CLEVELAND — Some northeast Ohio restaurants are shining a spotlight on cultural cuisine for Cleveland Pierogi Week.

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland Pierogi Week is Feb. 28 - March 6

  • Participating restaurants, like Das Schnitzel Haus and Schnitz Ale Brewery, are offering select pierogi platings for $7

  • Das Schnitzel Haus makes thousands of pierogis by hand each week

The Eastern European dumpling’s the main course for the event, encouraging people to sample some authentic ethnic foods and support small business. 

“All our cooking is four ingredients,” said Branka Djurin. “For ingredients, magic. All traditional.”

It’s a timeless taste the owner of Das Schnitzel Haus hand makes each day. 

Originally from Yugoslavia, Djurin and her family left the country before a civil war broke out in the early 90s. 

“We stayed in Germany for nine years and worked in Germany meat shops and restaurants, so we learned German cuisine,” she said. 

It’s a cuisine she’s perfected at her restaurant in Parma. 

“Dough we make from scratch, of course, and we have our secret recipes and, yeah. It’s just touch of love,” she said. 

But you won’t find her recipes written down anywhere. 

“We always just use our hands, and it’s always most accurate,” she said. 

Her team makes about 800 pierogis from sctratch every other day. They plan to serve even more during Pierogi Week. She said they take pride in passing down a taste of tradition. 

“People love coming here because it reminds them of their grandma’s cooking or their mom’s cooking,” said Igor Djurin, Branka’s son. 

Igor followed in his family’s footsteps and opened a brewery/restaurant, the Schnit Ale Brewery, across the street from Das Schnitzel Haus. He said he’s proud of all that his parents have accomplished. 

“No English, a couple suitcases and to see where they are is really — it’s the American Dream,” he said.

Serving the community is a dream come true for Branka. 

“Coming every day to the restaurant, I don’t consider it work,” she said. “It’s my pleasure and my joy.” 

Cleveland Pierogi Week runs through March 6, and gives diners the chance to sample select pierogi platings for $7. For a passport and list of participating restaurants, visit pierogiweekcleveland.com.