Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop — Restaurant in Shenandoah

Growing up, my dad used to go to Reading to one specific Polish butcher shop to get kielbasy that has since gone out of business. I've never had better and ever since we've been looking for a new place. That changed today. We decided to take a 2 hour road trip based on reviews and a handful of my friends that said it's worth the trip. About halfway there my dad got a call from a friend who heard about our trip and asked if we could grab him a kielbasy loaf which only built the hype. It being the day before Thanksgiving we had been warned of long lines but we were able to park out front and didn't even need to take a number. The staff behind the counter all seemed to work well together (there had to be seven ladies working behind the counter) and were friendly. As for the hype - it DEFINITELY lives up to it! We had the raw grilled kielbasy for dinner tonight and it beats our old butcher by miles. Granted, I've been eating Dietz & Watson the last 20 years but this was way better than I can ever remember. Sadly I'm lactose intolerant and dislike cabbage so I couldn't have any fresh pierogi but we grabbed some potato and onion Mrs. T's on the way home (my parents loved the cabbage & potato and cheddar pierogi they got from the freezer tho). The meatballs are also the best I've probably ever had! I mentioned to my dad that we should take a trip up together at least once a year so I'll definitely be returning but he's retired so I'm sure he'll be there...

Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop is a renowned family-owned business in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, with a rich history dating back to 1911. Founded by Joseph "Dziadzi" Kowalonek, it began as a small grocery store and has evolved to use state-of-the-art technology while maintaining old-world traditions in meat production. The shop is famous for its high-quality kielbasy—a type of Polish sausage—and offers a variety of other products like smoked andouille sausage, homemade Polish meatballs, and more​​​​.

The shop is a significant part of the local culture, especially around Easter when people from different parts of Pennsylvania and even from other states like Virginia and Maryland come to purchase their kielbasy. This tradition is deeply rooted in Polish culture, where families would traditionally have their Easter food, including kielbasa, blessed on Holy Saturday. The kielbasy from Kowalonek's is particularly prized for its quality, with customers showing strong loyalty to the shop​​.

Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop has not only maintained its tradition but also adapted to modern demands. They offer a range of products that cater to different tastes, keeping the essence of their traditional recipes while embracing new culinary trends. The dedication to quality and tradition makes this shop a standout in the area, drawing customers not just for the products but also for the cultural...

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