Philadelphia, PA, is cemented in history as the Birthplace of America. Tourists flock to this iconic city to see landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and to experience its vibrant art scene, which includes the Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation.
But whether you come for these attractions, the massive sports scene (the NFL Eagles, MLB Phillies, NBA 76ers, and NHL Flyers), or something else, once you grab your Philadelphia airport car rental, it’s time to start planning your meals. From the must-have Philly cheesesteak that everyone knows about to the lesser-known delicacies, here are 9 foods every foodie should try when in Philadelphia.
Invented in Philly in the 1930s by two brothers, Pat and Harry Olivieri, the Philly cheesesteak is now a staple around the world. This long roll, stuffed with thinly-sliced beef, veggies like fried onions, and melted cheese, began as an experiment as the brothers ran their hot dog stand, and grew so popular that Pat opened Pat’s King of Steaks, the first of many cheesesteak restaurants.
Now used as a common northern term for any type of sub sandwich, the original hoagie was an overstuffed cold sandwich on a long roll. Stuffed with deli meats, cheese, and veggies, and topped with oil and vinegar, there’s no hoagie like a Philly hoagie. The artisans of Philadelphia have perfected the ratios of lettuce, tomato, meats, and cheese for a truly masterful finished sandwich.
When you order this sandwich without any substitutions, you can expect your taste buds to enjoy slow-roasted pork complemented by sharp provolone. Instead of the typical lettuce as your greens, bitter options, such as broccoli rabe, are the go-to for your crunch factor.
Move over, New York City’s cart vendors. The soft pretzels in Philadelphia are the ultimate doughy, chewy version. Lightly salted and just the right level of sweet, soft pretzels are found in bakeries, restaurants, and street carts.
If you see this on the menu, just know it’s not your typical ice floating in a drink. Instead, water ice in Philadelphia is the original Italian ice frozen dessert. Philadelphians have mastered this recipe to create smooth, scoopable delights in multiple fruity flavors.
Not your average pizza, a tomato pie is a thick, Sicilian-style bread, shaped into a rectangle and topped with plenty of bold tomato sauce. Get it with a little or no cheese.
Get ready for flavors unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before when you order Philadelphia’s famous scrapple. This breakfast meal is a pan-fried loaf with pork scraps, spices, and cornmeal for just the right mix of spice and savory.
Another breakfast delight, pork rolls have been around since the 19th century. Also called Taylor ham by nearby New Jerseyans, this sandwich is made from sausage-like breakfast meat, sliced into rounds, seasoned, and grilled, then served on your choice of bagel, English muffin, or Kaiser roll. The pork roll is commonly served with eggs and cheese.
The packaged snack cake favorite of supermarkets all over the country, Tastykakes started in Philadelphia and is now a beloved staple seen everywhere. Get your butterscotch and chocolate fix at most bakeries and restaurants in the city.
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