Chipped chopped ham is a Western Pa. treat

👋 Ryan here. I love Pittsburgh food at its simplest — a square slice of pizza or a potato-filled pierogi — and I rediscovered another staple.

The intrigue: Chopped ham is a Western Pennsylvania specialty made from ground ham trimmings that are pressed into a loaf.

• It's often sliced thin, aka chipped, and called chipped chopped ham.

Dig in: Isaly's is the most famous brand, and a diner in West View (448 Perry Highway) specializes in the delicious deli meat.

• I ordered The Riser sandwich, which comes with chipped chopped ham, two fried eggs, American cheese, lettuce and tomato on a Mancini's hoagie roll.
• It reminded me of afternoons at my in-laws' home when they lived in Beaver County, where they always had chipped chopped ham in the fridge and Italian bread on the counter.

Chipped chopped ham is often served soaked in Isaly's barbecue sauce — aka ham barbecue — but I'm not a fan of that style.

• I add yellow mustard instead.

Fun fact: Isaly's also invented the Klondike Bar.

What's next: Isaly's is opening a new shop in the Strip — complete with a chopped ham-stocked deli counter — sometime in 2026.