A Pittsburgh Italian market has hundreds of cheeses to explore, shelves packed with hard-to-find pasta, and a deli counter loaded with Italian specialties. At Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., shoppers can get help choosing cheeses and pick up ingredients that ordinary supermarkets rarely carry.
Known locally as Penn Mac, the Strip District store started making pasta in 1902. More than 120 years later, it has grown into a specialty food market carrying thousands of products, from imported olive oils and cured meats to spices, fresh bread, and homemade sauces.
The cheese counter is a major attraction, but there is much more to discover throughout the store. And the history behind this family business makes it more than just another grocery stop.
A Strip District Shop With Roots Back to 1902
Pittsburgh’s Strip District has plenty of food shops, but few carry a story as long as Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. The market sits at 2010 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, right in the middle of one of the city’s busiest shopping streets.
Most people simply call it Penn Mac. The nickname is short, friendly, and easy to shout across a crowded sidewalk.
The business dates back to 1902, when the Sunseri family started it as a pasta maker. Over the years, it grew from making macaroni into a full Italian specialty market and deli.
That growth explains a lot about what you see today. The store still leans heavily on pasta, but it also carries cheese, meats, olives, spices, nuts, and baking supplies.
I find it interesting that the original name stuck around even as the shelves expanded. It quietly reminds shoppers where everything began.
The shop is open every day of the week, with shorter hours on Sundays. Mornings tend to be a smart time to stop by, especially since the Strip gets lively on weekends.
Of everything packed inside, though, one counter gets more attention than the rest.
The Cheese Counter That Lets You Taste First
Cheese is the reason many shoppers walk through the door. Penn Mac carries a long list of imported and domestic cheeses, and the counter staff will let you sample before you buy.
That small policy changes everything. Instead of guessing which wedge to bring home, you can try a few and pick the one you actually like.
Shoppers have mentioned trying Parmesan, goat cheese, smoked gouda, and even a chili cheese at the counter. The variety leans toward Italian classics but reaches well beyond them.
Fair warning for sensitive noses. The cheese section has a strong smell, and some people joke about it with affection.
I would walk up with one simple question ready. Ask the person behind the counter what their personal favorite is right now.
Workers here are known for their cheese knowledge, and they can suggest pairings for a party tray or a simple dinner. That kind of help is hard to find in a regular supermarket aisle.
Fresh mozzarella also has a following here. It makes a natural partner for the next big draw, which fills shelf after shelf.
Pasta Shapes You Probably Cannot Find at Home
Long before the cheese counter existed, pasta was the whole business. That history still shows in the dry pasta aisles, which hold a wide range of imported and domestic shapes.
Home cooks often come looking for a specific cut they cannot find anywhere else. Some leave with a big stash because they worry they will not see it again soon.
Here is a helpful habit. Bring a recipe list with the exact pasta names you need, since the choices can be a lot to take in at once.
The store also sells fresh and frozen pasta, including ravioli. Mushroom ravioli has earned plenty of fans among shoppers.
If you live far away, think about the drive home. Frozen ravioli needs a cooler, or it may start thawing before you reach your kitchen.
Gluten-free shoppers have something to smile about too. The market has expanded its gluten-free offerings in recent times.
I like that a store founded on macaroni still treats pasta as a main event. Of course, pasta needs a sauce, and the next section has a surprisingly fun way to grab one key ingredient.
Olive Oil Straight From the Tap
Most grocery stores sell olive oil in sealed bottles lined up on a shelf. Penn Mac also offers oils you can get from a tap, which feels a little like a soda fountain for cooks.
Specialty olive oils are part of the store’s appeal. Shoppers often pick some up alongside fresh pasta and bread for a simple homemade dinner.
I can understand why this setup appeals to people. It turns a basic pantry item into something you stop and think about.
Olives deserve a look while you are nearby. The market carries different types, and they make an easy snack or salad topping.
A good olive oil can make plain pasta taste like a finished meal. Add some grated cheese, a little garlic, and a pinch of pepper, and dinner is mostly handled.
If you are new to buying better oil, ask for guidance. The staff can point you toward options that match how you cook.
Oil, olives, and cheese are a strong start. Still, a lot of folks head straight to the back for sliced meats and sandwiches, and that counter keeps people busy.
A Deli Counter Built for Italian Cravings
Prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni sticks are only part of the lineup at the deli. It ranks among the most talked-about parts of the store, right next to the cheese.
Italian sausages are another reason people stop here. The meats pair naturally with the cheeses, so building an antipasto board can happen in one trip.
Pepperoni sticks travel better than sliced deli meats. Even so, a cooler in the car is smart if you plan to buy more than a little.
The deli workers tend to be friendly and talkative. That makes it easier to ask what goes well together.
I would start with a small amount of a few meats rather than a lot of one. Then you can figure out which ones to stock up on next time.
Homemade sauces and other prepared items sit near the deli favorites. They help fill in a meal when you do not feel like cooking from scratch.
Meats and cheese make a fine lunch, yet a sandwich or board needs one more thing. That brings us to the bread and baking shelves, which matter more than you might expect.
Fresh Bread and Supplies for Serious Bakers
Bakers in Pittsburgh have a quiet ally on Penn Avenue. Penn Mac sells fresh bread along with flour and other baking basics.
During the 2020 shutdown, some shoppers found bread flour here when it had vanished from other stores. That detail says a lot about how seriously the market takes its pantry staples.
Focaccia is one bread worth knowing about. Shoppers have described a pizza-style version that makes a quick lunch.
Dessert makers can stock up too. Mascarpone and ladyfingers are both available, which covers the main pieces of a homemade tiramisu.
Simple items like cornstarch are on the shelves as well. It is handy to grab everyday ingredients while you are already shopping for specialty ones.
I like the idea of planning a full meal from this one store. Bread, pasta, cheese, oil, and dessert could all come home in the same bags.
Bakers who use a lot of one ingredient should keep reading the next section closely. Buying in bigger amounts here can work out better than many people realize.
Spices, Nuts, and Seasonal Surprises
Spices show up again and again when people talk about Penn Mac. The store stocks a wide variety, which helps when a recipe calls for something your usual market skips.
Nuts get plenty of attention too. Shoppers mention a big selection that works for baking, snacking, or holiday cooking.
Seasonal finds make the aisles more interesting. Fresh chestnuts from Italy have appeared in the spice section during their season.
That kind of item is easy to miss if you shop fast. I would take an extra lap through this area just to see what has arrived.
Fresh produce is sold here as well. Pick up herbs or vegetables while you grab spices, and your sauce is closer to done.
Cooking gadgets round out the mix. Small kitchen tools sit among the food, which is handy if you need a new grater or pasta helper.
Outside the doors, the shopping does not always stop. Fresh cut flowers and Christmas wreaths have been sold right outside during certain times of year.
All this variety raises an obvious question about cost, and the answer may surprise you.
Fair Prices and a Wholesale Option
Specialty food often comes with a scary price tag. Many Penn Mac shoppers say the opposite happened to them, describing prices as fair or even lower than expected.
Some people point out that pepperoni sticks here can cost less than sliced pepperoni back home. Little moments like that make the trip feel smart, not just fun.
Bigger buyers have another choice. If you need large amounts, you can ask about wholesale pricing.
That can help restaurants, caterers, or families who cook for big holidays. It also helps bakers who go through ingredients quickly.
The store accepts EBT as well. That makes quality Italian ingredients easier to reach for more households.
Free samples add value too. Tasting before buying means fewer pricey mistakes ending up in the back of your fridge.
I would set a loose budget and leave a little room for one new item. Trying something unfamiliar is part of the fun here.
Prices matter, but so does who helps you shop. The people working the floor play a big role in how a visit goes.
Staff Who Know Their Cheese and More
Knowledgeable staff come up more than almost anything else when people describe Penn Mac. Workers are known for helping shoppers find ingredients and pick the right products.
At the cheese counter, that knowledge really shines. Staff can explain differences between cheeses and suggest what to serve with them.
Workers around the store also help track down items. In a place with this many shelves, that saves time and frustration.
One shopper even mentioned the owner introducing himself while she browsed. That personal touch fits a family business with such long roots.
Like any busy store, experiences can vary from day to day. Being patient at the registers during a rush helps everyone.
My favorite tip is simple. Tell a worker what you plan to cook, and let them steer you.
That approach can turn a basic shopping trip into a small cooking lesson. You may walk out with a recipe idea along with your groceries.
Of course, timing your trip makes a difference too. Knowing when the store gets crowded can shape the whole experience.
Smart Ways to Plan Your Penn Mac Trip
Weekends in the Strip District get busy, and Penn Mac is no exception. If crowds bother you, a weekday morning may feel calmer.
The store opens at 8 a.m. most days and closes in the afternoon. Sundays have shorter hours, so plan ahead if that is your shopping day.
A cooler is your best friend here. Fresh mozzarella, ravioli, and deli meats need to stay cold on the ride home.
Bring a list, but keep it flexible. Seasonal items and samples have a way of changing plans.
Can you shop without visiting in person? Yes, the store has a website, which helps if you forget something or live outside Pennsylvania.
I would also leave time to explore the rest of Penn Avenue. The Strip is full of food shops, and Penn Mac fits right into a longer stroll.
Start at the cheese counter, then work through pasta, oils, spices, and the deli. By the end, your bags may hold a whole Italian dinner.
More than a century after it began making macaroni, this shop still sends people home ready to cook.
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