Pittsburgh Pierogi fest returns to Kennywood with large variety
The Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival returns to Kennywood Park on Sunday, and dumpling lovers will again have the opportunity to stuff themselves with Pittsburgh’s most famous dish.
And we’re not just talking traditional cheese-and-potato or sauerkraut (though those be available in spades, with sour cream on top). Many of the two dozen vendors that will join Mrs. T’s Pierogies at the 1-6 p.m. event are going rogue with pierogies your Polish babcia never could have imagined.
But oh, it’s going to be some good eating.
Hankering for an Asian take on the Eastern European staple? Newcomer Le’s Oriental has three flavors of pierogi eggrolls: potato and cheese, potato and fried onions, and sauerkraut and onion.
Got a stomach that’s a bottomless pit? Grandma Cyl’s strombolisize “pieroli” promises to fill you up with its savory mix of steak and provolone cheese. The food truck also will offer its deep-fried meatand-cheese pierogi taco, creating a unusual but tasty mash-up of Mexican and Polish flavors.
Or maybe you’re jonesing for a barbecue-topped rogi. Southside Barbecue Co. is back with its popular and “almost famous” rogicone. It’s a waffle cone stuffed with the South Side eatery’s creamy pepper Jack mac ‘n’ cheese, tangy Carolina slaw and two plump potato pierogies.
And for dessert, Sugar & Spice ice cream truck will dish up sweet cheese pierogi sundaes made with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon apple compote drizzled in caramel.
OK, but what if you’re old school?
For the first time, and in what some might consider a serious “doh!” moment, the fest this year will feature some of the expert dough pinchers that have built this city’s ‘rogi reputation: church ladies, along with some of their husbands.
Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in McKees Rocks and St.
Mary Orthodox Church in the Strip District both will have stands offering the dumplings they usually make only during holidays to raise money for church activities.
Tam Revtai is one of about two dozen church volunteers who will roll out, cut, stuff and pinch together 300 dozen pierogies for the fest in Holy Ghost’s basement kitchen. Her husband Frank joined the church’s dumpling-making crew a few years ago.
“We’re fourth generation,” says Ms. Revtai, “and we’re famous for our pierogies.”
Participating in the fest is a good way to introduce a new generation of eaters to the pleasures of pierogies, she says. “And it gets our name out to more than just the church community.”
They’ll offer three favorite fillings: potato and cheese, farmer’s cheese and their best-selling sauerkraut.
“If you want a traditional pierogi,” Ms. Revtai says, “we’ll have one of the best ones out there.”
Speaking of which, participants in this year’s inaugural pierogi-pinching contest might want to peek in the church’s windows when Ms. Revtai and others gather to make their dumplings later this week. The match-up hosted by The Bakery Society Pittsburgh will test how many pierogies (and how well) contestants — who are coming from as far away as Washington, D.C., and Sarasota, Fla. — can fill and pinch in 60 seconds.
Also new this year: Pittsburgh food photographer Adam Milliron will do mini photo sessions with 45 people to make their pierogi dishes Insta-worthy, and there will be special appearances by Pittsburgh Dad, Curt Wootton, John Chamberlin of the Ya Jagoff podcast and the Pirates’ racing Pierogi Pete.
Musical entertainment includes Pandemic (DJ), Mon Valley Push and Unnecessary Polka (polka) and Cetiri Jedan Dva Bend (five-piece ensemble). There also will be a popup pierogi marketplace.
Homestead’s Voodoo Brewery will pour Winona’s Big Brown Ale, Hoodoo IPA and White Magic at beer gardens located at the center stage near the carousel and next to the stage by the Potato Patch.
And because the fest is at Kennywood, ticket holders will be able to enjoy six classic rides along with food from The Potato Patch and The Swhinery.
Gretchen McKay: gmckay@post-gazette.com, 412263-1419 or on Twitter @gtmckay.