Somewhere behind a pair of red doors, close to 400 cheeses are waiting for you at once.
That number alone made me stop and read it twice.
The cheese is only one part of the story.
This market also stocks heaps of dried pasta, cured meats, spices, and a seriously long lineup of olive oils.
It all comes from one family that has kept the lights on through a fire and two pandemics.
I like how a grocery run here sounds more like a field trip.
Pennsylvania has plenty of famous food stops, but few can claim more than a century of family ownership.
I believe that kind of staying power says a lot.
So what keeps people coming back to the same red doors, year after year? The answer starts with the cheese counter and keeps going from there.
Close To 400 Cheeses Means You Should Pace Yourself
Cheese lovers, take a deep breath. Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. keeps somewhere between 350 and 380 cheese varieties on hand at any given time.
That count climbs close to 400 across the full lineup. Picking just one feels a little like choosing a favorite star in the sky.
The top seller is a 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s single-sourced and export quality, which means it’s the kind of wedge serious cooks hunt for.
You’ll also spot picks like Tomme pur Chevre, a goat’s milk cheese. Mozzarella curds sit on the list too, perfect for anyone curious about making fresh mozzarella at home.
The staff at the cheese counter are known for being friendly and knowledgeable. That’s handy when the options feel endless and your brain starts to spin.
Here’s a smart move. Tell them what you’re cooking or serving, then ask for a suggestion that fits.
A pasta night, a snack board, and a sandwich all call for different cheeses. The folks behind the counter can help you match the right one to the job.
Leave a little room in your bag. Most people don’t stop at one wedge.
A Pasta Factory Fire Started This Whole Story
Three brothers from Trabia, Sicily, opened the business in 1902. Augustino, Salvatore, and Michael Sunseri started out making pasta in Sharpsburg.
Then trouble hit around 1910. A fire wiped out their pasta factory.
Plenty of businesses would have folded right there. The brothers moved to Penn Avenue instead and turned their focus to importing.
That shift paid off in a big way. The company became the first in the United States to import De Cecco pasta, a brand many home cooks now know by sight.
In the late 1940s, Augustino’s sons Robert and Salvatore took the lead. They added olive oil, spices, specialty foods, and cheeses to the shelves.
Later, the arrival of supermarkets changed the grocery game. The family adjusted again and began serving Italian restaurants and pizzerias across the area.
Every chapter shows the same habit of bouncing back. A fire, changing times, and two pandemics couldn’t close the doors.
That history is a big reason the store gets compared to a museum. Only this museum lets you take the exhibits home for dinner.
Your Pantry Is About To Get Jealous
Spaghetti is just the warm-up act. The pasta aisles here hold an impressive range of dried shapes for every kind of sauce.
Olive oil gets star treatment too. The store carries around 150 different types, which could make a simple salad feel like a big decision.
Tomatoes and tomato sauces fill their own section. You’ll also find PennMac handcrafted sauces for nights when you’d rather not simmer anything for hours.
The list keeps going with rice, grains, salts, soups, and pesto. Balsamic and fruit vinegars show up in a big selection, ready to wake up a plain bowl of greens.
Baking ingredients are on hand for anyone who loves flour on the counter. Coffee beans and ground espresso round things out for the morning crowd.
A good tip is to bring a list and a little flexibility. Go in for one thing, then leave space for a surprise find.
Gluten-free products are part of the mix as well. That’s a nice touch for families who need options without a lot of guesswork.
Your cart might look different leaving than it did coming in. That’s sort of the point.
Sliced Meats That Make Sandwich Night Feel Fancy
Prosciutto, capicola, and salami walk into a deli. That’s not a joke, it’s just the lineup at this counter.
The deli at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. covers the classic Italian cured meats. It also handles deli salads, olives, vegetables, dips, and spreads.
Put a few of those together and dinner nearly builds itself. Add some bread, a wedge of cheese, and a handful of olives, and you’ve got a spread.
Bread is easy to grab here as well. The shelves include Breadworks artisan bread, a natural partner for anything coming off the slicer.
Planning for a crowd changes things. The store makes party trays and sandwich rings for in-store pickup.
Timing matters with those orders. For weekend pickup, you’ll need to place your order by Thursday at 11 a.m.
That small deadline can save a big headache. Graduation parties, game days, and family get-togethers all go smoother when the food is handled.
Think of it as hosting with a helper. You show up, grab the tray, and take the credit.
Hometown Favorites Hiding Between The Imports
Italy may get top billing, but Pittsburgh holds its own here. Local favorites sit right alongside the imported goods.
Isaly’s Chipped Chopped Ham is one of them. For many Pittsburgh families, that name brings back lunchbox memories in a single bite.
Pierogies Plus products are on hand too. It’s a fun reminder that this city loves its dumplings just as much as its pasta.
Drinks get a local touch from Natrona Bottling Co. You’ll also see Italian sparkling waters like San Pellegrino and San Benedetto.
I love that mix of old-country and hometown flavor. It shows how a store can honor its roots and still feel like part of the neighborhood.
Visitors from out of state can treat this as a tasty souvenir stop. Grab a few local items to share with friends back home.
Frozen items like ravioli, sacchetti, gnocchi, and tortellini are worth a look as well. Just plan for a cooler if your drive is long.
Pennsylvania pride and Sicilian roots on one shopping trip? Not a bad combo at all.
Gadgets That Turn Your Kitchen Into A Pasta Workshop
Groceries are only half the shopping list. The store also sells kitchen cooking gadgets for people who like getting their hands floury.
Pasta makers are part of that selection. Rolling out your own noodles can turn a regular weeknight into a family project.
Pizza makers show up too. Pair one with the right flour and cheese, and pizza night gets a serious upgrade.
The best part is how it all connects. You can buy the tool, the ingredients, and the sauce without making another stop.
Kids especially tend to enjoy cooking when there’s a fun gadget involved. Cranking a pasta machine beats washing dishes, at least for a little while.
Spices deserve a mention here. A wide range of seasonings, peppers, and hot sauces can finish off whatever you create.
Not a big cook? That’s fine.
A new tool might be just the nudge you need to try something fresh. Start simple with one recipe and build from there.
Messy counters are part of the fun. Good flavor usually makes up for the cleanup.
Those Red Doors On Penn Avenue Are Your Landmark
Finding the place is easy once you know what to look for. The store’s iconic red doors make it a landmark in the Strip District.
The address is 2010 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. It sits right in one of Pennsylvania’s best-known food neighborhoods.
Hours run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
On Sunday, the doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 2 p.m.
Those are daytime hours, so plan your trip early. An afternoon nap might cost you a cheese run.
The Strip District makes the visit even better. You can turn a stop here into a full morning of wandering nearby shops and stands.
The store’s leaders like to keep a festival feel inside. The goal is for people to enjoy the product, the price, and the service.
That bustling energy fits the neighborhood well. Expect a lively room, comfortable shoes, and a cart that fills faster than planned.
Bring reusable bags if you have them. Your arms will thank you after the cheese counter.
Can’t Make The Trip? The Shelves Can Come To You
Distance doesn’t have to keep you away. Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. offers online shopping with shipping across the continental United States.
That’s great news for former Pittsburghers who miss their favorites. It also helps curious cooks who’ve never set foot in the Strip District.
Curbside pickup is another option. It works well on busy days when you want the goods without the browsing.
Gift baskets and boxes make gifting simple. An Italian food basket tends to land better than another candle or coffee mug.
Holidays, birthdays, and thank-you gifts all fit the bill. Teachers, neighbors, and grandparents usually appreciate something delicious.
The company also runs a blog about gourmet delicacies. It’s a handy spot for ideas when you’re not sure what to try next.
One tip is to start small with online orders. Pick a few pantry staples, then branch out once you know what you like.
Cheese by mail sounds wild, but it works. Your mailbox has never smelled so interesting.
Four Generations And The Family Is Still Behind The Counter
Over 120 years later, the Sunseri name still runs this place. Not many businesses can say that.
Early in 2025, Bill Sunseri took over operations as president, secretary, and treasurer. His brothers David and Rick retired.
That handoff kept the business firmly in the family, with Bill Sunseri continuing the family’s longstanding involvement.
Think about how much has changed since 1902. Cars replaced horse carts, and supermarkets popped up everywhere.
Through it all, this Pennsylvania market kept adapting. The family shifted focus when needed, without losing what made the shop special.
I can’t imagine the pressure of carrying a name that old. Still, the current plan to keep a festival atmosphere sounds like a fun way to honor it.
A family business brings a certain personal feel. The people stocking shelves and cutting cheese are part of a long, steady story.
Shopping here supports that story in a small way. Every wedge and bag of pasta helps write the next chapter.
Maybe a fifth generation is already watching and learning. Here’s hoping they love cheese as much as everyone else.
