POLISH DELIS

Pierogis Anyone?

Marta Wozniak, owner of Sawa Deli. Various polish meats are for sale at Sawa.

Kielbasa and other Polish specialites at Sawa

Marta Wozniak

Celebrating Polish Delicacies

Story and photos by Daniel Israel

Polish immigrants began arriving in Bayonne in waves from the 1880s until the 1920s. There were subsequent waves after World War II and in the 1980s.

Polish immigrants were looking for work. At that time, Bayonne was an oilrefining and manufacturing giant with many industrial jobs. While the Polish community isn’t what it used to be during the height of immigration, there is still a thriving population of Poles in Bayonne.

Along with their culture, they’ve brought something that has become a staple in the city: Polish delis. Bayonne: Life on the Peninsula caught up with the owners of some Bayonne delis, many of whom opened during the most recent immigration wave.

We couldn’t speak to all of them personally, often because our Polish isn’t as good as theirs. But here are a few of Bayonne’s top spots for authentic Polish specialties.

Sawa

Sawa Deli, at 586 Avenue C, has been a staple in Bayonne for 30 years. Marta Wozniak became owner four years ago and has been proudly running the store ever since. A Bayonne resident of 16 years, Wozniak is originally from Poland.

Wozniak said that though a lot of Polish people have moved away, there is still a sizeable population who frequent the store. She also has non-Polish regulars, who love the delicacies of Poland.

Customers come for the fresh-made pierogis, fried fish, barbeque ribs, tribe soup, stuffed cabbage, and babkas. The Polish candy

Find strudles, cakes and breads at Warsaw.

A deli is nothing without its meat slicer.

and other groceries make the deli a must-stop for anyone, Polish or not.

Alex andTerry's

Alex and Terry’s Deli, at 798 Broadway, has been around since the 1950s. Leo Lyp moved from Poland and has owned and operated the deli since 1992, almost 30 years. Lyp runs the iconic deli with his parents.

Lyp noted that a lot of people in the Polish community are moving out of the city, and that things are not like they were 10 or 20 years ago. While the city is changing amid waves of immigration from countries in Asia, Africa, and the Mideast, many members of the Polish community who left Bayonne return for the holidays and buy their favorite holiday fare and Polish staples.

The chruschiki at Alex and Terry’s is to die for. Get there early if you want to sample some of their traditional hot pastrami, potato pancakes, cheese babka, corn beef, or pierogis. They sell fast.

Two More Favorites

Among other Polish hotspots are Warsaw Deli at 795 Broadway and Henry’s Deli at 488 Avenue C. Bayonne’s demographic may change, but the Polish influence and Polish delis are here to stay.—BLP