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Best Polish Food In Detroit

Hamtramck is known for its Polish restaurants, but Detroit and its surrounding cities have a good amount of Polish influence and cuisine as well. Check this list to find the best Polish restaurants in the Metro area.

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Wawel Restaurant
2975 E. Maple Road

Troy, MI 48083
(248) 689-3636
www.americanpolishcenter.com

Wawel Restaurant is in the midst of the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy at Maple and Dequindre Roads. It has traditional Polish foods like pierogi and kielbasa on the menu, as well as American-type sandwiches and appetizers. Wawel opened its doors on February 4, 1991, but didn't receive the name "Wawel," after a historic castle in Krakow, until May 2000. The American Polish Center also operates the Polish Market across the street from Wawel, where you can buy Polish foods to take home.

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Polish Village Cafe
2990 Yemans St.

Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 874-5726
www.polishvillagecafe.us

In 1976, the Wietrzykowski family opened the Yemans Bar and Grill, and in 2000, the daughter, Carolyn, took over and the name was changed to Polish Village Cafe. The cafe is known for its pierogies and also its dill pickle soup, though it also offers such staples as potato pancakes and dumplings. The restaurant also offers an off-site catering menu for events and parties. Polish Village boasts that Bill Clinton has eaten here and Emeril Lagasse did a show from the restaurant. Make sure to bring cash, as the cafe doesn't accept credit cards._

Jennies Pierogies
16071 Eureka Road
Southgate, MI 48195
(734) 285-6811
www.jenniespierogies.com_

Jennies Pierogies has locations in Garden City, Warren and its newest location, Southgate. It's family owned and first opened for business in 1986 on the west side of Detroit in a community named Warrendale. Mary and Terry, Jennie's daughters, have since opened the succeeding locations. The restaurant is known, of course, for its pierogies, but it also has affordable "meals to go," including pork chops, kraut and kielbasa, a variety of soups and beef and chicken pasties. The pierogies range from traditional (potato, potato/cheese, potato/onion, etc.) to sweet (cherry, plum or prune), and there is a large variety on the menu. Jennies now accepts credit cards, as well.

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Jim's Place
13245 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 584-5437
www.facebook.com/JimsPlaceFamilyDining_

Jim's Place is known for its Polish combo, which includes three pierogies, a cabbage roll, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and kielbasa or meatballs, as well as soup. It also has unique menu items such as the kielbasa omelette and barley soup. Jim's Place is family owned and run, and because of this, it has a lot of repeat or "regular" customers. Jim's also offers street parking nearby._

People's Pierogi Collective
Eastern Farmers' Market

2934 Russell St.
Detroit, MI 48207
www.peoplespierogi.com_

If you prefer your Polish foods on-the-go, the People's Pierogi Collective is ready when you are. The Collective operates as a food truck in Detroit's Eastern Market and offers gourmet pierogies such as spinach and artichoke, although its flavors change regularly. It usually offers at least one vegetarian option, such as potato and cheese, as well. PPC also has a lot of unique pierogi flavors such as breakfast (egg, bacon and cheese) and fruit flavors, such as apple. The pierogi fillings are handmade (though the pasta itself is not), and a serving includes three pierogies with sauerkraut and caramelized onions. You can sometimes find the PPC venturing out of Eastern Market, as well, so check its Facebook page to find out where it will be at any given time.

Head to CBS Detroit's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food,culture and more!

Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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