Tasty Treats

I grew up on the west side of Cleveland in a double house. My Grandparents lived down and my family lived up. Grandma made home made noodles, biscuits, cookie cutter cookies, kolache, nut & poppy seed rolls, crepes, rice pudding, kifle, and kuchen. She used all fresh ingredients, butter, lard, crackling, lekvar, and grapes from our garden. I spent a lot of time in Grandma’s kitchen. Grandma didn’t follow a written recipe, she just knew when to add a pinch or two, a hand full of flour, etc. 

After Grandma passed away it was store bought for us, as my Mother wasn’t a baker, and although I spent so much time in Grandma’s kitchen I was a taste tester and not a maker. So we searched for bakery like Grandma’s to fill the void. 

It just so happened that right down the street was a bakery called Rudy’s, on W. 44th St., and guess what, the bakery tasted the same as Grandma’s. So for more than 60 years my family and I have shopped at Rudy’s. We’ve followed them to all the various locations they’ve moved to over the years. Rudy’s is part of my family story now. They’ve been at every special occasion. My fondest childhood memories rise to the surface with every tasty bite. It’s like having Grandma there in the kitchen again. 

This year on February 21st, Paczki Day, Fat Tuesday, Rudy’s also celebrated their 75th Anniversary. All the local news media, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Councilwoman Debbie Lime were there, to offer their congratulations and support, and pick up some paczki I’ll bet. Rudy’s also received congratulations from the Ohio State Senate. Lidia, who grew up behind the counter, and her beloved Mama were there to welcome all to the party. There was music and dancing. People lined up inside and out. People travel from all over to buy their bakery. It’s a testament to the quality of their product to have lasted 75 years. BTW, I’ve nicknamed Lidia the Parma Polish Village’s Pierogi/Paczki Princess. 

These small family owned business are the fabric that weaves Parma together. They are the backbone of our community. In this day and age small businesses like Rudy’s offer us so much more than the big box stores do. The ingredients they use are natural, with no preservatives, freshly baked and better for you. Not pre-made, frozen and shipped all over, to be defrosted and baked at the location like many super markets do. 

Do yourself a favor, stop in and shop at Rudy’s, your taste buds and tummy will thank you.