When visitors come to the Steel City, a common question arises: “What Food Is Pittsburgh Known For?” While Primanti Brothers immediately springs to mind, the iconic food scene extends far beyond this famous sandwich. From pierogies to chipped chopped ham, and beloved desserts to breakfast staples, Pittsburgh’s culinary identity is diverse and delicious.
This guide dives into 15 definitive Pittsburgh foods. Some originated here, while others are adopted from various cultures and deeply integrated into the local diet. We’ll also explore niche categories with dedicated fans, like the city’s famous chocolate shops, and even foods created in neighboring states that found their first major market in Pittsburgh.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it highlights the most well-known and unique culinary treasures that define the Pittsburgh region.
Primanti Brothers: The Quintessential Pittsburgh Sandwich
No discussion of Pittsburgh food is complete without mentioning Primanti Brothers. This sandwich shop began in Pittsburgh’s Strip District in 1933, catering to truckers making deliveries. To simplify their meals, Primanti’s combined the sides (fries and coleslaw) directly into the sandwich, enabling drivers to eat with one hand.
Though Primanti Brothers has expanded to other states, the original Strip District location remains a favorite. When you visit, add a fried egg to your sandwich for an unforgettable experience!
Pittsburgh Salad: Fries on Everything!
Following the success of Primanti Brothers, Pittsburgh developed a reputation for topping dishes with french fries. The Pittsburgh salad is a prime example of this phenomenon.
While a typical salad consists of lettuce, vegetables, and a protein, in Pittsburgh, it often includes a generous helping of fries on top. Primanti Brothers undoubtedly started a culinary trend!
Pierogies: A Taste of Eastern Europe
Pittsburgh’s steelmaking past brought a significant influx of Eastern Europeans to the region. Their culinary traditions gradually became part of the Pittsburgh diet. Among these, the pierogi stands out as a local favorite.
This dumpling enjoys widespread popularity in Pittsburgh, appearing on menus from upscale restaurants and food trucks to church basements. Pierogies even find their way onto sandwiches, showcasing the enduring “Primanti effect.” Trying pierogies is a must when exploring the city’s food scene.
Sarris Candies: Pittsburgh’s Sweet Tooth Satisfaction
Every city has its iconic chocolate shop, and in Pittsburgh, that title belongs to Sarris Candies, based in Canonsburg. Since opening in 1960, Sarris Candies has expanded significantly, offering chocolates, candies, and ice cream. Its distribution network spans over a thousand stores in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
If you crave chocolate, Sarris Candies is a local institution. While their products are available in many stores, visiting the main store in Canonsburg offers the full, immersive Sarris experience.
Prantl’s Burnt Almond Torte: A Pittsburgh Pastry Icon
Similar to chocolate, every city boasts a beloved local pastry. In Pittsburgh, that honor belongs to the burnt almond torte from Prantl’s.
The burnt almond torte is a white cake lavishly covered in icing and almonds. Legend says Henry Prantl conceived the idea after a trip to California during an almond surplus. The dessert became an instant hit, enjoyed by Pittsburghers by the slice, as wedding cakes, and in various creative adaptations at Prantl’s and other local bakeries.
Heinz Ketchup: Born in Pittsburgh, Loved Worldwide
Did you know that the world’s most iconic condiment originated in Pittsburgh?
H. J. Heinz began in the food industry in the mid-1800s, producing horseradish. In 1875, he introduced Heinz tomato ketchup, which would become his signature product. The famous “57 varieties” slogan debuted in 1896. Throughout the 20th century, Heinz expanded production, achieving its current iconic status.
While Heinz Ketchup is no longer produced in Pittsburgh, its history remains deeply rooted in the city. If you dare serve a ketchup other than Heinz, prepare for some friendly local criticism!
Other famous foods with Pittsburgh origins include the Big Mac (explore the Big Mac Museum nearby) and the Clark Bar!
Pamela’s Hotcakes: A Pittsburgh Breakfast Staple
When it comes to breakfast, many restaurants contend for the title of Pittsburgh icon. While several establishments boast devoted followings, Pamela’s hotcakes stand out as a must-try.
These large, crepe-like pancakes are known for their thinness and crispy edges, providing a simple yet satisfying breakfast. While delicious on their own, they are best enjoyed with fruit fillings made with fruit, brown sugar, and sour cream (for certain fruits), topped with whipped cream.
Complement your hotcakes with a side of Pamela’s famous Lyonnaise potatoes for a truly unforgettable Pittsburgh breakfast.
Be prepared for long lines during typical breakfast hours at any Pamela’s location. Consider visiting for an early lunch to avoid the crowds.
Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey: A Spirited History
Kentucky may be famous for bourbon, but whiskey’s popularity in the USA traces back to western Pennsylvania with Monongahela Rye.
This connection stems from the Whiskey Rebellion in the late 1700s (a protest against government taxation of whiskey producers) and the mash bill. Made predominantly with rye and other grains, with no corn, and utilizing a sweet mash processing technique, Monongahela Rye offers a distinctive flavor profile rooted in the Pittsburgh region.
Eat’n Park Smiley Cookies: A Pittsburgh Symbol of Happiness
Why is a smiley-faced cookie so popular? It’s hard to say. Since its introduction at Eat’n Park restaurants in 1986, the Smiley Cookie has become a Pittsburgh obsession. Perhaps it’s due to Eat’n Park’s on-site bakeries, or maybe a smiling cookie simply makes people happy.
The exact reason for its popularity remains a mystery, but the Smiley Cookie is undoubtedly a Pittsburgh icon.
The Fussfungle Cocktail: A Forgotten Classic
Most major cities have a signature cocktail. Pittsburgh’s, the Fussfungle, has sadly faded from prominence over the years. Originating in McKeesport in the late 1800s, the Fussfungle combines rye whiskey with a brown sugar-molasses syrup.
The result is a rich, dark, and complex cocktail akin to an Old Fashioned, but with a darker sugar base.
The Fussfungle is now relatively rare, occasionally appearing on menus in the city.
Turkey Devonshire: An Open-Faced Delight
The Turkey Devonshire, another Pittsburgh sandwich creation, dates back to 1934. Similar to the Fussfungle, it has become less common in local restaurants. This open-faced sandwich features turkey, bacon, tomato, and a rich cheese sauce, resembling a Hot Brown.
However, like the cocktail, finding a Turkey Devonshire on local menus can be a challenge. Restaurants often cycle it in and out of rotation, making it difficult to track down.
Kennywood’s Potato Patch Fries: Amusement Park Nostalgia
Pittsburgh’s historic amusement park, Kennywood, is renowned for its Potato Patch Fries. These are simply monster fries topped with cheese (and bacon!), but their nostalgic appeal keeps visitors coming back for more with every visit to the park.
Other Popular Foods from the Region
While the preceding items are distinctively Pittsburgh in either origin (like Heinz Ketchup or Sarris Candy) or popularity (pierogies and Potato Patch Fries), many other foods are often associated with the city.
The following foods are often considered Pittsburgh staples, despite technically originating outside the city limits. Nevertheless, they deserve mention for completeness.
Isaly’s Chipped Chopped Ham: A Thinly Sliced Tradition
Virtually every Pittsburgher identifies Isaly’s chipped chopped ham as a local food. However, it technically originated in Ohio, with Pittsburgh becoming a major consumer shortly after its creation.
Chipped chopped ham is a unique product, created by blending ham chunks, trimmings, and seasonings, molding the mixture into a loaf, and shaving it into thin slices. It is most often served with barbecue sauce on a bun (Isaly’s spicy BBQ sauce is highly recommended).
Popular as a lunchmeat after WWII, chipped chopped ham has gradually declined in Pittsburgh culture, partly due to the decline of Isaly’s stores. However, it can still be found at delis like Penn Mac in the Strip District, allowing you to enjoy a nostalgic sandwich whenever you crave one!
Ohio Valley Style Pizza: Cold Toppings, Square Cuts
Another food often considered a Pittsburgh specialty is Ohio Valley-style pizza. This pizza features cold toppings added to square cuts of pizza, a style popularized by Beto’s Pizza. Only the crust and sauce are cooked. Heaps of toppings are added afterward. Enjoy the unique temperature contrast immediately, let the cheese melt slightly, or warm it up further in the oven (not generally recommended).
While this style of pizza in Pittsburgh is popular, it originated in the Ohio Valley/Steubenville region in the early 1900s.
Klondike Bar: Another Ohio Export, Pittsburgh Favorite
Heinz Ketchup and the Clark Bar are not the only mass-produced foods associated with Pittsburgh. The region is also known as the birthplace of the Klondike Bar, introduced by the Isaly Dairy Company in 1922 (the same company known for chipped chopped ham!).
Like chipped chopped ham, the Klondike Bar was technically created in Ohio and adopted as a Pittsburgh food shortly after its market introduction.
Pepperoni Rolls: Fueling the Coal Miners
Nothing beats a pepperoni roll from the Strip District on a summer day. Depending on where you buy them, they can be quite substantial, enough to feed several people!
Pepperoni rolls, like Primanti Brothers sandwiches, were introduced to feed hungry coal miners in the early 1900s. Pepperoni (and sometimes cheese, peppers, or other ingredients) is wrapped in dough and baked, creating an easy-to-transport food reminiscent of a calzone.
The only reason they aren’t 100% Pittsburgh is that they were created in West Virginia and quickly became a popular meal in the Pittsburgh food scene.
The Banana Split: A Sweet Ending
We end this list on a sweet note with the banana split! This iconic ice cream dessert features three scoops of ice cream placed between a split banana, topped with various sauces, crushed nuts, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.
The banana split is said to have been created in Latrobe, PA, at Tassel Pharmacy in 1904 (although a store in Ohio claims ownership in the same year). Fortunately, the National Ice Cream Retailers Association certified Latrobe as the birthplace, adding another sweet treat to the Pittsburgh region’s culinary repertoire!
