In the heart of the kitchen, surrounded by the scent of sizzling onions and fresh dough, Baba worked alone. The restaurant bore her name, but more than that, it carried her legacy. Every gluten-free pierogi that left the kitchen was made by her hands—no one else dared to touch them.

Baba had come from Ukraine with nothing but her grandmother’s recipes and a fierce determination. She had learned to knead dough before she could read, standing on a wooden stool beside her mother, rolling out perfect circles of pierogi. But when life brought her across the ocean, she found that the old ways didn’t always fit the new world. People needed something different—something safe.

So, she did the impossible. She took her family’s tradition and remade it, stripping out the gluten without losing the soul. It took years, failures, and frustration, but she never wavered. Now, the gluten-free pierogies at Baba Pierogies weren’t just a menu item; they were the reason people came from miles away.

One evening, a young woman lingered by the kitchen, hesitant. “Excuse me, are you Baba?” she asked softly.

Baba turned, wiping flour from her hands. “Depends who’s asking.”

The woman smiled. “I just wanted to thank you. I haven’t had pierogies since I was a child. I have celiac, and… I thought I’d never taste them again.” Her voice trembled slightly. “But tonight, I did. And they tasted like home.”

Baba nodded, her lined face softening. She didn’t speak much, but she didn’t have to. Instead, she turned back to the counter, picked up a fresh pierogi, and handed it to the woman.

“No one should miss out on good food,” she said simply.

As the woman took a bite, Baba turned back to her station. There was more dough to roll, more fillings to prepare. The night was far from over, and Baba was the only one who could make them right.

Because some traditions weren’t just meant to be preserved. They were meant to be shared

Natalia’s Dream, Baba’s Legacy
Before the first pierogi was ever made, before the golden wheat was painted on the walls, and before the scent of caramelized onions filled the air—there was only a dream.

Natalia had carried it in her heart for years, tucked away like an old recipe written in the margins of a cookbook. She had come to the United States many years ago, adapting to a new world while holding onto the flavors of her childhood. And through it all, she had watched her mother, Baba, work tirelessly, her hands never forgetting the rhythm of rolling dough, folding, pressing, creating.

Baba had always dreamed of her own restaurant—a place where she could cook the way she wanted, without compromise. But life had a way of making dreams wait.

Natalia never forgot.

It took years of planning, saving, and believing. She wanted more than just a restaurant—she wanted to create a space where Baba could bring her Ukrainian traditions to life, where people could taste the food of their ancestors and feel at home.

When the doors of Baba Pierogies finally opened, it was more than a business; it was a tribute to resilience, to heritage, to family.

Every detail in the restaurant had a purpose. The wheat painted on the walls? That was Anna’s touch, a symbol of prosperity and home. The carefully handwritten poem? A reminder that no matter how far they had come, they still had their wings. And the heart of it all? Baba, working in the kitchen, her hands shaping the very dream that Natalia had built for her.

One evening, after closing, Natalia stood in the empty dining room, running her fingers over the wooden tables. The space was quiet now, but earlier, it had been alive—with laughter, with warmth, with the sound of plates clinking and people reminiscing over their first bite of pierogi.

Baba walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She looked at Natalia with knowing eyes.

“You did this,” Baba said softly.

Natalia shook her head. “No, Mama. We did this.”

Baba smiled, patting her daughter’s cheek. “It’s beautiful.”

Natalia exhaled, feeling the weight of years lift from her shoulders. She was proud. Proud of what they had built, proud of her mother, proud of what Baba Pierogies had become.

A place of tradition. A place of love. A place where dreams—no matter how long they waited—could finally come true.

Anna’s Warm Welcome.The door of Baba Pierogies swung open, letting in a gust of crisp air and a wave of laughter. The small restaurant, filled with the scent of sizzling butter and fresh dough, was already buzzing with customers. At the heart of it all was Anna, moving gracefully between tables, her warm smile as much a staple as the pierogies themselves.While Baba worked in the kitchen, Anna brought the warmth to the guests, making every person feel like they were stepping into a home rather than a restaurant.

“Dobryy vechir! Good evening!” she greeted a new couple at the door, her voice bright and welcoming. “You are lucky tonight—Baba is making her special mushroom and potato pierogies. You must try them!”

The couple chuckled, instantly at ease. Anna had that effect on people. She moved between tables, chatting in a mix of English and Ukrainian, always making sure plates were full and hearts were warm.

But her favorite moments were with first-time visitors. She loved watching their faces light up after the first bite, the way they marveled at how something so simple—a dumpling, a bit of filling—could taste so much like home.

One evening, an elderly woman sat quietly in a corner, staring at her plate. Anna noticed her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Are you alright, pani?” Anna asked gently, kneeling beside her.

The woman smiled, dabbing at her eyes. “This… tastes just like my mother’s. I thought I’d never have them again.”

Anna squeezed her hand. “Baba always says food is more than just food. It is memory, it is love.”

The woman nodded. “She is right.”

As Anna stood to check on the next table, she glanced toward the kitchen, where Baba was busy at work. Between them, they were more than just a grandmother and granddaughter—they were keepers of a tradition, a bridge between old and new, between Ukraine and their new home.

And as long as Baba made pierogies and Anna served them with a smile, no one would ever feel too far from home.The restaurant wasn’t just a business—it was a piece of their homeland. That’s why, one late evening, after the last plate had been washed, Anna had taken up a brush and begun to paint.

Now, the walls of Baba Pierogies were adorned with fields of golden wheat, stretching across the room like an endless Ukrainian summer. Wheat—the symbol of prosperity, resilience, and home. Customers ran their fingers over the painted stalks, as if they could feel the wind moving through them.
But the most soulful part of the wall was the poem she carefully wrote in elegant script:

**"Ай правда, крилатим ґрунту не треба.
Землі немає, то буде небо.
Немає поля, то буде воля.
Немає пари, то будуть хмари.

В цьому, напевно, правда пташина…
А як же людина? А що ж людина?
Живе на землі. Сама не літає.
А крила має. А крила має!"**

—Ліна Костенко

(**"Oh, it’s true: the winged do not need soil.
No land? Then let there be sky.
No field? Then let there be freedom.
No pair? Then let there be clouds.

Perhaps for birds, this is true…
But what about humans? What about us?
We live on the earth. We do not fly.
And yet—we have wings. We have wings!"**)

Every morning, before opening, Anna traced the words with her fingers, whispering them under her breath. For her, this poem wasn’t just art—it was truth. She and Baba had left their homeland, but they had brought their wings with them.

​

Among the many incredible people who make Baba Pierogies special, Romania holds a unique place. She has been with us the longest, and in every role she takes on, she brings a level of perfection, dedication, and warmth that inspires everyone around her.

When she first joined the team, Romania’s hands crafted the most detailed and flawless pierogies anyone had ever seen. Each one was made with precision—perfectly sealed, identical in size, and filled with just the right amount of love. Watching her work was like watching an artist at her craft, ensuring that every pierogi carried the tradition and authenticity of home.

Now, Romania has taken on a new role—she is the smiling face that welcomes everyone in the morning at Baba Pierogies. Whether it’s a first-time visitor or a loyal customer, she greets them with warmth, kindness, and a genuine love for what she does. Customers adore her because she makes them feel at home, as if they’ve stepped into a place filled with family and tradition. Her attention to detail and perfectionist nature now extend beyond the kitchen—she ensures every guest has an unforgettable experience from the moment they walk in.

Romania works in the mornings while her beautiful 7-year-old daughter is at school. The two of them came from Ukraine, bringing not just their love for tradition but also their resilience, strength, and kindness to the United States. Every day, she pours her heart into her work, creating a sense of warmth that makes Baba Pierogies more than just a restaurant—it’s a place where people feel the love and dedication behind every dish and every smile.

Her journey is one of perseverance, passion, and family—and we are beyond lucky to have her as part of our Baba Pierogies family. ❤️

Ludmyla: The Speed and Soul of Baba Pierogies
If you step into the kitchen at Baba Pierogies, you’ll quickly notice a whirlwind of energy, skill, and precision—that’s Ludmyla. She is the fastest and most efficient pierogi maker in the kitchen, and her hands move with a rhythm that only comes from years of experience and dedication. No one can match her speed, yet every pierogi she makes is just as perfect as the last.

But Ludmyla’s talent doesn’t stop at pierogies. She is also the master behind all the refreshing lemonades and rich, homemade kompots that customers love. Whether it’s the sweetness of a summer berry compote or the crisp zest of fresh lemonade, everything she makes is done quickly, efficiently, and with an instinctive perfection that never fails.

Her ability to work fast and smart is truly impressive. She never wastes a single movement, always finding the most efficient way to get things done while still maintaining the highest quality. Watching her in action is like watching a professional chef in full command of her craft—she knows exactly what to do, and she does it with confidence and precision.

Ludmyla left her homeland a few years ago when war broke out in Ukraine. Despite all the challenges she had to overcome, she remained unbreakable. Her soul, filled with love for her country, sought not only to find her place in a new world but also to introduce the local community to her culture.

One day, while searching for a job and scrolling through different listings, she came across an opening at Baba Pierogies—and she knew instantly that this was the place where she could truly find herself. She was overwhelmed with joy, as she became part of a team that prepares Ukrainian cuisine, the very food that transports her thoughts back home to her family and loved ones every single day.

Ludmyla has always loved cooking—a passion instilled in her since childhood by her grandmother. They would often bake pies and pastries together, preparing traditional dishes that became part of their family’s legacy. From her grandmother, Ludmyla inherited not just recipes but also a deep love for cooking.

For her, cooking at Baba Pierogies is more than just a job. It is her way of sharing a piece of her soul with every guest who tastes her food. Every day in the restaurant is not just about work—it is a journey toward inner peace, even in a foreign land. She finds happiness in seeing visitors from all over the world delight in the flavors of her homeland, knowing that through every dish she prepares, she is keeping the spirit of Ukraine alive. ❤️

Oksana: The Chef with a Golden Touch and a Heart Full of Laughter
At Baba Pierogies, there is no challenge too big and no dish too complex for Oksana. If there’s something that needs to be cooked, she can do it—flawlessly. A highly skilled chef from Ukraine, Oksana brought all her expertise, passion, and precision to the U.S., making her an indispensable force in the kitchen. Whether it’s pierogies, soups, desserts, or an entirely new dish, she has an instinct for flavors that makes everything she touches delicious and perfectly balanced.

But Oksana is not just a culinary genius—she is also the funniest person you will ever meet. The moment she walks into the kitchen, the energy shifts. Laughter fills the room, and no matter how busy or hectic the day gets, she knows exactly how to lighten the mood. Her humor is infectious, making even the most tiring shifts feel like a joy. It is simply impossible not to laugh when Oksana is around.

Despite her professionalism and skill, Oksana carries no ego—only warmth, kindness, and a genuine love for people. She doesn’t just cook with technique; she cooks with soul. Every dish she prepares is infused with her heart, her memories of home, and her deep connection to Ukrainian culinary tradition.

Oksana came to the U.S. with her husband and son, carrying not just her skills but also her resilience and positive spirit. She is not only an exceptional chef but also a friend, a mentor, and the heartbeat of the kitchen. Her ability to bring joy and laughter to those around her is just as important as her ability to cook.

At Baba Pierogies, Oksana is more than a chef—she is the soul of the kitchen, the person who makes work feel like home, and the reason why every dish is not just food, but a celebration of life, love, and laughter. ❤️