D-Biz: Hamtramck’s Dudek Foods keeps focus on authenticity

Dudek Foods Inc. might not be as big and well-known as some of the other businesses in Hamtramck, but consider that a good thing. At its factory and distribution center on Caniff — which proudly advertises that it is open to the public — you can walk into the closet-sized ordering booth and be met by Mark Dudek, founder and president of the 20-year-old company.

The recipes used to make Dudek’s wide range of Polish staples are third-generation hand-me-downs from grandma and grandpa back in the Old Country. The company’s products are available at Meijer, Kroger, VG’s Grocery, and several other locations throughout the area.

Perhaps best known for its pierogi, which are a crowd favorite at Hamtramck’s annual Labor Day Festival, Dudek also makes — by hand — placki (potato pancakes), golabki (stuffed cabbage) and an assorted variety of nalesniki (crepes). Also available are soups, deli pickles, mustard and some wicked-hot horseradish.

Dudek started had the idea of bringing hand-made Polish delicacies to the kitchen table with all of the flavor but none of the work. His 10 employees can be found Monday through Friday at the factory preparing, cooking and packaging its products.

“Our food is authentic and has all of the benefits with none of the hassle,” says Dudek. “Polish food is a little labor intensive to make, but ours is as good as your grandma would make it, only it’s ready to eat.”

Dudek Foods is located at 3303 Caniff Ave. in Hamtramck. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Source: Mark Dudek, Dudek Foods
Writer: Ian Perrotta