Polish Pierogi Truck

Don't you love it when things turn out BETTER than you imagined?

When James planned the first Food Truck Round-Up at Coffee Buddha, he knew it was going to be big.  Just from the Facebook invites alone, we could tell lots of people were going to show up.

We never expected people to wait patiently for tacos for 2 HOURS.  But they did.  Pittsburgh, you are awesome.

So many people waiting in line. You can't see the pierogi truck (it's off to the right, behind Oh My Grill)

Having eaten tacos from PGH Taco Truck on many, MANY occasions (and sometimes not even from the truck itself), I saw this as an opportunity to FINALLY try food from one food truck that had escaped me until now - the Polish Pierogi Truck.

I grew up with pierogis, stuffed cabbage (aka "halupki"), and haluski, as my family is, for the most part, Slovak and Polish. Polish Day and Slovak Day are two of my favorite nationality days at Kennywood, simply because of the food offerings those days.  A food truck that serves all three of these dietary staples?

I had to try their food.  It's in my blood.

Large selection of frozen pierogies to enjoy any time!

My first trip to the truck wasn't for me - a man in a wheelchair wanted to get some pierogies, but he would have never made it through the thick crowd.  I checked out the menu and prices for him, came back to ask for his order, and stood in line for him.  No way was I letting him leave without what he came for.

If it were you, you'd do the same, right?  Right.

I dressed up for the occasion. There were many, MANY more pictures of me taken by others this day!

Once the crowd started to disperse, I left my post as the line controller, as it no longer needed controlled, and waited in line for my own food.  Being a taco/line controller sure works up an appetite, and I had a hankering for haluski and halupki.

Hot Food Offerings from the truck

The truck had run out of haluski (*sigh*), so I went for their other offerings - potato and cheese pierogies and halupki (stuffed cabbage):

Pierogies and Halupki

I've had both of these from churches.  I've had both of these made by family members.  I'll tell you, the truck's pierogies and halupki are just as good as either.  A truck that travels to different places in Pittsburgh and serves the native food of many Pittsburghers?  It's actually not too good to be true.

I'm sure I'll see the Polish Pierogi Truck at many other events (including the North Hills Food Truck Roundup 2.0 at Coffee Buddha on March 30th)....and I'll get in line early for haluski next time.  For sure.


Polish Pierogi Truck
Follow on Facebook and Twitter for locations.

Website: http://polishpierogi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PghPierogiTruck
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PGHPierogiTruck

...Short stops: 21st Street Coffee and Coffee Buddha

I used to hate coffee.

It was only when I inherited my grandmother's Keurig that the need for me to drink caffeine to function well in the mornings became imperative.  Before then, every once in awhile, I had a coffee-drink - usually in cold form, or with a lot of cream, flavorings, and sugar.

I eventually started becoming more adventurous and tried coffee in its purest state.  A former boyfriend took me to 21st Street Coffee in the Strip District, two storefronts away from Pamela's and caddy-corner to Chicken Latino, a few times.  There, I was given "the look" for putting sweetener in my coffee.  Apparently, they are purists, and I was not used to coffee without additional ingredients.

However, on future visits, now with James, I came to appreciate coffee in its purest form.  An acquired taste, yes, but now I have no problem visiting 21st Street Coffee and ordering a drip, or macchiato, or espresso, without cringing at the acidity minus sweetener.

Artwork in Espresso

 My favorites, of course, come from Spanish-speaking countries - Guatemala, El Salvador, and Bolivia, especially.

Awesome sign holder!

Chair uphostered in coffee sack

After our disappointing trip to Azul a few weeks ago, James, his friend Andy, and I stopped at Coffee Buddha in the North Hills, as we had heard good things from our friend Food Collage, who is a regular there.

I can see why she's a regular - the decor is awesome, the people are super-friendly - and they play "Twin Peaks" on a TV above a fish tank.  Who could resist?

Twin Peaks, fish tank, cozy corner

 Since we were there late, I didn't want to get too hopped-up on caffeine, for fear that I wouldn't sleep that night (after all, I need my beauty rest, and I had to teach the next day - can't be a zombie for the kids).

Drink menu, Coffee Buddha

 What was drawn to my eye?  "Mexi Cocoa", or Mexican hot chocolate.  Perfect!

 It was spicier than your average hot chocolate (as "regular" hot chocolate really isn't spicy), but like hot chocolate that you would get in Mexico, chili powder gave it some bite.  It was delicious, and a perfect complement to my "Twin Peaks" experience.

Starbucks has nothing on small, single-location coffee shops - the intimate settings and passion for good coffee make the experience personal and relaxing.

I wish we had more of these near me - preferably one to which I could walk...

21st Street Coffee and Tea

50 21st Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: http://21streetcoffee.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/21st-Street-Coffee-and-Tea/108262972554335

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/21streetcoffee

 

Coffee Buddha

964 Perry Highway

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Website: http://www.thecoffeebuddha.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeebuddha

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/thecoffeebuddha