5957 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121. (415) 387-8660
On a recent trip to San Francisco, my friend Amanda suggested that since we were going to be in the vicinity of the Inner Richmond we should stop at a Polish delicatessen/butcher shop, that her boyfriend (a local chef) recommended- Seakor Polish Delicatessen and Sausage Factory. (Seakor has been making sausage in the Bay Area since 1977.) The shop was easy to find, a tiny storefront that looked like it had been a long time fixture in the neighborhood. As we made our way to the back of the store and to the meat counter, we passed a wall of shelves heavily laden with jams, Polish candies, pastries, various dried mushrooms, Vegeta seasoning and jars packed full of sauerkraut. To the left were cold cases, showcasing the housemade sausages, smoked meats, cold cuts and containers of pickled and creamed herring. The store also carries pierogis (frozen) and bigos. At the rear of the store, we were greeted by a friendly butcher (Jerry) who kind of reminded me of a cross between Danny Aiello and Tony Soprano. Both Amanda and I ordered a pound of house-cured bacon (sliced to order) each. She also ordered some Polish sausage and I went with a smoked pork shoulder (baleron). As Jerry put our order together, we chatted with one of the regulars- a little old man (who assured me everything there was wonderful) and looked over the display of kabanosy, kielbasa, hunter sausage (mysliwska), śląska, head cheese, veal, liverwurst, garlic sausage and summer sausage.
Amanda advised me that the bacon and sausage she brought home were terrific. I really liked the bacon but wasn't as impressed with the smoked pork shoulder. It was just okay. Next time, I think I'll stick to their bacon and sausages.
Seakorn has a great Old-World feel to it and the service is terrific. If you're in the SF area and like sausage and fresh bacon, stop by and check them out. If you're not in the neighborhood, the butcher also told us that from time to time they make their way to Sacramento to the Polish American Community Hall in Roseville to sell their products (at the Hall's Christmas eve dinner, Easter breakfast and Spring Festival).
I live in Tucson, Az and I always buy kielbasa from Seakor when I am visiting here, because (sadly) we don't have a real Polish deli in Arizona. The service is great!! I placed a large order for paczki, bigos and kielbasa a few years back when I had a big party in the Bay Area and Seakor had everything ready and packaged for me when I arrived.
The Krajana sausage is very good! But next time try the Krakowska sandwich. I used to live next door when they were at there last location; the pierogi are also very good.
Thanks Weaver Mommy, I'll definitely give the Krajana sausage a go!