The classic Polish staple food brings back a lot of memories for me. When I moved out on my own and had to start properly adulting (ie. couldn’t rely on parent’s home cooked meals anymore), I had to think of easy ways to get myself fed. Something that didn’t require a lot of time and effort to make myself at home, yet food that left me satisfied. Enter… Pierogies!
It was during my university days where I really began to get to know the Polish dumpling very well. I would go to the grocery store, walk down the freezer aisle and grab a bag of frozen pierogis to bring back home. And they had enough variety at the grocery store to keep me coming back for more. You had the cheddar variety, the three-cheese mix, cream-cheese and chives, and you can’t forget about the bacon ones. Also being addicted to sour cream at the time, I couldn’t resist always giving myself the most generous dab of sour cream with each bite. Pierogies are undoubtedly so good, very easy to make, budget friendly, and extremely filling! What’s not to love!?
A few years after I graduated, I learned about this new restaurant in 2014 called Loaded Pierogi that just opened up. I couldn’t wrap my head around it at the time because although I absolutely loved eating pierogis at home, I never thought there would be a restaurant literally dedicated to this quintessential Polish classic. Yet I was ecstatic that there was. That there would be professional chefs elevating the dish that I simply couldn’t do myself at home. I was pumped!
I learned that Loaded Pierogi was born out of Ontario, Canada since 2014 where they went from selling a small variety of gourmet variations of the pierogi to a now national Canadian brand that offers more than 75 different ways to customize your pierogi experience. Or what they like to call it… “Get Loaded!” They are now the fastest growing quick service restaurant dedicated to serving up this eclectic potato classic, but also adding in their non-traditional twists as well.
You’ll be immediately loaded up with a variety of options when you step inside and look at their menu. The first decision you’ll have to make is to decide on which base you want for your dish. Their signature Pierogies base that are stuffed with potatos and onions, served crispy or classic with sour cream and green onions is what most people come here for, but they do have some other options such as velvety Macaroni & Cheese, and a Curly Fry Poutine! And in the Spring of 2023, they launched two exciting new bases which have taste, convenience, and health all in mind.
The first new base is the Greens & Grains which is a healthy blend of quinoa and fresh romaine lettuce. The second new base is the French Taco, the better way to enjoy a typical wrap which is loaded with fries, cheese, and your favourite signature toppings. Both are absolutely delicious! Once that tough decision of choosing which base you want is done, you’ll move on to figuring out which of their Signature Dishes you want to indulge in which hosts a ton of carefully curated loaded toppings.
Understanding that there are so many delicious choices to choose from, I’m here to just make it a little bit easier and show you some of my new favourite signature dishes and bases to try!
Hardcore Herbivore on Greens & Grains
Sautéed Kale, Fresh Tomatoes, Garlic Mushrooms, Sautéed Peppers, Red Onions, Cheddar Cheese, Garlic Mayo & Green Onions
East Coast Don on French Taco
Beef & Lamb Donair Meat, Mozzarella Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, Garlic Mayo, Sauteed Kale & Red Onion
Gangnam Style on Greens & Grains
Kimchi, Edamame, Bang Bang Sauce, Cheddar Cheese, Soft Boiled Egg, Black Sesame Seeds & Cilantro
The Taj on Pierogies
Crispy Chicken, Pineapple Curry Sauce, Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, Red Onions & Cilantro
Cauliflower Bang Bang on Pierogies
Crispy Cauliflower, Cheddar Cheese, Bang Bang Sauce, Tomatoes, Fresh Avocado & Cilantro
Hail Caesar on French Taco
Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Sautéed Kale, Bacon, Caesar Dressing & Parmesan
BBQ Philly Cheese Steak on Poutine
Shaved Steak, Sautéed Onions And Peppers, Mozzarella, Bbq Sauce, Garlic Mayo & Green Onions
I personally love the classic Pierogis base whenever I come here, but to my surprise I didn’t expect to love their new Greens & Grains base as much as I did. I really enjoyed this new lighter way to get loaded with this healthy alternative that left me full but not stuffed (if you know what I mean). It was the perfect balance of loaded toppings with being health-conscious all at the same time which I very much took delight in and appreciated.
Currently with 14 locations across Canada and rapid expansion plans coming up soon, head on over to your nearest Loaded Pierogi and try some of their classics and newest offerings. You will not be disappointed!
Now lets go and GET LOADED!
