These chipped ham sandwiches are a Pittsburgh staple and after just one bite, it’s really easy to see why. Filled with piles and piles of razor-thin ham that’s been simmered in barbecue sauce, a Pittsburgh Ham BBQ Sandwich is a hearty sandwich, for sure, but it’s also full of tangy sweet and savory flavor. First made famous by the Isaly’s stores and their Chipped Chopped Ham lunch special, the love for this sandwich has moved far past Pittsburgh’s borders. You might not be able to find one for sale much further than Ohio or West Virginia, but you can certainly make one in your own kitchen, wherever that happens to be.

To make an authentic Pittsburgh Ham BBQ Sandwich, you need ham and you need it as thin as you can get it. Traditionally, these are made with chipped ham so you want your ham sliced razor-thin, almost falling apart. You take that ham and nestle it into a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and yellow mustard. Could you use a pre-made barbecue sauce? Sure you could. But this sauce is incredibly simple and decidedly delicious.

Simmer the sauce for about ten minutes sans ham and then for another ten with the ham mixed in. All that’s left to do is pile it on a bun.

And don’t be shy with the piling. Since this is shaved meat, it’s easy to bite into, even if it’s generous in portion size. It can get a little messy, but most delicious things are… so what if you need an extra napkin?