off. Knowing the economy is bad instead of raising prices. Why don't they make less money is share and still be in a better spot than most Americans?

THREE STARS

You know, after I read through this for the third time, so I could finally understand what you were saying, I was going to argue with you.

That is, until I drove by the other day and saw the owner peeling out of the parking lot in their brand new Porsche 911. But wait, there’s more, as it drove on down the road, presumably headed to the Pierogi Mansion, I saw the bumper sticker on the back: ‘My other car is a Lambo’!

Screw that, I’m with you, DOWN WITH BIG PIEROGI.

A no nonsense McKees Rocks institution with awesome hand made Eastern European soul food.

FIVE STARS

You pretty much summed it up nicely in way less words than I did.

We were visiting from Virginia. I called that morning to place an order for 14 bags of pierogies so we could bring them back to Virginia. I advised that I would be there later that afternoon to pick them up and I was told on the phone ... no problem at all. I arrive at the time that I told them and the clerk told me they only had six bags for me. She said that I was told when I called that they may not have enough for me. That is a complete lie. I have four witnesses that heard the call as I had them on speaker and I promise you, I was never told that. In addition, the clerk was not apologetic at all and actually cold and ignorant. You can't even walk in their building - only talk through a little window. It was just a bad experience, and I will be purchasing my pierogies elsewhere. They need to learn some customer service. All that said, their pierogies are very good (the reason why I wanted 14 bags to take home with me in the first place).

ONE STAR

I wasn’t there, nor was I privy to the speakerphone call, but I wouldn’t hold 14 bags for you either unless you paid ahead. Too many people say they’re coming and don’t show. Perhaps a miscommunication? Sucks you only got 6 bags, but six bags is nice, and better than four if we’re looking on the bright side of things.

Pierogies Plus

342 Island Ave

McKees Rocks

https://pierogiesplus.com