September 8, 2023

September 8th, 2023: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Plates: Homecoming and Hometown Delicacies

I landed in Pittsburgh with an odd sense of nostalgia and foreignness. The steel bridges and the golden glimmers of the three rivers welcomed me, yet I couldn't shake the sensation that I had been away for so long. My feet touched the ground where I had taken my first steps, played my first game of baseball, and tasted my first slice of pie. Yet, here I was, having returned from a three-month-long European culinary expedition, trying to figure out if I still fit into this puzzle of a city.

Being a Vanray from Pittsburgh comes with its baggage. The 'Pittsburgh Vanrays', as we're colloquially termed, have always been part of the fabric of this town. My family's affluence and our historical impact on Pittsburgh's economy are well-known to the older generations. But for the younger ones, I might as well be an alien with my international school accent and European affectations. It’s funny - while abroad, my accent is often admired or questioned, yet here, in my hometown, it’s what sets me apart from those elementary school days and playmates.

I was sent to international school in Europe at a rather young age, a move that not only distanced me from Pittsburgh’s Primanti sandwiches but also gave me an accent that seems foreign even to my ears when I hear the familiar Pittsburghese around. And as heartwarming as the “yinzer” dialect is, it's a stark contrast to the posh inflections of my own speech – a product of years of education in European institutions.

But this trip home isn’t entirely about nostalgia or an identity crisis. I have business to attend to, affairs to settle, and family legacies to honor. Yet, in true Buster Vanray fashion, I've decided to embark on a culinary exploration of Pittsburgh as if it were another one of my international food stops. And let me tell you, Pittsburgh does not disappoint.

Pittsburgh, for all its blue-collar history, is a melting pot of flavors. From the Polish pierogies of the Strip District to the sizzling Italian sausages of Bloomfield, this city has secrets waiting to be devoured. My breakfast at Pamela’s made me question why I ever left behind those crispy edges of the hotcakes. And then there was the epic sauerkraut showdown – yes, I went around tasting sauerkraut from different delis. For science, of course.

The city has evolved, and so has its culinary scene. What used to be classic American diners now sit side by side with fusion restaurants, offering a symphony of tastes and flavors from around the globe, right here in the heart of Pittsburgh.

Being back in Pittsburgh is an exercise in memory and discovery. While some parts of me feel like an outsider, the bites and sips from the city's hidden gems and tried-and-true establishments root me back to where it all began. After all, home, they say, is where the heart is. But for me, it might just be where the next delightful dish awaits.

Cheers from the confluence of three rivers,

Buster