Bar Zajezdnia — Review by KSIĄŻULO
Nowy Targ, Poland — Polish home-style, Traditional Polish
Bar Zajezdnia in Nowy Targ offers traditional Polish home-style meals with generous portions and good quality ingredients at reasonable prices. The żurek soup and schabowy cutlet were standouts, though some dishes like the kwaśnica and ground meat patty had minor shortcomings. Overall a solid dining experience with excellent value for money.
What was great: Excellent żurek soup with sour rye flavor, good sausage quality, generous portions at reasonable prices, very tasty schabowy cutlet with creamy potatoes, delicious naleśniki pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, good three-layer cake
What could improve: Kwaśnica lacked sourness, loose ground meat patty with too much filler, moist potato placki were not crispy, comparison to other bars showed some dishes were not always the best in category
The Dishes
The reviewer and companions ordered an extensive selection of traditional Polish dishes. The żurek soup proved exceptional, featuring a proper sour rye flavor with zawiesisty (thick) consistency, subtle smoked notes, and generous portions of sausage and hard-boiled egg. At 17-20 zloty, it delivered outstanding value with what appeared to be approximately one and a half kielbasa pieces.
The kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup) was hearty and meaty with ribs and pork belly, but fell slightly short on sourness for this reviewer's preference, rating around 6 out of 10 for acidity. However, the richness and meat content were commendable.
The devolaj (breaded pork loin) with cheese and fries was described as moist and filling, though the reviewer would have preferred the traditional butter version to let the cheese drip onto potatoes instead of fries. The cutlet had substantial meat with minimal breading, which pleased the reviewer.
The schabowy (breaded pork cutlet) at 29 zloty was deemed reminiscent of homemade grandmother cooking. It came with two generous portions of mashed potatoes and an impressive variety of five different vegetable sides, all fresh and crisp. The meat was tender and properly seasoned, outperforming the version at Bar Romka that was tested for comparison.
The ground meat patty proved problematic, being overly loose with visible filler, too much breadcrumb mixture inside, and an overall mushy consistency rather than a proper solid cutlet.
The potato placki (pancakes) with Hungarian-style gulásh featured thick, wet pancakes that lacked crispness and contained dry meat. Despite generous portions and decent sauce, the execution disappointed.
Naleśniki with strawberries and whipped cream (24 zloty for three pieces) were highlights, featuring generous cheese filling and properly fried crepes with fresh strawberries. This represented excellent value compared to similar items in Warsaw.
The three-layer cake provided a perfect sweet finish with balanced layers of caramel, budding cream, and chocolate, though the chocolate component was slightly subdued.
The Experience
Service was brisk, with orders prepared in under five minutes. The takeout experience was efficient though eating outside on a windy day presented challenges. The reviewer noted that many locals frequent the establishment, and the homey, casual atmosphere suggests an authentic neighborhood bar mleczny (milk bar) experience.
Value and Pricing
The reviewer frequently commented on generous portions relative to pricing. The żurek at 17-20 zloty for what appeared to be over 550ml was noted as significantly larger than similar soups in Warsaw that cost similar prices but contained far less. The schabowy at 29 zloty with five vegetable sides and two potato portions represented excellent value. The naleśniki at 24 zloty for three substantial pieces with generous whipped cream was praised as very reasonable compared to Warsaw establishments charging 22 zloty for only two pieces of inferior quality.
Notable Moments
This is where we farm the best cuisine in the mountains, highly recommended repeatedly
The soup portions are enormous, like bidons compared to Warsaw bars
This is genuinely like babcia's homemade schabowy
These naleśniki are worthy of attention - three pieces, strawberries, and a bucket of whipped cream for 24 zloty
A memorable interaction occurred when a customer shared personal stories about receiving food deliveries during a hospital stay, demonstrating the bar's community importance.
The Verdict
Bar Zajezdnia merits visits for its żurek and schabowy, representing some of the best traditional Polish home cooking at prices that offer exceptional value. While not every dish achieved perfection, the overall experience and portions justify the prices. This establishment is best for those seeking authentic, generous portions of classic Polish milk bar cuisine in a casual neighborhood setting. The reviewer declared this establishment superior to the competing bars tested on the same day, particularly praising consistency in quality and portion size relative to cost.