NANTICOKE, Pa. — It's a sign of the season in northeastern Pennsylvania—Tarnowski's Kielbasa in Nanticoke piping out thousands of pounds of sausage for the Christmas holiday.
"We've been prepping all month," said owner Anastasia Vishnefski. "We really started the official Christmas season on December 5, so now it's 20 days."
The lines are out the door as people wait to get their fill.
"Let me tell you, Tarnowski's kielbasa ain't no Hillshire, ok? This is this real thing," said Florida resident Cindy Garren.
"I'm getting hungry just smelling this place," said Ted Komoroski from Nanticoke.
While the lines are long, people are coming from near and far to bring home this northeastern Pennsylvania tradition.
"Kielbasa and pierogi and pagach—that's what brought me up here!" Garren said.
Cindy Garren traveled to Luzerne County from Florida to get a little taste of home for the holidays.
"You had it Christmas day, and the day after Christmas, and the day after Christmas, and the day after Christmas. And then you had it on Sundays, too," Garren said.
It's been a staple on the table for those who lived near Nanticoke for generations.
"We're founded in Glen Lyon, practically built the place. And it's nice to have that family tradition and eat the food your ancestors ate," said Bailey Levandowski.
And it's tradition for Tarnowski's, too.
"We're using the original family recipe that Grandpa started in 1946. So, it's important to keep it going," Vishnefski said.
It's not just kielbasa that's filling up plates this holiday.
NEPA'rogi, right inside Tarnowski's, are pinching their way through the season.
"We worked really hard to get the orders out of the way. We've had over 1,200 orders. Now, we're just getting ready to make some available for any last-minute needs," said owner Lauren Gorney.
They're going through more than 750 pounds of flour to keep customers happy.
"Two, three years ago, I was in these same lines myself, so I know how incredibly special it is for these family meals," Gorney said.
It's a countdown to Christmas as customers can't wait to dig in.
"I can't wait," Levandowski said. "I'm going to have some when I get home. I'm not waiting until Christmas."
Tarnowski's is open on Saturday and will be open on Christmas Eve if there's any kielbasa left by then.