Pennsylvania is many things, from big cities to small towns to miles of rustic woodland; the name means Penn’s Woods, after all. There’s Philadelphia to the east – with its cradle-of-liberty historical significance and gritty attitude – and Pittsburgh to the west, where Rust Belt fog lifted to uncover a beautiful gem. In less populated parts, post-industrial towns like Scranton, Altoona, and Erie mix with scenic mountain ranges and forests. It is, in a way, a microcosm of the country.
Then, of course, there’s the reason we’re here: all that gloriously diverse food. In PA, one can find the self-styled mushroom capital of the world, the snack food capital of the world, and, amazingly, even the pizza capital of the world. From Philly’s Italian sandwiches and red sauce joints to the German legacy of the PA Dutch, west to Pittsburgh for hearty Polish and Ukrainian fare, and everything in between, there’s a traditional delicacy in Pennsylvania for just about everyone. Without further ado, here are some of the commonwealth’s most iconic foods.
Cheesesteaks
This longtime regional specialty sandwich has, in more recent years, become a global symbol for the City of Brotherly Love. The cheesesteak is certainly well suited to this; like the city itself, it has a simple, heart-on-the-sleeve charm, but also packs a wallop (of flavor). By the way, we didn’t call it a “Philly cheesesteak,” as no self-respecting Philadelphian would ever add that modifier. It is just a cheesesteak, period.
The cheesesteak is an uncomplicated sandwich, made of three ingredients: thinly-sliced beef, sauteed onions, and warm cheese (American, Provolone, or Cheez Whiz). That’s it. Another note: while it’s fine to request peppers or mushrooms if desired, a cheesesteak should never contain them by default. Beyond calling it a “Philly cheese steak,” adding either or both to the base model is a surefire way to out it as inauthentic…