Philadelphia is a city known for its amazing food scene ranging from high-end eateries to blue-collar cheesesteaks. However, did you know the area is also the birthplace of stromboli?
That’s right, Romano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, which is located just south of the city, is the birthplace of this iconic Italian food dish.
Romano’s began operating in 1944 in Essington serving pizza (a new food to this part of the city) and tomato pies (which founder Nazzerano Romano had been selling from a cart in South Philly for years). Nazzerano Romano had fled Italy in 1922 when Benito Mussilini was elected and, two decades later, opened his restaurant in Delaware County just south of Philadelphia International Airport.
In 1950, Romano began making a sandwich made with his pizza dough and stuffed with meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Initially he had no name for the sandwich despite its popularity.
A customer suggested the name “Stromboli” after a movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. These two actors had an affair while filming the movie, which created a major scandal that was all over the news. Romano liked the name, and it stuck.
Today, Romano’s can found in Essington, PA on the corner of 3rd Street and Wanamaker Avenue. It’s currently run by Romano’s grandson and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2024.
Wanting to try this popular local delicacy, I went in on a rainy late autumn day to get one for myself.
The interior of Romano’s is quite basic with a dining room that wouldn’t seem out of place in any other small Italian restaurant in the region. However, the wall is plastered with news clippings and photos, which lets you know that you are in a place with a ton of rich history. You can also pick up some Romano’s souvenirs like a mug, hat, or shirt if you really want to celebrate your visit.
In addition to a full menu of pizza and other Italian cuisine favorites, Romano’s offers a variety of strombolis, but three are listed on the menu as “original”: the Sweet Stromboli, the Hot Stromboli, and the Pepperoni Stromboli.
I opted to try the Original Sweet Stromboli, which comes with ham, cotteghino, capicola, American cheese, and sweet bell peppers. I also paid a bit more for a container of their marinara sauce because you can’t have a stromboli without a sauce.
First off, this is a very large stromboli. Certainly more than most people would be able to eat on their own. So, while it’s a little pricey if you are dining alone, like I was, it’s certainly a good value overall for the amount of food.
The taste of the stromboli was quite fantastic and definitely among the best I’ve ever had. Sometimes, it seems when you go to the birthplace of a food, you end up compromising a bit on flavor as others have improved the food over the years, but that’s definitely not the case here.
The stromboli was cooked well, had a ton of fillings, and was very tasty. The Marinara sauce was also quite delicious.
It’s worth noting that despite being the “sweet” stromboli, it wasn’t overly sweet. It also had a bit of a kick to it, which I liked, but those sensitive to spicy food might find it a bit of a surprise since there is also a “hot” option.
Given the quality of this dish, I’m definitely going to have to visit Romano’s again with friends so I can try even more of the options from their menu.
Overall, if you love Americanized Italian food, I highly recommend a visit to Romano’s in Essington, Pennsylvania for their stromboli. Not only will you get the chance to eat some delicious food, but you can try it at the birthplace of one of the most well-known dishes created in America.
Romano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant can be found at 246 Wanamaker Ave, Essington, PA 19029, just south of the Philadelphia Airport.
Looking for more things to do nearby? Check out the Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Mifflin, and the best breweries in Philly.
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