15 Of Pennsylvania’s Most Iconic Foods That Define The State
Pennsylvania’s food identity is built on more than one signature dish.
The state’s culinary reputation comes from hardworking traditions, immigrant influence, and local favorites that have become part of everyday life.
These dishes tell stories about communities, history, and the kind of comfort food Pennsylvanians keep coming back to.
Disclaimer: This article reflects subjective editorial perspectives on Pennsylvania’s best-known foods and should not be interpreted as definitive fact or universal consensus.
1. Philly Cheesesteak
Born on the streets of Philadelphia in the 1930s, this sandwich changed the game forever.
Thinly sliced ribeye gets griddled with onions until it’s sizzling hot, then topped with melted cheese – Whiz, provolone, or American, depending on who you ask.
Packed into a soft hoagie roll, every bite delivers gooey, savory perfection.
Locals debate endlessly about which shop does it best, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with this legendary creation that put Philly on the culinary map.
2. Hoagie
Forget calling it a sub or a hero – in Pennsylvania, this loaded sandwich goes by one name only.
Hoagies stack Italian meats, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and oil-and-vinegar dressing between a long crusty roll.
The name supposedly came from workers at Hog Island shipyard who devoured these hefty sandwiches during breaks.
Today, corner delis and Italian markets across the state craft their own signature versions, each claiming theirs is the most authentic.
3. Soft Pretzel
Golden-brown and twisted into that classic knot shape, soft pretzels are practically Pennsylvania’s unofficial snack.
German immigrants brought the tradition over centuries ago, and it stuck hard – especially in Philadelphia, where pretzel carts dot every corner.
Warm from the oven with coarse salt crystals on top, they’re perfect plain or dunked in yellow mustard.
Street vendors sell thousands daily, proving that sometimes the simplest foods become the most beloved traditions.
4. Scrapple
Don’t let the name scare you away from this breakfast classic.
Pennsylvania Dutch cooks created scrapple by mixing pork scraps with cornmeal and spices, then forming it into a loaf that gets sliced and fried until crispy.
The outside turns golden and crunchy while the inside stays tender and savory.
Some folks love it with syrup, others prefer ketchup, but everyone agrees it’s the ultimate way to start your morning in the Keystone State.
5. Pork and Sauerkraut
New Year’s Day in Pennsylvania means one thing: pork and sauerkraut bubbling away on the stove.
This traditional dish supposedly brings good luck and prosperity for the year ahead, which is why families serve it religiously every January first.
Slow-roasted pork gets tender and juicy while tangy sauerkraut adds that perfect sour kick.
The combination might sound unusual, but it’s pure comfort food that warms you from the inside out during cold winter months.
6. Shoofly Pie
Why’s it called shoofly?
Legend says the sweet molasses filling attracted so many flies that bakers had to constantly shoo them away.
This Pennsylvania Dutch dessert features a gooey molasses bottom layer topped with crumbly cake-like topping.
Some versions come wetter, others drier, but all pack serious sweetness.
Grab a slice with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat – just be prepared for a serious sugar rush that’ll keep you buzzing.
7. Whoopie Pie
Two soft, cake-like chocolate cookies sandwiching a mountain of sweet cream filling – that’s the whoopie pie magic.
Lancaster County’s Amish communities claim credit for inventing these handheld treats, though Maine puts up a good fight for the title.
Kids supposedly shouted “whoopie!” when they found these in their lunch boxes, and honestly, who can blame them?
Today you’ll find creative flavors like pumpkin and red velvet, but classic chocolate remains the champion.
8. Lebanon Bologna
Forget regular bologna – Lebanon bologna brings a whole different vibe.
This semi-dry, smoked beef sausage comes from Lebanon County and packs a tangy, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of smoke.
The dark ring around the edge shows it’s the real deal, smoked in traditional smokehouses for hours.
Slice it thin for sandwiches or cube it for snacking with cheese and crackers.
Once you try authentic Lebanon bologna, regular lunch meat just doesn’t cut it anymore.
9. Apple Butter
Smooth, thick, and deeply spiced, Pennsylvania Dutch apple butter takes regular applesauce to a whole new level.
Cooks simmer apples for hours with cinnamon, cloves, and other warm spices until everything caramelizes into dark, spreadable perfection.
Slather it on fresh bread, biscuits, or even use it as a glaze for pork chops.
Fall festivals often feature giant copper kettles bubbling away, filling the air with that irresistible apple-cinnamon aroma that screams autumn.
10. Birch Beer
Root beer’s cooler cousin, birch beer delivers a wintergreen bite that sets it apart from any other soda.
Pennsylvania Dutch communities have been brewing this regional favorite for generations using birch bark extract.
It comes in red, white, or brown varieties, each with slightly different flavor profiles.
Crack open an ice-cold bottle on a hot summer day and you’ll understand why Pennsylvanians stay loyal to this unique beverage that most people outside the state have never even heard of.
11. Pierogies
Pittsburgh claims pierogies as its own, thanks to the city’s strong Eastern European heritage.
These tender dumplings get stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, or even sweet fillings, then boiled and pan-fried until golden.
Church festivals sell them by the dozen, and local restaurants serve them topped with caramelized onions and sour cream.
The Pittsburgh Pirates even have racing pierogies at baseball games – now that’s dedication to a beloved food that brings communities together.
12. Pittsburgh Salad
Apparently Pittsburgh really loves putting fries on things, because even salads aren’t safe.
A Pittsburgh salad starts with greens and typical salad fixings, then gets topped with a generous portion of hot french fries and grilled chicken or steak.
The hot fries slightly wilt the lettuce while adding that satisfying crunch and saltiness.
Health food? Maybe not.
Delicious and uniquely Pittsburgh? Absolutely.
Sometimes you need carbs with your veggies, and this city figured out how to make it work.
13. Philadelphia Tomato Pie
Don’t confuse this with regular pizza – Philly tomato pie plays by different rules.
A thick, bread-like crust gets topped with seasoned tomato sauce and just a light sprinkle of Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Some versions skip cheese entirely, letting the tangy, garlicky tomato sauce shine.
Bakeries serve it at room temperature, cut into squares, making it perfect for parties or casual snacking.
It’s simpler than pizza but somehow just as addictive once you develop a taste for it.
14. Sticky Buns
Pennsylvania Dutch bakers perfected the art of the sticky bun, and once you taste one, you’ll never settle for a regular cinnamon roll again.
Soft, yeasted dough gets rolled with cinnamon and brown sugar, then baked in a pool of buttery caramel and pecans.
When they’re flipped out of the pan, that gooey topping cascades down the sides in the most beautiful way.
Grab extra napkins because these live up to their name – sticky, sweet, and absolutely worth the mess.
15. Hershey’s Chocolate Bars
Milton Hershey built an entire town around chocolate production, and that legacy continues in every Hershey bar unwrapped today.
The company revolutionized chocolate manufacturing in America, making it affordable for regular folks instead of just the wealthy.
Walk through Hershey, Pennsylvania, and streetlights shaped like Kisses remind you this town lives and breathes chocolate.
From classic milk chocolate bars to Reese’s Cups, Hershey’s products define American candy culture and make Pennsylvania proud to be the sweetest state around.
