Marion County in north-central West Virginia is a surprising crossroads of Italian cuisine and culture. In the early 1900s, the area was a hub for coal mining, leading thousands of Italian immigrants and their culinary traditions to Marion County.

This influx led to delicious cuisine and rich cultural traditions that endure today. Many of these classic dishes were popularized with an added Appalachian flare throughout the years, and they can still be enjoyed at the area’s local restaurants.