Sava Polish Diner Deli Meat Market & Grocery

We just moved out of town which was sad enough but if what Z B is reporting is true, that the owner had to close the restaurant, then I am much more sad. Returning home is so much about the food and Sava was a part of it for us for years. More important than anything else, we hope she is well.

I’m sorry to say that Sava has closed due to illness of the owner. I’ll definitely miss this place and that means that Jersey City has only one Polish deli left — Stanley’s Prime Meat Market on Central Avenue.

I got the polish combo which was delish, especially after digging my car out of the snow. I haven’t had my fair share of polish food, so I don’t have much to compare it too. My favorite was the pierogi.
The combo is $ 9 bucks now. Most reviews say it’s a large portion and I don’t know… call me a fatty but I could eat the entire thing in one sitting.
The owner is so cute.

Polish combo
Nothing more really needs to be said. A real comfy, homemade feel to every meal. Don’t be deceived by the look for outside. This is some fantastic comfort food

This place not only has great food but that they also deliver. Definitely a delivery option that is different and also delicious!
In terms of food: the pierogis are amazing. I especially enjoyed the fruit ones: the filling was not overly sweet and the dough was fantastic. By far the best ones I have had anywhere. The dough had a really subtle saltiness and it went really well with the sweeter filling. The cheese ones are a little more unique; the filling is almost cottage cheese like. I did like them also, but the fruit pierogis were what I would order again.
Also tried the chicken meatballs with mashed potatoes and cabbage as sides. The sauteed cabbage is really, really good. It had some kind of sauce and I wished there was more of it. It makes me think that their other stews are probably equally tasty and have tons of flavor. It also strangely reminded me of the food my mom makes, not because Polish food has any similarity to Indian food, but because it had the same depth of flavor and you could taste the warmth and tradition that went into it. The chicken meatballs were pretty good and I liked the sauce they had; the mashed potatoes were only okay and I wasn’t a huge fan.
The food is definitely at least 4 stars overall, probably a little more, but they get the extra star because the service is really friendly, they deliver (and it’s pretty quick!), and the fruit pierogies and cabbage were both amazing. Highly recommended, especially when it is cold outside!

Adorable polish whole in the wall. What it lacks in ambience, it makes for with taste. Excellent pirogues!

Best Polish food I have had outside a Polish home. Bigos was fresh. Great cold cuts including salceson.

UPGRADE! Solid 4 stars.
Sava’s is still a bit worn and ragged around the edges, but what’s rock solid is the food. Actually, I’ve come to understand that the minimalist décor adds to the charm — it’s like sitting your Polish granny’s living room and having her bustle around the kitchen (muttering in Polish under her breath) and bringing steaming plates of goodness out to you.
Kielbasa.
Pierogies.
Stuffed cabbage leaves.
Sauerkraut.
Everything is amazing and if you’re like me and you can’t choose what you want, go for the combination platter. I keep wanting to branch out and get the goulash or other specials, but that combination platter always calls out to me, as the proprietor does, «Lovey…»
Come here to feel loved — her pierogies will hug you from the inside out. Come here to feel special — she’ll make you feel like you’re her favorite granddaughter. Come here to be transported to the old world… the décor… the food… the prices… it’s all part of the experience.

Since Europa on Jersey Street closed, I needed a new Polish deli. I’d known about Sava since moving in but got comfortable with Europa since it was right by a good beer store. Finally one night after dinner, I decided to try them out and grab some pierogi before they closed. The owner was as nice as could be, as Polish deli owners typically are. They only had frozen pierogis left which is fine. They were reasonably priced, she wrapped them up for me, and we were on our way.
I made the pierogi the next day and they were good but not great. They were prone to falling apart in the pot during boiling, and while they were good I’ve had much better. The potato and cheese was better than the mushroom and sauerkraut, which is weird because I usually like the reverse better. Cooked with a little butter and onions, they both did the job though.
I’d come back here for fresh pierogi or lunch, but probably not anything frozen again. The prices, the owner, and the fact that this is the last Polish deli in the neighborhood make it worth it. Looking at the other reviews here though, I just hope my next experience is better.

the place looks like time stopped 30 years ago… but the food, oh the food is delicious. You see the lady cooking it with love in front of your eyes, pierogis so fresh, i can eat 20 of them while writing this review. the sweet blinches are so fresh, soft, warm that you can also eat some good amount before you pay attention.
Fresh food, tasty, and made with love.
totally recommended.

Oh man, consider me a soon to be regular.
Awesome Pierogis. Homemade, fresh, delicious, and filling. My stomach hurts in a good way. In the «I just overate and the nap I’m about to take is going to be glorious».
The owner was extremely friendly and funny. She «complained» that perogies are so much harder to make than the other items I could have ordered, but when I said «but they come so highly recommended» she smiled.

Authentic, Old school polish food. Sava is real, down to earth; my first time going I felt like I was having lunch with my polish aunt that I never met. After serving me my food, she pointed to condiments, said enjoy, and «Don’t complain!» The kielbasa and sava’s vibe really made my day.

Move over Mrs. Ts and break out the apple sauce cause we got some real deal pierogis in the house!
Getting your food here is like asking your grandma what’s for dinner. The nice lady shows you everything she has, and once you decide she scoops up your food while
letting you know how much everything is. You can totally tell she puts some love in that food.
Certain nights of the week she rotates different things into the menu –but the classics are always on the menu. Kielbasa, sauerkraut, pierogis. stuffed cabbage, the list goes on. All super affordable — my massive order that lasted for two meals was only $ 12.
This place is pretty low frills — but the food and Sava’s main gal makes up for that ten fold.

My wife and I love ordering delivery from Sava in Jersey City. My family is Polish and from Bayonne, so I feel like I’m calling my grandma when I talk to the owner on the phone.
How sad were we when they stopped delivery to Hoboken. Apparently her delivery guy doesn’t want to drive to Hoboken anymore. I hope she finds another delivery guy soon so we can get back to eating awesome pierorgis and golumpki.

Much food, well cooked. Everyone else in the joint was speaking Polish. We each had a very filling lunch for only $ 10, including a beverage. Nice lady runs the place.

Very close to the PATH, fairly cheap, and great food. I love going here when I’ve had a long day and need something comforting– although I’m not Polish, the lady at the counter, the simple decorations, and the heaping plate of food all remind me of being in my grandmother’s kitchen.
I usually get the Polish combination platter– stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, and pierogies. The plate is giant, but somehow I usually end up eating it. Basically, this is a no-​nonsense or frills place that serves good, quality food. Love it!

Was really craving chicken noodle soup. But not just ANY chicken noodle soup but the Polsih kind. Rosołek. Ale smacznota! It was delicious and tasted exactly how my mom made it for me growing up when I was sick and acting like I was still breastfeeding.
Being from Poland myself, I can spot authentic pierogies from a mile away and this place has what we call babci pierogi (grandmas pierogies). Soooo good! I came here for chicken noodle soup, as previously stated, but had to get a few pierogies as well. Absolutely delicious and as authentic as you can get!
Everything is clearly homemade. This little old woman makes all this stuff herself! It’s a bit more expensive than the typical Polish dinners you can get in Garfield or Wallington (where the population is 95% Polish and where I grew up). Polish dinners there are usually $ 5, I noticed here that they range around $ 7 – 9 but I guess it comes with the location. They don’t have as big of a selection as Europa on Jersey Ave which is more like a typical Polish market that I am used to (fully equipped with Delicje and sałatka jarzynowa) but this has a larger selection of to-​go meals.
One thing though — with two Polish markets really close to one another, where the Polaks at? I haven’t met a single Polish person in Jersey City yet.

This is the type of restaurant that you hate to criticize. It’s run by a lovely Polish woman who makes you feel like you’re in your grandmother’s kitchen. While the food is prepared ahead of time and served from a warming station, they only prep small portions, so what you get is pretty fresh. Add on the minimalist «décor», the Polish music and BYOB, and you really are just spending time in someone’s expanded kitchen.
That said, the food, while comforting, is medicore. At their incredibly low price point (everything is $ 8 – 9, cash only), I’m not asking for fine dining, but I’d prefer food that doesn’t leave me feeling quite so greasy at the end of the meal.
I’ll be back, without a doubt, but I’ll have to be in a particular mood to crave this restaurant.

I need to update my review because apparently I didn’t rate it hard enough. In that, the line to go in there is not extending out the door.
This place is one of those neighborhood gems, a small-​time business run by a person really passionate about what she does and working her ass off to pull it all together. And what is it? Delicious polish food.
The pierogies are some of the best I’ve ever had (ask her if she has the kraut+mushroom ones, my favorite!) and her kielbasa and kraut combo will make you call your nana and say she’s been doing it wrong all along.
There’s also a nice selection of Polish/​Russian breads, babkas and other snacks you can’t find outside of specialty stores. She also sells kielbasa and coldcuts for super cheap.
And yes, the prices are, in general, super cheap.
But what really makes this place shine is the owner. She works like crazy all day and still manages to give you a smile and a taste of that wry Polish humor.
Do your tastebuds and the city a favor. Go to Sava.

Just go here. Seriously. There is not much to say other than that.
You don’t go here for ambiance or a dining experience. Also, you should the football (soccer) schedules for the Polish National Team and Polish Premierships before you go. You may not get a seat if there is a match.
You go here for amazing, authentic, home cooked Polish food. Anyone with a Grandma who cooks will love the woman who greets you while she is slaving away in her small kitchen. She takes such pride in her dishes, and she should! We cleaned our plates, I mean it. They were clean of everything. You can’t go wrong with the Hungarian Goulash and the Polish Combination Plate. There are specials depending on the day of the week also. And of course, there are Perogies. Oh man, don’t forget the Perogies!