This Pennsylvania Market Is A Dream Come True For Italian Food Lovers

Somewhere behind a set of red wooden doors, hundreds of cheeses wait to be cut to order.

One owner once called the scent inside a 100-year-old Italian smell. That’s a pretty bold promise for a grocery store.

The place started with three Sicilian brothers and a dream of making pasta. A fire wiped out their factory, and they still refused to quit.

I like how stubborn that story is. Today the shelves hold imported pasta, olive oil you can pour from a tap, and cured meats galore.

This classic market sits in western Pennsylvania, inside one of the busiest food neighborhoods around. I believe it rewards anyone who loves cooking at home.

I can’t imagine strolling past those doors without peeking in. So what makes this spot feel so special after more than a century?

Three Brothers From Sicily Started Something Big

Back in 1902, three brothers named Augustino, Salvatore, and Michael Sunseri founded an Italian food business in America. They came from Trabia, Sicily, with a dream of making pasta.

That dream became Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., known around town simply as Penn Mac. The brothers first made pasta in Sharpsburg, a community near Pittsburgh.

Then disaster struck around 1910. A fire destroyed their pasta factory, which would have ended plenty of young businesses.

The Sunseris didn’t give up, though. They rebuilt, moved to the Strip District, and shifted their focus toward importing Italian foods.

That pivot paid off in a surprising way. The company became the first in the U.S. to import De Cecco pasta, a brand many home cooks now know well.

Fun fact: the name still says macaroni, even though the business grew far beyond pasta. Think of it as a proud nod to where everything began.

Knowing this backstory makes a visit feel richer. You’re not just shopping for dinner ingredients.

You’re stepping into a family story that has survived fire, change, and well over a hundred years of Pittsburgh life.

Old Wood Floors And Tin Ceilings Set The Mood

Look down first, then look up. Classic wood floors stretch beneath your feet, while tin ceilings hang overhead like something from another era.

That old-school look gives Penn Mac real character. It feels lived-in and honest, not polished to look old for photos.

The scent might grab you before the decor does. Spicy anise pizzelles, salty olive brine, nutty Parmigiano Reggiano, and cured meats all mix together in the air.

Owner David Sunseri once described it as a 100-year-old Italian smell. Honestly, no candle company could bottle that.

Here’s a helpful tip for first-timers. Take a slow lap around the whole store before grabbing a basket.

The layout rewards curiosity, with counters, shelves, and cases tucked in different corners. A quick loop helps you spot what you want without doubling back five times.

Fair warning for anyone sensitive to strong smells. The cheese area is bold, so step outside for fresh air if needed.

For everyone else, breathe deep and enjoy it. That aroma is part of the experience, and it’s a big reason the store feels so memorable.

Good Luck Picking Just One Cheese Here

Somewhere between 350 and 380 cheeses fill the case at any given time.

That number alone could make a cheese lover a little dizzy. The selection goes well beyond Italy.

You’ll find French, Swiss, and British choices sitting right alongside specialty Italian favorites.

One standout is export-quality, 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s known for those tiny crunchy crystals that make each bite feel like a treat.

Another fun pick is Tomme pur Chevre, a semi-firm goat cheese from the French Basque region. Feeling ambitious?

Grab mozzarella curds and stretch your own at home.

Every cheese gets cut to order right in front of you. That means fresher pieces and the freedom to buy exactly the amount you need.

So how do you choose without panicking? Tell the staff what you’re cooking or serving, then ask for a suggestion.

The cheese counter is easily the heart of Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. for many shoppers.

Plan a little extra time here, because rushing through a case this big feels almost like skipping dessert.

Your Next Antipasto Platter Starts At The Deli

Prosciutto, mortadella, salami, and sopressata all wait behind the deli counter.

Party planners, consider your homework basically done. These cured meats are classic Italian favorites.

They work beautifully on a board, tucked into a sandwich, or eaten straight from the paper on the ride home.

Right nearby, olives add a salty, colorful punch. The store offers a wide mix of olives and other deli vegetables to round out any spread.

Pair a few meats with olives and a cheese or two. Suddenly, a regular Friday night feels like a fancy get-together.

A simple formula helps. Pick one mild meat, one bold meat, and one briny item for balance.

Mortadella brings a soft, gentle flavor, while salami adds a stronger kick. Olives cut through all that richness and keep people reaching for more.

The deli is one of the busiest parts of the store, so patience helps. Knowing roughly what you want before reaching the counter makes the whole trip smoother.

Your guests will think you planned for days. You only need to know that this counter exists.

Pasta Shapes You Never Knew Existed

Ever stood in a regular grocery store and found only spaghetti and penne? Penn Mac fixes that problem in a big way.

The dry goods aisles carry an international selection of gourmet pasta in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Curious cooks can try something new every week for a long time.

Fresh pasta lives here too, for nights when you want dinner fast. Pasta makers are also on hand for anyone eager to roll their own dough.

Great pasta needs a great sauce. Shelves hold tomatoes from brands like Pomi and San Marzano, plus the store’s own handcrafted sauces.

Gluten-free shoppers aren’t left out either. The market stocks gluten-free pasta, flour, and soup mixes, though its fully cooked Italian meatballs contain breadcrumbs.

Here’s a smart move. Grab one shape you’ve never cooked before, then match it with a sauce from the same trip.

Chunky sauces cling well to ridged or twisted pasta. Smoother sauces pair nicely with long, thin strands.

Little experiments like this keep weeknight cooking fun. A single stop at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. can refresh your whole pantry.

Olive Oil On Tap Feels Like A Secret Club

Most stores hand you a sealed bottle and wish you luck.

Penn Mac lets you pour certain olive oils and vinegars straight from large kegs.

That pour-your-own setup adds a playful twist to grocery shopping. It also feels a little like discovering a secret part of the store.

The oil and vinegar section offers plenty of variety. You’ll see olive oils alongside balsamic and fruit vinegars for drizzling, dipping, and dressing.

Fruit vinegars can brighten a plain salad fast. A good balsamic turns roasted vegetables into something worth bragging about.

Not sure where to begin? Start with one versatile olive oil and one balsamic.

Mix them with a pinch of salt for a quick bread dip. Easy, cheap to make at home, and surprisingly impressive.

Spices and nuts also fill shelves throughout the store. Picking up a few alongside your oil can make the whole kitchen feel upgraded.

This corner shows how Penn Mac blends old-world flavor with a sense of fun. It’s practical shopping with a side of entertainment, and kids usually find the taps pretty cool too.

Those Red Doors Belong On Penn Avenue

Red wooden doors mark the entrance, and they’re hard to miss.

They’ve become a well-known sight along Penn Avenue. You’ll find Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. at 2010 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

The store sits in the Strip District, a neighborhood famous for international grocers and independent vendors.

That setting makes Penn Mac a perfect anchor for a food-filled day. The neighborhood is packed with specialty shops and eateries worth exploring.

A few planning tips can help. The store opens at 8 a.m.

Monday through Saturday and closes at 4 p.m.

Sundays run shorter, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Morning visits make sense if you want more time to browse.

Weekends tend to stay busy, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving. Arrive with a list and a little patience.

Bring a cooler if you’re driving far. Fresh pasta, cheese, and deli meats travel much better when kept cold.

Many visitors make Penn Mac their first or last stop in the Strip. Either way, those red doors serve as a cheerful landmark in one of Pennsylvania’s liveliest food districts.

Sharing The Goods Is Half The Fun

Some people bring flowers to a dinner party. Smart guests bring a box of Italian goodies instead.

Penn Mac puts together Italian Gift Baskets and Gift Boxes. They make thoughtful presents for birthdays, holidays, or a simple thank-you.

Then there’s the Pasta of the Month Club. Each delivery brings two pounds of fresh pasta and 32 ounces of sauce right to your door.

That’s a handy gift for busy families or college grads cooking for themselves. Dinner basically shows up already planned.

The store also sells kitchen gadgets for curious home cooks. Pairing a tool with a few ingredients makes a fun, personal present.

Picture a pasta lover unwrapping a new gadget with fresh pasta and sauce. That’s a gift that gets used, not tucked into a closet.

Gift ideas like these spread Penn Mac’s flavors far beyond Pittsburgh. Out-of-town friends can taste a bit of the Strip District without making the trip.

Honestly, you might end up buying one for yourself too. Nobody will judge, and your pantry will thank you.

A New Sunseri Keeps The Family Story Going

More than 120 years in, the Sunseri name still hangs over the business.

In early 2025, Bill Sunseri took over operations from his retiring brothers, David and Rick.

Bill represents the third generation running Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. That kind of family continuity feels rare these days.

Loyal shoppers worried the store might change too much. Bill answered plainly, saying it will be business as usual going forward.

His goal is keeping Penn Mac an authentic Italian store. A few things might move around, and some new features may appear.

He has also explored ideas like home meal replacements and next-day home delivery. Those would mix tradition with modern convenience for busy households.

Still, the heart of the place stays the same. Cheese cut to order, imported pasta, and that famous aroma aren’t going anywhere.

For Italian food lovers across Pennsylvania, that’s welcome news. A beloved market staying in family hands means future generations get to enjoy it too.

So go see it for yourself. Grab a basket, follow your nose, and let a century of family pride guide your next great dinner.