Cafe Polonia Closing Up Salem Location
Cafe Polonia is closing its location in downtown Salem.
Photos
Pretty soon, Cafe Polonia fans will have to drive to Boston to get their pierogi fix.
The Eastern-European and Polish restaurant's downtown Salem location will be closing its doors sometime in the next few weeks, owner Darek Barcikowski said Tuesday.
We reported earlier this morning that the cafe would be closing at the end of the month, though that information, which we received from an employee Monday morning, was incorrect, according to Barcikowski.
Cafe Polonia specializes in dishes such as cabbage and beet soup, goat cheese salad, herring, dumplings, pierogis and kielbasa.
The restaurant's location on Dorchester Avenue in Boston will remain open.
Barcikowski said he is in the process of selling the restaurant space and expects to close his doors sometime before the end of February - though a specific date has not yet been set.
Will you miss Cafe Polonia? Did you have a favorite dish at the restaurant?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Sabrina
7:39 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
It's so sad to see another business close in Salem.
Ron Zabrocki
7:40 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Very sad. So many changes happening since my 1st visit 14 years ago. Seems to be getting too commercialized and not the same quaint quirky town I loved. I have been visiting 3-4 times per year during various seasons. Now my favorite time is mid November. Quieter and less tourist. Loved Cafe Polonia. Maybe it reminded me of my polish heritage. Will miss it. And hearing the Polish language and smelling and tasting the delicious foods from my childhood.
Jroug
7:49 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Great place, amazing food - I didn't eat there as much as I'd have liked because I always ate too much! Will be returning before they close. Best of luck to them.
Sabrina
7:56 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I agree, Ron. My first visit was about 13 years and like you, I continue visiting 3-4 times per year. It has changed a lot. I used to love visiting Salem and while I still look forward to going back there is something lacking this once charming town. From what I read, there seems to be a huge increase in crime rate. It also seems that there are a lot of homeless people walking the streets. I have donated to homeless shelters and individuals living on the streets, so I support all shelters. I just don't understand why there is one in the middle of a tourist area.
Julie
1:24 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
There really is not a shelter in the immediate down town area. There once was but it has now been relocated.
Sabrina
1:37 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Julie, the shelter on Washington Street has been relocated?
gene
8:11 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Folks will still be able to buy Polish food at the Polish grocery store in the East India Mall. They run a great business with many selections.
gene
8:12 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
So people won't need to "drive to Boston to get their pierogi fix."
Diane Wolf
8:38 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
After ALL that work to get their liquor license....
I will miss the Gypsy pancakes and friendly smiles the most.
Thomas Stirling
4:41 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Gypsy pancakes where the best as well as the wurstplatte
Jared Robinson
9:33 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'll need to visit one last time :(
Chris Helms
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Jared, my wife and I plan to go to lunch there today for that very reason. We just moved to the city and I've been once. Didn't want my wife to miss it.
Lisa Connolly
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Such lovely people and the food was so authentic and amazing! They embraced our community so warmly. Huge loss for Salem.
Sonya mason
10:05 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'm going at least once before they close. Sad but understandable in today's economy
KlassySalem
10:08 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'll miss Polonia, for sure, but don't be too sad for them. They sold the restaurant, and at least some of the family is returning to their native Poland to retire. That sounds pretty good to me.
Yes
10:43 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
So far the owners have not given us a closing date. I love how this was posted online before any employees even knew about it. Guess I'll be walking down to the unemployment office sooner than I thought. Thanks, Cafe Polonia.
adrienne
11:16 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Perhaps the new owners will keep the staff!! Sucks when a rumor gets started & spreads like wild fire!! So, now I guess that all of the Servers & Bartenders will be out looking for other jobs?? If I were you, I'd hang in there until the end. I'm sure the owners of Cafe Polonia would not just lock the doors without telling you.
Darek Barcikowski
11:00 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
CORRECTION: While it is true that Cafe Polonia is in the process of being sold, there has been no announcement made as to the exact closing or take over date... I am not sure where this information came from and while our employees know there is an imminent change in ownership, they would be the first to know as to the exact closing date.
Michael McNeil
11:13 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Perhaps the government can step in and run the Cafe Polonia.
Owen Boss
11:45 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thanks Darek: We've received updated information that a specific date has not been set for Cafe Polonia's closure. The information provided by an employee Monday morning was incorrect, owner Darek Barcikowski said. The information in our story has been updated.
Roxie
1:20 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I loved their Gypsy Pancake - two pancakes stuffed with beef goulash, and a side of potato salad. I'm so sorry they're going out of business. It was a beautiful space with a nice atmosphere.
Chris Helms
7:26 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Hi Roxie, my wife and I went to lunch there today and I had the Gypsy Pancake. My side was pickled herring. The pancakes were delicious and crisp. Diane, thanks for recommending the Gypsy Pancake.
Carolyn Costain
2:30 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I never even heard of this place and I live in Salem.
gene
4:24 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
You need to get out more - it is right in the middle of downtown Salem!
Jes
3:10 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Sorry to see that Cafe Polonia has to close the Salem shop. The staff was friendly, and the food and atmosphere were great. I hope to get there before they close. You will be missed!
Mike Blatty
3:27 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
This is a great restaurant. We will miss it!
Thank you!
Edward
7:24 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Another Salem business closing up shop... Was it not doing enough business?
Elizabeth Mizioch-Crawford
5:49 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A big loss for the city! I stop in with my daughter to buy our fix of food for dinner and we would get a stick of Polish salami wrapped, to share while we strolled through town. Will miss the traditional fixtures in the window and the sound of Polish music and conversation as we waited in line. Good luck and Thanks!
DEBBIE
1:19 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
What a loss for Salem and the patrons that gathered there from the out of town communities. It is the only Polish restaurant around the north shore. Yes, I do go to the Polish Deli at East India Mall for my groceries, but I would rather be sitting in the restaurant at Cafe Polonia to relax and enjoy a meal. Well, back to Andrew Square in South Boston and Dorchester for some authentic Polish food. Cafe Polonia will truly be missed around these parts. They have delicious food.
Laurie
10:29 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
So sad. Going for one last schnitzel before the end.