Every state has a handful of foods that truly define that state. So, what are the foods that define our area? There’s something special about knowing that a certain food or drink is native to an area. Even if it’s not native, it’s special knowing that food or drink seems like it belongs to the state. There’s certainly pride in each state in the U.S., and food is part of that.
The Foods That Define Pennsylvania
So, what are the most popular foods in America? According to a survey from YouGov taken in 2025, the No. 1 favorite food of Americans is French fries. That seems appropriate, right? Coming in at No. 2 is mashed potatoes and No. 3 is hamburgers.
As for the history of French fries, Pitco explains that “it’s believed that Belgians began the process of frying strips of potatoes between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Legend has it that the poor villagers of Meuse subsisted on a diet of fish caught in the local river, which they would then fry before eating.” They add, “When the river would freeze over each winter, and fishing was not to be had, the potato became a stand-in for the fish, and the earliest iteration of French fries was born.”
So, what are the foods that really define our state? Food and Wine magazine has a feature out about those foods. According to their feature, “A new survey from Talker Research and HelloFresh asked individuals about their home state’s most iconic food, which states have the best food, and what their home dining habits look like.”
They add that the “most well-known food in each state ranged from simple ingredients like berries to complete meals such as casseroles.” It’s fun to see how each state differs with its unique foods.
As for Pennsylvania, according to research in the study, the foods that define it are pierogies and cheesesteaks. So, those foods truly capture the essence of the state.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.