Polish Soul, Atlanta Hustle: Beksa LaLa’s Comfort Food Star
Not all chefs are created equal.
Some learn to cook. Others were born to feed people.
In 2023, we had just returned from our honeymoon in Europe. Still riding the high of passport stamps, full bellies, daydreams of starting the New Year off strong. It was almost Christmas Eve, & we had zero food — or the energy to cook.
Then I saw a post — like the leg lamp in A Christmas Story, glowing in the night.
Beksa Lala was popping up at Boggs Social, one of our go-to dive bars in West End. We were in.
Basia — the creative force behind Beksa Lala — isn’t just slinging pierogi out of a pop-up tent or rotating restaurant kitchens. She’s telling a story with every plate. One rooted in Polish comfort food, a deep love of hospitality, & that Atlanta edge that only comes from building something from the ground up.
If you’ve ever tasted one of those handmade dumplings, you know already know: they hit different.
Pierogi (singular pieróg, plural pieroże) are beloved Polish filled dumplings, savory or sweet. Typical stuffed with potato, cheese, quark (my fav), mushrooms, meats, fruit, or sometimes even berries. Served with sour cream, fresh dill, or caramelized onions… or all the above.
Boiled, sometimes baked or fried. Always soul-warming.
But this isn’t just about pierogi. This is about Basia of Beksa Lala not just cooking, but creating…
From dumplings to other Polish classics, Beksa isn’t your average pop-up. Basia fuses technique, tenderness, & tradition in every offering. She’s reimagining what Polish food can look & feel like in a city like Atlanta — one plate, one weekend, one collab at a time.
The proof is in the pierogi: the delicate braid she folds to seal the dough (instead of a simple pinch), the crisp golden finish, sometimes branded with a seared signature stamp. Every detail matters.
🛒 What to Order
Here are a few things to keep your eyes peeled for on the BEKSA menu. Note: offerings rotate, & often sell out fast!
Traditional Pop-Up Favorites:
Handmade Pierogi – The fillings can change, but always expect care. & flavor. Quark, potato & cheese, mushroom, & seasonal options (like sweet or savory combos) are all stars.
Fuczki – Similar to latkes but rooted in Polish tradition. Crispy, savory, & a must-try.
Kielbasa Roll + Mustard + Kraut – A deli-style plate that hits every craving. Salty, tangy, & deeply satisfying.
Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls), Soups, or Specials – Basia often surprises with hearty Polish classics that go fast. These aren’t your babcia’s cabbage rolls — unless your grandma was a badass.
Coursed Dinners: Something Special
What the chef calls “an unapologetically Polish experience”. Add this to your must-try for your next date night or food lover’s outing.
(Full transparency: I was hosted at the Late-Summer Menu event featuring five courses — & yes, I’m still thinking about it.)
Here were my 3 favorite dishes (even though everything hit)
Paczek Bonboņ with dill crème fraîche, smoked mackerel - I’m not even a huge mackerel fan, but this starter lives in my head rent-free. The smokiness of the fish paired with a savory doughnut-like paczek? Unreal
Silesian Dumplings with cauliflower, castelvetrano olives, quince, & rosehip-hazelnut pistou - A brilliant combo of salty, nutty, & bright. Perfectly seasonal, perfectly plated.
Smoked Plum Lamb Rib with moskole potato fry bread, oscypek (sheep’s cheese), black cumin, cucumber, buttermilk + fenugreek whip - Tender lamb, crisp cucumber, && melty cheese meet earthy, rich flavors & delicious texture contrasts.
👉 Pro tip: Don’t wait. When she drops a pre-order or a pop-up menu, set your alarm. These plates move.
📍WHERE TO FIND BEKSA LALA
Since Beksa Lala is a pop-up operation, your best bet is to follow @beksa_atl on Instagram for upcoming event dates, collabs, & pre-orders.
She’s been spotted at
Boggs Social & Supply (West End)
7th House (Adair Park)
Tio Lucho’s (Poncey-Highlands)
Various ATL pop-up markets + festivals
Supper clubs + collabs with other chefs + creatives
💌 Want to book Basia for your next event, dinner, or private gathering? Slide into her DMs (respectfully!) or check her Instagram highlights for the full details.