(Dined 12/10/2022 SA @ 2:30pm): A little taste of Poland in Jersey City - I'm game!…read more
My friends and I came across the Taste Of Poland JC food booth while we checked out the inaugural Heights Holiday Market at Riverview-Fisk Park. This one-day event was an extension of the popular weekly farmer's market that occurred between the months of May through November. As you imagined, there were various vendors who sold their wares from arts, crafts, cuisines, and more. Since it was lunch time and our respective tummies were growling, a quick scan around the park led us to the long line at this humble food stand. Honestly, we only wanted something to hold us over until a celebratory dinner later in the evening. Based on our visual poll of eating options and a slight lemming effect, was this a wise choice for our taste buds!?
QUICK BIO
"Given that Taste Of Poland JC is run by a 100% Polish couple, it's no surprise the cuisine illustrates all there is to love about this popular international fare. Everything is made from scratch. Of course, you'll find all things pierogies, packed with all that buttery, savory flavor that make these a staple of international comfort foods. What about some cabbage stuffed with rice and beef and smothered in tomato sauce? How about a pork cutlet served alongside mashed potatoes and pickles? And, don't forget the sausage! This is the kind of rich food that'll leave you stuffed, but the indulgence will be well worth it. Give them a call to cater your next event!"
PURCHASE
Polish Sausage Sandwich w/Everything ($12.00): We each ordered this item only because our first choice and apparently everyone else's - the pierogies - were sold out before we got to the front of the line. Luckily, the grilled sausage aroma which had grown into a sizable cloud was pleasing and helped pull us in like a tractor beam. A large plump slightly blistering sausage simply dressed with grilled onions, mustard, and a long dill pickle spear all cradled within a fluffy bun, I took a hold of this dog with two hands and guided it into my gullet. With a snap as I bit into the meaty link, carnivorous juices squirted out as limp onion bits clung to the edge of my lips before a lashing of my tongue cleaned up the potential mess. Minutes later, all was devoured as it sat in my happy belly. Oh snap... I completely forgot to take a picture of this sloppy sausage sandwich!
SERVICE
A friendly man and woman warmly greeted everyone, and although apologetic about having sold out of the pierogies, they equally praised their sausages as they sold them right and left. Because it was a small crew, the line did take some time before we ordered (about 30 minutes!) which gave me time to sneak away to buy a snack nearby. Once it was our turn, all was forgiven - thank you!
PARKING (FREE; N/A this instance)
Being a food stand, they were at the beck and call wherever the event was held. In this case, it was an easy flat 10-minute one-way walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, there was a small onsite lot, and there seemed to be sufficient street parking along the main drag of Palisade Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Your standard self-sufficient makeshift food stand with an extremely limited exterior food menu, order and pick up table, an area for condiments, napkins, and utensils, several places to sit and enjoy your meal since you were at a park, and plenty of natural lighting (duh!) while park and street electric lights illuminated the rest of the area. There weren't any TVs while the chatter and hustling of people, playing children, music from the vendors, vehicular traffic, and more, filled the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Oymuz4WG3fisj46YFQKgsQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops... if it weren't so freakin' cold.
OVERALL
I liked the Taste Of Poland JC food stand for what it was, but now more than ever I was intrigued by their pierogies and needed to search for them the next time I was in town. The menu was extremely limited (e.g. pierogies, sandwiches). As expected, the prices were a bit on the higher end. Thankfully, I was pleased with my sandwich, and the service was more than adequate. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $12.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS
