5 best-kept food secrets in West Virginia
Across West Virginia, we have tasty and unique food and drinks that you can only get here. And since the state is known for being friendly and hospitable, we’ll happily share our best-kept food secrets:
1. Pepperoni Rolls
Originally made at the family owned Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, the pepperoni roll has a cult-like following in West Virginia. The pepperoni roll is a soft dinner roll style dough wrapped around savory pepperoni. These amazing snacks were originally made as a no fuss lunch or snack for the coal miners to eat.
2.Farmer’s Markets
West Virginia has the highest percentage of family-owned farms in the nation, so our farmer’s markets are some of the most expansive, and thankfully, they’re everywhere! In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you’ll also find handmade crafts, baked goods, jams, jellies, cheeses, eggs, meats and more, all made from local ingredients, by local people. Our farmer’s markets are the best way for you to learn about where your food comes from, direct from the farmer.
3. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are very particular in West Virginia, and our “slaw dog,” also known as the “West Virginia dog,” is the top dog. Everyone has an opinion on whether the bun is steamed or grilled, but here we have our own staple, no-question toppings: ‘chili’ (which is just a heaping of ground burger meat, in a light tomato-based sauce) and ‘slaw’ (coleslaw). From there you can customize by adding mustard, ketchup or onions or all
4. Ramps (Not the kind you drive on!)
The lush forests of West Virginia are a forager’s dream. Depending on the season, you can find berries, greens, mushrooms, edible flowers and of course the most famous of them all: ramps. Ramps are a cross between an onion and garlic, and have a unique and pungent aroma. They are so popular here, we have festivals to celebrate them and make all kinds of delicious foods to eat them in.
5. Biscuits
A hot-from-the-oven, flakey golden-brown biscuit is a beautiful thing. But depending on where you go here, you may or may not be offered butter or looked at in shock if you don’t smear it with jam. In West Virginia, we like ours with either sausage or red-eye gravy, apple butter, maple syrup, as a breakfast sandwich and with local-made jams and jellies. Be sure to stop at Tudor’s Biscuit World to try their famous (perhaps infamous!) buttery breakfast biscuits.
