7 iconic Philadelphia foods everyone should try in their lifetime, according to someone who was born and raised there

Although I was a picky eater as a kid, it didn't take long for me to try some of Philadelphia's signature grub once I got older. Because I was raised so close to the City of Brotherly Love, a love of food also became part of my identity.

From lunchtime favorites like hoagies and roast pork sandwiches to sweet treats like water ice and Tastykake, these are the Philly foods everyone should try if they're in the area.

Cheesesteaks are just one of the city's most iconic sandwiches but in my opinion, they're the food many out-of-towners are the most excited to try.

According to an oral history of the cheesesteak by Philadelphia Magazine in 2008, the cheesesteak was invented by Pat Olivieri in 1930, the same year he opened Pat's King of Steaks in South Philadelphia.

Since then, the sandwich has become a huge part of the culture in Philly. Even though Pat's and neighboring restaurant Geno's are historic, I think there are better spots to get a cheesesteak.

My favorite place to go is Jim's Steaks on South Street. Another popular cheesesteak spot is Campo's Deli, which even has a concession location at Citizens Bank Park where the Philadelphia Phillies play.

You might hear locals call this frozen treat "wooder ice" because of the Philadelphia accent. Water ice lands somewhere in between chunky shaved ice and smooth Italian ice. It's cold, creamy, and distinctly Philadelphian.

The origins of the dessert date back a couple of thousand years to ancient Sicily, according to USA Today. The outlet reports that cities with high concentrations of Italian immigrants began making their own versions of "granita," a fruit and ice mixture. Water ice became the most popular take on the delicacy in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.

I grew up eating ice cream more than water ice, but I took the opportunity to visit some authentic water ice spots in recent years. I recommend Jimmy's Water Ice in South Philadelphia. It's a small stand with great prices, and the lemon and strawberry-lemonade flavors they sell are delicious.

One of the best things about water ice is how easy it is to eat while you explore. At Jimmy's, the small water ice is served in a paper cup with a spoon, making it very portable.

Another beloved sandwich is the roast pork sandwich. In my experience, it's not as famous as the cheesesteak or the hoagie, but it's still available at tons of restaurants around the city.

Visit Philadelphia reports that the roast pork sandwich has roots in the Abruzzese region of Italy. Many people from the area emigrated to South Philadelphia, bringing their food and traditions with them. The outlet reports that John Bucci, Jr., the third-generation owner of John's Roast Pork in South Philadelphia, added provolone and spinach to the sandwich in 1987.

It's the same way I order my roast pork sandwich today, no matter where I buy it. I'm partial to Tommy DiNic's Roast Pork in the iconic Reading Terminal Market.

Philly soft pretzels have been a part of my life for a long time. When I was in middle school, every Friday I helped sell pretzels for 50 cents to kids at my school. I would get a free pretzel at the end of my shift, and I looked forward to it each time.

Visit Philadelphia writes that soft pretzels were introduced to the Philadelphia region centuries ago by German settlers. I've always purchased pretzels from one of the Philly Pretzel Factory's many locations or even Wawa, but there are a lot of other places to get them as well. Center City Pretzel Co. also serves up variations like pretzel braids.

I can't say I've ever met anyone from Philadelphia who orders their hoagie the exact same way as the next person. The sandwich can be served hot or cold and is usually sold with tons of options for meat, vegetables, and condiments.

Although the hoagie is similar to the subs, grinders, and heroes that are common in other parts of the country, Encyclopaedia Britannica writes that the word "hoagie" likely originated in Philadelphia during World War I. Italian immigrants who worked at the Hog Island shipyard made sandwiches called "hoggies," a name that later transformed into "hoagies."

Some places, like Liberty Kitchen in Fishtown, forgo the made-to-order option with their hoagies. Still, the menu at this small restaurant boasts classic Philadelphia flavors, like an Italian hoagie or a sandwich called the "Mortadelphia."

When leaving Philadelphia for a long trip, I would always stop at Wawa and get a hoagie for the road. When I eat a sandwich labeled a sub or a hero, it just doesn't feel the same.

Tastykake has made pre-packaged baked goods for Philadelphians since 1914, according to the company's website. Among the variety of snacks are the Butterscotch Krimpets, the Swirly Chocolate Cupcakes, and my personal favorite, the Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes.

I've seen these snacks at many grocery stores and convenience stores across the city. The yummy snacks are always a nice contrast to a hoagie or cheesesteak if you want to try a local favorite.

I can only describe tomato pie as a distant cousin of pizza. It starts with a thick dough cooked in a large rectangle and is topped with an equally thick, almost gravy-like tomato sauce. A sprinkle of herbs and olive oil completes the pie before it's cut up and served in squares. In my opinion, it's one of the best alternatives to classic pizza out there.

Eater reports that Philadelphia's tomato pies have roots going back to Sicily. When Italian immigrants came to Philly at the beginning of the 20th century, they brought tomato pie along. Variations of the meal, sometimes with cheese, are also popular in cities like Utica, New York.

If you ever pass through Norristown, a town in Montgomery County near Philadelphia, you can try an authentic, flavorful tomato pie from Corropolese Bakery.