Pennsylvania – This is Our Most Iconic Food

Pennsylvania has some fantastic food. There's no denying that this state is home to many specialty foods, and we love them all. But, one stands out, and it's not a big surprise. Or is it?

Taste of Home scoured America to find the most iconic foods in each state. Side note: I'm so happy that Taste of Home is still around. I used to love getting their recipe booklets and magazines as a kid. Back to the best foods, though. In the article, they state, "Fried dill pickles. Hot dogs with chili and cole slaw. A dessert made of snow. These are just some of the more unusual and iconic foods found throughout our United States. And while each state lays claim to bragging rights for common fare, it's the stuff you don't tend to find everywhere else that defines the most iconic food from every state."

First, let's do New Jersey, since it's so close to Philly. Their most iconic food is tomato pie. "There's pizza, and then there's tomato pie. And the difference is in the preparation," Taste of Home states. "This treat has pizza dough, like a pizza, and cheese and tomato. But in the tomato pie, the cheese goes on first and then is topped with a heaping ladle of crushed tomatoes, instead of pureed sauce." Yum.

So, what's the most iconic food in Pennsylvania? Of course, it's cheesesteak. Not surprising, but a little surprising, since it's so obvious. Taste of Home says, "In the 1930s, a hot dog vendor in Philadelphia put some sliced beef on his grill, served it on a hot dog bun, loaded up the cheese, and the cheesesteak was born." They add, "Now, the cheesesteak uses thinly sliced ribeye beef and various toppings, like onions or peppers on a long roll. Try this open-faced variation on the classic." Find the full list of the most iconic foods in every state here.

Pennsylvania has some beautiful areas to live and, as it turns out, some of the most affordable places, too. Now, a new study has come out that looks at the most beautiful and affordable cities to live in America, and they have one Pennsylvania town on the tally.

The research comes from Travel and Leisure, which states, "From its bustling cities to its quiet coastal towns, America is home to a plethora of enticing places with their own unique draws to prospective residents. When considering where to live in the U.S., it's more important than ever to assess both the affordability and beauty of a location, especially with housing and living costs steadily rising."

They also explain that the list of the most beautiful and affordable cities in the US was put together utilizing data from U.S. News & World Report's 2022 to 2023 rankings, including the most affordable places to live in the U.S. and the best places to live in the U.S. It "offers a collection of some of the dreamiest places to live in America that won’t break the bank." That's a nice concept, because let's face it: Often, the most beautiful areas are very expensive when it comes to the cost of living. Finding an area that's both a gorgeous one and affordable is a rare treat. That's what makes this list a good one to keep close if you are planning to relocate.

Read on for the top 10 most beautiful and affordable places to live in the US, via Travel and Leisure. For the full tally and information on why these are the best, visit Travel and Leisure here.

Here we go! Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is No. 10 on this list. According to this article and the data, the median housing cost is around $222,000, which is more affordable than many other areas in America. Pittsburgh is also a big city with a small-town appeal, as so many neighboring areas are quaint and delightful.

South Bend, Indiana, is home to Notre Dame, and that's really the city's claim to fame. That said, it's a beautiful town that offers plenty of amenities found in larger towns, but in a smaller setting. According to the study, this town as a low cost of living and an affordable median housing cost" at around $142,000. That's definitely a steal in today's housing market.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, is another example of a town that's not too big and not too small. It offers a comfortable environment for living, and it's not too expensive to live there, either. According to the study, the median housing price is about $436,700, which "keeps pace with the national median, while homeowners reap the benefit of lower property taxes."

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the hottest places to move lately. I have some friends who recently moved down there, and they are not alone. According to this study, the area has "serene walking trails, vibrant nightlife and innovative restaurants." Sounds like a win to me. The median housing costs are about $394,400.

St. Louis, Missouri, is another gem on this list, when it comes to an area that's both affordable and beautiful. The median housing cost in this area is around $260,000, which is "significantly less than the national median and greatly appeals to those looking to relocate," the study says.

Knoxville, Tennessee, is another city that's not too big and not too small. When you think of Tennessee, you probably think of Nashville or Memphis, but Knoxville has its own charm. This town has a great music scene and with a $335,000 median housing price, the cost of getting a home is "markedly lower than many other similar-sized metropolitan areas in the U.S.," according to the study.

Louisville, Kentucky, is a city that I've traveled to many times to attend the annual Rock on the Range music festival. It has some great walking trails and park areas. What's a big draw is that the city has a very low median housing cost at around $163,000, according to this study, and a low cost of living.

Greenville, South Carolina, is an area that is a bit off the radar, but it's tops when it comes to its beauty and affordability. According to the study, the median home price is about $320,000, under the national median. The city also offers a charming downtown area.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the second biggest city in Michigan, behind Detroit. While the city is vibrant and fairly large, Grand Rapids definitely has a small town feel. It's also close to Lake Michigan, which makes it perfect for summer lake trips.

Hickory, North Carolina, is the No. 1 spot on this list of the most beautiful and affordable places to live in the US. According to the study, "currently ranked as the cheapest place to live in the U.S., Hickory has a median home price of $161,000." Sounds like a win-win.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-beautiful-and-affordable-places-to-live-in-the-us-7368380