Leonard’s Kielbasi Market

This IS as good as it gets. Take it from me, we’ve been eating kielbasa, (or as we call it, «Kielbasi») for as long as I can remember, and it’s always featured prominently on our holiday meals. We’ve tried at least a dozen different brands, but this place is hands down the best quality and taste you could find anywhere. They feature lots of different items, including kishka, porketta, and of course, the kielbasi sticks, which come with or without cheese. Every person I’ve turned on to these sticks says the same thing; Oh my god, this is amazing! Yeah, this ain’t no greasy, slimy Slim Jim, folks, this is the real deal.
But the true center piece here is the fat ring of smoked kielbasi, which comes in regular (my personal favorite) or with extra garlic. We’re talking delicious cuts of smoked pork butts, with very little fat, and no preservatives. When you bite into a chunk, (cut at an angle of course) you experience that crisp snap of the fresh casing, then the delicious smoked flavoring of the meat. Coupled with some of their home made horseradish, ohhhh, baby, now, you’re talking! They also carry the ‘fresh’ kielbasi, which many customers are partial to, plus a whole bunch of other tasty treats.
To get an idea what kind of place this is, picture you’re grandmother’s house, built back in the 20’s, with a small store front welcoming you with their odd hours posted on the front window. Finding the store can be a bit tricky; it’s located in the Parsons section of Wilkes-​Barre, just off Scott Street. Cans of soda are 45 cents. The cash register looks like it’s from the 1800’s. The room can barely fit 10 people in it. But a review of Leonard’s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our gracious store clerk «Ruby’, who’s attitude and sharp wit make the entire experience well worth the trip.
Example: Customer: I want… let’s see… two rings of.
Ruby: Oh, for cryin’ out loud, make up yer mind already, we ain’t gettin’ any younger!
I’d strongly recommend calling ahead with your order, particularly around the major holidays. I can confidently state that once you taste this kilbo, you will NEVER go back to store– bought (i.e. Hillshire Farms) again.
Leonard’s Kielbasi
64 Kado Street
Wilkes-​Barre, PA 18705Z
570−822−4406