New Mexican cuisine has a unique, bold flavor profile that simply can’t be found anywhere else, rich with Hispanic and Native American influences and trademarked by the uber fresh, straight-from-the-backyard chiles that find their way into nearly every dish. But in a culinary landscape so dominated by Christmas sauce, made-from-scratch tortillas, and piled high Carne Adovada, international foods often get overlooked. Until now! The fresh, handmade pierogies at this family-run restaurant have been quietly making a name for themselves, and to be honest, we can’t get enough of them! These little dumplings are so refreshingly authentic that they’ve even won a few television appearances. Craving something new? The delicious, handmade pierogies at Red Rock Deli are going to rock your world.
Tucked away in the most unassuming of locations, Red Rock Deli has been THE place to go for Eastern European cuisine since 1995.
Mark Toczek, a Polish native and Chicago transplant (aka Little Poland), is the man behind the tasty creations here.
While the small, but delightful, menu at Red Rock Deli is worth exploring, you're definitely going to want to dive into a plate of pierogies first. These flavorful little dumplings are bursting with sweet or savory fillings and positively loaded with flavor.
If you truly can't decide (seriously, there's no wrong answer), you can also order the Russian Roulette: a sample plate of six different pierogies, so you can find your favorite for next time.
Pro Tip: Want to kick your plate of pierogi heaven up a notch? Ask for these beauties to be fried with caramelized bacon and crispy onions. Seriously. DO IT.
This extra touch adds just a pop of color and enhances every ounce of flavor already hdiden within these sweet, popable morsels.
Of course, you don't have to stop with just one (or two) plates of pierogies. Red Rock Deli has plenty of other Chicago-inspired Polish staples and Eastern European dishes to keep you coming back for more. Piping hot, delightfully comforting soups like Ukrainian Borscht, Solanka, and Kapusniak are basically a warm, cozy hug with every spoonful.
The Polish Polish - a hot dog-style sandwich with Polish sausage, brown mustard, and pickled jalapeños - is a sure winner, along with the incredibly tender Italian Beef Sandwich and Lincoln Pork.
Gyros, schnitzels, German sausage platters, and more are just the tip of the tantalizing iceberg here at Red Rock. You'll also find fun, creative options, like the Kraut Burger, calling your name.
After your meal, peruse the quaint Polish grocery, where you'll find nostalgic and hard-to-find international food staples to take home. That even includes Red Rock soups and pierogies as well! These are all handmade fresh, just like for dine-in, and packaged in-house for your convenience.
For some, a menu filled with hard-to-pronounce entrée names can be incredibly intimidating. But don't worry! You don't need to know anything about Polish cuisine to eat here. If you're a fan of hot dogs, sandwiches, or good ol' fashioned fillings, this family-run gem is worth visiting as often as possible.
Eastern European cuisine isn’t too common in New Mexico, which means we’re even more fortunate to have the delicious real deal right here in Albuquerque. And we love how friendly the service is! If you’ve never had pierogies before (or borscht or authentic gyros or a tasty open Italian sammie), this is fantastic place to dive into this incredible culinary world. Red Rock Deli might just have the best pierogies in New Mexico, and they’re sure to win your heart!
Stay on top of Red Rock Deli’s specials, hours, and tantalizing menu options by visiting their website or Facebook page.
