Stromboli | Romano's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

Try the Original Stromboli — Invented Right Here in Essington, PA

Before stromboli became a staple at Italian restaurants across the country, there was Romano's. In 1950, founder Nazzareno Romano — a fascist-fighting Italian immigrant and former stone mason — crafted a stuffed, rolled sandwich using his secret-recipe pizza dough packed with Italian meats, roasted sweet bell peppers, and melted cheese. He baked it into what we now know as the stromboli, and named it after the 1950 film Stromboli, starring Ingrid Bergman — a Hollywood scandal that was making worldwide headlines at the time. Romano's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant in Essington, Pennsylvania is recognized as the birthplace of the stromboli, and every one is still made from scratch using Grandpop Nazzareno's original family recipe.

Taste the Original Stromboli at Romano's in Essington

Romano's has been rolling its legendary strombolis the same way since 1950. The Original Sweet is built with ham, cotechino, capicola, and American cheese with roasted sweet bell peppers — all wrapped in made-from-scratch dough and baked until golden. Prefer a little heat? The Original Hot adds hot banana peppers to the mix. Or go all out with the Jumbo, which layers on genoa salami, prosciuttini, and pepperoni on top of the original recipe. Every stromboli comes with Romano's house-made marinara dipping sauce, cooked fresh in-house. There's a reason this is the stromboli that started it all.

Order Your Stromboli

A No-Frills, Family Legend Loved by Generations in Essington

Romano's isn't trying to be trendy — it's been here since 1944 and it's not going anywhere. Customers who grew up eating Romano's strombolis are bringing their own kids and grandkids in today. Reviewers describe it as a place that feels like home, where the food is straightforward, generous, and made with pride. Pete Romano Sr. and Pete Romano Jr. — third and fourth generation owners — are often right there in the kitchen. This is a place where the recipes haven't changed because they don't need to. The vibe is classic, the portions are massive, and the food is the real deal.

Essington's Most Famous Dish — And the Restaurant That Invented It

Just one mile south of Philadelphia International Airport off I-95 exit 9A, Romano's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant has been a landmark in Delaware County for over 80 years. Featured on The Today Show, The Travel Channel, and ABC Action News, this Essington institution is recognized far beyond the Philadelphia area as the spot where stromboli was born. Whether you're a local stopping in after work or a traveler passing through PHL, Romano's is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves great Italian food with a real story behind it.

Get Directions

Hand-Crafted Stromboli Made the Way Grandpop Intended

At Romano's, the stromboli is not a menu item — it's a legacy. Every stromboli starts with dough that's mixed, hand-shaped, and knocked down daily to break down the gluten strands before the careful tuck that seals the seam. The fillings use quality Italian meats and the same flavor profile Nazzareno Romano developed over 75 years ago. In Italy, the concept was called imbottito — stuffed bread — and Romano brought it to America with his own South Philly roots and Delaware County address. Today, the menu has expanded to include Chicken Florentine (garlic butter, chicken, spinach, cheese, and sliced tomato), Broccoli & Cheese, Spinach & Cheese, and more — but the originals remain untouched.

Order Stromboli Delivery or Takeout in Essington

Craving the original stromboli? Romano's offers online ordering for takeout and delivery so you can enjoy the birthplace of stromboli from your own home. {add button to online ordering page} Choose from classic originals or explore the full menu of specialty strombolis, pizza, pasta, and Italian dinners. Romano's is open Sunday–Tuesday 11am–8pm and Wednesday–Saturday 11am–9pm. Stop by at 246 Wanamaker Ave, Essington, PA 19029 or order online now.

Order Online