It doesn’t matter if you’re stopping over in Philadelphia while you’re a business trip, or you’re staying in the city for a vacation, you’ll need to grab a bite to eat at some point. Instead of stopping at a national chain and eating food that you can find anywhere in the nation, why not try some true Philly favorites?

That’s how the city’s famed cheesesteak got its start. Although the question who served the first cheesesteak is still up for debate, the general recipe involves placing grilled beef slices, grilled peppers and onions, and melted cheese on Italian bread. Philadelphians have a long-standing love of cheese sauce, so don’t be surprised if you order up a cheesesteak to find that it was made with Cheez Whiz, the city’s beloved condiment.

Italian bread also plays an important role in the hoagie, Philadelphia’s famous mixed sandwich. In fact, at the heart of most quintessentially Philadelphian food is the city’s long tradition of welcoming immigrants into the community. These immigrants brought with them the recipes of their motherlands, and, over the years, these recipes have been adapted to suit American taste buds. That’s why, although the contents of a hoagie vary from establishment to establishment, they are traditionally served between two pieces of Italian bread or on Italian buns. No matter what combination of sliced meats and cheeses you end up with, hoagies make an excellent choice for lunch.

Italian immigrants aren’t the only ones who had an impact on the local cuisine. All throughout the city, you can find warm, soft pretzels that show the influence of the Pennsylvania Dutch on Philadelphian taste buds. Pennsylvania Dutch is actually a misnomer for groups of German immigrants who settled in the area (“Dutch” is a corruption of the word “Deutsch”). No matter who brought them to American shores, you’ll likely find soft pretzels to be a delightful snack. Of course, hot pretzels are readily available from chain stores in malls and other locations across the nation, but why not try them from a mom and pop store in a city where they were first introduced to an American audience?

Whether you’re traveling with kids, adults, or both, you might want to treat your companions to a sweet produced by TastyKake, a company that is perhaps Philadelphia’s most well-known producer of pastries and other treats. The sweets are beloved to many Philadelphians and others living the area, but they can be difficult to find outside the region, so your trip might be the perfect time to indulge in one of the snacks.

Like any other major city, Philadelphia also offers a wealth of higher-end dining options to cater to more sophisticated tastes. That said, try not to stick your nose up at the more commonplace items listed here. They are not only easier on the wallet, but they’re also some of Philly’s iconic foods. So, if you’re looking to say you’ve really experienced Philadelphia, it’s worth the time to drop in and enjoy a treat from one of the local vendors.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel. http://www.laserspinelocations.com/philadelphia/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

Category: Travel
Keywords: travel, philadelphia, visiting philadelphia, philadelphia food