PHXfoodnerds

While on a quest for retro game cartridges at 1Up across the street this weekend, my son and I fell into All Pierogi Kitchen, and now seemed as good a time as any to get a thread going.

I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but I feel that this restaurant has gotten progressively better and better over the years. It was always good, but setting aside some of the local Bosnian joints and that whole enclave, I can't think of an Eastern European restaurant anywhere in town that's sharper than this. It's homey, it's humble, and the food is always so perfectly on.


This is a perfect example. The smoked kielbasa dill pickle soup is just perfect. One of my favorite soups anywhere, ever. It's rich and buttery but not too heavy, just a bit of tartness and a crapton of herbs, not least of all dill. There's some kind of chewy grain — barley, perhaps? Plus big chunks of both tender potato and juicy smoked sausage throughout. I think I've had all of the soups at this point, and they're all excellent, but man, this one is a standout.


I don't know how I've gone as many times a I have and never tried the beet salad, but man, that was an oversight. It's much more than it looks — incredibly rich, though I'm not sure how they get there. No shortage of dairy, I'm sure, but while it might be my imagine, I'd swear there's something almost a little meaty about the flavor. If you're not into beets, this isn't going to change your mind. It is a BEET dish. But as a beet lover, this is kind of shockingly good.


I mean, you kind of have to, right? I keep trying to branch out, but it's hard not to get pierogi. Sauerkraut/mushroom, potato/pork and cheese/chives are my jam, pan fried (duh) with lots of caramelized onions and sour cream.


Whenever anybody asks me for a German restaurant recommendation, I tell them just to come here. It's not the same thing, obviously, but I feel like it's close enough that you're far better off eating fantastic not-quite-German than you are eating mediocre, disappointing actual German. All Pierogi hits the same receptors, and is SO MUCH BETTER at it than any of our local German joints. Anyway, point being, if you want schnitzel, skip the German restuarants. All of them. Just get it here. There's a bit of mushroom gravy on the side that's more functional than artful, but whatever. The cutlet it what matters and it's excellent — crazy tender, perfect breading, beautifully seasoned.


Don't blow their cover.

All Pierogi Kitchen
allpierogi.com
480-262-3349
1245 W. Baseline Road
Mesa, AZ 85202

I’ve gone a few times now, mostly for carry out and this place rules. That dill pickle soup is serious. If you haven’t already, try the cabbage rolls as well. That schnitzel is calling my name.

My wife and I were in downtown Mesa and dropped by here after reading your review. One thing that stands out here besides the wonderful food is the friendliness of the staff. My wife and I split the kielbasa and dill soup, an order of pierogies and cabbage roll with mushroom cream sauce, as well as an order of bread and butter. That soup alone would be worthy of the trip from Sun Lakes.

Here is my contribution based on my visit.
The Smoked Kilbasa Pickle Soup which seems to be getting heartier and heartier. The Potato and Sausage plate This is how I want all my compact salads served from now on. In a tall rocks glass. Keeps it out of the rest of my food and I'm not chasing a tomato around my plate with a fork. Beer naturally.

olllllo wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:46 pm This is how I want all my compact salads served from now on. In a tall rocks glass. Keeps it out of the rest of my food and I'm not chasing a tomato around my plate with a fork.

My family is so in love with "Salad in a Cup" that I now find myself making it at home for them — complete with two slivers of cucumber, a halved grape tomato and little sprinkle of feta. When it arrives, my wife sings "Salad in a Cup" to the tune of the "Ball in a Cup" gag on Family Guy.

No news is good news. Everything here sparkling as usual. I went with a few of the classics this time — some smoked kielbasa and two types of pierogi (pork/potato and cheese/chives). I asked them once if they had any mustard other than the bottle of French's on the table and they looked at me like I was nuts. Maybe this is just my Chicago showing, but is smoked sausage not eaten with mustard in Ukraine? Reminds me of the very first time I went there and made the mistake of asking if the beet borscht was hot or cold. Our server briefly glanced up from her ordering tablet, shot me a look that could have wilted a sunflower, and — as one might correct a misbehaving child — flatly stated, "Soup is hot." End of discussion.

This is — and I mean this in all sincerity — my favorite front of house crew in the entire Phoenix metropolitan region.

Anyhoo, sausage didn't need it. And the pierogi were delightful as always.

I so miss living in that neighborhood. One of the best food neighborhoods in the valley when Shamy was still firing on all cylinders.