Philadelphia is well-known for its diverse food scene, from high-end restaurants to classic cheesesteaks. But did you know that the region is also home to the birthplace of stromboli?
Romano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, located just south of the city, is credited with creating this iconic dish.
The restaurant opened in 1944 in Essington, where it introduced pizza to the area. Founder Nazzerano Romano had previously sold tomato pies from a cart in South Philly for years. Romano, who fled Italy in 1922 after Benito Mussolini’s rise to power, opened his restaurant two decades later in Delaware County, near Philadelphia International Airport.
In 1950, Romano began creating a sandwich using his pizza dough, stuffed with meats, vegetables, and cheese. The sandwich became popular, but Romano had no name for it at first. After a suggestion from a customer, he called it “Stromboli,” inspired by a movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. The movie had been a sensation due to the actors’ affair, which was widely covered in the news. Romano liked the name, and it stuck.
Romano’s is still located in Essington, at the corner of 3rd Street and Wanamaker Avenue, and is now run by his grandson. The restaurant celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2024.
I decided to visit on a rainy autumn day to try this famous dish for myself.
The interior of Romano’s is simple, with a dining area that feels like many other small Italian restaurants in the area. The walls are covered with news clippings and photos, giving visitors a sense of the restaurant’s rich history. You can also purchase Romano’s merchandise, like mugs, hats, and shirts, as souvenirs.
Along with its full menu of pizza and Italian dishes, Romano’s offers several types of strombolis. Three of these are listed as “original”: Sweet Stromboli, Hot Stromboli, and Pepperoni Stromboli.
I chose to try the Original Sweet Stromboli, which comes with ham, cotteghino, capicola, American cheese, and sweet bell peppers. I also added marinara sauce for dipping.
The stromboli was large—definitely enough for two people, which made it a good value, especially if you’re dining with others. The taste was fantastic, and it easily ranked among the best I’ve ever had. Often, dishes from their birthplace can disappoint, but this stromboli exceeded expectations.
The dough was perfectly cooked, filled generously, and the marinara sauce complemented the dish well. Despite being called “sweet,” the stromboli wasn’t overly sweet. It also had a slight kick, which I enjoyed, though those sensitive to spice may find it a surprise—especially with the “hot” version also on the menu.
With the high quality of food, I’m definitely planning to return with friends to explore more of Romano’s menu.
For anyone who loves Americanized Italian cuisine, I highly recommend visiting Romano’s in Essington. Not only will you enjoy delicious food, but you’ll also get to taste the stromboli at its birthplace, one of America’s most famous dishes.
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