Kasia’s Restaurant (Google Maps)
Dec. 19, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez
Kasia’s Restaurant, the Polish American locale in Williamsburg’s northside, will be shutting its doors this week after 31 years of service.
The announcement was made through an Instagram post published today by Catherine Wnek Kawa, daughter to Henry and Dorothy Wnek, who own the family-run restaurant at 146 Bedford Ave.
“Since August 1986, Kasia’s has proudly been serving Williamsburg,” Catherine wrote. “Though the neighborhood has greatly changed since our doors first opened, we take great pride knowing that we stayed true to our humble beginnings which was family owned and operated.”
Kasia’s Restaurant in 1986 and in 2017 (courtesy of Catherine Wnek)
The post was accompanied with a pair of photos showing the restaurant in 1986 and a present day look at the locale.
Catherine said the decision to close down began to take form in the fall, with her parents deciding earlier this month to close down on Dec. 22.
“My parents have decided to retire,” Catherine told the Greenpoint Post. “They need a well deserved break.” She added that her parents want to spend time with their newborn granddaughter—Catherine’s daughter.
The restaurant, known for serving all-day breakfast and Eastern European specialties like pierogi, blintzes, goulash, and kielbasa, was a meeting spot for the Wnek family, who celebrated many milestones at the site, like weddings, birthdays, and more.
The eatery also had a knack for matchmaking. “There’s been a lot of love connections at this restaurant,” Catherine said. It was where she met her husband, as his mom was a cook for the restaurant years ago. The couple even celebrated their marriage at the restaurant.
Catherine and her family are proud that the restaurant’s closing came on their own terms, given the number of Williamsburg and Greenpoint restaurants that have been forced to shut down due to rising costs of rent.
“They started the restaurant when there were only three other restaurants here,” she said. “Over the last 31 years, you have fond memories of Williamsburg and Greenpoint—the neighborhood has changed so much.”
Henry and Dorothy, originally from Poland and living in New York City since the 70s, say they are indebted to their patrons, many of whom they’ve come to see as family. A sign at the restaurant thanks all the customers over the years, and encourages them to come in and “share a meal or a memory.”
The restaurant, which will see a deli take its place, will be open until 3 p.m. on Dec. 22.
Sign at Kasia’s Restaurant.
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2 Comments
I was there many times back in 1988 to 1994 when i was an employee at Hertling industries just 1 block away. Good memories im still missing the Kielbasa.
I was there a couple of times food was very good