St. Sava Slates Serbian Food Festival

Event Oct. 4-5 includes live music, homemade baked goods

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
September 20, 2024
Posted in: Announcements

(Photo courtesy St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church via Facebook)

The “A Taste of Serbia” festival will return to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 901 Hartman St., on Oct. 4 and 5, a spokeswoman said.

Festival hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 and 12 noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in the parish social hall and courtyard.

From the food fair’s original concept as pre-order takeout only during the pandemic, the fifth annual TOS festival incorporates Serbian hospitality and culture, the spokeswoman added.

Rain or shine patrons may dine inside the church hall or outside under the courtyard tent. Other options include walkup orders and take-out orders. No pre-orders this year. Spirits and soft drinks will be on sale at the kafana bar.

Tamburitza Hall of Fame inductees Orchestra Radost will entertain from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 5. The multi-talented musicians from the greater McKeesport area are close friends who have played together for years. They have performed throughout the Tri-State area and in many major cities for festivals and other events.

Self-guided tours of the church sanctuary will feature descriptions of historic paintings, icons, the Eucharist and more that relate the history of Serbian Orthodoxy, worship, traditions and customs.

Favorite menu items include the famous award-winning St. Sava hand-breaded 12-ounce haddock filet sandwich, available Friday only, and the boneless slow-roasted sliced lamb sandwich, available both days.

Other popular entrees include: Cevaps, classic hand rolled skinless meat sausages; Burek, savory meat and cheese pie in phyllo dough; Sarma, Serbian style stuffed cabbage; Grah i Kupas, sauerkraut and red kidney bean soup; Halushki, sauteed cabbage and onions with egg noodles; and hot sausage sandwich.

Sides include: Serbian potato salad or Serbian coleslaw, both made with a signature oil and vinegar dressing. A wide selection of pastries are available including: Apple strudel; palacinke, cheese-filled crepes; Gibanica, sweet cheese strudel; as well as nutrolls or apricot rolls.

The monumental effort of food preparation begins months in advance. Parishioners work side by side in the church kitchen week after week. Others like to prepare certain items at home, namely pastries. A variety of sweet treats will be for sale at a separate bakery table.

For a complete menu with prices, please go to www.stsavapa.org. Cash or credit cards accepted on site during both days of the event.

No admission fee. Free parking in the church lot and in the lot behind the Auberle Family Center plus street parking.

Originally published September 20, 2024.

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