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Notes -
Since most American parties feature a meal there isn't as much of an emphasis on heavy appetizers as there may be in other places. The only real universal appetizers that a host is more or less expected to provide are light stuff like potato chips, peanuts, pretzels, etc. The two big deli items that are available pretty much everywhere (or at least everywhere in Western Pennsylvania; see above) are the Gibson Tray and the Veggie Tray. The Gibson Tray isn't usually called as such but that's what the deli labels it as so I'll go with that. It's a platter with cheese, crackers, and cured meats, usually salami and pepperoni in store-bought versions but homemade ones in Pittsburgh usually have kielbasa (pronounced kabossy by any true mill hunky), along with mustard for dipping (usually spicy brown mustard but honey mustard and sweeter "dipping" mustards are also common). The veggie tray is self-explanatory and is served with ranch dressing or something similar. Shrimp cocktail is also popular but its expense makes it less common, though it's available pretty much everywhere. In the past ten years buffalo chicken dip has become a standard item, but it's always homemade and thus not something you can just grab at a grocery store. In fact, lots of other appetizers are pretty common to see, it's just that people make them themselves rather than buy them. If in a real pinch you can always pick up tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole.
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