Taste of Poland serves up traditional cuisine with a Tulsa twist

Hidden near 41st and Memorial, Taste of Poland is bringing traditional Eastern European comfort food to Oklahoma with a local twist. The only fully Polish restaurant in the state, it’s the labor of love of owner Alicja Sokolowski, who blends her heritage with her new home through handcrafted recipes and warm hospitality.

Originally from Poland, Sokolowski moved to New York before relocating to Tulsa with her family. Her culinary journey began at local farmers' markets, where she sold handmade pierogies that quickly grew in popularity. At one point, she was making over 1,700 pierogies a week out of her home kitchen.

Now at Taste of Poland, she crafts nearly every item on the menu from scratch, including the dough, cheese, and condiments. The restaurant’s signature dish is the pierogi, stuffed with a variety of fillings like cheese and onion or a more local creation, the “Okie pierogi,” made with brisket and beans, served with homemade barbecue sauce.

Other menu highlights include cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice, pickle soup made from house-brined cucumbers, hunter’s stew featuring cabbage, sausage, beef, mushrooms, and plums, and toasted baguettes known as zappies topped with caramelized mushrooms and homemade mayo. Even the salads incorporate house-made elements like honey-ginger pears and farmer’s cheese.

For dessert, guests can enjoy a range of lightly sweetened Polish treats like honey cake and cheesecake, all made in-house.

Sokolowski says her greatest challenge now is staffing. As demand grows, she hopes to find new team members who share her passion for authentic cooking and community.