14 Classic Pennsylvania Foods Only Locals Truly Appreciate

Pennsylvania’s food scene is a delicious tapestry woven from German, Polish, Italian, and Dutch influences.

From the bustling streets of Philadelphia to the rolling farmlands of Amish country, the Keystone State offers unique culinary treasures that locals hold dear.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just passing through, these iconic Pennsylvania foods showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit.

1. Philly Cheesesteak

Nothing screams Pennsylvania quite like biting into a hot, juicy Philly cheesesteak. Thinly sliced ribeye sizzles on a flat-top grill while Cheez Whiz, provolone, or American cheese melts into every crevice.

Locals debate endlessly about Pat’s versus Geno’s, but the perfect steak requires the right roll, slightly crusty outside, soft inside, to soak up those savory meat juices without falling apart.

2. Soft Pretzels

Forget those mall pretzels! Pennsylvania’s soft pretzels boast a distinctive figure-eight shape with a mahogany exterior that gives way to a chewy, tender center.

Amish bakers have perfected this craft over generations, creating the ideal balance of salt and subtle sweetness. Morning commuters throughout Philadelphia grab these doughy delights from street vendors, often enhancing them with spicy brown mustard for the perfect breakfast-on-the-go.

3. Shoofly Pie

Sweet-toothed Pennsylvanians have treasured this molasses-based pie since the 1880s. A crumbly brown sugar topping sits atop a gooey molasses filling, creating two distinct textures that somehow work perfectly together.

Named for its ability to attract flies with its sweetness (requiring them to be “shooed” away), this Pennsylvania Dutch creation comes in wet-bottom and dry-bottom varieties. Locals enjoy a slice with strong black coffee to balance the intense sweetness.

4. Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling

Mashed potatoes get a magnificent makeover in this hearty side dish. Imagine fluffy potatoes enriched with sautéed celery, onions, and fresh herbs, then baked until golden and crusty on top.

Holiday tables across Pennsylvania wouldn’t be complete without this comfort food. Grandmothers guard their recipes jealously, each claiming the perfect ratio of butter to potatoes. Many families serve it alongside turkey at Thanksgiving instead of standard mashed potatoes.

5. Tastykakes

Ask any Pennsylvania child about their favorite lunchbox treat, and Tastykakes will likely top the list. Since 1914, these iconic individually wrapped snack cakes have delighted generations with their perfect portion size and consistent quality.

Butterscotch Krimpets with their distinctive ridges and sweet glaze remain bestsellers. Kandy Kakes, chocolate-covered discs with peanut butter centers, create fierce loyalty among fans who stockpile them when moving to states where they’re unavailable.

6. Scrapple

Brave breakfast enthusiasts embrace this Pennsylvania Dutch creation made from pork scraps and cornmeal formed into a loaf, then sliced and fried until crispy outside and soft inside.

Often described as “everything but the oink,” scrapple represents rural Pennsylvania’s waste-nothing ethos. Country diners serve it alongside eggs and toast, while Philadelphia chefs elevate it with maple syrup drizzles or apple butter accompaniments.

7. Pierogies

Church basements across Pennsylvania fill with volunteers pinching dough around potato and cheese fillings, creating these beloved dumplings. Polish immigrants brought pierogies to Pennsylvania’s coal regions, where they became staples at community fundraisers.

Properly prepared pierogies get boiled then fried in butter with onions until golden. Pittsburgh loves them so much that pierogi mascots race at Pirates baseball games, while Mrs. T’s, the nation’s largest pierogi manufacturer, calls Pennsylvania home.

8. Funnel Cake

Summer carnivals across Pennsylvania wouldn’t be complete without the sweet aroma of funnel cake wafting through the air. Hot oil transforms liquid batter poured through a funnel into a crispy, tangled web of fried dough.

Generous dustings of powdered sugar finish this handheld delight that originated with Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. County fairs showcase increasingly creative variations topped with fresh berries, chocolate drizzles, or cinnamon sugar, though purists insist the classic version reigns supreme.

9. Chow Chow Pickle Relish

Colorful jars of chopped pickled vegetables line Pennsylvania Dutch pantry shelves year-round. Combining end-of-season garden bounty, cauliflower, carrots, beans, corn, and cabbage, in a sweet and tangy brine creates this vibrant condiment.

Family recipes vary widely, with some versions leaning sweet while others pack more vinegar punch. Locals pile it alongside cold cuts at picnics or spoon it atop hot dogs and hamburgers for a distinctively Pennsylvania touch that elevates ordinary meals.

10. Whoopie Pies

Legend claims Amish farmers shouted “Whoopie!” upon discovering these treats in their lunchboxes. Two cake-like chocolate cookies sandwich a fluffy vanilla filling, creating a portable dessert that predates the cupcake craze by generations.

Roadside stands throughout Lancaster County sell traditional versions alongside seasonal pumpkin, red velvet, and peanut butter variations. Size matters too: from two-bite minis to plate-sized giants that require both hands and multiple sittings to finish.

11. Lebanon Bologna

Grocery store deli counters throughout Pennsylvania slice this distinctive smoked beef sausage to eager customers’ specifications. Developed by Pennsylvania Dutch butchers, Lebanon bologna’s tangy, smoky flavor comes from a slow fermentation process.

Kids grow up enjoying it rolled around cream cheese as an after-school snack. Sweet and regular varieties offer different taste experiences, while the city of Lebanon hosts an annual bologna festival complete with a bologna-dropping ceremony on New Year’s Eve.

12. Apple Butter

Fall weekends in rural Pennsylvania often involve massive copper kettles bubbling over open fires as communities gather for apple butter making. Apples cook down for hours until transformed into a silky, spiced spread darker and richer than applesauce.

Continuous stirring with wooden paddles prevents scorching while cinnamon and cloves perfume the air. Jars filled with the mahogany spread become prized gifts, delicious slathered on warm bread or stirred into oatmeal on frosty mornings.

13. Chicken Pot Pie (Pennsylvania Style)

Visitors often express confusion when ordering Pennsylvania Dutch chicken pot pie and receiving a hearty soup instead of a pastry-topped dish. Square-cut egg noodles, tender chunks of chicken, and farm-fresh vegetables swim in a rich, herb-infused broth.

Rural families have passed down recipes for generations, with some adding saffron for distinctive yellow color. Church suppers and fire company fundraisers throughout central Pennsylvania ladle out gallons of this belly-warming comfort food during cold months.

14. Pepper Pot Soup

Revolutionary War soldiers at Valley Forge survived winter on this hearty soup, now considered Philadelphia’s signature stew. Tripe (beef stomach) provides distinctive texture while a peppery broth delivers warming heat.

Modern versions sometimes substitute other meats, but purists insist authentic pepper pot requires tripe. Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market vendors still ladle out steaming bowls according to centuries-old recipes, connecting modern diners to America’s earliest days through this historic dish.