For folks across the Greenbrier Valley and beyond, gathering at the State Fair is a cherished late-summer ritual and a time to reconnect with old friends, celebrate mountain heritage, and indulge in the iconic flavors that define the season.
While traditional favorites have dominated the concession scene for decades, last season saw a fresh contender step onto the fairgrounds and spark a state-wide sensation: a soft, golden pretzel stuffed with the Mountain State’s favorite staple ingredients.
To trace the roots of this viral creation, you have to look about eight years back, when Ivan and Rachel Allgyer relocated from Pennsylvania to Union in Monroe County.
“Where we grew up in Pennsylvania, soft pretzels are everywhere,” Rachel recalls. “When we moved to West Virginia, we noticed hard pretzels on grocery shelves, but nothing like the fresh soft pretzels we loved back home. Ivan is a true pretzel connoisseur, so we started making them at home for family and friends.”
What began as a weekend passion project quickly gathered momentum. By May 2024, the couple launched their mobile bakery trailer, The Twist. Ivan, who worked in construction for over two decades, recently left his job to focus on running the business full-time, building out a baking setup inside the trailer to prepare everything from scratch on-site.
“I was in construction for a little over 20 years,” Ivan shared with a smile. “But I quit my construction job at the end of last year. It’s all pretzels from here!”
While Ivan perfected the dough, the duo set their sights on creating something tailored specifically for their new mountain community. Though Ivan had never even tried a pepperoni roll before moving to the Mountain State, Rachel saw the potential in marrying Pennsylvania’s soft pretzels with West Virginia’s official state food.
To make it work, quality was non-negotiable. They partnered locally with The Cheese ‘n’ More Store in Gap Mills, filling their hand-twisted dough with freshly sliced pepperoni and top-shelf mozzarella. Skipping deep-fryers and heavy oils and baking the rolls instead, they stick strictly to wholesome ingredients: flour, sugar, water, real butter, and salt.
“They work so hard for us!” Rachel says of the Gap Mills shop. “They slice so much pepperoni and cheese for us, but they have the best mozzarella and they’re very picky with their quality. That actually helps our product be over the top, because their product is such high quality.”
Initially dubbed the mouthful “Pretzel Pepperoni Roll,” it quickly found its iconic name: The Pretzelroni Roll.
When The Twist set up at the State Fair of West Virginia, they were fair-food newcomers, surrounded by veteran vendors. Last year, their Pretzelroni Roll was included in the annual Best New Fair Food Contest where they quickly ran into an unexpected snag.
Due to judging delays, their submission sat on the evaluation table longer than planned, losing its signature fresh-from-the-oven warmth before judges took their first bite.
“Ours was lukewarm at best by the time they got to it,” Rachel laughs. “And it still got 3rd place in Judges’ Choice!”
If the judges missed the full, piping-hot experience, fairgoers certainly did not.
As word spread across the Fair, hungry crowds lined up around The Twist to grab a fresh Pretzelroni Roll straight from the oven. Fairgoers enthusiastically rallied behind the Twist’s new creation, launching a groundswell of support that swept the Allgyers into 1st Place for “People’s Choice” in the contest.
“The people went to bat for us!” Rachel says. “They came in hot on the People’s Choice and we got 1st place.”
The overwhelming backing did more than just bring home a trophy. It cemented a deep connection between the new business and the community.
“The support around here has been unreal,” Rachel reflects. “The way people will go out of their way to support us, tell people about us, and share our posts… it’s been incredible. It’s made me realize what a very special area we live in, with very, very special people.”
In a region where culinary traditions run deep, introducing a fresh spin on a mountain classic requires care, craft, and authentic connection. By blending their Pennsylvania roots with a classic West Virginia staple, Ivan and Rachel didn’t just win over the fairgrounds. They baked their way right into the local food story.
Catch The Twist on the Road!
Where to find them: Look for The Twist at festivals and events throughout Southern West Virginia, including their featured spot at the State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg this August.
Must-Try: The award-winning Pretzelroni Roll, baked fresh on-site and brushed with real butter.
Stay Connected: Follow their latest stops and seasonal menu additions on Facebook at The Twist. New schedule drops on Mondays.
