No matter where you grew up, you likely lived in a bit of a food bubble. Whether you remember your mom making the New York-famous Chicken Riggies or visiting Skyline for some spiced Cincinnati-style chili, your “normal” menu probably looked different from the person in the next region over, and you didn’t even know.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, there were some things I knew were unique to the Steel City—like Sarris Candies’ chocolate-covered pretzels (a favorite of former NFL player JJ Watt) and Primanti Bros. “almost famous” sandwiches topped with fries and coleslaw. However, after moving out of the ‘Burgh, I was genuinely surprised to learn that other people didn’t grow up eating pierogies or know that Heinz ketchup originated in my hometown.
The biggest culture shock for many Pittsburgh transplants, though, comes the first time they ask a deli employee for “chipped ham” and receive a look like they’ve got two heads. I wasn’t expecting to find Isaly’s products outside of Pennsylvania, but how are we Pittsburghers supposed to make ham barbecue without the special, thinly sliced ham?…