Where to Find the Best Pierogi in Chicago — Make Your Way to Lemont Downtown: Pierogi Capital of Illinois
Where can you find the best pierogi in the Midwest? Look no further than Lemont, the pierogi capital of Illinois.
You know them, you love them, and you’ll probably be craving them by the end of this article: the delicious pockets of unleavened dough filled with potato, cheese, meat, sauerkrat, onions, or other goodies known as pierogi. The savory dish wasn’t always a staple in North America. In fact, it was brought to the Chicagoland area by early immigrants. Over time, the traditional dish has become a staple at community festivals, on the menus of your favorite restaurants, and, for Lemont, one of the foods we’ve become known for by locals and visitors alike, making Lemont the Pierogi Capital of Illinois.
A Brief History
As Eastern European immigrants moved to North America in the late 1800s, the limestone quarries of Lemont provided a place of work and a new home base. Many immigrants, Swedish, Italian, German, Lithuanian, and Polish, made this area their home base, but due to barriers of language, culture, and religion, they mostly kept to themselves and were cast out due to discrimination. Over time, immigrants built their own churches, businesses, and grocery stores, but through school, many cultures started to blend and share influence, lending to some of the best food and celebrations that we still hold dear today.
Stuffed With Love for Pierogi
To commemorate our love for pierogi, during Lemont’s 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2023, we held a pierogi-eating contest with a golden pierogi as a trophy!
In Lemont, we enjoy pierogi year-round! Read along and discover where the best, freshly-made pierogi in all of the Midwest are in Lemont.
CELINA’s Fresh Market
Celina’s Fresh Market is a community pillar and a neighborhood favorite thanks to their deli and bakery selection. This old-school Polish deli and grocery store offers freshly made savory and sweet pierogi: potato and cheddar, sauerkraut and mushroom, blueberry, and strawberry.
14164 McCarthy Rd, Lemont, IL 60439 | Website
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 6 PM | Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM | Sunday 8 AM - 2 PM
Barrel & Vine
Dorothy, the owner of Barrel & Vine, brings a touch of Polish heritage to the menu with handmade pierogi prepared from a family recipe. Head over to this local, Polish-owned restaurant and order pierogi from their starter menu, offered with sauerkraut and mushroom or potato and cheese, topped with onions and bacon.
206 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439 | Website
Monday - Wednesday 11 AM - 10 PM | Thursday 11 AM - 11 PM | Friday - Saturday 11 AM - 12 AM | Sunday 10 AM - 10 PM
Local POp-Ups
Pierogi are one of the best bar foods around! Pollyanna Brewing Company is one of many local bars that welcome pierogi pop-ups throughout the year. You can also find them at Taste of Lemont and markets and festivals throughout town. Keep an eye out for the warmer months ahead, when you can pair a crisp craft beer with a cheese-filled pierogi.
