Paul's Pel'meni

I ordered a 5 pack of frozen beef with the works last night. I ordered around 10pm before the college kids. I received a pack of basically 3-4 potato ones and no sour cream or cilantro. I don't mind if they could tell me if they were out of cilantro/sour cream if that's what happened, but I paid $37 dollars for my order and was left extremely upset. I cooked the potato ones for my vegetarian roommate, but I just want my money back or comp.

The potato dumplings were ok, but a little bland in our taste (they lacked some seasoning). But reasonable pricing! The service felt a bit unwelcoming due to the lack of a simple greeting upon entry, even though we were the only customers at the moment. Service in the counter could be more friendly.

We absolutely had to put this iconic Pel’meni spot on out Madison itinerary and were not let down. I can understand why this place is so legendary- especially in the middle of a university town. We ordered a mix (both potato and ground beef dumplings with the works- which includes butter, cilantro, yellow curry, chili sauce, and sour cream. Once you start eating them its very difficult to stop. If you’re debating, just get the full order not the half. Trust a sister. For the price and the value for the taste, I would easily give these Russian dumplings a 4/5!

Paul’s Pierogi is an absolute gem — the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Polish comfort food all over again. Every pierogi is handmade with care, perfectly doughy on the outside and generously filled with flavorful, well-seasoned ingredients. Whether you go for the classic potato and cheese, the savory meat, or the sweet fruit varieties, each bite tastes like pure comfort. The freshness is undeniable — nothing tastes mass-produced here. The onions are caramelized just right, the butter rich and aromatic, and the textures perfectly balanced. It’s clear Paul’s takes pride in doing things the traditional way. The service is friendly and down-to-earth, with the staff always ready to offer a recommendation or a warm smile. The prices are fair, especially considering the quality and portion sizes. In short, Paul’s Pierogi is five-star all the way — authentic, delicious, and made with heart. It’s the kind of spot you’ll crave again the moment you leave.

It's a while in the wall place, but a staple for every trip to or near Madison. We get the mixed order (beef & potato) with the works. It's delicious every time. The spice is nice 🌶 Picked up some frozen orders today to take home. Nice to have on hand for easy meals!

I immigrated from Russia as a child and I’ve searched for a taste of home for years. As dramatic as it may sound, my first taste of Paul’s Pel’meni had me sobbing in my car. It tasted just like babushka’s cooking. I don’t think anyone can understand just how much that little bite of home really means to me, but I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude. Спасибо вам большое!

Oh my god it’s 3am right now and all I can think about is this heavenly, delicious, and beautiful Russian dumplings. I would highly recommend to any person. Cheap, filling, delicious, easily customizable, and friendly workers. 10/10 most underrated restaurant in the area. Easily my death row meal.

Hands down, one of the best late night spots! I remember this from college 18 years ago. Different location (used to be Amy’s Cafe), but same exact goodness. Absolutely perfect. The price hasn’t even changed much. Sirloin is better than the potato, but both are excellent. I even bought frozen orders to take back home. Love this place!!

Full order with the works ‍ 10/10 never misses. Thank you Madison. I will eat this for breakfast lunch and dinner

Pauls is such an understatement. It's a hidden gem, a treasure trove of amazing little meat or potato dumplings, or as the name suggests, Pelmeni's! They're they Russian equivalent of Pierogis and honestly, amazing. I definitely recommend the Mix and the works with some extra sour cream on the side, if you like sour cream. Theres soy sauce and vinegar on the tables in sriracha bottles that you HAVE to put on top. Even if you don't like either, just try it. It's the other magical secret. The vibe is pub with take out, they call your name through the speakers, so feel free to take a seat, make friends and grab a drink too! Their bar has a HH basically every day where their beers are $4, granted they're usually $5 anyways, but still always good to have a great deal.

Beats expectations every time and now needs to be stopped at anytime I am around Madison. It's quick, delicious, flavorful and easy to eat! It's really the perfect snack to share, eat alone. Half/full order 7/9$ each with full orders giving around 30-40 snack size beef or mixed beef and potato Russian dumplings which are incredible when topped with 'the works' including that delicious curry powder! 5/5 every time out and a must try if you are in Madison!

We were visiting Madison and we wanted to try something different. It offers one thing, but does it so well! Would definitely return!

Stopped in after recommendations from a friend. Yes, Paul's is on campus and yes the parking situation can be a nightmare but it is absolutely worth it. I got half and half order with the works and loved it. I especially loved the potato dumplings and if I were to return would get all potato - they were tasty! Food is out quickly so no long waits and there is seating for people who choose to dine in. All in all great food and I understand why Jenn Tran gave them a shout out.

Great spot for a snack or something. We picked up the Russian dumplings. Great comfort food for a rainy day! Small pic up location right next to state street. Friendly staff too!

Ordered ahead on their website for pickup. Very easy to navigate, and I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. My first order was half potato/half beef dumplings with butter, cilantro and sour cream on the side. The dumplings are petite bite-sized dumplings that are simply outstanding. They reheat nicely, too. Love these dumplings!

Lidia is one of the best bartenders I've had at any bar. The food is amazing and the vibe here is incredible. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting good food and drinks.

I can't say I felt 100% safe here at night as a woman. I probably wouldn't come here at night again without a friend. While we were here there were some rowdy drunk folks yelling and shoving each other behind us as we ate but maaaaan the food is good and the price is VERY good. Open mad late!

First time here and first time having pel'mini, which Google describes as Russian dumplings that are typically served with sour cream or butter. Here you can choose beef or potato or a mix of both, with butter, sour cream, cilantro, yellow curry powder, or Sweet Chili sauce, or The Works, which is all of the above. You walk up to an order window in hallway behind the bar, place and pay for your order. The steamed dumplings are ready fairly quickly if the place isn't busy, which it wasn't at 3:30 on the Saturday afternoon I came in. I waited a minute for my order. Then went into the dining room to enjoy them. They were great as is, but I can see the desire to add butter or sour cream. I chose the sweet chili sauce and yellow curry powder, which were fine, but I preferred the pel'meni as they are. Worth a visit. I would come back if a friend wanted to try it, or on a food tour of different places, since there is nothing else on the menu.

I absolutely love Pul's Pel'meni. I've taken my kiddos here. Told friends and family about it. Usually I order for pick up after work to bring home. My favorite is 2 of "the works" and 1 without. I typically get potato. If I'm bringing them to a celebration with friends I will get beef as well. Thank you for many years of delicious food!

The pierogis were delicious...there was an option to get either beef or potato. You can either get a half or full order and opt for different toppings. They were very dense so a moist topping like sour cream was necessary. Next time I would ask for several containers of sour cream! Portion was very filling!

THE spot for late night eats after painting Madtown red. Popular with the college crowd as it's right off State St, so when the kids come spilling out of the many bars lining the street they don't have to stumble to far to find this gem of a food oasis. However, college age or not, this is a place that should be on your list when you are looking for something quick and inexpensive to eat. On top of that, the only item on the menu is amazing! Russian dumplings, something you never knew you needed in your life. Our latest visit was after a Badger night game at Camp Randall. It was 11pm and the place was PACKED. The line was about 10 deep but moved fast because they are a well oiled machine and pump out the dumplings quickly. It's a small place so it can be hard to snag a table but this is a casual, quick operation and people tend to eat and run so usually something opens up at a table or the bar area. The menu is simple: Beef or potato filled dumplings. Pro tip: get the mix and try them both. Next tip: get the works: Butter, cilantro, yellow curry, sweet chili sauce, and sour cream. It's a good amount of for sure, and you can add some vinegar or soy sauce located on the tables which only enhances the flavor. The half order is $7.00, but I'd go with the full, worth the $2.00 upgrade. Filling, amazing flavor and all on a budget. They also have a full bar, from taps to cocktails. This casual joint is a must stop in Madison. It's a hidden gem that everyone should experience.

I first tried Paul's Pel'meni after a night out downtown thanks to their late night hours. There's one thing on the menu here - Pel'meni and they've definitely perfected it. I know lots of people will recommend getting the mix order of beef and potatoes, but I personally prefer the beef. I also recommend getting a half order because the full is a lot for one person. There's no better way to order these dumplings than with the works (and extra sour cream for me). Be wary if you're one of those people who can't handle the taste of cilantro as it is included with the works. This spot gets super packed with the late night crowds so long lines and limited seating can be expected. However, during the day they are never too packed! Paul's Pel'meni has turned into one of my favorite comfort foods and I'll keep returning for more, day or night.

The pelmeni were delicious. We went late Sunday and there was no line. Definitely a great place to stop while visiting Madison. I wouldn't necessarily stop and eat there unless you're in need of drunk food, but it's perfect to take to go and walk around town.

Walk in. Order a whole or half order mixed (beef & potato) with the works! Then navigate to the bar to the right & order some tasty local suds. Shortly they'll call your name and, for $9 for a whole serving, plus the beer, you'll have a large amount of comforting, traditional small pierogi dumplings sprinkled with a yellow curry dusting, drizzled with sriracha and chopped cilantro will adorn the top. We had extra sour cream & sriracha on the side. Very satisfying & a great deal with classic pub surroundings. Enjoy!!! I sure did!!!

What can I say? Definitely a comfort food place that serves college students because it only has one item on the menu, the , which is basically the dumplings, and it opens until 2am which is quite amazing. They have either ground beef or potato , but I personally recommend getting the mix so you can have a bit of both. I also recommend getting the full order that is only worth $8.50, topped with "the works" which contains butter, cilantro, yellow curry, sweet chili sauce, and sour cream. It's a good amount of for sure, and adding some vinegar to it would be amazing. This place also has a lot of drink options ranging from taps to cocktails, but I didn't get any because I am not an alcohol person. A fun fact is that they put vinegar into used sriracha bottles! The was a pleasant surprise for sure hehe.

Such a fun and convenient local spot for late night dumplings. Quick, cheap, easy, and tasty! I loved being able to grab a box of mixed dumplings and bring them to the adjacent bar for a drink. The mixed pel-mini (5/5) are great value. Get them with the works (e.g., curry powder, hot sauce, sour cream) for maximum flavor. The dumplings themselves are generously filled and fun to eat. Overall, a great late night snack or quick bite. Always fun to see Eastern European food around too!

I was first introduced to Pel'meni when my kids attended UW Madison. Ever since then, I've been HOOKED! The beauty here is in the simplicity. Potato and/or ground beef dumplings topped with your choice of butter, cilantro, sour cream, yellow curry or sweet chili sauce (all of which together is called "The Works"). The two men working the counter are very efficient considering the popularity of this place. Service was quick. The front counter where you order leads way to a small waiting area with chairs and then a small back room with tables and a full service bar area. Very reasonably priced, delicious and filling. They do have hot sauce for an extra price, and next visit I will be sure to get some of that. If you are in Madison and have yet to try a Russian Dumpling, this place is worth the stop!

Writing this review solely because I miss Pauls so much. I dream of it nightly. Best food you'll ever have in your life. Protect paul at all costs

So very good! The place is kinda bare bones, but very pleasant wit a nice bar. The Pel'meni ate delish! Staff was very prompt for ordering and the bartender was super friendly. Exactly what service should be for a spot like this. We were here for Gamehole Con and we'll definitely be back next yeat.

I've been going to Paul's Pel'meni since I was a student back in 2012. I consider this to be a must have while stopping in Madison. They have moved to a new location since I lived in Madison, but they are still providing the same delicious food. My go to is the Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Half Order) with works toppings (butter, curry, cilantro, and chili sauce). I hit it with siracha and generously dip each dumpling in sour cream before eating them. The works toppings can be a lot of funk on the palate, so I recommend getting it with extra butter and cilantro for my not so flavorful loving peoples. These are my best pictures, but I wanted to be sure that I gave them love on yelp for consistently serving me a great product. Ambience is alright. There's more seating than the last location and the added bar is a nice touch. The service is typical to downtown Madison, and the prices are more than reasonable. I highly recommend you grab some Pel'meni next time that you're in Madison.

I was in town for a conference and was told to check this place out. It sounded just ok so it wasn't an initial priority but I was wrong. This place was life changing that I had it 3 times during a week long conference. I like the mixed with everything and definitely get the larger size. You won't regret it. Wait can be a little long since they are warmed up fresh but you can get a drink next door while you wait or enjoy with your food. Ambience is as it sounds- a room next to a bar but it fits the hole in the wall vibe. Don't sleep on this and definitely stop by.

I never knew Russian dumplings were this delicious. Always go with the works. That is the stuff that adds flavor to the pelmeni. I went with a full order - half of potato and half of beef. I liked beef more than potato, but both were really good. I went on a weekday evening, and had to wait for 20 minutes for my order to be ready. It came hot from the stove. For $9 that was a treat not to be missed.

My coworker recommended this spot while I was in town and I was super glad I was able to try this spot. Located about a 10 minute walk from the capitol, the menu is very simple and reasonable. There is some seating inside but I got my order to go. I ended up getting a full order of the works (mixed) for $8.50 before tax. Super filling for one person and reasonable. The food was tasty, but I prefer the beef dumplings over the potato. Make sure you stop by if you are in the area!

Good, cheap dinner. We had two full combo orders with The Works plus a soda for under $20. We took it to go and went down to the pier to eat. Very nice. it was a little too spicy for my son but just perfect for me.

Paul's should be the last stop on every fun night. A small bar on one side with music though low enough to speak over. But the prime attraction is the quick service eatery. The menu is short and simple but there are no mistakes that can be made in ordering any of these items. Both the potato and beef dumplings are well made and flavorful. There is some limited seating but the food is equally suited to be taken in the road.

Comfort food at its best. Flavorful little dough balls. The full order is about $8.50 and you will definitely be full. I could only finish half of it for lunch. I personally like the mix order because you can try the beef and potato dumplings. Definitely give this place a try! You won't be disappointed.

A small restaurant, casual, with a limited menu, but the food is delicious! There's a full bar to get cocktails. Order and pay at the counter and wait at a table until your name is called.

Simple, affordable, quick. The way a good eat should be. The combination of friendly staff adequate seating and a warm and quiet atmosphere is the reason I keep coming back

I love Paul's. a great place to eat in the middle of the day or after a night out on the town

Good if you like it, I suppose. I felt sick after eating it (I had the combo with the works), but I think that was due to the richness of the food and all the butter and sour cream. I didn't care for it much. If you're trying to slow down your digestion to help you through a night 9f drinking it will definitely do the job. If you like peroigis you will probably like this. The food was stupendously quick. I barely had the words out of my mouth.

Solid food, great bar, the bartender was fun to chat with and knowledgeable about the area; great service

Great late night food! Open until 3 AM and has a quick and efficient process to get you in and out! Very unique and yummy!

Order: Half beef, half potato Pel memo (full order) with the works (butter, yellow curry, sweet chili sauce, cilantro and sour cream) Girlfriend showed me this classic Madison joint. Got 2 full orders with the works - order came out fairly quickly. This was a delicious quick eat and could easily become a regular late night snack. Both the beef and potato dumplings were soft and perfectly chewy, and not overcooked in the slightest. Adding "the works" on top was a great choice - made for a very unique flavor combination of sauces. The availability of the side sauces - ranging from sweet to intensely sour vinegar - and the sour cream created excellent counterbalances to the original flavor profile. The side sauces added depth while the sour cream undercut it. Would recommend!

Paul's is a nice place to get quick takeout or a late night bite. The half-order size is a good portion size for the price point. The dumplings themselves are a little bland and the toppings mask the taste of them.

There is not a better cheap comfort meal than Pel'meni. The simple menu makes sure you know exactly what to order - beef, potato, or mix - half or full - toppings or not. You'll be in and out under $20 for two. I'm sure it has its busy times of day, but if you want a quick bite at 6 on a weekday before moving on with your evening, you'll be in and out no problem. The seating area and bar are a nice new addition for this "new location" (they've been here for at least five years now) and they have a real solid happy hour menu. Though even a $7 mojito that's quite boozy is a good deal even before the happy hour. When you want Paul's, there's nothing better. A Madison classic.

Best pelmeni I've had! This is a small place right by the Capitol and campus that is open until the wee hours of the morning so you can get your fix after a night out. They have a very small menu, pretty much two types of pelmeni and rye bread. I got the mix of potato and beef, and ordered it with "the works", which means it was topped with curry powder, chili sauce, cilantro and came with sour cream on the side. The dough on both was great - not too dense and just enough to wrap the fillings but not overpower them. The potato filling was smooth and tasty, and the beef filling had great flavor. I liked these so much that I came back later that day to order 2 more full orders for later in the week! Tip: these are best eaten fresh. They were still good reheated, but they stuck together a bit and got a little drier. I would have bought frozen ones to take home but they didn't have them that day.

Multiple people recommended this place to us, so of course we had to give it a try during our weekend in Madison. We got the mixed potato and beef dumplings. I definitely preferred the beef, but the potatoes were delicious too! Overall we were very pleased with the dumplings, and a full order was more than enough split between the three of us. I've never been to a place like this - it's definitely worth a stop!

Yum!!! If you are looking for comfort food, this is your place. The menu is small: dumplings. You aren't getting a burger, a salad, fries or a fish sandwich. You are getting a bowl / plate/ container filled with comforting, yummy goodness and topped with cilantro, sour cream, curry spices, and chile paste. The fillings can be vegetarian ( potato) or meat, or a mix of the two. You can get any single topping or a combination or the works. We tried the works based on a recommendation from the kitchen. Fabulous!!!Just the right amount of heat to make you sit up and notice, but not enough to blow out your tastebuds. This place is not fancy. You order at the counter. They bring you the food. Plastic eating utensils come with your meal. At $9.00 , this is a definite delicious bargain.

The best quick and filling meal on State Street. For 6.50 this is the greatest thing ever. Service is good and fast- friendly of course. It's built into a bar but mostly very quite and seating choices are all right. But for price and taste this is the place.

Awesome place- the food hit the spot on late night eats- it's also pretty cool inside, and there so much you can try- and cool to grab a drink as well- check it out

Surprisingly good. I am not much of a dumpling person nor an Eastern European food fan but this place's food hit the spot. We were in the area and needed a quick meal before an event - we had limited time and a sit down restaurant would take too long. My friends had eaten at Paul's in its previous location and suggested it. I read the reviews and knew that I wanted a half order of the mix dumplings with the works - in my case without the cilantro. We then grabbed our drinks and headed to the back room where I was surprised there was a bar. It was a very strange set-up. It felt like it belonged in someone's basement rec room. I suppose at bar time college students don't care about ambiance which is a good thing because this space is rough. Our food came out after about 5-10 mins. I liked the spice of the chili sauce but I could see it being too hot for some. The half order was plenty and super filling. It was very good for such a simple food and the price was right. If I need a quick meal I would stop here again - well only if the Parthenon is closed!

Last night we went to this little not-so-secret gem hidden off state street. The menu is super simple but a fun way to experience a bit of another culture. A Pel'meni is a small bite size dumpling filled with meat or a vegetable and wrapped in a thin dough. You can choose from the following three options. Beef | Potato | Mix Topped with the Works *butter *Cilantro *Yellow Curry *Sweet Chili sauce *Sour cream I get the works and love it!!! So simple, cheep and delicious!! Cal ahead because usually there's a wait

A great take on Russian Pelmeni. Delicious! I got take out and it was perfect for a meal.

Pretty casual Russian dumpling place. The portions were pretty big and could've made two meals for me. You can choose different spices and sauces to add, but despite the variety of options you have, you kind of get tired of them as you're going through the box. Personally enjoyed the meat dumplings more than the potato ones.

Great food, and it's definitely a college spot. We were visiting for an Epic conference in town decided to venture off the beaten path and stumbled on this spot. The whole place from ordering, kitchen, bussing etc, seemed to by run by 2 people. We wanted to grab a beer, but the bartender wasn't in. So a little chaotic, to say the least, but I came with friends who were on the adventurous side so we made the best of it. The food itself was good, similar to pierogis. I got the Mix order with the works and added sriracha generously on top. I'd definitely recommend the sour cream as a perfect dip (and it comes with the order). Perhaps ordering to go, may not be a bad idea. It was a little on the divey side for my taste.

Dumplings were kinda meh. Terrible location to pick up from. Bread was good, wish they'd given me both pieces.

Amazing service always and amazing price for delicious dumplings! Would recommend as a must visit.