I Traveled Across Northern Ohio To Visit 10 Pierogi Shops (And 3 Felt Straight Out Of Grandma’s Kitchen)
Northern Ohio has a long history with pierogies, and you can tell it’s more than just food to people here. Families have been making them for years, and a few small shops still do everything by hand, the way it’s always been done.
I spent some time driving through different towns, stopping wherever I saw a sign for homemade pierogies, and every stop had its own take.
Some were buttery, some filled with potatoes or cheese, but all had that familiar Ohio comfort that makes you feel like you’re sitting at someone’s kitchen table.
1. Rudy’s Strudel & Bakery, Parma
Walking into this place feels like stepping back fifty years. Everything is made by hand, and you can watch them work through a small window near the counter. The potato and cheese filling tastes exactly like what my own grandmother used to make on Sunday afternoons.
They boil them fresh when you order, then finish them in butter until the edges get crispy. The dough has that perfect chew without being tough. You can tell they’ve been doing this a long time because nothing feels rushed or mass-produced here.
2. Mom’s Pierogies, Brooklyn
This small shop sits in a quiet neighborhood where most people know each other by name. The owner makes every batch herself, using a recipe passed down through her family. She offers potato, cheese, sauerkraut, and a few seasonal varieties that change throughout the year.
The texture is soft and tender, and the fillings are well-seasoned without being too salty. They come frozen, so you can take them home and cook them however you like. Simple and reliable, this place has been serving the same customers for over a decade.
3. Perla Homemade Delights, Parma
Perla runs this operation out of a small commercial kitchen, and she takes orders mostly by phone. Her pierogies are sold frozen, packed in simple plastic bags with handwritten labels. She makes traditional flavors like potato, cheese, and kraut, plus a few sweet ones filled with fruit.
The dough is rolled thin, which gives them a delicate bite. They hold up well when you boil or pan-fry them at home. If you want something that reminds you of homemade without doing the work yourself, this is a solid choice.
4. Pierogi Palace, Cleveland, West Side Market
Tucked inside the West Side Market, this stall has been there for years. The line can get long on weekends, but it moves fast. They serve them hot, right off the griddle, with caramelized onions and a dollop of sour cream on top.
The filling is rich and creamy, and the outside gets a nice golden color from the butter. You can eat them standing up or take a box home for later. This spot has that authentic market energy, and the pierogies taste like someone’s been perfecting the recipe for decades.
5. Little Polish Diner, Parma
This diner serves breakfast and lunch, but the pierogies are what keep people coming back. They make them fresh every morning and serve them all day. You can get them plain, with onions, or as part of a combo plate with kielbasa and cabbage.
The dough is a bit thicker here, which some people prefer because it feels more filling. The potato and cheese version is the most popular, and it comes out piping hot every time. It’s a no-frills spot with good food and friendly service.
6. Pierogies Of Cleveland, Richfield
This company started as a small home operation and now distributes frozen pierogies to stores around the area. You can also order directly from them online or pick up at their location. They offer a wide variety, including some creative flavors like jalapeño cheddar and sweet potato.
The traditional ones are still the best, though. The dough is consistent, and the fillings are generous. They cook up nicely whether you boil, bake, or fry them. Good option if you want to stock your freezer with something reliable.
7. Pierogi House, Parma Heights
A small takeout spot that specializes in made-to-order pierogies. You call ahead, tell them what you want, and they have it ready when you arrive. They make potato, cheese, kraut, and a few meat-filled options that rotate depending on the week.
The pierogies come out hot and fresh, never frozen. The edges are sealed tight, so nothing leaks out when you cook them. It’s a straightforward place run by people who know what they’re doing and don’t try to overcomplicate things.
8. Krakow Foods, Parma
This Polish grocery store has a deli counter in the back where they sell fresh pierogies by the dozen. They make them in-house every few days, so you might have to ask when the next batch is coming. The selection includes potato, cheese, meat, and sauerkraut.
The dough is on the thicker side, which gives them a hearty texture. They’re priced well, and you can grab other Polish groceries while you’re there. It’s a convenient stop if you’re already shopping for kielbasa or rye bread.
9. Stanley’s Market, Toledo
Stanley’s has been around since the 1950s, and they still make pierogies the same way they did back then. You can buy them fresh or frozen, and they offer a few different fillings including potato, cheese, kraut, and prune. The prune ones are sweet and perfect if you want something different.
The dough is rolled thin and sealed tight, so they hold up well no matter how you cook them. This place has a loyal following, and people drive from all over to stock up. It’s one of those spots that feels like a piece of local history.
10. Lena’s Pierogi House, Hubbard
Lena makes pierogies in small batches and sells them frozen from her home. You have to call ahead and place an order, then pick them up at a scheduled time. She offers potato, cheese, sauerkraut, and a few seasonal varieties depending on what’s available.
The dough is soft and tender, and the fillings are well-seasoned without being overpowering. She’s been doing this for years, and her customers keep coming back because they know what to expect. Simple, honest food made by someone who cares about getting it right.