Growing up, pierogis were a staple. With a Polish grandmother, it was almost a given. I have so many fond memories of sitting around the table with my family eating pierogis. One in particular is a time my dad challenged me to fit a whole one in my mouth and, much to my mother’s dismay, I did just that.
When I first started making my own pasta from scratch, pierogis were one of the first things I wanted to make. It’s a pillow of potatoey goodness. Who wouldn’t want that in their belly!? I was super excited when I finally nailed the recipe!
If you’re new to pierogis, or have never heard of them before, pierogis are a small dough dumpling with a filling. Typically that filling is potato, or cheese, or hopefully both. What I’ve been learning though, is that a pierogi can have anything you can imagine on the inside.
Needless to say, it’s been pretty tricky to find quality pierogis that are egg free. I’d pretty much given up. As I mentioned in my post last week, stuffed pastas are almost always a no-go. So when I heard we were hitting up a pierogi place on a food tour of German Village, I’d resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to try anything.
Holy cow, was I wrong!
Pierogi Mountain
Saying that Pierogi Mountain accommodates egg-free diets feels like an understatement. They have so many options. While their menu changes once a week, approximately half of those pierogis options are vegan.
When I was on the food tour, I got to try their staple vegan pierogi – potato, mushroom, and sauerkraut. I’ve loved sauerkraut for many years, but have always been anti-mushroom. However, this pierogi is amazing! The meatiness of the mushroom blends well with the potato and sauerkraut, creating a delicious polka in your mouth. All of the traditional flavors are very much appreciated.
I could not allow my first experience at Pierogi Mountain to be my last. Especially not with $1 pierogi night on Mondays after 4pm.
Egg-Free Pierogis
Upon my return, I was very excited to try out my remaining options: Vegan “Meaty” 3-Bean Chili, Maple Pumpkin Habanero, Roasted Garlic and Rosemary, Candied Ginger and Sweet Potato, and Roasted Carrot Harissa. The Chili was a really fantastic adaptation of two of my favorite comfort foods – chili and pierogi – filling me with warmth. Speaking of warmth, the Maple Pumpkin Habanero was a little spicier than I would’ve liked, but my boyfriend really enjoyed it!
The Roasted Carrot Harissa also had a little kick, but again I found myself enjoying vegetables I otherwise avoid. I thought the Roasted Garlic and Rosemary was delicious! The aromatic garlic flooded my mouth, and the rosemary was a welcome addition. Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs ever so naturally I was quite excited.
My favorite was definitely the Candied Ginger and Sweet Potato. It was simple, but so beautifully done. The ginger added a nice bite to the sweet potato and they complemented each other well. Combined with the sautéed onions and sour cream that accompany every order, the experience was truly spectacular.
Other Egg-Free Options
Pierogi Mountain does have other menu items besides pierogis, and they include several vegan options. If you’re looking for something egg-free but not vegan, I recommend the House Made kielbasa sausage. They have a vegan option that I didn’t try, but the sausage is phenomenal. It’s so tasty and it comes with a side of sauerkraut!
They also have a Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff and a Seitan Schnitzel Sandwich as well as a Haluski recipe that does not use egg noodles. It’s a pretty extensive menu for what seems like such a small space.
Kollektiv
Pierogi Mountain is located inside the original Max and Erma’s building on S. Third Street in German Village. They’re not alone there. In fact, during the day it’s home to a communal work space. After 4pm, Pierogi Mountain and Wunderbar (an amazing bar with incredible ambience) take over the space. Together, these businesses make up Kollektiv. They have comfy chairs and board games if you’re looking for a good night out with friends. On the other side of the building are some tables by a window looking out at German Village. I think it’s so cool how these businesses share the space and work together. It’s an excellent testament to what makes the neighborhood itself so special – it’s truly an exceptional community.
Closing Thoughts
The egg-free options at Pierogi Mountain make for a fantastic, low cost, relatively quick option for when I just don’t feel like cooking. Everything on their menu is clearly marked so I know what’s safe for me to eat. I guess if I had one criticism it’s that they don’t distinguish which pierogi is which on your plate. But if you’re feeling adventurous that can also be part of the fun!
In summary, Pierogi Mountain is an all around fun place to be. People coming together to eat good food and drink quality alcohol typically make for a good crowd, and this place is no exception. It’s a delightful experience you’ll want to have over and over again. So go check it out for yourself!
As always, if you have any questions or comments you can leave them below or contact me directly via the info on my contact page.
Also, follow @pierogi_mountain on Instagram for weekly updates on their menu!
Thanks for reading! Happy eating!
Thanks for the shout out. I always had the best ideas. Love the blog and love you.