I went to Sava's new location for the first time this weekend. This is the woman who fed me lunch when I was on jury duty, at her old location! This place is awesome.

I had the kielbasa and kraut (the latter is particularly yummy). My guest had the meatloaf with green beans, mashed potatoes, and some sort of cabbage stew. The meatloaf was a combo of beef and veal. The potatoes have gravy. The cabbage stew was like heaven. We drank a carton of currant juice with our meal.

Yes, food is a cut above Tania's--she's just got to work on the business side of things to keep afloat. If she could better tap into the downtown lunch crowd, it would help.

I tried this place for the first time and it was great. im going to go again today(i want to try the keilbasa). Would love to see them stick around!

Next time I will try that, di6--and I must say, the kielbasa was still delicious. The pierogies were really incredible; I had only tried commercially frozen before, so it was a delightful surprise. Looking forward to trying the stuffed cabbage and many other dishes!

From how she described the kielbasa, it's cooked during the day and are usually in the metal heating trays with sauerkraut. She worries that certain dishes become too dry when they're sitting in the heating trays for long. So she often removes various items from the trays (include peirogies) and then heats up a serving to order. If you want the kielbasa fried instead of microwaved, I'm fairly sure she would accommodate. If possible, try the kielbasa for lunch (soon after it is freshly cooked). I hear it's very good.

Myself - I'll eat a whole tray of Savas' peirogies microwaved, fried, grilled, frozen... whatever.

I must confess I was a little disappointed when I saw the kielbasa go into the microwave...was looking forward to either a grilled or heated in sauerkraut flavor.

Kielbasa can be microwaved, it can even be eaten straight, its a cured meat. I like mine fried with ketchup...

that kielbasa had to be pre-cooked. I get a really good pre-cooked kielbasa at maloney's meat market near JSQ and microwave it because I'm disgusting

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Luckily for her, she's right outside the boundaries of the VVP and Harsimus historic districts - otherwise I can see the Historic Preservation Gestapo hounding the poor woman to death or out of business over signage (vinyl not being "historic fabric")and other silly issues.

Had supper there the other night and will definitely return. But I have a question for those in the know about Polish food--is it customary to microwave kielbasa as opposed to boiling or frying? I really don't know, and figured maybe she prepared it that way because it was getting late, and maybe there weren't any ready to go.

Savas used to be way west on Newark Avenue by the Hudson County Court House. It was always a great place to get Klenjnoty chocolates. I haven't been to the new place yet, but if she still has them in stock you need to try them

Awesome -- glad to hear it. That's a start! :)

she's got a vinyl sign up there now, along with some festive grand opening flaggage.

Just curious...

Does Jadwiga still not have any sort of large sign or banner for her store? Forgive me for not knowing, but I am out of town until at least mid March taking care of a sick family member. It's important that passersby know that she's there and very much open for business!

I was thinking that maybe PostNet could cut her a deal on a sign since they are neighbors, but I just gave them a call and they said they don't do outdoor signage.

They did recommend a fellow named Bob Iezzi who owns a Jersey City-based company called Craft Signs. He says their number is 800.257.8301 and their website is CraftSigns.com.

Maybe someone could drop by Sava's and suggest to Jadviga that she should give Bob a call? Or could a JCLister somehow help walk her through the process of getting a permanent sign or vinyl banner (whether it's through Craft Signs or another similar JC-based business)?

I am guessing there are Jersey City rules and regulations regarding what you can and can't hang in front of your business, but I am also guessing that Craft Signs would know what would work for Sava's (since their website says they've been in the business of signmaking since 1985).

In any case, as a fellow of Polish and Ukrainian descent, I see myself dropping by Sava Polish Deli often for some hearty, rustic fare. I can't wait to check it out when I'm back in JC -- what a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

I finally got around to getting lunch there this week. OMG, it was good - good, hearty food on a cold day! Can't wait to go back and try the kielbasa, but I need to pace myself. There are only so many hours I can spend at the gym!

Went there to check it out after reading here for lunch yesterday - still open! yummm - and although stark very clean! Lights could be lowered a bit ;)

I picked up menu - i put it up on hudsonmenus.com and submitted to all the sites I work with!

Her hours are Mon-Fri 11am - 9pm and Sat-Sun Noon - 9pm
That's why no one was home. Although... I have called as much as a half hour before closing. It seems she shuts down a little early if she hasn't seen any customers in a few hours. Best to call in advance if you're hoping to catch a late supper.

Hopefully that other dude didn't know sh*t about what he was talking about. I'd call myself a regular and I've seen nothing but an increase in business. Let's hope it's enough.

I was there last night at 8 getting dinner. She said nothing about closing, on the contrary, when I asked for mustard to go she said "we are just starting out, don't have everything yet." Maybe the restaurant across the street was practicing stealth anti-competition manuevers??!! The pierogies were indeed amazing, btw.

my FH picked up dinner there on the way home.
she said nothing to him about closing...

I went last night around 9pm and they were closed. The guy at the italian restaurant across the street said that Savas was out of business. True????

I went today and got the potato pierogis. With a dash of pepper they were yum! Definitely good homemade stuff!

we've eaten there. it's... ok. She's a delight though. Question though.. and I didn't have the heart to ask her.. what happened to the STANLEY'S CLOTHES sign? It was as much a landmark downtown as anything we have- it had to be 50-60 years old. If it's under all that hastily-applied white paint, someone needs a talkin' to.

Sava's may need decor, but there is no denying it is clean and bright.

As for the quality of food, my youngest son and I ate there Sunday. His mother's mother (iow, his Bushka) was Polish. Since he was the oldest of her gradchildren and named after her father, she doted on Peter, drawing him to her kirtchen at least once a week to stuff him with the same specialties we ate together the other day.

After lunch Sunday he said it was the best and most authentic Polish meal he's had since she passed away.

they should improve the decor/ambiance a bit.

just got back from lunc at Sava's. Food is delicious, I had the combo and my wife had stuffed chicken breast. The spinach stuffing on the chicken breast is awesome. Pierogies were excellent, very homey and the stuffed cabbage and kielbasa/kraut were equally as good.

and the price ? $17.50 for both meals with a drink. unbeatable.

will definitely eat here once a week. probably gain 5 lbs a month...

I agree. I'm very tough on Polish food, having grown up with a mom who only served homemade pierogi, blintzes, etc. and the food here is excellent. Much better than Tania's, in my humble opinion. I also appreciate the fact that Sava is open late during the week and has Sunday hours, unlike Europa (the Polish grocer/deli on Jersey).

Top Notch Comfort Food.

after already picking up dinner elsewhere I realized I was right across the street from Sava's so I decided to try their pierogies....the other food looked mouth watering and I could have kicked myself for not thinking sooner...anyway, the pierogies(my appetizers) were so yummy...and I will def try more things next time!

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omg this is awesome. anyone list it on kannekt?

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Here are some more suggestions:
*Hand out menus in the Grove Path area during evening rush, and and provide free samples - pierogis and kielbasa...
*Vegetarian offerings - I find myself agreeing with Grovepath on this one. Offer meatless borsht and the non meat/cheese pierogies daily.
*Sign up with the restaurant delivery service.
*Offer omelette's - kielbasa, spinach, etc.
* Focus on weekend breakfast and brunch. These are the times we frequented Tanias, and it was always packed.
Offer table service on weekend mornings.
*Soften the decor - the florescent lights are harsh, maybe paint the walls earth tones.
*Exhibit work of local artists (there are two folky Polish paintings there now)

BTW, the new site is awesome!
http://savapolishdeli.com

Very nice ...

My suggestions:

Get her menu on all the local menu sites.

Get some signage, something with the name, polish flag
colors,also get some 'Grand Opening' banners and colored flags to get peoples attention from Newark.

Contact local magazines/newspapers, ask them to do a review.

I'm sure the marketing folks can come up with more.