Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop

Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop is an almost 100 year old butcher, grocer, and Kielbasy Sausage shop located in the small town of Shenandoah, PA in east central Pennsylvania. Started in 1911, by the grandfather of the current owner, the shop has a 3 generation history of making Polish Kielbasy sausage.

Originally operating as a corner grocery store, Kowalonek's was the type of grocer that would put your purchases on a tab and let you pay you bill on payday. This service was a great help for the local coal miners struggling with their daily living expense, and was a way to keep customers returning.

As the word of the quality Kielbasy they produced got out into the world, and the business grew, Kowalonek's moved their business in the early 1980's to a new larger store located on Main Street. The location change gave the owners more room to operate in and made the store easier to find for the non-local folks that travel long distances to purchase the Kowalonek's famous Kielbasy sausage.

While Mark and Paul Kowalonek are always looking into new ways to market their products, the fresh and smoke Keilbasy they produced are their core products. But, that said, they have come up with some really good alternate uses for the Kielbasy sausage meat. Kilbo Loaf is one other products they make, which is a thinly sliced "loaf" of cooked Kielbasy sausage meat that is served as a sandwich meat. Kilbo Jerky, is a Kielbasy flavored alternative to beef jerky, and has the great taste of their fresh Kielbasy, and comes in a few flavors including original, and hot. Kielbasy Grillers are small Kielbasy sausages that are cooked and served much like hot dogs on the grill.

Besides the Keilbasy business, the Kowalonek's also are a full service butcher shop, with fresh cuts of pork chops, pork roast, farmer's bacon, ground beef, and a variety of lunch meats cut to order. They also feature fresh made Polish Sauerkraut, Perogies, and some wonderful rye breads from a local bread baker (The New York Bakery) located just a few miles away in Frackville, PA.

So if you're considering traveling up the I-81 north of Harrisburg, PA, make this shop a stop on your way. It's located just about 5 minutes from the Frackville exit off of the 81 freeway. Take PA Route 924 West, and you'll find the shop on the left hand side of main street, just as you enter Shenandoah (and across from Burger King).

The recommended shopping list is to purchase everything the sell! But the key items are their fresh Kielbasy, smoke Kielbasy, Kielbasy Loaf, Kielbasy Jerky, Pork Chops, farmer's bacon, and the New York Rye bread.

Bring a cooler with you to keep the sausage cook. Then drive into Gold Star Distributors, located on the right, about a quarter mile away from Kowal's, and on way back to the 81 freeway, to get ice and some of the famous locally made Yuengling (pronounced Yingling) Beer.

Additional Pages

• Products at Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop
• Directions to Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop
• Kowalonek's Kielbasy Price List