My love for pastries is just a little different from most people. Sure, doughnuts, danishes, and cinnamon rolls rule the the hearts and minds of the baked-good consuming masses, and I’ve certainly eaten my share of them over the years. But I’m a savory guy — even when it comes to pastries, and it’s just my luck that Seattle’s famous bakery Piroshky, Piroshky has people like me covered with some fine specimens of delightful savory pastries. And you fans of the sweet stuff need not worry, either: there’s a fine list of sugary items from apple to marzipan for you to choose from. As for me, my first experience with one of the little stuffed Russian pies was filled with smoked salmon.

First, the crust, which was light, flaky, and baked to a buttery golden brown. Within this delicious shell was a finely minced smoked salmon filling that was smooth, creamy, and quite fishy (in a good way). The hand-held pastry made for the perfect walking snack, and even before I had finished it, I was plotting my next trip to the bakery.

That next trip came a couple of days later. A late night of severe over-indulgence had left us feeling a little less than perfect in the morning, and so we made our way slowly back down to Pike Place Market for some coffee and carbs. My choice this time was another savory variety, the beef and cheese, and I was treated to a warm mini-loaf stuffed with minced beef, onions, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. This piroshky proved even tastier than the salmon, and as we sat down by the water front watching the sun rise above Elliot Bay, breathing in the chilly November air, we felt the cobwebs of the night before being swept away and prepared ourselves for another day in the city. The Kotelnikov family has been selling their tasty wares since 1992, and they’ve attracted the attention of foodies worldwide — including a segment on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. It’s clear to see why these pastries have such a devoted following: they’re inexpensive, delicious, and come in such a wide variety as to suit any taste.