A buddy and I ate lunch at Ru’s Pierogi a couple of days ago. It was the first chance that we had to swing by since the place opened. Previously I toured the production facility, but on this particular day we were there to do one thing… eat. So we grabbed two stools at the bar and proceeded to order a couple of beers. I stuck with one of my favorite Buffalo draughts – Whale, brewed by Community Beer Works. My friend ordered a Hayburner.
Our bartender, Kailey Gyorffy, was pleasant and efficient. It’s a fairly small bar, so she was always on hand whenever we needed something. She also answered all of our questions pertaining to the menu. That’s why I ended up ordering the chicken wing pierogi, while my compadre ordered the banana pepper & cheese pierogi.
While we waited for the orders to arrive, Kailey talked about the place. She said that there has been steady flow of people through the door since opening. Apparently a number of the residents in the building have really gravitated to the establishment and are now regulars. And why not? It’s a wonderful place to hang out. There’s a cozy bar, and the decor is minimalist, which is nice because the inherent charm of the building speaks for itself.
When our orders arrived, I immediately dug in. My chicken wing pierogi was sensational. I was expecting them to be good, but they were in fact great – super flavorful, and just deep fried enough to do the job, nothing more. The little pods were golden brown. The filling was warm and tender. I dipped each pierogi into the blue cheese and then into the hot sauce.
The meal was extremely fulfilling, and filling at the same time. My friend’s banana pepper pierogi was almost as good as mine (actually he liked his better). It was filled with ooey gooey cheese on the inside, which oozed out upon taking the initial bite. His meal was served with sour cream. Both of our baskets were loaded with housemade fries, although we couldn’t finish them because we were surprisingly stuffed towards the end.
I never thought too much about pierogi until Ru’s came along. But now I actually crave it. I’ve only tried a couple of menu items, and can’t wait to go back and try some more. That’s what I love about this place. Each of those doughy pockets is so different. Not only are all of the best sellers available, there are always seasonal additions to look forward to. I also can’t wait to stop in for dinner. I bet the place looks fantastic with low lighting in the evening.
Ru’s Pierogi | 295 Niagara Street | Buffalo NY | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | ADA compliant