Penn Brewery at Pittsburgh International Airport feels like a pretty fitting place to start a Pittsburgh food adventure, even if the airport setting is a little less romantic than a neighborhood brewery. The menu leans into the city’s German heritage, with plenty of hearty, beer-hall-style food alongside more familiar breakfast options. I went with the potato cakes and eggs, which came with sour cream and applesauce and immediately made me think of large breakfast latkes. The combination of crispy potato cake, cool sour cream and sweet applesauce was actually pretty fun, although the potato cakes themselves were a little greasier than I would have liked. The eggs were perfectly fine. And, I opted for sausage, which made the plate even heartier and gave me plenty of salty, savory contrast. Grade: B

Cookey is a Pittsburgh-area dessert food truck/trailer specializing in huge, indulgent gourmet cookies. It was founded in 2021 and focuses on homemade-from-scratch recipes and creative flavors rather than basic bakery cookies.

I ordered the strawberry pretzel: Strawberry Dough, Freeze Dried Strawberries, White Chocolate Chips, Homemade White Chocolate Ganache Center, Pretzel Coating, white chocolate drizzel, Crushed strawberry topping. YES. Grade: A

The Strip Market at Pittsburgh International Airport is basically a mini grab-and-go version of Pittsburgh’s Strip District. It’s post-security in the terminal near Concourse D/Level 3 and is designed like a small market rather than a traditional airport restaurant. The concept incorporates Pittsburgh-area products and vendors, with the design itself inspired by the Strip District’s industrial character. They offer snacks, treats and specialty goods from regional favorites like Betsy Ann Chocolates, Pittsburgh Pickle Company, Enrico Biscotti and Blume Honey Water. They also have freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, salads, bakery items and coffee. I picked up a few small candies and snacks for the flight -- nothing major. Is it like the Strip District? In a sense, that you get a variety of things. But less character. Have you been? Grade: B

Noble Cafe & Bakery is a cafe and bakery located at 918 Chestnut Ridge Road in Morgantown, serving coffee, pastries, baked goods and other food items. The cafe was opened by Vince Duong and Huy Lam, with the owners describing the concept as a combination of craft drinks and pastries influenced by Vietnamese flavors, Portuguese baking and their personal experiences and travels. The interior is described as cozy and modern, with a bright, warm design intended to accommodate customers studying, meeting or stopping in for a drink. The menu includes coffee, tea, coconut drinks, refreshers, pastries, muffins, cookies, croissants, savory baked goods and desserts. The cherry pastry was light and sweet. My only qualm with pastries like this is that I wish the topping went edge to edge. The sparkling strawberry refresher was a carbonated strawberry drink that added a lighter, fruit-forward option alongside the bakery items. The ham and cheese croissant paired a flaky, layered croissant with a savory ham and cheese filling, making it one of the more substantial items in the bakery selection. The Dubai chocolate slice was by far the most indulgent item. Super rich and indulgent. Have you been? Grade: B

Mountain State Cakes Bakery is a bakery in Dunmore, West Virginia, with a little bit of everything from cookies and cupcakes to pepperoni rolls and other savory items. The bakery serves Dunmore as well as the surrounding areas, including Snowshoe and Green Bank, and offers custom cakes and cupcakes for weddings and special occasions. The bakery has a small, straightforward setup with display cases filled with freshly baked goods, including cakes, cookies and breads. The sweet selection includes cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookies, pies, donuts, scones and other baked desserts, with options that vary depending on what is available. On the savory side, the bakery offers pepperoni rolls, pizza rolls, chicken pot pies and other rotating items alongside its selection of breads and rolls. I went with a serving of cherry cheesecake, which had a creamy cheesecake base topped with cherry filling for a combination of tangy cream cheese and sweet fruit. The cherry topping added a bright, fruity contrast to the richer cheesecake underneath, while the slice itself had the dense, smooth texture expected from a baked cheesecake. Have you been? Grade: B