Pennsylvania’s Most Famous Foods: A Culinary Legacy
Pennsylvania has built a reputation for its food. Whether it’s a cheesesteak dripping with melted cheese, a stack of crispy scrapple, or a perfectly salted soft pretzel, the state’s cuisine is packed with history and regional pride.
The mix of cultures here has shaped what people eat. The Pennsylvania Dutch brought hearty, farm-style dishes like shoofly pie and chicken pot pie.
Italian immigrants in Philadelphia created the city’s legendary roast pork sandwich and tomato pie.
Pittsburgh’s blue-collar roots led to the invention of the Primanti Bros. sandwich—a full meal crammed between slices of thick Italian bread.
Beyond homemade meals, Pennsylvania has left a mark on the snack industry. Hershey’s Chocolate turned a small town into a global candy powerhouse.
Potato chip companies like Utz and Herr’s dominate store shelves, and Tastykake snack cakes remain a lunchtime staple.
Even the pretzel industry thrives here, with Philadelphia producing more soft pretzels than any other city in the U.S.
From comfort food to quick bites, Pennsylvania’s food scene reflects its working-class history, immigrant influence, and love for bold, simple flavors.
Philadelphia’s Signature Dishes
Philly Cheesesteak
No food represents Philadelphia more than the cheesesteak. Created in the 1930s by Pat Olivieri, a hot dog vendor who decided to throw beef on the grill, it quickly became a local favorite.
Thinly sliced ribeye, grilled onions, and melted cheese—typically Cheez Whiz, provolone, or American—are packed into a long, crusty hoagie roll.
Some people prefer theirs “wit” onions, others “witout,” but everyone agrees the bread has to be fresh.
Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, both in South Philly, keep the rivalry alive over which spot makes the best one.
Tomato Pie
Philadelphia’s take on pizza looks different from the classic New York slice. This square, thick-crusted pie is covered in a rich tomato sauce and is usually served at room temperature.
Unlike most pizzas, it skips the heavy layer of melted cheese with only a light sprinkle of Parmesan on top.
Bakeries like Sarcone’s and Cacia’s have been making tomato pie for generations, selling it by the sheet or square.
Roast Pork Sandwich
While the cheesesteak gets all the attention, many locals argue that the roast pork sandwich is the city’s real gem.
Slow-cooked pork, sharp provolone, and sautéed greens—usually spinach or broccoli rabe—come together in a seeded roll.
The combination of juicy pork, bitter greens, and salty cheese creates a balanced, flavorful bite.
John’s Roast Pork in South Philly is one of the most well-known spots to get one.
Soft Pretzels
Philadelphia has a long history with soft pretzels, thanks to German immigrants who brought their baking traditions to the city in the 18th century.
These twisted, doughy snacks are denser than the standard mall pretzel and have a chewy, slightly salty crust.
Philly-style pretzels are usually sold in bunches, stacked together like a chain, and often paired with mustard.
Federal Pretzel Baking Company started mass-producing them in 1922, making them a city staple.
Pennsylvania Dutch Comfort Foods
Scrapple
Scrapple is a breakfast dish with deep roots in Pennsylvania Dutch country. It’s made from pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, then pressed into a loaf and sliced before frying.
The result? A crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside slab that’s typically served with eggs or drizzled with syrup.
Some love it, some don’t, but it remains a staple in diners and farmhouses across the state.
Shoofly Pie
This molasses-heavy pie gets its name from the sticky, sweet filling that supposedly attracted flies.
Made with brown sugar, flour, and molasses, it has a crumbly topping that adds texture to the rich, gooey base.
There are two versions—wet-bottom, which has a softer consistency, and dry-bottom, which is more cake-like.
It’s one of the best-known Pennsylvania Dutch desserts and is often served with coffee for breakfast.
Chicken Pot Pie (Pennsylvania Dutch Style)
Forget the flaky, crusted version. Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie is a thick, stew-like dish made with homemade egg noodles, potatoes, and chunks of chicken.
The noodles, cut into squares, soak up the broth, giving the dish a hearty, comforting feel.
Unlike traditional pot pie, it has no baked crust—just a rich, flavorful broth filled with simple ingredients.
Funnel Cake
Now a fairground favorite across the country, funnel cake started as a Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.
The batter is poured into hot oil in circular patterns, fried until golden brown, and then dusted with powdered sugar.
Crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside, funnel cake is best eaten fresh while still warm.
Apple Butter
Apple butter isn’t actually butter—it’s a thick, spiced spread made by slow-cooking apples until they caramelize.
Thanks to the long cooking time, it has a smooth texture and deep, concentrated flavor. People spread it on bread, mix it into oatmeal, or eat it straight from the jar.
Pittsburgh’s Food Identity
Primanti Bros. Sandwich
Pittsburgh’s most famous sandwich was born in the 1930s when Joe Primanti started stuffing an entire meal between two slices of bread for truck drivers who needed something fast and filling.
These sandwiches include grilled meat, melted provolone, coleslaw, and a heap of crispy French fries, all stacked on thick Italian bread. The fries inside the sandwich set it apart from anything else.
Pittsburgh Salad
A salad with fries on top might sound strange, but in Pittsburgh, it’s a tradition.
The base is a simple lettuce-and-vegetable mix, but the toppings—grilled chicken or steak, shredded cheese, and a mound of hot French fries—elevate it to something more.
The contrast of crispy fries with cold greens makes for a unique bite.
Chipped Chopped Ham
Chipped chopped ham is a Pittsburgh classic, made famous by Isaly’s delis.
The ham is shaved extra thin, then cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce and piled onto soft sandwich buns. It’s a simple, affordable meal that became a staple in local households.
Pittsburgh Pierogies
Brought to the city by Eastern European immigrants, pierogies have become a local obsession.
These dumplings are stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheese, or sauerkraut, then boiled or pan-fried.
They’re so popular that the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team even has a “pierogi race” between innings.
City Chicken
Despite the name, city chicken doesn’t contain any chicken. Instead, cubes of pork or veal are skewered, breaded, and fried to mimic fried chicken.
It became popular during the Great Depression when chicken was more expensive than pork.
Pennsylvania’s Snack Industry: A Powerhouse
Hershey’s Chocolate
Milton Hershey founded the Hershey Company in 1894, turning Pennsylvania into the chocolate capital of the U.S.
Hershey’s bars, Reese’s, and Hershey’s Kisses are some of the most recognized candies worldwide.
The company’s hometown, Hershey, PA, even has its own amusement park and chocolate-themed attractions.
Utz, Wise, and Herr’s Potato Chips
Pennsylvania leads the country in potato chip production. Companies like Utz, Wise, and Herr’s have been making chips for decades, producing everything from classic salted to more adventurous flavors like crab seasoning and dill pickle.
Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels
One of the biggest pretzel brands in the U.S., Snyder’s of Hanover has been producing crunchy, salty pretzels since 1909.
They specialize in everything from classic twists to flavored varieties like honey mustard and cheddar.
Tastykake
Since 1914, Tastykake has been making snack cakes that people in Pennsylvania swear by.
Butterscotch Krimpets, Kandy Kakes, and Peanut Butter Kreamies are among the most popular.
Middleswarth BBQ Chips
People from central Pennsylvania take their barbecue chips seriously. Middleswarth BBQ chips have a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that has made them a cult favorite.
Amish and Mennonite Farming Influence
Farmers’ Markets
Markets like Lancaster Central Market offer homemade goods straight from Amish and Mennonite farms.
Shoppers can find fresh meats, cheeses, jams, and baked goods, all made using traditional methods.
Pickled Beets and Eggs
A common dish in Amish homes, these bright pink eggs get their color from soaking in beet juice and vinegar. The tangy, slightly sweet flavor makes them a favorite at picnics and potlucks.
Chow Chow
This sweet-and-sour mix of pickled vegetables often includes corn, beans, and cauliflower. It’s a popular side dish, usually served cold.
Rivel Soup
It is a simple but filling dish made with tiny flour dumplings, eggs, and a light broth. It’s often served with buttered bread on the side.
Western and Central Pennsylvania Specialties
Pepperoni Rolls
Originally created for coal miners in the early 20th century, pepperoni rolls became a go-to lunch for workers who needed something easy to carry.
These soft bread rolls, filled with pepperoni sticks or slices, were first baked in bakeries across western Pennsylvania and neighboring West Virginia.
Some versions include cheese or a light brush of butter on top. Today, they’re found in gas stations, grocery stores, and local bakeries.
Lebanon Bologna
Unlike traditional bologna, Lebanon bologna has a deep, smoky flavor with a hint of tanginess.
This cured, fermented beef sausage originated in Lebanon County, where Pennsylvania Dutch butchers developed the process in the 19th century.
The result is a slightly firmer and more flavorful bologna than standard deli meat. It’s often served in sandwiches or paired with cheese and mustard.
Pot Pie Squares
In central Pennsylvania, pot pie doesn’t come with a crust. Instead, it’s a thick, comforting dish made with homemade square-cut egg noodles, chicken or beef, and potatoes, all cooked together in a rich broth.
The noodles soak up the flavors, creating a dish that’s more like a stew than a traditional pie.
Birch Beer
This old-fashioned soda is Pennsylvania’s answer to root beer. Made from birch bark extract, it has a slightly minty, wintergreen taste that sets it apart.
Depending on the brewing process, birch beer comes in different varieties, including red, brown, and clear. It’s often sold at Amish markets and regional grocery stores.
Fastnachts
Fastnachts are fried doughnuts of Pennsylvania Dutch origin. Traditionally made on Fat Tuesday, they were a way to use up lard and sugar before the start of Lent.
Unlike fluffy, yeast-raised doughnuts, fastnachts have a denser, more cake-like texture. Some versions are plain, while others are dusted with powdered sugar or served with syrup.
Famous Pennsylvania Desserts
Whoopie Pies
A favorite in Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch baking, whoopie pies look like oversized sandwich cookies but have a soft, cake-like texture.
They’re made with two round chocolate cakes and a sweet, fluffy filling—usually vanilla or marshmallow cream. Some bakeries offer variations with pumpkin or peanut butter flavors.
Apple Dumplings
This classic dessert wraps a whole peeled apple in a pastry crust, then bakes it in a cinnamon-spiced syrup.
The apple softens as it cooks, blending perfectly with the flaky crust and sweet sauce. It’s often served warm with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of cream.
Sand Tarts
Sand tarts are thin, buttery cookies with a crisp texture, often topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or a single almond.
They’re especially popular around the holidays, with many families passing down their versions of the recipe. Unlike thicker sugar cookies, these bake up light and crisp.
Ice Cream from Penn State Berkey Creamery
Penn State Berkey Creamery, located on the university’s campus, has been producing some of the richest, creamiest ice cream in the country for over a century.
The creamery uses high-quality dairy from its research farm. Popular flavors include Peachy Paterno, Death by Chocolate, and WPSU Coffee Break.
Pennsylvania’s Brewing and Beverage Scene
Yuengling Beer
Founded in 1829, Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in the United States.
This family-owned company, based in Pottsville, produces traditional lagers and ales. Its flagship, Yuengling Lager, is a staple in Pennsylvania bars.
The brewery survived Prohibition by selling near-beer and dairy products, keeping its legacy alive.
Rutters Dairy and Kreider Farms
Pennsylvania is home to several well-known dairy brands. Rutters Dairy and Kreider Farms, both family-owned, have been producing fresh milk, chocolate milk, and ice cream for decades.
These dairies supply local grocery stores and convenience shops, offering high-quality products straight from Pennsylvania farms.
Amish Root Beer
Amish root beer is brewed using traditional recipes. It is brewed with natural ingredients like sassafras, sarsaparilla, and molasses.
It’s non-carbonated, giving it a smoother, less fizzy texture compared to commercial root beer. Many Amish markets sell it in glass bottles alongside homemade baked goods.
Boilo
Boilo is a warm, whiskey-based punch that comes from Pennsylvania’s old coal-mining communities.
This homemade drink is often mixed with honey, citrus, cloves, and cinnamon, creating a spiced, almost medicinal flavor.
Many families have their own secret recipes, passing them down through generations.
Food Festivals and Events in Pennsylvania
Kutztown Folk Festival
Held in Kutztown every summer, this festival celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch culture with traditional crafts, live music, and, most importantly, classic Pennsylvania Dutch foods.
Visitors can try everything from scrapple and shoofly pie to homemade pretzels and chow chow.
Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival
Pittsburgh loves pierogies so much that it has an entire festival dedicated to them.
This event features dozens of pierogi vendors, offering everything from classic potato-and-cheese dumplings to creative variations like jalapeño cheddar.
Local chefs and restaurants compete to see who makes the best version.
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Festival
This event brings together cheesesteak lovers and the city’s top sandwich shops for a full day of taste-testing.
Visitors can sample different styles—whiz, provolone, wit onions, witout onions—while debating which shop makes the best one.
Apple Festival in Peddler’s Village
Every fall, the Apple Festival is held in Bucks County. It celebrates Pennsylvania’s apple harvest with fresh cider, caramel apples, and apple-based baked goods.
Apple butter demonstrations and pie-eating contests keep visitors entertained throughout the weekend.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Events
Hershey’s Chocolate World offers year-round events, from chocolate tastings to factory tours.
Visitors can even create their own custom candy bars, choosing the fillings and packaging design.
During the holiday season, the park transforms with festive lights and seasonal treats.
