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What Pittsburgh Eats
Pittsburgh may be the only city where you'll find pierogies at farmers' stands and french fries on sandwiches. Indeed, we have our own interesting food favorites, many of which happen to be enjoyed while watching a Steelers game on TV. One thing is true: We Pittsburghers love food and how it brings us together.
So, grab your fork and get comfortable: It's chow time.

DINNER
The richness of culinary options here in Southwestern Pennsylvania has everything to do with the wonderful diversity of ethnic groups that have held on to their food traditions. Although ethnic favorites have appeared in every one of our cooking specials from "Appetizers" to "Zucchini," we did one show specific to Eastern Europe and another about foods from around the world. But, it was during the "Church Lady Cooking" show that the superstars of ethnic cuisine came to the surface.

Whether they're filled with sauerkraut or potatoes and melted cheddar cheese, garnished with caramelized onions, boiled or fried, one thing's for sure: Pittsburghers are serious about their pierogies.

Pierogies and Other Eastern European Foods. At the top of any list, you'll find pierogies, followed by other comfort foods such as stuffed cabbage and halushki (cabbage and noodles).

Greek Traditions. Countless families in the Pittsburgh area uphold Greek traditions, and even more people love traditional Greek food. Some of the favorites that find their way onto dinner and dessert tables are spanakopita, pastitsio and baklava. (CLICK HERE to find my recipe for perfectly buttery, flaky baklava.)

You can find traditional baklava year-round at Christos Mediterranean Grill in the Cultural District downtown and at the many Greek food
festivals around town.

Pasta. For our Italian cookbook, it was pasta, pasta, pasta with hometown versions of other favorites such as wedding soup, beans and greens, and chicken parm (that's how we say it here.)

We'll Try It. Although Pittsburgh is nowhere near New York or Toronto or Vancouver for ethnic diversity, it's worth noting that we do have an openness to more exotic cuisine. Middle Eastern, Indian and Latin restaurants vie for customers along with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian, Malaysian and Filipino menus. We even have an Ethiopian place in East Liberty. Pittsburghers have stepped out of their "meat and potatoes" stereotype to embrace sushi at restaurants and even from supermarket refrigerator cases.

No Pittsburgher should have to live without these three bakery-fresh confections. From top: sugary-sweet thumbprint cookies, light and creamy gobs and golden-brown lady-locks.

DESSERT
In a Word: Yes. Over the years we've collected dozens of different recipes for favorite Pittsburgh desserts.

Tiramisu. It seems that even with dessert we like to go Italian. One of the most requested desserts in town is tiramisu. This rich, custardy confection seems to have won over the hearts and stomachs of Pittsburghers for the past 20 years.

Rolls and Bars. We still love the old standbys: pumpkin rolls, nut rolls, thumb-print cookies, lady locks, Gobs and lemon bars.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake. We may have actually created a new favorite. On the "M Is for Mom" program, Nancy Polinsky's mother, Arline, made a cream-cheese pound cake that captured the imagination of viewers. It quickly became the single most-requested recipe in the history of the series. People still call, write and e-mail us about this sinfully rich dessert.

Want to read about Breakfast and Brunch in Pittsburgh? How about Lunchtime and Anytime Foods? Get PITTSBURGH magazine at your local newsstand or SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Chris Fennimore is program director of WQED tv13 and host of "QED Cooks," where he whips up the best in seasonal snacks, healthy treats and decadent desserts. Tune in to WQED tv13 on Sat., Oct. 14, at 10 a.m., when Chris will count down the Top 10 most popular foods in Pittsburgh. See if your favorites are included!

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