Polski Sklep

Run by the same people who operate the Polski Sklep on Mackintosh Place on the other side of town, this Polski Sklep is a slightly smaller proposition.
But as my favourite adage goes, good things come in small packages. It’s crammed with everything you’d ever need to make the ultimate Polish banquet. For some reason, people often cringe when I tell them that I love Polish cuisine, but they are being philistines! And if you haven’t tried borscht (beetroot soup, with little bits of pasta or dumplings in) or goulash (a kind of beef stew, but much better than the usual beef stews we get here) or perogi (boiled or fired dumplings usually filled with potato, cream cheese and onion) then make a beeline for this place and get your taste buds buzzing.
And yes they have my beloved bacon flavoured pretzel sticks, the best thing you can buy in Cardiff for 35p. FACT.

I wish they had corner shops like these for Yanks. I mean, I know there’s a small selection of goodies at Wally’s and House of Fraser, but a range of stores dedicated to all things USA would be a new business venture I could get behind. Just putting it out there…
Until then, I’ll visit Polski Sklep with my best good friend, whose fair country enamoured my American sensibilities back in December when I enjoyed a warm and welcoming extended Polish Christmas celebration (three days of partying? Yes, please).
Offering everything from sauces and cold sliced meats to toiletries and magazines, Polski Sklep is the perfect haven for any member of the Polish émigré community who’s feeling a bit homesick and craving the creature comforts of home.
Bizarrely, they even have Cheetos crisps, a perennial favourite of both me and Britney Spears that I’ve only seen back on the shelves of grocery stores back home. Only this flavour was ketchup, so I didn’t collect them with the fervour normally reserved for my favourite crunchy snack. Bummer.