For Andrew Simkewicz hits the streets with Simmy’s Polish Express food truck
Last year, Andrew “Simmy” Simkewicz of Westminster debuted his food truck, Simmy’s Polish Express, in Central Mass. It was a dream come true for the former social worker and U.S. Army combat veteran who served in the 10th Mountain Division during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Simkewicz is among a rotating cast of food truck owners you’ll find parked at local breweries, attracting lines of hungry customers wanting a good brew and bite.
Simmy’s Polish Express was on the “Beer Pasture” lineup at Milk Room Brewing in Rutland on Aug. 27. The food truck has participated at other events hosted by the brewery, in addition to food truck festivals sponsored by WooTrucks.
A woman at the head of the line at Simmy’s noon opening in Rutland told Simkewicz, “I came here just because you’re here.” A social media post led her to the brewery, she said. Ordering two Simmy’s Specials, each with two pierogis, a hearty piece of homemade kielbasa, kapusta and lazy golumpki, served with a slice of dark bread, gave this new customer the chance to “try it all.” When asked if she wanted the traditional condiment sour cream for golumpki, she quickly answered, “Of course!” FYI: Simmy’s “lazy” golumpki is a mixture of beef and pork, rice, onions and spices, combined with good-sized pieces of cabbage. The mixture features all the tastes of stuffed cabbage rolls and Simkewicz dishes out a very generous portion.
“I’ve never had his food (Simmy’s), but I come to this brewery all the time,” said a Holden resident checking out the truck’s standing menu board. He ordered Simmy’s homemade kielbasa on a fresh roll. He spent $12 for a large sandwich, which came with a bag of chips and choice of soda or water. Sauerkraut was $1 extra. Note: In addition to five Polish foods, Simmy’s menu also includes a Hot Dog Special for people who “appreciate a good, old-fashioned beef and pork hot dog.”
Simkewicz grew up in Gardner and is 100% polish descent. “I cook the food I grew up on,” he said. “Our food truck customers say it’s the best. We make memories sharing our food.” Thinking of specific dishes immediately bring up memories of his family’s Christmas Eve suppers (Wigilia) when Simkewicz’s grandmother would cook the 12-course meal, he said. Simkewicz and his brother Danny would later take over the holiday tradition, sometimes cooking food a week in advance. Anyone who has prepared for this holiday knows it a labor of love, said Simkewicz. His family also had a strong culture of music-making, he said, especially accordion and polkas.
Cooking was a great form of relaxation for Simkewicz after his deployment from the military. Several years ago, he had major back surgery and during his recovery the idea of a food truck business popped up. He credits the Small Business Development Center at Clark University in Worcester with helping make his dream come true.
According to Simkewicz, Simmy’s Polish Express is all about family. His wife Lauren and children, Justin, 24, Emma 21, and Rachel, 16, help in the business and with food prep while maintaining other full-time jobs and studies. Lauren Simkewicz is a teacher; Justin, who served in the U.S. Air Force, currently works at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford; Emma is a college student and her sister, Rachel, attends high school.
“All five of us are involved in the food truck at different times and on different levels,” said Simkewicz. “We have always been a very close-knit family, but I would say family time is better than ever. We’re happy working together and sometimes laugh about silly things that happen when we’re on the road with the truck. I have no regrets about going into this business. Sure, there are challenges and in the beginning I had to work out kinks, but I couldn’t be happier about how things turned out.
Simkewicz said his Polish food is not just a meal, it’s an experience. “It means so much to us when a customer says our food brings back memories of family, especially of a mother or grandmother, said Simkewicz. “People sometimes get teary eyed telling their stories. And, so do I.” Recently, a customer brought his 85-year-old mother to the food truck, he said. “She was a small woman, probably weighing 70 or 80 pounds soaking wet. She ate our big kielbasa sandwich. It was a cool thing.”
He said a high percentage of customers say they’re happy to see the truck at local breweries. “Polish food trucks aren’t that common,” said Simkewicz. “Sometimes it’s like being at a big campground, but without any crabby campers.”
Milk Room Brewing, located at Rutland’s Alta Vista Farm, operates seasonally, outdoors, with a deck patio and tables spread out across the farm property. On Aug. 27, some families brought their own chairs and even snacks, such as cheese and crackers and chips and dips. There’s plenty of space for children’s activities. For adults, there’s a bar and table service for drinks. So Lucky, a Dave Matthews Tribute Band, took center stage by 2 p.m. It was a great day for Polish food, according to Simkewicz, who started out working alone on the truck. Shortly after his son arrived to help, Simkewicz told him, “Call mom. We need extra hands.”
Visit https://www.milkroombrewing.com for information about the company and events. A Maker’s Market will be held Sept. 2 and Oct. 28.
Simkewicz said he never knows if he will sell out of food, depending on the venues. I could go through 300 to 600 pounds of kielbasa at a two-day event,” he said. “We never want to run out of food.” His fresh homemade kielbasa is without preservatives and not smoked. He didn’t reveal the secret of great taste.
Simmy’s Polish Express parks in front of Gardner City Hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, weather permitting. September 3, the truck will be at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston for the annual Appleseed Country Fair. Connect with Simmy’s on Facebook and Instagram for future events. Call (978) 228-0505 about catering small and large parties. Note: Simkewicz provides a “non-Polish catering menu” for clients who prefer homemade mac and cheese, pasta, salads and more. He even has made breakfast sandwiches for morning events.
I told Simkewicz that his food reminded me of years I spent judging the annual Kielbasa Festival originally held in Chicopee for many years. It was a day of non-stop food, music and fun. Simkewicz asked how his kielbasa would have scored with judges.
I gave him the thumbs up.
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Simmy’s Polish Express brings Polish food on the road
