I remember Romano’s as the “hoagie/pizza shop on the corner of Wanamaker Ave and the “Industrial Highway” in Essington, where everyone went for pizza and hoagies.

One day, when I was in the shop, there was Mr. Romano (Nat) and several local guys having a conversation about this baked sandwich Mr. Romano was making and was selling very well, but had no name. The conversation was centered around the fact that the sandwich should at least have a name.

What should they call it?

At the time there was a scandal in the news about the married actress Ingrid Bergman and her affair with Roberto Rossolini while making the moving “Stromboli” on the Isle of Stromboli, Italy. Bill Schofield said, “why don’t you call it a Stromboli.” So that’s what Nat (Nazzereno) Romano named the sandwich.

With the passage of time, almost 60 years, I have been telling and re-telling this story to more than a few raised eyebrows. By now there must be thousands of pseudo Stromboli’s. Seems you can sell anything and call it Stromboli.

But, I know the real deal, I was there.

Betty Lee McHale
Proud Mother of Pete Romano

“Pizza shops,” for the most part, are little stores that may be able to put cheese, sauce, and toppings on a pie shell, but they don’t know much about the art of baking. What that usually means for the consumer is that you get what I refer to as “heated dough” or “flopped over pizza.” That is not a Stromboli!

And as any one knows that has tried it… it takes time to make bread. There’s a big difference between Italian bread and pizza dough!

“Romano’s Stromboli” is the “Original Stromboli!”

It is still being made the exact same way it was made by my grandfather, Nazzereno Romano, back in 1950. In fact..we still have some of the same staff helping us put them together. That’s over 57 years of Stromboli baking.

It makes a difference… I promise you!

Even if you can’t get to Essington for a personal visit, you can enjoy the famous Romano Stromboli in the comfort of your own home. We partially bake our Stromboli and freeze them. We ship our Stromboli with complete baking instructions. And we’ll ship anywhere.

Give us a call at 866.471.7778 and we’ll get yours out right away!

The Original Stromboli:
Includes ham, peppered ham, coteghino and American cheese.
Sweep Peppers: - $7.95 | Hot Peppers - $7.95 | Pepperoni - $7.95

The Special Stromboli:
You better bring an appetite for this one… includes 6 different kinds of lunchmeat, including ham, coteghino, ham cap, prosuttino, Italian salami, pepperoni and American cheese. Your choice of hot or sweet peppers!
Available in 2 sizes | The Special - $8.95 | The Jumbo - $12.95

The Vegetarian Stromboli:
Includes mozzarella, provolone, American and romano cheese.
Broccoli & Cheese - $5.95 | Spinach & Cheese - $5.95

Pepperoni Bread
With mozzerella, provolone & American chesse, marinara sauce and “lots” of pepperoni - $5.95

Pizza Steak Stromboli:
Chopped steak with mozzarella cheese and our homemade marinara sauce.
Available in 2 sizes | Regular - $8.95 | Jumbo - $12.94

Chicken Breast, Broccoli & Cheese - $7.95

Roast Pork:
Bell peppers, onions, American cheese - $7.95

One of our recent guests, Jeff Turner, was drawn into our restaurant by our sign, “Birthplace Of The World’s First Stromboli Sandwich.” His business associate was delayed at the airport and he was just wandering around looking for a place to sit down.

Well, he found a place! And he decided to write about it.

“Romano’s is never going to win a prize for best location or best decor,” Jeff said, “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.”

Check Out His Entire Review!

Our restaurant even acts as a bakery a couple times a week making more than 300 Stromboli sandwiches at a time.

Our Menu Features: Chicken wings, pizza, pasta dishes, Stromboli sandwiches, chicken and fish dishes.

Original Stromboli

• Preheat oven at 450.
• Lay stromboli on cookie sheet.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes wrapped loosely in foil – cook unwrapped last 5 minutes.

Pepperoni Bread – Broccoli or Spinach Stromboli

• Cook 450. For 10 – 15 minutes.

Now… enjoy!