Food We’ve Made Famous
Learn which foods put Pittsburgh on the map
June 11, 2023
No restaurant better represents Pittsburgh than Primanti Brothers. Designed to help feed truckers making deliveries in the Strip District nearly a century ago, the restaurant put its sides (fries and coleslaw) on the sandwich so a whole meal could be enjoyed in one bite. Since then, coleslaw and fries on sandwiches has become a unique Pittsburgh foodie trademark. APTA rail attendees can easily visit the Market Square location or the original Strip District location by venturing via public transit or on foot.
In addition to putting fries on sandwiches, Pittsburgh is known for putting fries on almost everything, including salads. While this was more popular a few decades ago, don’t be surprised if you come across the occasional “Pittsburgh salad” on a menu, which means the salad sports french fries in addition to the standard vegetables and protein.
Another way Pittsburgh has made potatoes famous is through the love of pierogi. Pierogies are considered the national dish of Poland, and widely popular in other Slavic countries like Ukraine, Slovakia, Lithuania and Russia. Immigrants brought them to Pittsburgh at the height of the steel industry, and now they are a quintessential part of Pittsburgh culture. From Friday night fish fries during Lent to the highest end restaurants in the city, you will see Pittsburgh’s dedication to this dumpling almost anywhere you go.
Your french fries need a dip, and Heinz Ketchup is the iconic condiment created in Pittsburgh in 1857. Heinz Ketchup, in addition to a variety of Heinz products, can be found at restaurants throughout the city.
Pittsburgh’s most famous dessert is arguably the burnt almond torte at Prantl’s Bakery. The torte was conceived by Henry Prantl in 1970 after attending a bakers conference. When he got home, Prantl created his own twist on the torte and topped it with buttercream and toasted almonds. The dessert was created in part thanks to a surplus in almonds that year, but it’s remained a Pittsburgh staple ever since, serving as the centerpiece of weddings, birthdays and Steeler Sunday family gatherings. For additional foods Pittsburgh made famous, visit https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/foods-you-can-only-get-in-pittsburgh.
