What are the 2 best international markets in Erie?

In Erie, we love good, comforting food. But nothing beats a good meal wrapped in family tradition. That’s why we surveyed Erie locals to find the best international markets in town, where residents can grab their favorite go-to goods to create meals for family gatherings, special occasions, and the upcoming holidays. 

After voting closed, it became apparent that these two markets are the best in town, according to Erie’s foodies. Check out these wonderful markets if you haven’t already.

Photo credit: Stacy Rounds

Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meats and Market

Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meats and Market is a family-run Polish market and butcher shop at 310 E. 24th Street, on the corner of 24th and German in Erie. The business traces its roots back to the mid-1930s, when Bernard “Ben” Urbaniak and his brothers Chester, Edward, and Ted began selling meat at the old 12th Street Market. After World War II and a fire at that original market, they moved to 16th and State as The Central Market, and in 1959, the family relocated again to their current site, which became known as The New Central Market. 

Today, the store is still very much in family hands. It is owned and operated by brothers Andrew and Gerry Urbaniak, sons of Chester Urbaniak, who continue the tradition as working butchers and day-to-day managers of the market. Local coverage describes Urbaniak Brothers as a multigenerational institution where customers come back with their children and grandchildren, and the shop has been repeatedly recognized in “Best of Erie” lists for both its deli and neighborhood grocer offerings. 

Although people often go for the fresh meat counter, Urbaniak Brothers is essentially an old-school Polish and Eastern European market. The shop focuses on Polish specialties like multiple styles of kielbasa, fresh and smoked sausages, kiszka (blood sausage), and house-smoked hams and bacon. They also carry pierogi, smoked and fresh fish, including in-house smoked salmon, horseradish (plain and beet), and a wide range of jarred imports and preserves such as pickled beets, relishes, chow-chow, and fruit butters. Their cases and shelves round out that international feel with cheeses cut to order, beef jerky and snack sticks, and a produce section that mixes local and regional fruits and vegetables. Inside the same building, you’ll also find Herb & Honey Bakery, which supplies European-style breads and pastries that pair naturally with the Polish deli and grocery items. 

Because they are a traditional meat market, the holidays are a major focus. Urbaniak Brothers is well known locally for its smoked hams, which the shop itself describes as “essential for most holiday meals,” along with holiday kielbasa, sausages, beef roasts, smoked salmon, and prepared salads and sides that make it easier to put together a big family table. Around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, they typically extend or adjust hours and promote special holiday offerings and order-ahead options through their website and social media. The exact specials and prices change from year to year, and current details are not fully listed on their public site, so the most reliable way to confirm this season’s offerings is to check their Facebook page or call the store directly. 

Urbaniak Brothers also has a quiet but consistent record of community involvement. They show up regularly as a sponsor or contributor for local events and fundraisers, including Erie Yacht Club charity events and Therapy Dogs United’s “Frolic on the Bay,” and they are listed among sponsors and donors in various local nonprofit communications.  More recently, their building has hosted pay-what-you-can produce stands tied to community food access efforts, which effectively turns a corner of their market into a hub for affordable fresh food.

It’s clear that Urbaniak Brothers is more than just a place to buy Polish sausage and holiday ham. This local favorite is a long-standing neighborhood anchor.

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Oriental Minimart Grocery LLC

Oriental Minimart Grocery LLC is a small Asian and international market at 1218 East 38th Street in Erie’s eastside shopping strip. It’s both an Asian grocery store and a Nepali-owned business, open seven days a week from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s also authorized to accept SNAP/EBT benefits, which makes it an important option for budget-conscious shoppers in that part of town. 

The shelves lean heavily toward South Asian and Himalayan ingredients, but it’s not limited to just one region. Local coverage describes Oriental Minimart as carrying produce, dry goods, and household items from countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China, several African nations, and the Philippines, alongside more general Asian staples. They stock their shelves with big bags of rice and lentils, South Asian and Nepali spice blends, noodles, curry pastes, pickles, chutneys, frozen dumplings and momos, Asian snack foods, bottled sauces and seasonings, along with fresh chilies, herbs, and other produce you might not find at a mainstream supermarket. It’s a good place to hunt for specialty frozen items like wrappers and breads that serve the Nepali, Filipino, and broader Asian communities. 

The produce section is another big draw. There, you can find leafy Asian greens such as baby bok choy and Chinese cabbage, as well as fresh chilies, herbs, and vegetables that are harder to find at mainstream grocery stores.

The spice and condiment selection stands out as well. It’s well stocked with curry pastes, chutneys, pickles, bottled sauces, seasonings, and imported snacks from countries like Nepal, Bhutan, China, the Philippines, and several African nations. These specialty items give the store its international flair.  

Frozen goods are another highlight: local mentions include frozen dumplings and “momos” (Nepali dumplings), imported frozen breads and wrappers, and other items used for home cooking of traditional dishes rather than convenience prepared meals.

Finally, many customers go in looking for snacks and imported flavors: exotic chip flavors, candies, or snack sticks from Asia or Africa, sauces for hot pot or spicy dishes, and less common ingredients that typical grocery stores don’t carry. 

Overall, Erie’s Oriental Minimart is a treasure trove for culinary enthusiasts seeking authentic international ingredients.