Big Skis Perogis — Review by Food Network
Bend, United States — Polish
Big Skis Perogis is a food cart in Bend, Oregon run by Rich Warski, a former prison guard turned ski bum who makes authentic Polish perogis from scratch. The Super OG perogis are exceptional, featuring homemade dough, farmer's cheese, and applewood bacon filling that showcases genuine passion and craftsmanship. This hidden gem has developed a cult following among locals who appreciate the quality and authenticity of the food.
What was great: The Super OG perogis are outstanding with perfectly balanced flavors - loaded potato wrapped in dumpling with applewood bacon, peppered onions, and homemade farmer's cheese. The dedication and passion of the owner Rich Warski is evident in every aspect of the food preparation.
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of Big Skis Perogis is undoubtedly the Super OG, a loaded potato perogi wrapped in homemade dumpling dough. Each order comes with four pieces, and they're boiled first, air-dried, and then cast iron fried to order to get a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior. The filling is a masterpiece of simple but refined ingredients: baked potato, salt, pepper, homemade farmer's cheese that Rich makes himself, and applewood bacon that's been peppered and caramelized with onions into what he calls Polish butter. The result is absolutely delicious, with every element complementing the others perfectly.
The Experience
Big Skis operates out of a distinctive red wagon in a food court area in Bend, Oregon. Rich Warski, the owner, brings incredible passion to his work, evident in how he speaks about perogis and their cultural significance to him. He's developed a cult following, with people adoring both the product and the man behind it. The entire operation is intimate and personal, from Rich's own cheese-making to his detailed food preparation visible from the ordering window.
Value & Pricing
Pricing information is not explicitly mentioned in the transcript, but given the handmade nature of every component and the quality of ingredients, the Super OG perogis offer excellent value for authentic, made-from-scratch Polish food.
Notable Moments
Had a Christmas party. My wife asked me to make some perogis, right? And I fed like 12 neighbors and the next thing you know is I'm in a perogi cart.
The cheese is money.
I could eat so many.
The Verdict
Big Skis Perogis is a must-visit for anyone passing through Bend, Oregon or anyone who appreciates authentic, handcrafted food made with genuine passion. This is Polish comfort food at its finest, executed with precision and care by someone who truly loves what he does. The Super OG perogis are an experience unto themselves, worthy of the cult following they've earned.