10 Cheap But Legendary Restaurants In Pennsylvania That Locals Love
Pennsylvania’s food scene isn’t just about fancy restaurants with eye-popping prices.
The Keystone State hides amazing food gems where locals line up for mouthwatering meals that won’t empty your wallet.
I’ve spent years exploring these hidden treasures, from Pittsburgh’s sandwich havens to Philly’s cheesesteak kingdoms.
Ready to eat like a true Pennsylvanian without breaking the bank? These ten legendary spots serve up history and flavor in every affordable bite.
1. Primanti Bros. – Pittsburgh’s Sandwich Revolution
My first Primanti Bros. experience left me speechless as the waitress delivered a monster sandwich stuffed with fries and coleslaw between two thick slices of Italian bread. This Pittsburgh institution began in 1933 as a food cart for hungry truckers and dock workers needing a complete meal in one hand.
What makes these sandwiches legendary isn’t fancy ingredients but practical genius. The fries and coleslaw aren’t sides, they’re piled right inside with your choice of meat! Steel workers could eat their entire lunch with one hand while working with the other.
Despite expanding to multiple locations, their original Strip District spot remains a pilgrimage site where locals and tourists alike pay homage to the $8 sandwich that changed Pittsburgh’s culinary landscape forever.
2. Pat’s King Of Steaks – Philly Cheesesteak Royalty
Standing in line at 2 AM with freezing hands at Pat’s King of Steaks remains one of my fondest Pennsylvania memories. Founded in 1930 by Pat Olivieri, this 24-hour South Philly landmark claims to have invented the cheesesteak when Pat tossed some beef on his hot dog grill and created culinary history.
The ordering process is famously intimidating for newcomers. Mess up your order by saying ‘Swiss cheese’ instead of ‘Whiz’ or forgetting to specify ‘wit’ or ‘witout’ onions, and you’ll be sent to the back of the line amid local snickers.
Despite the no-frills atmosphere and the perpetual rivalry with Geno’s across the street, Pat’s delivers a perfectly greasy, thinly sliced steak sandwich on a crusty roll for under $12 that defines authentic Philadelphia street food.
3. Tony Luke’s – The Working Class Cheesesteak Hero
The smell of sizzling ribeye hit me like a beautiful punch to the nose when I first visited Tony Luke’s under I-95 in South Philly. Unlike the tourist-heavy Pat’s and Geno’s battlefield, this 1992-established joint draws more locals seeking what many consider the city’s most authentic cheesesteak experience.
Tony Luke’s stands out by using freshly baked Liscio’s rolls delivered multiple times daily and hand-sliced ribeye rather than pre-frozen meat. Their roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe might actually outshine their famous cheesesteak – blasphemous words in Philly!
The industrial location under the interstate feels perfectly fitting for this blue-collar food paradise where $12 gets you a sandwich so substantial it could honestly feed two people. Cash only, no fancy frills, just phenomenal food.
4. Reading Terminal Market – Beiler’s Donuts & Dutch Eating Paradise
Lost in a sea of Amish specialties at Reading Terminal Market, I accidentally discovered Beiler’s Donuts – where $1 buys you a piece of hand-rolled, deep-fried heaven. This historic market houses dozens of vendors, but the Pennsylvania Dutch section delivers the most bang for minimal bucks.
Beyond Beiler’s addictive donuts (try the apple fritter!), Dutch Eating Company serves hearty breakfast platters under $10 that could fuel a farmhand for days. Miller’s Twist hand-rolls soft pretzels before your eyes, while Dienner’s offers country-style barbecue chicken that puts fancy establishments to shame.
The market’s 1893 train shed architecture adds historical charm as you navigate through food stalls where recipes haven’t changed in generations. Pro tip: go on weekdays before noon to avoid the crushing weekend crowds and score the freshest offerings.
5. Yocco’s Hot Dogs – The Lehigh Valley’s Meaty Obsession
“You haven’t experienced the Lehigh Valley until you’ve had a Yocco’s dog,” my Allentown friend insisted before dragging me to this unassuming hot dog joint. Since 1922, six generations of the Iacocca family (they simplified the name for easier pronunciation) have been serving their secret-recipe chili sauce on perfectly grilled dogs.
The magic happens on well-seasoned flat-top grills where these skinny franks develop a distinctive snap when bitten. Each dog gets a schmear of mustard, sprinkle of onions, and that famous chili sauce that’s more savory than spicy – creating a flavor combination that’s sparked fierce local loyalty.
For under $3 per dog, Yocco’s represents the pinnacle of Pennsylvania fast food value. Their locations maintain a delightful 1950s aesthetic, complete with counter service and no-nonsense efficiency that gets you in and out in minutes.
6. Angelo’s Pizzeria – South Philly’s Sandwich Sensation
“We close when we run out of dough” reads the sign at Angelo’s, where I once waited 90 minutes for a sandwich that haunts my dreams to this day. Owner Danny DiGiampietro crafts his seeded rolls and pizza dough fresh daily, creating bread so exceptional it would be criminal to put anything less than spectacular between it.
Their Italian hoagie achieves perfect balance, sharp provolone, thinly sliced meats, and that magical sesame seed roll that’s simultaneously soft and crusty. The cheesesteaks feature hand-chopped ribeye (never sliced), with Cooper Sharp American cheese melted to creamy perfection.
Despite sandwich prices hovering around $12, the portions are massive enough to satisfy two normal appetites. This cash-only, no-phone-orders establishment represents old-school Philly at its finest – inconvenient, unapologetic, and producing food so transcendent that all hassles become irrelevant.
7. Bolete – Bethlehem’s Farm-To-Table Secret
Walking into Bolete’s 200-year-old stone building, I worried my wallet wouldn’t survive the evening – until I discovered their bar menu, the local foodie’s best-kept secret. While their main dining room serves award-winning cuisine at expected prices, their tavern section offers half-portions and incredible happy hour deals that deliver the same exquisite flavors for a fraction of the cost.
Chef Lee Chizmar, a James Beard semifinalist, transforms locally-sourced ingredients into approachable luxury. Their legendary burger – topped with local mushrooms, caramelized onions, and house bacon – costs just $16 during happy hour and rivals any $30 version in Philadelphia.
The rustic-chic atmosphere inside this former stagecoach inn strikes the perfect balance between special occasion worthy and comfortably casual. Reservations for the bar area aren’t accepted, so arrive early to score a seat at this farm-to-table gem.
8. DiNic’s – Reading Terminal’s Roast Pork Perfection
The first bite of DiNic’s roast pork sandwich made me question everything I thought I knew about Philadelphia sandwiches. Nestled inside Reading Terminal Market, this fourth-generation family business serves what many locals consider the true signature sandwich of Philadelphia – not the cheesesteak.
Thinly sliced roast pork, swimming in its own juices, gets piled onto a seeded Sarcone’s roll, then topped with sharp provolone and sautéed broccoli rabe for a bitter counterpoint to the rich meat. The sandwich achieves that magical structural integrity where it remains intact until the final bite despite being gloriously wet with porky goodness.
Named “Best Sandwich in America” by Adam Richman, this $12 masterpiece often generates hour-long lines. My insider tip: order ahead online for pickup or visit Tuesday mornings when the market crowd thins considerably.
9. Black N Bleu – Mechanicsburg’s Hidden Steak Bargain
“Order the Bleu Collar Menu steak,” whispered a regular as I puzzled over the menu at Black N Bleu, an upscale-looking steakhouse in central PA where I expected to drain my bank account. This off-menu secret (now officially listed) offers premium cuts at working-class prices during specific hours.
For under $20, you can score a perfectly cooked 6oz filet mignon or NY strip with a side – the same quality steaks that command twice the price during regular dinner service. The restaurant’s elegant interior, with its stone fireplace and modern lighting, makes the deal feel even more like highway robbery.
Chef Donny Brown sources exceptional beef and trains his staff to nail temperature requests every time. While their regular menu features excellent seafood and chops, this hidden value menu transforms an occasional splurge destination into an affordable weekly indulgence for savvy locals.
10. Kelly’s Bar & Lounge – Pittsburgh’s Retro Mac & Cheese Heaven
Pushing through the door of Kelly’s Bar & Lounge in East Liberty feels like time-traveling to 1960s Pittsburgh. The crimson vinyl booths, dim lighting, and vintage Naugahyde bar stools set the perfect stage for what many consider the city’s most legendary mac and cheese – a dish so beloved locals would riot if it ever left the menu.
Their version arrives bubbling hot in a small crock, sporting a perfectly browned top that gives way to creamy, molten cheese beneath. The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, though rumors suggest a combination of sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and a dash of hot sauce creates its distinctive tang.
At just $9, this mac and cheese could easily be your entire meal, though their pierogi and kielbasa platters deserve equal attention. The no-frills, cash-preferred establishment represents Pittsburgh’s unpretentious food culture at its finest – exceptional comfort food without fancy presentation or inflated prices.