Vi’s European Market & Deli in Pemberwick: Extraordinary Deli with a Humble Storefront

Everyone knows Greenwich’s best delis are often tucked inside in unassuming storefronts, many in the midst of residential neighborhoods.

Such is the case with Vi’s European Market and Deli at 83 Pemberwick Road near West Putnam Ave.

The deli’s namesake is Vieslawa Polak, “Vi” for short, who runs the business with her sister Iwona Bartosiewicz and Iwona’s son, Arthur.

The staff have a knack for making both regulars and new customers feel welcome, and they switch seamlessly back and forth between English and Polish depending on the moment.

On the Thursday before the long Easter weekend Arthur, Iwona and Vi were winding down after a very busy day.

“Easter is like our Superbowl,” Arthur explained just before closing time.

The space was formerly home to the Pemberwick XChange Deli, but since since Vi’s opened at the end of March 2024, the family-owned business has gained momentum.

In response to customer feedback Vi’s added a breakfast menu and moved hours back earlier 7:00am to 3:00pm.

“We took the feedback and got the breakfast crowd in,” Arthur said.

Arthur said from the start Vi’s benefited from existing foot traffic and curious neighbors and, of course, local Polish people. There is high top seating for four at the counter facing Pemberwick Road, the perfect spot for customers to people-watch while eating a fresh made sandwich or meal from the hot buffet. And of course, there are students who stop by after school for snacks, including chips, candy and ice cream.

In the bigger picture, Vi’s appeals to a diverse group of customers beyond the Polish community in Greenwich because people appreciate the quality meats, reasonable prices, and welcoming atmosphere.

In fact, in the year since Vi’s opened, many customers have become like family.

“We’re so grateful for the good Google reviews, where people say things like, ‘Going there is like seeing your grandma,'” Arthur said.

Shy in front of a camera, Vi makes up for her reluctance with the pride she beams as she shares an array of superlative deli meats, kielbasas and pierogies.

She explained that all her sausages come from Chicago, which she described as the epicenter of Polish sausage-making. Of course, Chicago’s history as a prominent meatpacking center is intertwined with the city’s immigrant history, particularly the German and Polish immigrants who arrived with their own sausage making traditions.

Having fled communism in Poland around 1981, Vi made her way to the US after time in a refugee camp in Austria. Her sister Iwona applied for asylum and joined Vi here in the late 1980s. Arthur was born in the US and attended schools in Stamford.

Vi explained that when a customer is unsure what sandwich to select or what cold cuts to bring home, she enjoys slicing a sample and watching their response.

 

Hot Buffet – Every Day – True Homestyle Polish Cooking

Vi’s hot buffet is all homemade from scratch. Some items are available every day, including stuffed cabbage, kielbasa with sauerkraut, and fried pierogies.

Other items are on rotation, including meatloaf, mashed potatoes and chicken cutlet.

Last Thursday, for example, the specials were chicken with rice, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa with sauerkraut, pork loin with house sauce, Wiener schnitzel, potato and cheese pierogies, mashed potatoes and white mushroom soup.

“It’s all about high-quality ingredients, Vi said.

Sandwich Menu – “Homemade with love”

Vi’s has both a sandwich and cold cut menu. If you don’t know what you want, Vi will slice you a sample.

“We cater to the taste buds of our customers,” Arthur said.

Vi explained that her ham and turkey meats are unlike supermarket deli department meats that are typically ground and pressed together.

At Vi’s, the deli meats are sliced from whole cuts, and the ham is from Poland.

“You can taste the difference, and you can tell by the color of the meat,” she said.

As with many local delis, Vi’s sandwich menu features creations named after family members or customers.

“Caleb’s Special” is named for a nephew who appreciates the simplicity of a ham sandwich.

“The Porky” features “everything with pork.”

“The Jake” is a chicken cutlet named after a customer, but Vi said the spelling might be tweaked to reflect the similar preference of a family member named “Jakob.”

1. Roast Beef with Horseradish and mayo on a Kaiser bun
2. Polish Combo with Ham, Mortadela, Salami, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a Kaiser bun
3. Turkey Club with bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo on a Kaiser bun
4. Turkey Deluxe with cheese, lettuce, mayo on a Kaiser bun
5. Porkey, with ham, kielbasa, smoked loin, gypsy pork loin, cheese, lettuce and tomato on a Kaiser bun
6. Kielbasa with Kraut and mustard on sub
7. Caleb’s Special: Country style ham, butter or mayo on a bun
8. BLT: Bacon, lettuce & tomato
9. Jake’s Chicken Cutlet with lettuce and tomato on a Kaiser bun
10. Hot Dogs

Arthur said after the Easter holiday there are plans to formalize a catering menu. In the meantime, for catering just give them a call.

Vi’s European Market and Deli is located at 83 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich, CT 06831.

Hours:  7:00am to 3:00pm Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Tel. (203) 532-5134

Check out Vi’s on Facebook or Instagram for more photos of their European products, Polish deli meats and daily prepared fresh food.