Russian Groceries In The U.S.A.

                       Russian Groceries In The U.S.A.

In the USA there is a growing collection of wonderful small delis & groceries that carry Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Polish, Armenian, Georgian & Hungarian. Most of these delightful establishments are owned by Russian, Ukrainian or Georgian immigrants to this land of opportunity. These wonderful folks act as a central communications center for others of their sort who have immigrated here as well.

If you go to one of these stores you will hear a rich variety of conversations in Russian, sometimes in Ukrainian & even an occasional dialogue in Georgian. I enjoy going into one for the first time and just listening to the Russian & Ukrainian conversations. Eventually I will address one of the staff in Russian to get information or prices or some other necessary knowledge to make a decision about a purchase.

Once these folks know that you can communicate in at least some rudimentary Russian they become very friendly. Usually I can make them instant friends by my telling of my family ties to Russia, Ukraine & Estonia. In Tampa there is a small storefront deli-cum-grocery called "Red Square deli" where I enjoy the free & very strong Russian coffee, looking through the rental DVD's & VHS tapes of Russian & Ukrainian films. There are freshly made Rus salads such as "kapusta", "Salat Olivier" & "Shuba" in the refrigerated case along with a wide variety of Rus "kolbasi"(sausages) cheeses, ikra (caviar) & some other wonderful items of gustatory delight.

On the shelves are bottled, jarred, canned & packaged items such as "adzhika", kvas, various chai's (tea), "borscht", various "sok's" (juices), zups (soups) & other delicious & delightful things. After placing my deli orders for kapusta, cheeses & kolbasi I shop for my shelf-born goodies and by the time I am back at the counter my deli orders are weighed, wrapped & bagged for me. We exchange gossip about mutually known friends & acquaintances, discuss the upcoming Russian-Tampa Group events & then I am headed home to enjoy my well earned Ruski cuisinal treasures.

Over the past 15+ years I have visited such stores all around Florida, in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Boston, Denver, Seattle, & of course Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York. In Canada I have been to these places in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton & Ontario. They are the same delightful in Canada as they are in the USA.

My advice is to try a few of these if you are lucky enough to live near more than one. You can rest assured that you will enjoy yourself, have a good experience & perhaps get lucky enough to try various Ruski delicacies before you buy them. Remember that hospitality is a by-word in the Rus. Respect given is respect returned. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the food and above all savor the knowledge that you will acquire in this commercial venture. try the following site for each Russian-America club by state & city:   http://www.russianamerica.net

© Donald R. Houston, PhD, 2006