Polish Boy
Cleveland's signature sandwich: a grilled kielbasa sausage nestled in a bun and topped with a mountain of crispy french fries, creamy coleslaw, and sweet-tangy BBQ sauce. It's deliciously excessive!
Equipment Needed
Instructions
Make the coleslaw: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add shredded cabbage and toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate while preparing other components.
Make the BBQ sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Keep warm.
Fry the fries: Heat oil to 375F in a deep fryer or heavy pot. Fry the french fries according to package directions until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt immediately.
Grill the kielbasa: While fries cook, grill or pan-fry the kielbasa sausages over medium-high heat until charred on the outside and heated through, about 8-10 minutes total, turning occasionally.
Toast the buns: Split the hoagie rolls and lightly toast them on the grill or in a toaster. You want them sturdy enough to hold all the toppings!
Position the kielbasa: Place a grilled kielbasa in each toasted roll. The sausage should fit snugly.
Pile on the fries: Here's where it gets fun - pile a generous handful of hot, crispy french fries directly on top of the kielbasa. Don't be shy; more is more!
Add the slaw: Spoon a generous portion of coleslaw over the fries. The cool, creamy slaw provides contrast to the hot, crispy fries.
Drizzle with BBQ sauce: Generously drizzle the sweet BBQ sauce over everything. For extra heat, add a few drops of hot sauce.
Serve immediately: This sandwich waits for no one! Serve right away while the fries are hot and crispy. Have plenty of napkins ready - this is a gloriously messy eat. Best enjoyed with an ice-cold drink!
💡 Pro Tips & Variations
- True Cleveland style: Authentic Polish Boys use Sweet Baby Ray's or a similar sweet commercial BBQ sauce.
- Hot link version: Some Cleveland spots use hot links or smoked sausage instead of kielbasa for extra spice.
- Fresh fries: Hand-cut fresh fries elevate this sandwich significantly if you have the time.
- The Slaw Dog cousin: Similar concept but with a hot dog instead of kielbasa - another Cleveland favorite.
- Waffle fries: Try waffle fries for better sauce-catching texture.
- Hot sauce options: Texas Pete or Frank's RedHot are popular additions for heat seekers.