The Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Surfing Cowboy in Poznan, Poland, is served with fries. The restaurant provides a welcome respite of American-style comfort food, and much of its clientele is drawn from the U.S. military community centered on Camp Kosciuszko. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Many Americans stationed overseas quickly learn that familiar comfort food can be hard to come by, something I found out firsthand soon after my arrival in Poland for my current assignment.
Surfing Cowboy in Poznan has quietly filled that gap, becoming a dependable taste of home for soldiers and civilians at Camp Kosciuszko, headquarters of a garrison that in 2023 put down the U.S. Army’s first permanent roots in the country.
Surfing Cowboy had already made an impression on me before I ever set foot inside the place.
While I was living out of the Sheraton hotel during the first two weeks of my Poland deployment, I didn’t have the option of cooking for myself as I prefer and had to look to the local restaurant scene.
Surfing Cowboy was the only one on Uber Eats that consistently offered food I genuinely enjoyed.
Scrolling through the app and spotting a Philly cheesesteak on the menu felt like a small but meaningful comfort during an otherwise overwhelming transition.
The sandwich featured seasoned beef and melted cheese on a crusty roll, though the cheese lacked the richness of the Cheez Whiz I’m accustomed to, and the onions were more subtle than expected.
Patrons take part in American trivia night at Surfing Cowboy in Poznan, Poland. The restaurant regularly hosts themed events and watch parties that draw soldiers and civilians from nearby Camp Kosciuszko. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
I would have welcomed the addition of mushrooms, but overall it delivered. The cheesesteak was served with a side of fries, which I quickly polished off with the house version of ranch dressing.
At that time, it never occurred to me that the restaurant I’ve ordered from more often than I’d like to admit, given my general disinclination for dining out, is also a staple in the Camp K community.
That realization came later, when I was invited by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland public affairs team to attend the restaurant’s weekly trivia night, an event widely known on post.
As soon as I walked in, I noticed familiar faces, and the atmosphere felt less like a typical night out and more like a community gathering.
Laughter, friendly competition and casual conversations filled the space, reinforcing the sense that this was a place to which people naturally gravitated.
I wanted to try something other than the Philly for my first dine-in experience, so I got chicken wings and a side of macaroni and cheese.
Baked macaroni and cheese at Surfing Cowboy in Poznan, Poland, features a creamy pasta base topped with a golden, oven-browned cheese crust. The restaurant’s menu of American-style comfort food has made it a popular gathering place for the U.S. military community in the city. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
The flavor choices for the wings include barbecue and lemon pepper, but the latter is not offered with a high heat level.
I ended up ordering the spiciest option, the Ya Mama wings, along with a side of lemon pepper seasoning to create my own version at the table.
Meanwhile, the mac dish was creamy and cheesy enough to get the job done.
Surfing Cowboy leans fully into its mission of offering a slice of home. Beyond its American-style menu, the restaurant hosts watch parties for major sporting events, drawing eager spectators despite the time difference.
On occasion, the staff has even stayed open late for marquee matchups, including this year’s Southeastern Conference football championship between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The restaurant provided a gathering spot for people who do not have access to the game at home or at the barracks.
A schedule of upcoming watch parties is posted on the restaurant’s Instagram page.
The drink menu at Surfing Cowboy in Poznan, Poland, features a range of beers and cocktails. Seen here are two specialty cocktails served during one of the weekly trivia nights at the restaurant. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Surfing Cowboy also served a Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the traditional dishes of the holiday, providing U.S. personnel in the area with another source of feel-good familiarity.
Beyond the food, the customer service at Surfing Cowboy really stood out to me.
The staff was welcoming and attentive, and it was clear they genuinely enjoyed what they do and valued the American community in the area.
First-time visitors are treated like regulars, with an ease and familiarity that encourages them to return.
For me, Surfing Cowboy has become more than just a place to eat. It’s an anchor point where home cooking and shared experiences intersect.
Surfing Cowboy
Address: Kantaka 8/9 lok. 1, Poznan, Poland
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.; closed Monday
Cost: $3.50-$13 for appetizers and snacks; $9-$12 for burgers and sandwiches; $13-$20 for main dishes including ribs and steak; $4-$6 for desserts; $3.50-$7 for beer and soft drinks; $6-$12 for cocktails and mixed drinks.
Information: +48 885 948 885, @surfingcowboypoznan on Instagram