So, so true. Zubrowka is the bomb (you can get it in Houston, btw). Gorzka with lemon is also fantastic. Soplica was my other go-to vodka over there, would kill for another bottle.
Of course well vodka is cheap, but not all of it is as cheap of quality. The bar where I used to work had Gordon's, which is cheap, but wasn't as bad as some of the other stuff. The hangover part may be true, but I drink a ton of water when drinking, and usually don't have a problem with that.