The History and Flavors of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh grew because of our many riches: woodfood with local flavor. A Pittsburgh favorite is the
from the forests, coal from the hills, limestone,Greek Food Festival held in the Oakland area of town.
sandstone, clay in the soil, flax and cotton from theThe Greek Orthodox Church sponsors it and its
fields. Timber from our land supplied the materialsmembers lovingly prepare the food for months prior to
necessary for building rafts, boats and barges as athe festival. The Three Rivers Arts Festival has been
means of transportation on our rivers laying theheld for nearly fifty 50 years in the downtown area
foundation for the town's future industries.and lasts for seventeen days with art, music and food.
The fertile soil of our rich farmland yielded more thanThe Pittsburgh Folk Festival is a multi-cultural
those who tilled it could consume. This surplus wascelebration of more then 25 nationalities, celebrating its
sold or exchanged for other necessities. It was mainlyfifty-second year in Pittsburgh where one can enjoy
because of this farm wealth that Pittsburgh wouldfood and art.
become a manufacturing town. Inexhaustible beds ofPittsburgher's love our sports and are avid Steelers
coal in the immediate vicinity gave the city all the fuelfans. A favorite past time is tailgating before games
for the expansion of its iron and glass manufactoriesand grilling Kielbasa, a local favorite. Pierogies are
and at the beginning of the nineteenth century the ironanother hometown favorite, and here in the " Burgh "
industry started to take shape.we eat more of them than almost anyone else in the
The men who built the enterprises on which Pittsburghnation. Primantis Pittsburgh Style Hoagie is another
thrived and the big businesses they founded endowedtradition where they make a sandwich piled high with
Pittsburgh collections of art, libraries, parks and more.meat and top it with slaw and fries.
Some of these early businessmen were AndrewAnyone living in the Point Breeze area back in the 50's
Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, Henry John Heinz, Thomaswould remember the wonderful aroma coming from
Mellon and George Westinghouse.The National Biscuit Company. Though it is no longer
Our universities are a mecca drawing students from allthere, many other memories of the past are still a part
over the world: The University of Pittsburgh, Carnegieof Pittsburgh today such as Isaly's known for their
Mellon, Duquesne University, Chatham College, Carlowchipped chopped ham, having made its debut in 1933.
University and Point Park. Pittsburgh draws the finestIsaly's is also known for their ice cream bar dipped in
young men and women to train here in all areaspure chocolate called the Klondike, now a national
including robotics, engineering and medicine.favorite. Another food originating in Pittsburgh and
All of this makes the city a good place to live but doesreaching national notoriety is the Clark Bar.
not explain what makes Pittsburgh a fun place to live.The Strip District is a popular area in Pittsburgh located
The " Burgh" as Pittsburghers call it, is rich in its historynext to downtown and along the Allegheny River and
and the character of those who live here. The streetsthe train station. This was once the hub of the
are windy and lots of the homes have not changed inwholesale trade industry and is now a lively shopping
many years, nor have the residents explaining thearea filled with restaurants and nightclubs.
charm of the neighborhoods. The shops andIf one really wants to get a taste of Pittsburgh a stop
restaurants, some of which are ethnic, are what makein the "Strip" is a must. When looking for a taste of
our city unique.Pittsburgh to share with others, there are local
Each year there are several street fairs with localcompanies that specialize in items from Pittsburgh.
artists showing their work along with vendors offering