I Discovered the East Coast’s Most Authentic European Deli Hiding in a Virginia Tourist Hotspot

I travel a lot, and when I do, I tend to try to see new places. Still, there are a few destinations I find myself coming back to each and every year, and one of them is Williamsburg, Virginia. One of the most important people in the world to me lives nearby, so getting down there during the cooler months is a priority. And, of course, I love doing some of my favorite things there - a meal at Captain George's Seafood Buffet is one of my favorite indulgences, and Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a great opportunity to ride some rides and marvel in a stunning light show. But I also like to find under-the-radar destinations - and one European deli in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the definition of a hidden gem.

I come from a diverse background, with family members coming from across Europe and the Middle East. That means I grew up immersed in traditions that the average American might not be familiar with, and my mother, in particular, is a bridge to my family's past. She has a real love for some old-school delicacies that are almost impossible to find these days - unless, of course, you know where to look. Kielbasa Euro-Deli, off the beaten path in Williamsburg, has become an annual stop for me in town as I board Amtrak back home each year laden with European delicacies.

If you haven't heard of Kielbasa before, I'm not surprised. Not only is the deli tucked away in a strip mall filled with other unconventional tenants like a lounge, a laundromat, and even a church, but it's located down a side street. It's very close to the town's hotel and restaurant center but sort of hidden away.

This is a Polish deli, but it contains food and goods from far beyond one country. As best I can tell, it's a one-woman operation, so hours are limited - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. This means I usually only get to visit once when I'm in town - so I make the most of it.

The store is relatively small, so I'm grateful that it wasn't crowded when I was there right after opening! I was amazed at just how much they packed in here, including a wide selection of candy, pastries, and canned and jarred goods imported from around Europe. Some of my mother's favorite cookies from the company Krakus are pretty hard to find, but I found all the flavors here.

She's also a huge fan of jams and preserves, and this is a fantastic location to find varieties you'll never find from Smuckers - Lingonberry, Aronia, Cornelian Cherry, and Black Currant are just a few of the choices here. If you're looking for something more savory, I saw a large selection of slaws and eggplant spreads on the other side.

I'm always happy to bring her back as much as I can - but I'm headed to a different area of the store. The deli counter is loaded with a huge variety of smoked meats, salamis, and other appetizing specialties. This year, I tried an incredibly tender smoked pork loin that tasted like a leaner prosciutto - think more charcuterie than sandwich, and incredibly delicious.

It's usually less about getting everything I want at Kielbasa and more about getting all I can carry! I still haven't gotten to try anything from the smoked fish case, and the frozen dumpling selection - known as pelmeni - looks delicious. Alas, that extended Amtrak ride back to New Jersey usually deters me from getting those, but I'll be back again on my next visit to discover new delicacies.

Have you visited Kielbasa Euro-Deli before? If not, I hope this article inspires you to discover it for yourself - and maybe give someone special in your life a gift from there to spread the word! You can see more about the available products on the Kielbasa Euro-Deli website. And if you're in town and looking for a place to stay, I always pick the Homewood Suites by Hilton Williamsburg. This chain gets big points from me for its roomy, comfortable suites and its tasty free breakfast buffet every morning.