Eat Like a King at Krolewskie Jadlo

When most people think of ethnic cuisine in Queens the first thing that pops to mind is not Polish food. It’s more likely Korean, Indian, or Thai. Nevertheless there exists a pocket of Polish restaurants and groceries in the decidedly old school neighborhood of Maspeth.

One of the best places to sample hearty stick-to-your ribs fare as well as lighter Polish dishes is Krolewskie Jadlo, or “King’s Feast.” With all the pictures of Polish royalty and swords lining the walls plus three suits of armor, Krolewskie Jadlo bears a strong resemblance to the armor room at the Museum of Natural History.

The pierogies fall squarely into the category of hearty classic Polish dishes. They can be ordered either steamed or fried. Though why anyone would pass up the opportunity to have the six crispy crescents fried to perfection in bacon fat is a mystery to us. They’re filled with cheese, meat and cabbage and make for a perfect appetizer now we’re getting well into fall.

The pierogies are also featured in the Polish Plate a quadruple-play that also includes stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and potato pancakes. One of the best among the heavier entrees is a pork cutlet with hunter sauce. It consists of a thin pork cutlet that’s been fried in butter. It comes to the table awash in the darkish red sauce which is teeming with mushrooms and bits of meat, in case all that pork wasn’t enough. Krolewskie Jadlo does have some lighter items on offer including smoked salmon and several types of borscht. One of the best lighter dishes we tried was a whole trout in a yogurt dill sauce.

With an abundance of traditional Polish fare plus several surprises it's hard not to feel like a king when dining at Krolewskie Jadlo. Brooklynites will be pleased to know that they also have a location in Greenpoint.

Krolewskie Jadlo, 56-27 61 Street, Maspeth, 718-386-2656; 694 Manhattan Avenue, 718-383-8993

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Joe DiStefano in Food on October 12, 2007 2:54 PM

Comments [rss]

guest

Ewwww. I tried this place in hopes of getting the local's (polish) food in Greenpoint and boy was I in for a nasty time.

It's not that the place was bad, just the style of food does not sit with my pallet.

Hipster haven has gourmet polish food, jesus. What a crock of bad everything that neighborhood is.

guest

Hey, I know this place, I live right next door. And yes the food is fantastic--the borst is delicious.

guest

this place is super yummy!

guest

the restaurant coughed up some more dough this time

guest

Funny, because just a few months ago, your reviewer told us this place offers "a meal sized, if not entirely fit, for a king." I guess it's now been upgraded to "Eat Like a King" status?

http://gothamist.com/2007/03/20/from_nobu_to_no.php

guest

I think blairy blair is just covering up his sexual taste for kielbasa. Just look at his myspace page and realize he has a fancy for half nude men.

http://a773.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/78/l_f5735cc15a41125a950d0ede8c56813c.jpg

seriously, what is that?

Reality Czech

I love this place! The food is great! The prices are great! And they have hot waitresses!

janelle

#3 yes there is: iceland

guest

And Borscht is a great soup!

tien

SP - i'm going to add "tube formed meats" to my vocabulary.

guest

I went there lately and cannot complement more than what it's already been said..This food is delicious!!!!

Polish food is the best! (maybe not the healthiest one..but hey - life is short! Enjoy!)

SP

#3, thats not true at all. The Poles are great bakers, they also are great with fruit (jams, juices). They also are very good with pork and beef. Kielbasa is one of the best tube formed meats in the world. Pirogies with butter and toasted shallots are one of the most amazing things in the world... Why so much hating on the the Poles?

guest

The Brooklyn location is totally great. Took my mom there for Mother's Day and the whole family loved it. I've taken all my friends from out of town there as well and they can't get enough.