I love it when I find something I wasn't even looking for.
In this case, I wasn't looking for the birthplace of Stromboli, but I found it. And I have to thank Rochell Heininger. Actually, I should thank Southwest Airlines for making her flight into Philadelphia 90 minutes late. Without that 90 minute delay, I would never have left the airport.
Thankfully, I did leave the airport. And if you get the chance, you'll want to as well. Because just 3 minutes south of Philadelphia International Airport, is Romano's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant.
Finding a good restaurant is nice. Finding a truly special restaurant is, well, truly special. When I travel, I'm always looking for the local joint that may not have the best atmosphere, or be located in the best part of town, but has food that makes you forget all of that. Romano's is that kind of place. Only this time I wasn't looking for it.
When Rochell called me to say she had not left Pittsburgh yet, I was already circling PIA waiting for her to walk out of baggage claim. So, the only viable option was to leave the airport. I had no idea where I was going. I was simply looking for a coffee shop, or some other place where I knew I could plug in my laptop, go online, and not bother anyone.
If you drive South on 95 from PIA, the first real exit you come to is Wannamaker Avenue. I first turned right and headed into town... nothing. No coffee shops. I turned around and crossed back over the freeway and thought, at first, that this wasn't going to be the exit. If you head South on Wannamaker, you enter a residential area that hugs the Delaware River. It was winter, so the streets were dirty with old snow and the trees were bare. It was not an inviting picture.
Just as I was about to turn around, I saw it. It was a sign, literally and figuratively. The sign read, "Birth Place Of The World's First Stromboli Sandwich." Now, it was 4 PM and Rochell and I were meeting Neal Baldwin for dinner. I wasn't even hungry. But come on, how could I pass this up?
When I walked into Romano's and told the girl at the counter that I had never had a Stromboli before and wanted her to recommend one. She stared at me in amazement and suggested the Original. I opted for the Original with sweet peppers and a Diet Coke, and found a seat.
Romano's is never going to win an prize for best location or best decor, but the Stromboli they make is award winning food. It is delivered to the table fresh from the oven in three pieces, cheese flowing from the cuts. The first bite was heaven. It was all I could do NOT to eat all three parts and ruin my dinner. So, I boxed up the remaining pieces and took them with me. I ate the rest AFTER dinner, around midnight. And I have zero guilt!
The next day, after the second speaking engagement ended, I told Rochell that we were not going straight to the airport. I kidnapped her and made her stop with me to get another Original Stromboli. I wanted to have it again, and I wanted to meet the owner.
Pete Romano is the third generation of Romano to run the restaurant. His grandfather, Nazzereno (Nat) Romano, was the originator of the Stromboli. His father carried on the tradition as well. He's proud of the family tradition and proud of his restaurant. As he should be. "I get upset," he told me, "when people come in here, order a Stromboli and then say it's not a Stromboli. You're gonna tell me what a Stromboli is?"
He understands that the word Stromboli has come to mean different things around the country, but he's not about to allow someone else's version usurp his. He told me how they make the Stromboli's in large batches and partially bake them. How their's are not made with Pizza dough, but with Italian bread dough. "It's a sandwich, not a pizza." Now that I've eaten one, trust me, it makes a huge difference. He told me that he had just put up his website, and that, yes, they do ship frozen Stromboli anywhere. If you don't think you're going to get to Philadelphia, pick up the phone and give Pete a call. He'll make sure you can experience the original in the comfort of your own home.
I'll definitely be back.
As fate would have it, I have to fly into Philadelphia again on Tuesday. I land at 2:30pm. Rochell doesn't get in until 4:00pm. This time I know exactly where I'm going to be - eating a Romano's Stromboli - and I know just where to find it. Now you do to.
Romano's
246 Wanamaker Avenue
Essington, PA 19029 | 866.471.7778
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