No one really speaks to me when I walk into Seneca Garden II, which is a big green light in my book when it comes to Polish delis. As someone from a Slavic family, it’s par for the course to be acknowledged, but not necessarily fawned over; once you start talking about your hot lunch buffet options, however (pierogi? Sauerkraut and kielbasa?), you can get a nice rapport going, or, like me, remain mostly silent and get lost in the nooks and crannies of the Polish pantry items while the nice folks working box up your flight of meat and cheese pierogi.
What to order
- Seneca Garden II (did I mention the other Seneca Garden is an under-15-minute walk away?) is locally beloved for its pierogi, and the boiled meat and cheese ones are the best. The spices are subtle, and the dough is thick but never rigid, achieving that covetable bounce and bend that I want with my dumplings.
- The side dishes steal the show: Opt for one of the many sauerkraut sides, or the simmered tomato butter beans.
- There’s usually a big tub of pickles in the refrigerator section of the store, which is a substantial Slavic pantry haven.
Best for
I recently ordered two lunch plates (which come with your choice of a meat, a side, and a salad) with an additional side of potato pancakes and three pierogi for $36. As Ridgewood continues to gentrify,neighborhood joints like this one offering affordable fare are going to become even more precious.
Insider tip
The pierogi tend to sell out, so make it there before 1 p.m. If you’re popping in during the holiday season, don’t miss the chruściki or angel wings at the register; they’re a delight of deep-fried dough, twisted into arabesque (or angelic) forms and dusted with powdered sugar.
