Hidden Gems: Meet Nataliya Koshalko of All Pierogi Kitchen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nataliya Koshalko.

Hi Nataliya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
All Pierogi Kitchen is a Ukrainian-Polish restaurant and market located in Mesa, Arizona. I opened the cafe and market in September 2012, after beginning in a commercial kitchen in October 2010 to produce pierogi for sale in other markets. The full restaurant was opened in September 2016. My inspiration comes from my grandmother, Anna, and the recipes passed down from her. All food is made from scratch by hand, without preservatives or artificial colors, and we are known for our wide variety of pierogi flavors. The restaurant also features a Euro market that sells a variety of imported goods.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I successfully overcame significant personal and economic challenges to start and maintain market and cafe business. Beginning in 2013 and continuing to the present, my business has received recognition from numerous organizations, including the Mesa Tribune, Phoenix Magazine, Arizona Republic, Restaurant Guru, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
I started the business in 2010 after facing bankruptcy due to the housing market crash. I launched the market & cafe despite limited finances and criticism about my abbreviated initial operating schedule. My hard work, juggling another job and family responsibilities, led to the business’s success.
Receiving industry recognition: Since 2013, my business has been acknowledged for its quality and popularity. Some examples of recognition from these organizations include:

Mesa Tribune: The East Valley Tribune has recognized restaurants in the Mesa area in its “Best of Mesa” and “Tasting Menu” features.

Phoenix Magazine: PHOENIX magazine features annual “Best of the Valley” awards, which have included long-standing businesses and notable dining establishments.

Arizona Republic: The Arizona Republic and its website azcentral.com have published multiple restaurant awards and guides over the years, such as the Foodist Awards.

Restaurant Guru: Restaurant Guru uses customer reviews and ratings to recognize exceptional restaurants with “Recommendation” badges.

TripAdvisor: Businesses that consistently receive outstanding traveler reviews and maintain high ratings can earn a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.

Yelp: Yelp has published numerous “Top 100 Places to Eat” lists over the years based on user ratings and reviews.

As you know, we’re big fans of All Pierogi Kitchen. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
All Pierogi was founded in 2010 and is a family-owned business. The recipes used have been passed down for over 80 years from Grandma Anna’s home village of Kopychyntsi in Ukraine. The restaurant emphasizes a from-scratch approach, using hand-picked ingredients and avoiding preservatives, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.The establishment aims to offer a “fairytale experience” centered on indulgence, a cozy atmosphere, and a taste of dishes not easily found in Arizona. While the main focus is pierogi, traditional Eastern European dumplings with a variety of sweet and savory fillings, such as potato, mushroom, and cheese, the menu also includes other traditional items.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve read stories about people who, after several failed attempts, created very successful businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.allpierogi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allpierogikitchen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allpierogi.kitchen
• Yelp: All Pierogi Kitchen