Philly Food Pairings: What to Drink With Hoagies, Roast Pork, Soft Pretzels and More

Philly food pairings start with the food, and Philadelphia has plenty of it: hoagies, roast pork sandwiches, soft pretzels, tomato pie, and the cheesesteak everyone already knows. If you run a bar, restaurant, or taproom that serves Philly classics, or you're just planning a spread at home, here's a simple guide to what to pour next to each one, using AYO™ Lemonade + Vodka as the drink.

AYO™ is a canned cocktail from Philly: a 12 fl oz (355 ml) can at 5% ABV, made with vodka and natural flavors, and produced and packaged by Hidden Still in Hershey, PA. Its bright lemon flavor is the reason it works with so much of the city's food.

Why Lemonade Works for Philly Food Pairings

A lot of Philadelphia's best-known food is rich, salty, or savory. Think melted cheese, cured meats, sharp provolone, garlic, and fried onions. A cold, lemony drink gives the palate a clean break between bites, the same way a squeeze of lemon brightens a plate. That's the basic idea behind every pairing below.

Here are our favorite Philly food pairings, one classic at a time.

Italian Hoagie

Salami, capicola, provolone, oil, vinegar, and hot peppers bring a lot of salt and spice. Serve AYO™ ice cold, poured over fresh ice with a lemon wheel. The citrus plays well with the vinegar and oregano in the sandwich.

Roast Pork With Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone

This one is garlicky, a little bitter, and very savory. A tall glass of AYO™ over ice with a sprig of fresh mint keeps the pairing light against all that flavor.

Soft Pretzels

Salty, chewy, and best with mustard. Pretzels are a natural bar snack, and a cold can of AYO™ straight from the cooler is all they need. For a crowd, set out pretzel bites with a few mustards and keep cans on ice nearby.

Tomato Pie

Philly-style tomato pie is served at room temperature with a thick, sweet-tart sauce and a dusting of cheese. Lemon and tomato are an easy match, so pour AYO™ over ice and add a thin lemon slice.

The Cheesesteak

You knew it was coming. Fried onions, melted cheese, and griddled beef call for something cold and bright. We wrote a full guide on this one, What to Drink With a Cheesesteak, on the AYO™ blog.

Wings and Fries

Plenty of Philly bars pair a sandwich with wings or a basket of fries. Our pairing guide, What to Drink With Wings, covers sauces from mild to hot.

How to Serve AYO™ With a Philly Spread

• Keep cans very cold. Lemonade always tastes best ice cold.
• Offer a glass of fresh ice with each can so guests can choose how they drink it.
• Set out a small garnish tray with lemon wheels and mint sprigs.
• Put out water and plenty of food alongside the drinks.
• Store AYO™ apart from non-alcoholic lemonade and sodas, and label it clearly as an alcoholic drink.

A Note for Bars and Restaurants

If your menu leans on Philly classics, a canned cocktail is an easy add. There's no mixing during a rush, and every can tastes the same. List it on the menu with a short line like "lemonade and vodka, 5% ABV, 12 fl oz can," and suggest it next to your sandwiches. Check ID and treat it like any other alcoholic drink. Our Canned Cocktails for Bars guide covers stocking and par levels.

AYO™ comes 24 cans to a case at $48 per case. Ordering isn't open yet. Bars, restaurants, clubs, breweries, and distributors can join the waitlist or send an order request on ayospirits.com, and our staff approve every one. Terms and minimum order are confirmed directly with AYO. You can also call (484) 854-2326.

Bourbon + Lemonade is coming soon.

The Takeaway

The best Philly food pairings keep it simple: rich, savory food on one side and something cold and lemony on the other. Whether it's a hoagie at lunch, a tray of soft pretzels at the game, or tomato pie at a family party, AYO™ Lemonade + Vodka is an easy match.

Please serve responsibly to guests 21 and over.