U Dzika: Polish Grandma Food in Jackson Heights

U Dzika offers ‘obiady domowe’ or homecooked Polish food in a neighborhood better known for Argentine butchers.

When one thinks of 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Argentine butchers and Latino eateries spring to mind. It’s one of the most unlikely places in Queens to find a Polish restaurant. (They tend to be located mostly in Ridgewood and Maspeth.) Unlikely or not, U Dzika opened its doors about a month ago. Owner Beata Pietrzak named the place U Dzika, or “the boar” not as a reference to the food, but to her husband, Alex. Last time I visited he sheepishly admitted “u dzika” is Polish slang for someone who behaves in a clumsy, hyperactive manner, like a boar crashing through the forest. Nevermind the name, U Dzika serves Polish grandma cooking of the highest order.

A massive plate of Polish grandma food including a wonderful gołąbki, or stuffed cabbage.

In response to a request for something I might eat a Polish grandmother’s house, Alex presented me with enough food for a small family. A hulking gołąbki, or stuffed cabbage, occupied one sector of the plate. Stuffed with a mixture of freshly ground beef and pork and rice, the goląbki was so tender it must have stewed in its rich tomato broth for hours. Sides included kapusta kiszona (sauerkraut), buraczki (pickled beets), mizeria (cucumber salad), and wazanky (Polish pasta.) Smothered with bacon, onion and mushrooms, wazanky is like a deconstructed pierogi. The price for this massive feed? A mere $6.50.

There are 10-12 dishes available daily, but Alex always includes two old standbys: “Gołąbkis and goulash, you have to have every day.” Whether you call it “homemade food,” “obiady domowe,” or “comida hecho en casa,” U Dzika proves that in Queens comfort food knows no boundaries.

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written by James, February 05, 2010

Hitting the nail on the head here! "Golabki" is the first word I associate with "Polish Grandma"

Wazanky, though, is something I have yet to try. Looks great.

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written by JO, February 13, 2010

does greenpoint have places like this? or any other place with the amount of warm food they have? if so, I want to try them, but I'm so glad to have u dzika in the neighborhood. the food is so satisfying. and cheap.

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written by JoeD iStefano, February 15, 2010

@James: Thanks! The wazanky were dense and chewy, but delicious.

@JO: Greenpoint has tons of Polish places, not sure if there's anything quite like U Dzika though.

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