Leaving PA. Well, it happens. Some of us leave for vacation. Others move away. Still, we carry with us the memories of home, especially the food. And, oh, the delicious food you can find in PA. Here are 11 classic Pennsylvania foods that people miss when they leave the state.

1. Philadelphia Cheesesteak
Flickr/Navin Rajagopalan
Sure, you can find cheesesteak in other parts of the country. But, if you want authentic, you've gotta be in PA. While taste is certainly subjective, many Pennsylvanians would likely agree you can find the best cheesesteak in Philly, where the popular sandwich was born.
2. Shoofly Pie
Flickr/Anna Creech
This delicious creation is one of the most famous dishes in Pennsylvania. Shoofly pie has been a Pennsylvania tradition since the 1800's, thanks to the Pennsylvania Dutch. And, who can resist the molasses pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anytime in between?
3. Whoopie Pies
Flickr/k.segars
Move over Hostess! PA's got the whoopie pie and nothing can top it. We owe the scrumptious whoopie pie to the Pennsylvania Dutch of Lancaster County.
4. Tasty Kakes
Flickr/Ezra Wolf
Stock up on all of your favorite TastyKake items before you leave PA: Chocolate bells, chocolate chip cookie bars, and strawberry cupcakes, to name just a few. What are your favorite TastyKake goodies?
5. Primanti Brothers’ Sandwich
Flickr/jpellgen
Living in Pennsylvania definitely has its perks, and this epic sandwich is just one of many. Anyone can put fries and coleslaw on a sandwich. It doesn't matter where you live. But, as Western Pennsylvanians will attest, Primanti Brothers is the original and really the one and only place to get a hearty sandwich topped with golden fries and coleslaw.

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6. Lebanon Bologna
Flickr/Miranda
If you've spent any amount of time in PA, you know Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna. Pennsylvanians have counted Lebanon Bologna as a favorite since 1902.
7. Chipped Ham Sandwich
Flickr/Steve Wertz
Another food that Pennsylvanians invariably crave when they leave the state is chipped ham or chipped chopped ham, whichever you prefer to call it. Have you ever added ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, relish, and a few other ingredients to create the Pittsburgh-style ham BBQ sandwich?
8. Jumbo
Flickr/Steve Martin
Hands up if you call your bologna jumbo! Of course, we can get bologna just about anywhere but how many people are going to know what you mean when you asked where the jumbo is located in the grocery store?
9. Scrapple
Flickr/Kate Hopkins
Pennsylvanians typically have a love-hate relationship with scrapple. We either love it or we hate it. Some of us don't even know what it is. Where do you stand on scrapple? Yay or nay?
10. Hoagies
Flickr/WhatsAllThisThen
You can only really find a hoagie in PA. Everyone else calls them subs, grinders, or something else. But, nothing beats the delicious sandwich, sat on an Italian bun and topped with cheese, cold meats, lettuce, onions, and other favorites.
11. Birch Beer
Flickr/osseous
Move aside, root beer. We drink birch beer in PA and it's oh-so-refreshing.

What else would you add to the list of classic Pennsylvania foods? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Wanna know what other Americans think of our food? Click here to watch a fun taste test by West Coasters. And check out our list of the strangest habits of people in Pennsylvania.

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classic Pennsylvania foods

Elisa Regulski | June 22, 2020

What are the most famous restaurants in Pennsylvania?

The Church Brew Works, located in Pittsburgh, is one of the most famous restaurants in Pennsylvania. Like its name suggests, this iconic restaurant sits inside an old church. Sip on refreshing craft beer while looking at the gorgeous stained glass windows. Plus, their pierogies and burgers can’t be beat. McGillin's Olde Ale House, located in Philadelphia, is another beloved dining establishment in the state. Built in 1860, it’s also one of the oldest watering holes in the area! Relax in its historic charm and enjoy a hearty meal with friends. This place belongs on everyone’s bucket list.

What are some habits of people in Pennsylvania?

Living in Pennsylvania definitely has its quirks. For example, Pennsylvanians love shopping at 100 mile yard sales. This epic attraction brings in loads of excited bargain hunters year after year. We are also known for our interesting pastimes. Who else has a dachshund, outhouse, or lawnmower race every year? That’s something you’ll only find in Pennsylvania.

What kind of food is Pennsylvania known for?

Pennsylvania is perhaps most known for its incredible Philly Cheesesteaks, but that’s just the beginning. We’re also known for our delicious shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and Birch beer. There’s no other sandwich quite like Primanti Brothers’, and we always miss this epic dish when we leave town. And you can’t forget about pierogies! These scrumptious Polish dumplings are full of flavor, and we absolutely can’t get enough. Most Pennsylvanians have a love/hate relationship with scrapple, but there’s no denying its iconic Pennsylvania taste.

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