There are days when I miss certain family members more than normal. See I was really, really close to my grandmother growing up. She was the only grandmother I knew and I can remember spending every single Saturday with her for the longest time. She’d pick me up and take me to her local drug store. She’d play her ‘numbers’ and then we’d go to the back of the drug store where they served food. Wasn’t the greatest but it was time with Grandma. It was “our” special time. Now see my Grandma was cool, I mean seriously rockin’ cool. Sure she was older but my Grammy drove a souped-up Chevy Nova that had white leather interior, metallic flake cherry red paint and an engine that was as loud as could be. I don’t think she had an exhaust system on it. LOL She had cat-eye glasses and every week her hair was a different color – purple or pink. No, really – we’re talking purple or pink. She was amazing. I can remember sitting in her tiny kitchen and her teaching me how to bake things and explain how things were done in ‘her days’. Now mind you, this is the same Grandma that one year decided to save money she would use paper plates for a holiday dinner. No big deal right? Yeah um… I guess I should mention that she always wrapped them in plastic wrap so we could re-use them. LOL Hey times were tough but that was a new one for me.
Anyway, after our breakfast we’d go to the local grocery store to which whether we had to stop and get just milk or full-blown shopping we had to walk up and down every single aisle.. just in case something popped out that we may need. Thanks to her, I still do that to this day. Habits are hard to break plus maybe part of me takes that time to think about her; still considering it “our time”. After shopping we’d go back to her place and either we’d play Barbies, look through my umpteen sticker books, color or just talk. Around 10:30am we’d have tea and then at 11:30 we’d have lunch. Lunch was always her special fried bologna sandwiches. God I loved those.
Well a few weeks ago I was at home going through the store ads, making my grocery list and I saw that bologna was on sale. Now to be honest I bet you it has been 17 years since Gram had passed and since I had bologna. I just didn’t eat stuff like that anymore. So later that night I kept thinking about her and our times together; really missing her more than normal. Then out of no where I got the most incredible craving for one of her Pittsburgh Fried Bologna Sandwiches. No, you don’t understand how intense it was. I literally contemplated going to the store and buying the stuff for it. Alas I decided against it as well, I didn’t feel like putting on real pants (or a bra for that matter.. I know, TMI but hey if you’re a woman these are things we have to think about). Now mind you where I live shopping in your pajamas is kinda not surprising as I’ve seen it one too many times to be shocked by it.
So that weekend as I was doing my shopping I bought 4 slices of bologna (yeah you should have seen the look the deli girl gave me), grape jelly and white sandwich bread (only because I didn’t have any made up and I didn’t feel like waiting). I rushed home, put the groceries away and got ready. Now it’s funny because as I was making this I would catch myself beaming from ear to ear. It’s as if she was there with me. I can remember when she was making them for me she’d have the bag of chips open on the table and I’d do my very best to sneak a few extra while she had her back turned. However no matter how slow I’d go I’d still manage to crinkle the bag and she’d turn and give me the stern look but then follow with a big old grin and wink. LOL
As I was plating this and cutting through it I sat there for a minute and just felt, I don’t know, sad because she wasn’t there with me, eating her sandwich as well but I felt comforted if you will. Something so simple, so peasant just brought out such emotion for me. It touched me, this stupid little sandwich truly touched my heart. So yes as I ate this, it made me feel comforted – like she was there with me. And yes as I reached to grab a chip from the bag, I hit my arm against the side making that crinkle noise and I chuckled a bit. As if I was waiting for her to turn around, give me that stern look then a big old grin and wink.
To me, this was pure and simple food. It was what we could afford but more importantly it was something that truly made those Saturdays with my Grandma just so much more personal.
PrintGrandma’s Pittsburgh Fried Bologna Sandwich
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Ingredients
- 8 slices white bread
- 8 thin slices bologna (not garlic) – I prefer thin slices but you can go with 4 thicker slices
- 4 tablespoon grape jelly
- 2 cups potato chips, regular flavor
- 1 tablespoon butter plus 2 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. If you have a grill plate, this works even better as you have more surface area.
- Place 1 tablespoon of butter in the pan.
- When the butter is melted place 2 thin slices (1 one thick slice) of bologna (however many you can fit without crowding) in the pan. *note to prevent ‘doming’ prior to putting the bologna in the pan, cut a slit from the edge to the middle of the slice.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until the edges are golden brown.
- Flip the bologna over and cook for another 3 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- While the bologna is cooking (after you’ve flipped it) prepare the bread by spreading 1 tablespoon divided evenly on one side of each slice of bread. So if you’re frying up only 2 pieces of bologna, only jelly 2 slices of bread.
- Place one slice down, jelly side up and place a small handful of potato chips on top.
- Take your fried bologna from the pan and place on top of the chips.
- Place another small handful of chips on top and then take the other slice of bread placing it jelly side down on top of the chips.
- Gently push down on the sandwich (some chips will break but that’s OK).
- Take the melted butter and lightly brush the top of the sandwich.
- Working carefully, flip the sandwich over and place it buttered side down in the pan.
- Grill on each side for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Repeat steps for each sandwich if you aren’t using a grill plate.
I’ve made fried bologna sandwiches over time. There’s nothing like them. I’m in my mid 70s and still love them. The garlic bologna tends to lose it’s garlic flavor when fried. But who cares… there’s nothing to match the taste and crispiness of the edges of fried bologna!! Damn…this makes me hungry!
I never had this with the grape jelly before it was pretty good.
My grandma and family had Lebanon with peanut butter sandwiches try it before you say ew (my husband swore he hated living he ate a bit of money peanut butter he is hooked) LOL
I miss my Pittsburgh foods pierogies primantis, chipped ham. Ham BBQ. steak or chicken salad with fries & cookie tables at weddings!!!
Hi Cindy!
So happy you loved it! Ah yes, Pittsburgh definitely has its own way of making food delicious for sure! The ‘Burgh will always be home for me no matter where I live!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Let me say as a young true Pittsburgh native who first learned this in a Mckeesport HS world cultures class, this has to have been dish that represents us as a city best. We live broke, we learn broke… also shout-out to Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller from Allderdice HS.
Between Bologna and PBJ’s we’d have all starved to death. So, that’s what happened to “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” Out here, he drove a brand new, shiny red, SS-Dodge. ;-))
★★★★★
This is very prevalent in WNY (Think Buffalo- Syracuse area) Several hot dog stands and other restaurants have it on the menu include BBQ versions. Personally we grew up with the bologna sliced #2 “very thin” to #1 “shaved”. Mom used to julienne the slices and pan fry with butter and very thinly sliced onions getting a very nice crispness toe the bologna, simple white american melted after it’s been browned and served on a crunchy lightly pan grilled, Chicago style “Hard Roll” or Italian bread. IF, it’s bread and Not a roll very common the treat it like a grilled cheese, dill pickle, bit of mustard OR ketchup and there’s lunch of dinner, tomato soup and I’m transported back to a very pleasant time in my life. Comfort food at it’s best, imho
I am going to try this! I love bologna. I will only put the jelly on a corner to try first. For some reason I don’t like sweet things lately (strange, but true). I will definitely let you know how it is.
Hi Kristine!
The bologna we buy here in Pittsburgh tends to be a bit salty so the jelly helps balance it out. The chips are a Pittsburgh thing as it’s that crunch we love.
It’s kind of like a poor man’s Monte Cristo.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I hope my granddaughter will remember our times together in the kitchen as fondly as you do your time with your grandmother. She sounds like a real character and someone who played a very important role in your life. Your delightful story made me laugh and cry at the same time. In honor of grandmothers everywhere, with or without pink or purple hair, I will have my first Pittsburgh Fried Bologna Sandwich tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
I’m sad that I just read your recipe, half way through the first fried bologna sandwich I had since I was a child. For me it was always fried bologna, mayo and mustard. It was good, and brought back memories. However, the grape jelly sounds interesting, and when I make this again (if), I’ll try it your way!
The jelly was a surprisingly awesome addition!
★★★★★