History
Isaly's, the western Pennsylvania dairy and deli chain, gave Pittsburgh chipped chopped ham, a pressed ham shaved into wafer-thin ribbons. Home cooks and church kitchens simmered the chipped ham in a sweet ketchup-and-brown-sugar barbecue sauce and served it on soft buns, a cheap crowd-feeder known as a ham barbecue or a 'gob' sandwich. It remains a nostalgic Pittsburgh staple at home gatherings, picnics and old-school counters.
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Common allergens: Gluten
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 700g chipped chopped ham, shaved thin
- 200ml ketchup
- 60g brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- Soft sandwich buns
Method
- Whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard and vinegar in a pan.
- Warm the sauce over medium heat until it bubbles.
- Add the shaved chipped ham and stir to coat.
- Simmer gently 15 to 20 minutes until the ham is hot and the sauce clings.
- Pile onto soft buns and serve.
Tip from the editors. Use real shaved chipped chopped ham if you can find it; regular sliced deli ham is too thick to soak up the sauce.
Where to eat chipped ham barbecue
Chipped ham barbecue in Pittsburgh
S&D Polish Deli ★ 4.3
S&D Polish Deli in Pittsburgh: A Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
Why locals goA Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
TipBuy a dozen pierogi to go and a kielbasa. Ask about the monthly pierogi-making class if you want to learn.
Jimmy & Nino Sunseri Co. ★ 4.2
Jimmy & Nino Sunseri is a third-generation Italian deli in the Strip District in Pittsburgh. Famous for two-pound pepperoni rolls and fresh-baked bread.
TipOrder the pepperoni roll, the store's signature. Jimmy is the Strip's unofficial greeter.
More places near S&D Polish Deli and Jimmy & Nino Sunseri Co.
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Mon Aimee Chocolat Market, under 100 m away
- Reyna Foods Market, under 100 m away
- Pamela's Diner Brunch, under 100 m away
- Enrico Biscotti Company Market, under 100 m away
- Enrico Biscotti Street food, under 100 m away
- Pennsylvania Macaroni Company Market, under 100 m away
More cities are in research. Want chipped ham barbecue covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.