Pittsburgh salad facts for kids
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| Type | Salad |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Western Pennsylvania |
| Main ingredients | Lettuce, french fries, vegetables, grilled meat, cheese, salad dressing |
A Pittsburgh salad is a special kind of salad that's popular in the Western Pennsylvania area of the United States. What makes it unique is that it always includes French fries right on top! It's a tasty and filling meal that combines fresh greens, vegetables, grilled meat, shredded cheese, and a salad dressing, all topped with crispy fries.
Contents
What is a Pittsburgh Salad?
A Pittsburgh salad is a salad built in layers. It usually starts with fresh lettuce and other vegetables. Then, it has grilled meat, like steak or chicken, and shredded cheese. The most important part is the french fries, which are added right on top.
What Makes It Special?
The french fries are what really make this salad stand out. They add a warm, crispy, and salty taste. The fries also make the salad more filling. You can choose different kinds of fries, like curly, waffle, or thin shoestring fries.
Where to Find a Pittsburgh Salad
Even though it's called a "Pittsburgh salad," people in Pittsburgh usually don't use that name. On menus, you'll often see it listed as "steak salad" or "chicken salad." Some popular local restaurants that serve this dish include Pamela's Diner, Whitfield, and Eat'n Park.
The Story Behind the Salad
No one knows for sure how the Pittsburgh salad started. One popular story is about Jerry's Curb Service in Beaver, Pennsylvania. The story says that in the early 1960s, a customer ordered a steak sandwich without the bun. They asked for fries and salad dressing on the side.
Jerry's wife, Donna Reed, then made a similar version on lettuce. Another restaurant, Hilltop Grill in Rochester, Pennsylvania, also says they created the salad.
Pittsburgh Salad vs. Pittsburgh Sandwich
The Pittsburgh salad is similar to a "Pittsburgh-style sandwich." That sandwich also has meat, cheese, and french fries. However, the salad is often easier to eat and feels a bit lighter than the sandwich.
Images for kids
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An example of Pittsburgh salad with fries and salmon
