Excellent Polish spot. 1) I love their Polski sampler. Food is excellent. 2) They have tons of Polish and Eastern European/Slavic imported products(chocolates and cookies). 3) Only issue is, most of the employees do not speak English or have very low proficiency.
Jacek P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Yonkers, NY
Everything Polish under one roof, except beer. That I was told can be found at another«Piast» location. If you like Polish food, gifts and souvenirs, this is your Mecca!
Brent R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Montclair, NJ
This place is truly awesome. I moved out of the city 5 years ago, and was worried that I wouldn’t have Greenpoint at my fingertips when I needed my Polish fix. That was unwarranted. Great selection of jerky, kielbasa and incredible lunch meats. It rivals any Kiszka in BK. I bought a quart of Bigos for $ 4 and ate it for 3 nights. It was one of the best Bigos I’ve ever had. Lots of meat. Excellent seasoning. Also it looks like a castle. That’s so Polish. lol
Edgar V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Paterson, NJ
This review is strictly for the kitchen, my 2nd favorite Polish kitchen behind Bratek, mainly cause they have a smaller selection here. The quality is a notch higher, though as expected the portions of their dinner platters are slightly smaller and costlier than Bratek’s. However, I always go with the Polski sampler: four pieces of potato perogis, two golabkis, and kielbasa served with sauerkraut. An unbeatable meal deal! I always come to this location as it’s closer to work and in a less crowded area than the castle further down, though that location seems much bigger. I’ve never been inside, I wonder if they have a bigger selection there: o
Patrick W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Washington, DC
This family owned and managed Polish specialty food market is a cornerstone of Passaic’s Polish community. On most days not less than 75% of the customers speak Polish. Cured meat and sausage are certainly the specialties of the house, but the many varieties of pierogies are also worth taking home. Home cooks will be thrilled with the wide selection of imported Polish foods and ingredients. Of course there are also Polish gifts and specialty items for the holidays that make each visit to Piast’s special. You can always find a great selection of Polish and Russian liquors, and many Polish beers. Upstairs, is a small pub that is open occasionally.
Cathy K.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Hawthorne, NJ
Employees(along with the customers) are SORUDE! God forbid you don’t speak Polish! Will never go back!
Yuri Y.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Ridgewood, NJ
Ethnic deli/butchers like Piast were ubiquitous in the 50’s and 60’s where I grew up. When I miss those flavors and scents and gotta have me some, Piast is where I go. It is about as close to authentic eastern European charcuterie as you will find around Bergen County. You can buy all the usual suspects here such as kielbasa,(pork, venison, double smoked, hungarian, hunter’s sausage and many more), dozens of different kinds of hams and other deli meats, smoked hocks, wursts, imported cheeses etc. with all the accoutrements(Lithuanian rye bread, condiments, sauerkraut, pickles, mushrooms) to go with. When it comes to kielbasa, I prefer the«kraiana» or hand sliced vs. «mielana» or ground style. Hand cut cubes of pork mixed into the product with the ground meat gives the sausage better texture, juice and flavor. The 100% ground versions can become mealy and dry and lack the«snap» of the hand cut versions. Be warned, however, that these puppies contain lots of raw garlic, Prague powder #2(nitrites, nitrates and salt), marjoram, pepper, other unusual spicing and heavy smoke from hickory sawdust — in short — they carry«punch in the face» flavor. I go for their garlicky blood sausage(«kishka»), head cheese(«salceson» — both red and white versions are bombs) and anything with liver. Their house made liverwurst is off the charts good. The prepared foods are authentic enough — the pierogi’s and stuffed cabbage are nice, as are the various stews, fried fish, stuffed peppers, etc. This is not subtle cookery — more like comfort food — heavily sauced — often fried — perfect for cold days — and they price it to move. But remember that many of these offerings contain lots of Vegeta — eastern European MSG — so if you are sensitive to that ingredient, tread warily. My main issue with Piast is the space; it was designed to induce impulse purchases. Reminds me of a miniature version of Fairway. Before you can order and check out, You must meander through tight butcher/cold cut, prepared food and the imported dried/packaged goods aisles. The lines on weekends are usually long enough to give you 10 –15 minutes of time to ponder a dizzying array of choices while you wait, many of them obscure and labeled in Polish or some cyrillic language. The heavily accented and sometimes indifferent Polish staff doesn’t always assist a non native speaker, plus poor price labeling and signage on many items makes it tough to order intelligently and exit without over buying. Still, If you like the one-two punch of smoke and garlic — like I do – you could do worse than over buying at Piast. They truly«have the meats.»
Vanessa B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Nanuet, NY
i’ve been coming here since a babe. their hot foods are delicious and so underpriced. the amount of freshness is amazing that they give you. all their kielbasa’s are smoked perfectly and i always take home a few homemade frozen cheese and potato russian pierogies. their hot meals in order as best: pork cutlet, russian pierogies, golabki, kopytka. the pickle soup or beet soup is always delicous. their partnering store up the street also has magnificent treats. — from a fellow polish woman.
J D.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Wallington, NJ
Warning. If you’re not Polish, they will overcharge you especially at the prepared foods section. Always double check your receipt. This happened to me 3 – 4 times already. I’m so turned off by dishonest, under-handedly bigotted businesses like these. not cool at all.
J M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Garfield, NJ
I have only 1 complaint, lack of courtesy for English speaking customers from older folks behind counter.
Stratos G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Flushing, NY
Great Kielbasa! Def try their BBQ cheese kielbasa links!!! Prices are great and everyone speaks to you in Polish! I am a huge Kielbasa snob I usually frequent Kizska’s on Manhattan ave, even though their rings are bigger in size they are up to par in taste. If your in the area and need some good Polish food this is your spot, and the prices are decent to-boot!
Fransisca M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Elmwood Park, NJ
As soon as I walked into the doors, I saw variety of Polish chocolates! Good omen. I originally went here to get some ready to eat food for dinner. I had a chance to stroll around the store and I felt like I should try every one of their snacks one day. Their space is pretty tiny, but everything they sold were stacked so neatly. We ordered a giant potato pancake(which comes with red cabbage and beef goulash) and a dozen of pierogies. With ice tea, our order came up to only $ 15. Took the food home and we were really enjoying everything. Much better option than going out to a restaurant on a weeknight. Best Polish food I’ve had so far!
Corey S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Wood-Ridge, NJ
Small place, and when its crowded, the aisles can get crammed but the food selection is great and plenty of hot food to choose from. We ordered a giant potato pancake that came with beef goulash and cabbage and an order of a dozen pierogis. All of that and a snapple was only $ 15 what a steal! My only wish was that they had a sit down area, since its takeout only. Must try if looking for a budget meal and/or want a quick meal. Friendly and helpful staff as well.
Alex A.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Paterson, NJ
Very busy today. They didn’t have much hot food but what they did have looked good. I will go again and take my time browsing. I got the Polski Sampler to go I’ve had better stuffed cabbage but this was also good Pierogi(potato) was good The Kielbasa was excellent along with some Pork which was very good but the Sauerkraut! Delicious! Huge portion and cheap. Great value!
Jason G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Washington, DC
Piast is my go to place for all things Polish. I’ve been going here for years, and Piast has the most authentic Polish food in town. I think the huge lines outside of the store during holidays speak for themselves. Piast carries all the Polish cookies and drinks but you would expect at any Polish store, but the cooked meats and dishes or what I think sets Piast apart from other Polish stores in the area. The potato and cheese pierogis are delicious, and I always take some back home to DC. They also have quality kielbasa, and I think because a lot of the workers are from Poland originally, they know exactly what they’re cooking.
Damian S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 West New York, NJ
Absolutely delicious sampler platter at their prepared food section. $ 8 gets you two stuffed cabbages, four pierogi’s, 2 kielbasa links, and a incredibly huge portion of delicious pork infused(I literally had a full pork rib once… bone and all) sauerkraut(Another review says you also get soup and a dessert at the $ 8 price but I’ve never experienced that in the three years I’ve been coming here). Two could easily share this and be full. I have yet to try anything else from the prepared window because the sampler is sooo good. They also sell in their refrigerated section homemade pierogi’s which are convenient and easy to cook. They also come in more(and better flavors) then the prepared counter. Prepared window only serves potato and cheese but you can buy mushroom, potato and kraut, as well as several other varieties. Deli counter is great too with lots of sausage and bacon varieties(as well as other cold cuts, meats and cheeses). Store also includes two rows of Polish groceries. Some fresh baked breads and pastries. They also carry hard liquor and a nice selection of Polish beers. Their is a upstairs which appears to be some sort of banquet room that you can rent, perhaps!!! We didn’t ask. Since there is no seating to eat and the upstairs is blocked off this seems like a safe assumption. Like others have mentioned almost everyone will try to speak to you in Polish first but most everyone speaks English.
Kurtis P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Matawan, NJ
This is what every ethnic market should be like. From the aisles of Polish imported sweets, treats and everyday items to the prepared food section and the butcher’s counter, you really couldn’t go wrong. We got some food to make a hearty dinner and we really stocked up. I was shocked at how low some of the prices were for the incredible quality of the Kielbasa and Pierogi’s. Definitely a place to stop at if you’re looking for some good meats.
Chelsea B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Clifton, NJ
In Polish businesses, I’m always spoken to in Polish(Despite not being, or speaking Polish) even after speaking to staff in English. It happened here too. This place is 100% authentic. Incredible, incredible hot sauerkraut. Absolutely huge 6 dollar meals, that are high quality, and as tasty as you’d get at any sit down restaurant. I can’t really say enough about this place. I highly, highly recommend anyone try one of the hot meals, or if you’re looking for reasonably priced Polish groceries, or an incredible deli, this is your place. I’ll be a customer as long as this place is open for my business.
Roman K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Tarrytown, NY
Stopped in yesterday to get the traditional meats for Easter. Spent 1 hr plus waiting on line to be served. The place hasn’t changed. When I worked in the area I would stop in every Friday to stock up on cold cuts & kielbasa’s for the weekend. They have 23 varieties of kielbasa’s & just as many if not more of pierogi’s. Go to their web site and then to kielbasa or pierogi menu. Their provisions such as mayo, butter… are from Poland & therefore do not contain some of the artificial additives such as high fructose corn syrup etc, etc… and the prices are unbeatable. A couple of years ago we had a kielbasa, sauerkraut and beer tasting party, I ordered 1lb. of each of the 23 varieties. The big surprise was that each variety had a very distinct taste. If you need or want some kielbasa’s either go there if you’re in the area or order on-line, they ship.
Dave H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Astoria, Queens, NY
Get their BBQ kielbasa — it’s the best I’ve had in ages.(I’m daydreaming about the stuff right now.) A friend brought some smoked meat to a potluck, and cooked it up on the spot. The sausage was a crowd-pleaser, going well with our drinks, tender with a little spice. If you’re in the market for delectable meats, you won’t go wrong with Piast.