If you've never heard of the Polish Boy Sandwich, you probably aren't from Cleveland. This beloved regional specialty can be found in diners and restaurants all across the city and is a taste like no other.
This week Sunday Supper is all about Regional Food. Regional Foods are those foods that you find in your hometown but in no other place around the world. Foods like this City Chicken (that's not really made from chicken at all!) The foods that you've grown up eating and loving. For me, this Polish Boy Sandwich IS Cleveland. You won't find this delicacy in any other part of the country!
My version of the Polish Boy Sandwich starts with grilled kielbasa nestled in a toasted bun. Then I top it with with BBQ sauce, golden french fries and coleslaw. It's a very messy sandwich, but it's very much worth the mess! Just make sure you have a few extra napkins on hand!
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I ate many foods with Eastern European influence. Foods like pierogi, packzi, and kielbasa. Most holiday meals here have either pierogi, kielbasa, or both on the menu. Kielbasa is a go-to meal in these parts, because paired with some kraut, it makes a hearty meal! You will find many vendors in the historic Westside Market selling their version of the best kielbasa. You don't have to go very far to find this tasty sausage in Cleveland.
Kielbasa takes center-stage in this sandwich. I have to admit, although I always knew what a Polish Boy was, I had never actually tried one before I made this sandwich. Boy was I missing out! The combination sounds odd, but put together, it somehow works out beautifully!
There doesn't seem to be very many rules when making this sandwich. Use your favorite bun (I used a hot dog bun) and your favorite Kielbasa sausage (I used turkey kielbasa) top it with your favorite BBQ sauce, some fries (I used frozen oven baked for convenience) and finish it with slaw. That's it! Make sure you keep a stack of napkins handy though...you will need them!
Have you ever eaten a Polish Boy Sandwich?
Have you ever eaten a Polish Boy Sandwich?
Polish Boy Sandwich

An easy, make at home version, of the iconic Cleveland delicacy, The Polish Boy Sandwich.
Ingredients
- 2 hot dog buns, toasted
- 2 links of fully-cooked kielbasa (I used turkey)
- 1/2 of 32 oz. package of frozen french fries, cooked according to package directions
- 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1 cup prepared coleslaw
- 1/2 TBS canola oil
Instructions
- Heat skillet over med-high heat. Add 1/2 TBS oil and heat until it just starts to shimmer.
- Cook kielbasa in oil turning frequently until heated through. Place each link in a toasted bun.
- Equally divide BBQ sauce and place on top of kielbasa followed by fries (see NOTE) and then slaw.
- Serve immediately. You may need a fork and you will definitely need lots of napkins!
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.
Total time: 15 mins.
Tags: #SundaySupper, sandwich, kielbasa, Cleveland, Ohio, Polish
NOTE: You don't need to use all the fries in the sandwich. Put a few on the sausages and serve the rest along side the sandwich for a complete meal.
Make sure you check out all the wonderful recipes the Sunday Supper Family is bringing to the table today!
Appetizers:
- Crispy Salmon Bites with Homemade Tartar Sauce by Pine Needles In My Salad
- Loaded Tex-Mex Chile con Queso by The Weekend Gourmet
- New England Style Stuffed Clams by Caroline’s Cooking
- Brandy Old Fashioned by Curious Cuisiniere
- Wine Pairing Recommendations For #SundaySupper Regional Specialties by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
- Breakfast Empanada Casserole by Simply Healthy Family
- Pittsburgh Steak Salad by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Homemade Ranch Dressing by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Tupelo Honey Key Lime Vinaigrette by Family Around the Table
- Alabama White Barbecue Sauce by Cookin’ Mimi
- Delaware Crabs by Delaware Girl Eats
- JoJo Potatoes by A Mind Full Mom
- Long Beans with Coconut by Food Lust People Love
- Old Bay Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Southern Collard Greens by Magnolia Days
- Mohawk Corn Soup by kimchi MOM
- Steve’s Famous Maryland Crab Soup by Monica’s Table
- Amish Chicken and Noodles by Palatable Pastime
- Boiled Lobster with Drawn Butter by Taste And See
- Bison Steaks with Cranberry Chimichurri by Tramplingrose
- California Beer Steamed Shrimp by Nosh My Way
- Cali Inspired Fish Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cheesy Tex Mex Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
- Cola Marinated Steak Tips by Hardly a Goddess
- Corn and Bacon Chowder by Moore or Less Cooking
- Crab-Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Aioli by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Deep Fried Pizza Roll by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Copycat Hattie B’s Hot Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans by She Loves Biscotti
- How to Make Vegetable Lumpia by Asian In America
- Italian Hot Dog by Simple and Savory
- Mom’s City Chicken by My Life Cookbook
- North Carolina BBQ with Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies by The Freshman Cook
- Philly Cheesesteak Calzones by Baking Sense
- Polish Boy Sandwich by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Spicy Salmon for Tacos by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
- Tex-Mex Slowcooker Chicken and Beef Fajitas by Meal Planning Magic
- West Michigan Wet Burritos by Wholistic Woman
- Upside Down Angel Food Cupcakes by Cooking With Carlee
- Austrian Mohnnudeln (Poppy Seed Noodles) by The Bread She Bakes
- Butter Tarts – A Canadian Tradition by Red Cottage Chronicles
- Carob Cherry Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
- Florida Key Lime Cream Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
- Fried Biscuits by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
- Gooey Butter Cake from Saint Louie! by Our Good Life
- Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets by The Redhead Baker
- San Jose Burnt Almond Cake by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Shoofly Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Spanish Bar Cake by Get the Good Stuff!
- Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Like what you see? Follow RKA on all these social networks!!
Someone was just telling me about these a few weeks ago and now I see your recipe. It must be a sign that I need to try one. :)
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I've known about them all my life but never tried one until now? haha Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteWhen I first moved to Cleveland, I asked what is Cleveland known for food wise, and I was told "I think it is 'Po Boys or Polish Boys" When I asked what was the difference, they said nothing just on how you pronounce it. :) Great recipe!
ReplyDeleteHahaha...nothing alike! Thanks Deanna!
DeleteI could totally gobble one of these bad boys up in a minute! Perfect for baseball season!
ReplyDeleteYes! Perfect for baseballs season!
DeleteNothing beats a Saturday spent at Westside market. I love all things about that place and polish boys--this makes my native Cleveland heart happy :)
ReplyDeleteKristen, I had forgotten you are from CLE. I agree on time spent at the Westside Market. Did you know they are open on Sundays now?
DeleteI would definitely eat one of your Polish Boys, Renee! What a great combination of toppings and I'll always take a kielbasa over a regular hot dog in a bun.
ReplyDeleteOh yum! I need to get one next time I'm in Cleveland. Living in Pittsburgh we eat a lot of pierogies and kielbasa but I've never had one of these!
ReplyDeleteOh, boy. Move over hot dogs!!! I think this could become a new summer favorite :)
ReplyDeleteI see these for dinner soon!! Looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteSounds darn good to me, Renee! Even to my Buckeye state husband (from Athens, OH)! Mmmmm!
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me a bit of a Primanti's sandwich here in Pittsburgh. They have sandwiches with Italian sausage, fries, coleslaw and tomato. However this is also very different. I love,love, love kielbasa and all the toppings so the combination just sounds wonderful to me. I can't believe I've never heard of them. I'm making one this week!
ReplyDeleteYUM! The cole slaw makes it healthy, right?
ReplyDeleteThis would make such a nice lunch!
ReplyDeleteI like the slaw on these for some crunch!
ReplyDeleteThis looks yummy Renee! I love dogs with toppings like this!
ReplyDeleteDrool! These look too good! Great recipe :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this sandwich recipe. It's a MUST for me to try. I love everything about it. Messy eating and all.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, hadn't heard of it but I'd love to try it now I see your pictures!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely saving this recipe. I'd never heard of this sandwich being from FL, but I am of Polish decent so you know the Kielbasa is calling my name. And, um, French Fries are kind of my downfall. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have a Polish Deli here in Las Vegas, and it beats the markets kielbasa.. um um good!!!! By my last name I am of Polish decent also, and watching the Pope in Krakow, Poland. My Grandparents (both sides) immigrated from Warsaw during the Nazi War.
DeleteThank you Marie! If I'm ever in Vegas, I'll have to look up your deli! :)
DeleteThe only think different I would do is grill the kielbasa instead of frying in all that oil. Just a suggestion..
ReplyDeleteGrilling would work great too!
Delete