10 Pennsylvania Foods That Outsiders Question Until They Actually Taste Them
Pennsylvania’s culinary landscape is a treasure trove of unique dishes that often raise eyebrows among first-time visitors. Having grown up in the Keystone State, I’ve seen countless friends go from skepticism to a full-blown food love affair.
From the first bite to the last, these flavors have a way of winning people over. These ten Pennsylvania delicacies might sound a bit strange at first, but trust me—one bite is all it takes to convert even the most doubtful food critics.
Let’s explore these local specialties that have become beloved staples of the state’s food scene.
1. Shoofly Pie: The Sweet Treat With The Curious Name
Grandma’s kitchen always smelled like molasses when shoofly pie day arrived. This Pennsylvania Dutch dessert looks like a simple brown pie, but one forkful reveals its complex personality.
The wet-bottom variety features a gooey molasses layer beneath a crumbly topping—pure heaven with morning coffee. Folks debate whether wet-bottom or dry-bottom reigns supreme, but both versions showcase the rich sweetness that defined early settler cooking.
Legend claims the name comes from bakers shooing flies away from the sweet treat as it cooled. Whatever the origin, this sticky-sweet pie transforms skeptics into believers faster than you can say “pass the fork.”
2. Tomato Pie: Not Pizza, But Something Wonderfully Different
“That’s just pizza without cheese,” my friend scoffed before trying authentic Philly tomato pie. Boy, was he wrong! This room-temperature delight bears little resemblance to its distant Italian cousin.
The magic lies in its thick, focaccia-like crust topped with a concentrated tomato sauce that’s been seasoned to perfection. Some bakeries add a light dusting of grated Romano, but the star is always that sweet-tangy sauce.
My Brooklyn friends now make special trips to Conshohocken just to grab a tray. There’s something about that perfect balance of chewy bread and rich tomato that makes converts out of skeptics every time.
3. Crabfries: The Seasoned Spuds With The Misleading Name
“Wait, there’s no actual crab in these?” visitors always ask. Nope! These legendary fries from Chickie’s & Pete’s are all about that distinctive seasoning.
The crinkle-cut potatoes come dusted with a secret spice blend reminiscent of Old Bay—a perfect complement to the creamy cheese sauce served alongside. I’ve watched friends demolish baskets of these at Eagles games, completely forgetting their initial confusion about the name.
The combination of salt, spice, and that signature dipping sauce creates an addictive quality that’s impossible to resist. One order is never enough, which explains why these fries have become a Philadelphia sports tradition.
4. Tastykakes: The Snack Cakes That Inspire Devotion
My college roommate from Texas received a care package from me filled with Butterscotch Krimpets and Kandy Kakes. “These are just knock-off Hostess,” he said—until he took his first bite.
The look of revelation on his face was priceless. Tastykakes aren’t just snack cakes; they’re a Pennsylvania institution dating back to 1914, with a freshness and flavor that mass-produced competitors can’t match.
The individually wrapped treats—from the chocolate-covered peanut butter Kandy Kakes to the iconic fluted Krimpets with their butterscotch icing—inspire such loyalty that Pennsylvanians living elsewhere regularly beg visitors to bring them supplies.
5. Scrapple: The Breakfast Block That Baffles Outsiders
The first time my California cousin visited, she stared at my breakfast plate in horror. “You’re eating what?” Scrapple’s humble origins as a waste-nothing dish doesn’t exactly sell itself in description.
This traditional Pennsylvania Dutch creation combines pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices into a sliceable loaf that fries up with a perfectly crispy exterior and soft, savory interior. The magic happens when that golden-brown crust forms.
My cousin’s transformation from disgust to delight happened in one bite. Now she demands it whenever she visits, proving that scrapple isn’t just breakfast—it’s a conversion experience.
6. Funnel Cake: The Fairground Favorite With Pennsylvania Roots
The Kutztown Fair changed my cousin’s mind about funnel cake forever. “It looks like a plate of fried string,” she laughed before the powdered sugar-dusted creation won her heart.
While many regions claim funnel cake as their own, Pennsylvania Dutch country perfected this sweet treat. The batter streams through a funnel into hot oil, creating a nest of crispy, interconnected dough ribbons that crackle between your teeth.
Beyond the standard powdered sugar topping, modern variations feature fruit toppings or chocolate drizzles. But purists know nothing beats the simple pleasure of pulling apart those warm, sugar-dusted strands on a cool autumn evening at a Pennsylvania fair.
7. Philadelphia Roast Pork Sandwich: The Cheesesteak’s Sophisticated Cousin
“Everyone knows Philly is all about cheesesteaks,” my brother-in-law declared before I took him to John’s Roast Pork. One sandwich later, he understood what locals have known forever: the roast pork sandwich is Philly’s true masterpiece.
Tender, slow-roasted pork, swimming in its own juices, gets piled onto a crusty Italian roll. The addition of sharp provolone provides tangy contrast, while sautéed broccoli rabe adds a pleasant bitterness that cuts through the richness.
The perfect balance of flavors and textures makes this sandwich the choice of many Philadelphians. The look of surprise when visitors taste this unsung hero of the sandwich world never gets old!
8. Pennsylvania Dutch Pretzels: The Twisted Treats With Historical Roots
Last summer, I watched my nephew turn up his nose at a hand-rolled pretzel from a Lancaster County bakery. “It doesn’t look like the ones at the mall,” he complained. One bite later, he was begging for another!
Pennsylvania’s pretzel tradition dates back to German settlers who brought their baking expertise to America. Unlike mass-produced varieties, authentic Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels feature a distinctive chew and complex flavor from traditional lye dipping and proper fermentation.
Whether soft and pillowy or hard and crunchy, these twisted treats showcase the perfect marriage of salt and dough. The distinctive knot shape isn’t just for show—it creates varied textures in a single bite.
9. Pickled Red Beets: The Colorful Side Dish That Divides Opinion
The vibrant magenta liquid in the glass jar always catches visitors’ attention at family gatherings. “You actually eat those?” they ask, eyeing my plate of pickled beets with suspicion.
Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine embraces these sweet-tangy gems as a staple side dish. The earthy beets transform after marinating in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and spices, creating a perfect balance of flavors that complement hearty meats and starches.
My favorite part is watching friends tentatively try that first forkful, expecting to dislike it. The surprised smile that follows never fails to appear! These colorful roots might stain your fingers, but they’ll also leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
10. Potato Filling: The Comfort Food That Puts Ordinary Stuffing To Shame
“You put mashed potatoes IN your stuffing?” My college roommate’s confusion about potato filling was cleared up the moment she joined us for Thanksgiving dinner.
This Pennsylvania Dutch creation blends creamy mashed potatoes with bread cubes, sautéed onions, celery, and herbs into something greater than the sum of its parts. The result is a velvety, savory side dish that outshines ordinary bread stuffing at any holiday table.
Grandma’s secret was adding a touch of nutmeg and plenty of butter. The crispy top and creamy interior create textural magic that converts skeptics with a single forkful. Now my roommate makes it for her own family gatherings, spreading Pennsylvania tradition across state lines.