11 Foods Every Pennsylvanian Craves When They Leave Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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.

6. Lebanon Bologna

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

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

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

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

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

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.