Paul's Pel'meni — Restaurant in Madison

5 stars for the taste of food, 2 stars for the service and inconsistency. I have probably gotten food here 10 times. The concoction of pelmeni with flavors is incredible, but last two times I went there to get the 5 orders for $25 to go, with the $5 extra for the "works" I was shorted. The first time they didn't include the cilantro, which I assumed was just forgotten, no big deal (it is listed as included on menu for the 5 for 25 specifically btw). Second time I went to get the 5 frozen orders to go with paying extra for the works, I asked if they could make sure they include the cilantro. The guy said "well are you going to eat it right now or later?" I said I was making 2 batches when I got home, but the rest of pelmeni for later in the week, so yes I'd like cilantro. Maybe they don't see the point in giving people cilantro as it will go bad, but still, it's supposed to include it! Give me my dang cilantro! I can manage my own cilantro consumption, thank you very much. When we got home, we realized they only gave us pelmeni enough for 3 servings, not 5. Do they not measure what 5 servings is by weight, or a leveled scoop, just eyeballing it? Time before last, it was only about 4 servings. (Having eaten it many a time, I know what a serving typically is). Lastly, the guy working the counter we asked about how long to boil the water for when making it, and if they typically add salt to water. He said "You can add salt it will just make the water boil faster." Um, no, salt makes water take...

The first time I tried these dumplings, I was underwhelmed. At the advice of a friend I ordered "the works." The whole thing felt like lazy combination of flavors, particularly the curry powder, which ended up dominating the dish. I wrote off the pel'meni entirely. The dumplings were... fine, but I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

Years later, I grabbed one of my friend's plain dumplings. I was surprised at how much more I enjoyed them. Without the morass of flavors I could better appreciate the simplicity of the dumpling itself. I found that I prefer the bite-size pel'meni to the larger Asian dumplings. Nowadays I order pel'meni plain with cilantro and butter and keep the sauces separate, on the side, for dipping. They also taste great with Lao Gan Ma (spicy chili sauce).

The seasoning can make or break the experience. If this is your first time, I'd recommend ordering plain w/ butter and/or cilantro, and getting your seasoning and sauces on the side. I also think there's a lot of room for Paul's to experiment and expand in terms of sauce/flavoring options. Perhaps they could partner with local vendors and sell "premium" sauces/seasonings...

Paul’s Pierogi is an absolute gem — the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Polish comfort food all over again. Every pierogi is handmade with care, perfectly doughy on the outside and generously filled with flavorful, well-seasoned ingredients. Whether you go for the classic potato and cheese, the savory meat, or the sweet fruit varieties, each bite tastes like pure comfort.

The freshness is undeniable — nothing tastes mass-produced here. The onions are caramelized just right, the butter rich and aromatic, and the textures perfectly balanced. It’s clear Paul’s takes pride in doing things the traditional way.

The service is friendly and down-to-earth, with the staff always ready to offer a recommendation or a warm smile. The prices are fair, especially considering the quality and portion sizes.

In short, Paul’s Pierogi is five-star all the way — authentic, delicious, and made with heart. It’s the kind of spot you’ll crave again the...