(Jewish Group) The humble piroshki has sustained this San Francisco family for 25 years

Though Russian in origin, a Paramount Piroshki is viewed by some San Franciscans as a native food, akin to the It’s-It. Decades ago, this brand of individually wrapped, savory meat-filled pies were a mainstay at corner stores — cheap enough and filling enough to be eaten as an on-the-go meal.

The piroshki is made from a yeasted dough and deep-fried; the texture is much like a doughnut, though without the sugar. People commonly mistake it with pierogi, which is a Polish dumpling.

“The [piroshki] dough doesn’t get oily or soggy, it stays light and spongy even after freezing and reheating in the microwave,” said Len Galant, part of the family that has run the company for 25 years.

The company was started in 1956 by Greek couple George and Helen Theoridis with a small shop on Geary, until they sold the business in 1995 to Mayer “Mark” and Clara Galant, immigrants from the former Soviet Union. As the business grew, the piroshki production was moved to a Potrero Hill facility and they were delivered fresh to the corner stores that sold them.

Today Paramount Piroshkis are made at a 10,000-square-foot, USDA-approved facility in San Leandro. There is still a demand among people who grew up with them.

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The author of the piece started a group called "the Illuminoshi: The Not-So-Secret Society of Bay Area Jewish Food Professionals".