Comfort food at its best. Flavorful little dough balls. The full order is about $8.50 and you will definitely be full. I could only finish half of it for lunch. I personally like the mix order because you can try the beef and potato dumplings. Definitely give this place a try! You won't be disappointed. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I've been going to Paul's Pel'meni since I was a student back in 2012. I consider this to be a must have while stopping in Madison. They have moved to a new location since I lived in Madison, but they are still providing the same delicious food. My go to is the Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Half Order) with works toppings (butter, curry, cilantro, and chili sauce). I hit it with siracha and generously dip each dumpling in sour cream before eating them. The works toppings can be a lot of funk on the palate, so I recommend getting it with extra butter and cilantro for my not so flavorful loving peoples. These are my best pictures, but I wanted to be sure that I gave them love on yelp for consistently serving me a great product. Ambience is alright. There's more seating than the last location and the added bar is a nice touch. The service is typical to downtown Madison, and the prices are more than reasonable. I highly recommend you grab some Pel'meni next time that you're in Madison. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Half Order) with works toppings (butter, curry, cilantro, and chili sauce) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Pierogi, gnocchi, Princess Bride movie are all things I keep trying and wanting to like, but I don't. Russian dumplings are now added to this list. Don't ask for toppings on the side; they only give you partial toppings when you do that. read more

Great food, and it's definitely a college spot. We were visiting for an Epic conference in town decided to venture off the beaten path and stumbled on this spot. The whole place from ordering, kitchen, bussing etc, seemed to by run by 2 people. We wanted to grab a beer, but the bartender wasn't in. So a little chaotic, to say the least, but I came with friends who were on the adventurous side so we made the best of it. The food itself was good, similar to pierogis. I got the Mix order with the works and added sriracha generously on top. I'd definitely recommend the sour cream as a perfect dip (and it comes with the order). Perhaps ordering to go, may not be a bad idea. It was a little on the divey side for my taste. read more

Hidden gem. So delicious. Food is quick. The bar is actually pretty fun too. It's about time I wrote a review for this place because it's the perfect late night food. See you next week Paul's. read more

I can't say I felt 100% safe here at night as a woman. I probably wouldn't come here at night again without a friend. While we were here there were some rowdy drunk folks yelling and shoving each other behind us as we ate but maaaaan the food is good and the price is VERY good. Open mad late! read more

We were visiting Madison and we wanted to try something different. It offers one thing, but does it so well! Would definitely return!

Staff and atmosphere are both great, giving a true community feel to the environment. The food itself is also amazing, with only 2 items on the menu it is truly hard to go wrong either way, however I would recommend a mix order to give yourself the opportunity to try both kinds of dumplings. read more

Paul's is a nice place to get quick takeout or a late night bite. The half-order size is a good portion size for the price point. The dumplings themselves are a little bland and the toppings mask the taste of them. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Half Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Order: Half beef, half potato Pel memo (full order) with the works (butter, yellow curry, sweet chili sauce, cilantro and sour cream) Girlfriend showed me this classic Madison joint. Got 2 full orders with the works - order came out fairly quickly. This was a delicious quick eat and could easily become a regular late night snack. Both the beef and potato dumplings were soft and perfectly chewy, and not overcooked in the slightest. Adding "the works" on top was a great choice - made for a very unique flavor combination of sauces. The availability of the side sauces - ranging from sweet to intensely sour vinegar - and the sour cream created excellent counterbalances to the original flavor profile. The side sauces added depth while the sour cream undercut it. Would recommend! read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order) - 2x - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great late night food! Open until 3 AM and has a quick and efficient process to get you in and out! Very unique and yummy! read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Half Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

So very good! The place is kinda bare bones, but very pleasant wit a nice bar. The Pel'meni ate delish! Staff was very prompt for ordering and the bartender was super friendly. Exactly what service should be for a spot like this. We were here for Gamehole Con and we'll definitely be back next yeat. read more

I was in town for a conference and was told to check this place out. It sounded just ok so it wasn't an initial priority but I was wrong. This place was life changing that I had it 3 times during a week long conference. I like the mixed with everything and definitely get the larger size. You won't regret it. Wait can be a little long since they are warmed up fresh but you can get a drink next door while you wait or enjoy with your food. Ambience is as it sounds- a room next to a bar but it fits the hole in the wall vibe. Don't sleep on this and definitely stop by. read more

A small restaurant, casual, with a limited menu, but the food is delicious! There's a full bar to get cocktails. Order and pay at the counter and wait at a table until your name is called. read more

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Best pelmeni I've had! This is a small place right by the Capitol and campus that is open until the wee hours of the morning so you can get your fix after a night out. They have a very small menu, pretty much two types of pelmeni and rye bread. I got the mix of potato and beef, and ordered it with "the works", which means it was topped with curry powder, chili sauce, cilantro and came with sour cream on the side. The dough on both was great - not too dense and just enough to wrap the fillings but not overpower them. The potato filling was smooth and tasty, and the beef filling had great flavor. I liked these so much that I came back later that day to order 2 more full orders for later in the week! Tip: these are best eaten fresh. They were still good reheated, but they stuck together a bit and got a little drier. I would have bought frozen ones to take home but they didn't have them that day. read more

Multiple people recommended this place to us, so of course we had to give it a try during our weekend in Madison. We got the mixed potato and beef dumplings. I definitely preferred the beef, but the potatoes were delicious too! Overall we were very pleased with the dumplings, and a full order was more than enough split between the three of us. I've never been to a place like this - it's definitely worth a stop! read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Surprisingly good. I am not much of a dumpling person nor an Eastern European food fan but this place's food hit the spot. We were in the area and needed a quick meal before an event - we had limited time and a sit down restaurant would take too long. My friends had eaten at Paul's in its previous location and suggested it. I read the reviews and knew that I wanted a half order of the mix dumplings with the works - in my case without the cilantro. We then grabbed our drinks and headed to the back room where I was surprised there was a bar. It was a very strange set-up. It felt like it belonged in someone's basement rec room. I suppose at bar time college students don't care about ambiance which is a good thing because this space is rough. Our food came out after about 5-10 mins. I liked the spice of the chili sauce but I could see it being too hot for some. The half order was plenty and super filling. It was very good for such a simple food and the price was right. If I need a quick meal I would stop here again - well only if the Parthenon is closed! read more

Last night we went to this little not-so-secret gem hidden off state street. The menu is super simple but a fun way to experience a bit of another culture. A Pel'meni is a small bite size dumpling filled with meat or a vegetable and wrapped in a thin dough. You can choose from the following three options. Beef | Potato | Mix Topped with the Works *butter *Cilantro *Yellow Curry *Sweet Chili sauce *Sour cream I get the works and love it!!! So simple, cheep and delicious!! Cal ahead because usually there's a wait read more

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We swung by Paul's Pel'meni during our outing. This place is actually really inexpensive for being in that hopping downtown location! You get a fair amount of dumplings for under $9 (a "double" is $16, so an ever better value). We ordered the half potato half beef pel'menis. They were delicious! Both the potato filling and the beef filling were super yum! It was slightly spicy with a curry twist to them. I wouldn't say they're enough for a meal if you're hungry, but they'll make a lovely snack and it'll definitely tide you over until your actual meal! read more

quick in and out, spice was heavy with the works, wish there was a warning to it or to know it could hurt me throat. nice workers and nice location read more

I was recommended to try Paul's potato dumplings and they did not disappoint. My friend also preferred the potato over meat dumplings. Definitely get them fully loaded, and add in extra of whatever you need! They are made fresh to order and I believe you can even buy them frozen. Their menu may be small but they do what they do well! I thought it was decently priced. It would be a perfect end to the night for some college kids or people on a night out in town. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Potato Pel'meni (Half Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Good, cheap dinner. We had two full combo orders with The Works plus a soda for under $20. We took it to go and went down to the pier to eat. Very nice. it was a little too spicy for my son but just perfect for me. read more

There is not a better cheap comfort meal than Pel'meni. The simple menu makes sure you know exactly what to order - beef, potato, or mix - half or full - toppings or not. You'll be in and out under $20 for two. I'm sure it has its busy times of day, but if you want a quick bite at 6 on a weekday before moving on with your evening, you'll be in and out no problem. The seating area and bar are a nice new addition for this "new location" (they've been here for at least five years now) and they have a real solid happy hour menu. Though even a $7 mojito that's quite boozy is a good deal even before the happy hour. When you want Paul's, there's nothing better. A Madison classic. read more

The best quick and filling meal on State Street. For 6.50 this is the greatest thing ever. Service is good and fast- friendly of course. It's built into a bar but mostly very quite and seating choices are all right. But for price and taste this is the place. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Black Earth Ground Beef Pel'meni (Half Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

First time trying Pelmeni! They're so good. The sauce smells like curry and tastes sweet and sour and spicy... wow so flavorful! The pelmenis are the size of tortellini. You just can't stop eating one after one. The oder and pick-up process is quick and easy. I recommend it you to try if you haven't had Russian pelmeni before. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Good if you like it, I suppose. I felt sick after eating it (I had the combo with the works), but I think that was due to the richness of the food and all the butter and sour cream. I didn't care for it much. If you're trying to slow down your digestion to help you through a night 9f drinking it will definitely do the job. If you like peroigis you will probably like this. The food was stupendously quick. I barely had the words out of my mouth. read more

Pretty casual Russian dumpling place. The portions were pretty big and could've made two meals for me. You can choose different spices and sauces to add, but despite the variety of options you have, you kind of get tired of them as you're going through the box. Personally enjoyed the meat dumplings more than the potato ones. read more

I love Paul's. a great place to eat in the middle of the day or after a night out on the town read more

Paul's Pel'meni - full Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order) with the works - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Lidia is one of the best bartenders I've had at any bar. The food is amazing and the vibe here is incredible. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting good food and drinks. read more

Get the beef and potato dumplings WITH the works. You will not be disappointed. The dumplings are cooked to perfection where it's chewy on the outside and the filling just melts in your mouth. The full order will satisfy two hungry people. The dumplings are bite size, but they give you a lot in a bowl! Half the dumplings are beef and the other half is potato. The "works" is butter, yellow curry, sweet chili sauce, and cilantro with a side of sour cream. It's worth getting it. read more

I can't believe it took me four years of college to try this place out--it's absolutely amazing. Now that I've become a regular here I always get a full order of the beef and potato mix with the works. I love the mixture of the different textures from the beef and the mashed potatoes and when you dip them in the sour cream they are just so delicious. I think it's really cool that this is a "do one thing and do it right" restaurant because it truly works for them and they do pel'meni so well. The restaurant itself is pretty basic but they have a decent sized dining area and even a bar if you want to have a few drinks with your meal. If you're someone who doesn't usually try new things (like me) PLEASE give this place a shot, you won't regret it!! read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Amazing service always and amazing price for delicious dumplings! Would recommend as a must visit.

PAUL'S. Nothing more, nothing less. It is thee place to go for a cheap lunch, cheap dinner, quick pre-game carby greasy meal, or literally just a snack. My go-to is a half order with half potato, half beef and extra sour cream because there is never enough sour cream. There's also a bar section that seemed to have pretty good deals but we've never given it a try. Anyways. Go to Paul's. read more

Yum!!! If you are looking for comfort food, this is your place. The menu is small: dumplings. You aren't getting a burger, a salad, fries or a fish sandwich. You are getting a bowl / plate/ container filled with comforting, yummy goodness and topped with cilantro, sour cream, curry spices, and chile paste. The fillings can be vegetarian ( potato) or meat, or a mix of the two. You can get any single topping or a combination or the works. We tried the works based on a recommendation from the kitchen. Fabulous!!!Just the right amount of heat to make you sit up and notice, but not enough to blow out your tastebuds. This place is not fancy. You order at the counter. They bring you the food. Plastic eating utensils come with your meal. At $9.00 , this is a definite delicious bargain. read more

Russian dumpling. I've never had Russian dumpling before but I'm always looking to try something new. My son recommended going here and I am a fan! The new place opened June 4. Not only is the Gilman location considerably bigger, it has outdoor seating, a bar and an alcohol license. I first thought, wow that is all they offer on the menu? But these dumplings are a hit. Dumplings come filled with either ground beef, seasoned mashed potatoes, or a mixture of both. I ordered the mix. The beef is from UW Provision, and the quality is obvious. A full order is $7. A half order is $5. The half order isn't exactly a half. It's 20 or so, and the full order is about 30. Get the full order for $2 more. I also got "the works" on it which was topped with a combination of butter, curry powder, sweet chili sauce and cilantro. It had a bit of a kick but oh so good. All orders come with a little container of sour cream on the side. We sat outside on a hot day and downed a beer with it. Only a few tables outside but nice to be able to take in the warm weather. Plenty of seating inside as well. Well worth the visit and I'll be back. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - 1/2 order of pel'meni and an Alaskan amber - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

An absolute must-try in madison. I always get the mixed dumplings with 'the works'. Such a delectable flavor explosion, you won't know it till you try it! (Photo was taken pre-covid) read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Ground Beef and Potato Pel'meni Mix (Full Order) - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

You come here for one thing, and one thing only: Russian dumplings. Considering their menu is beef, potato or a mix of them, it's simple and delicious! I went with a half order of the mix with the works. If you don't get it, you're missing out! If you don't like spicy, just suffer. I walked into the wrong door. I would advise that should probably put another sign up saying where one should enter. Lots of seating, very dive-y feeling, casual ambience. Bring cash. They accept credit cards but add a 4% surcharge which is clearly denoted. Having a $5 bill in hand just makes life a lot easier. read more

Paul's Pel'meni - Russian Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Best late night eating in Madison, WI. They only serve one thing-pelmini and they do it so well. I recommend getting "the works" and coming here late at night after being out for some drinks is one of my favorite things to do. They have a nice bar as well and the service is always quick and affordable. read more

Ambiance- Meh Service- Meh Food - Fucking Amazing!!!! The best post bar time food available. Very limited menu, so there is nothing that you can order wrong. Open all day and most of the night. Go, enjoy, it will change your life, if it doesn't, you need to reevaluate that life. read more

Simple, affordable, quick. The way a good eat should be. The combination of friendly staff adequate seating and a warm and quiet atmosphere is the reason I keep coming back read more