A full pound of battered cod gets tucked onto one bun here, and the fish usually wins the size contest. The bun is often from a nearby bakery, which seems almost brave given the job ahead of it.
This sandwich lives inside a busy seafood market in Pennsylvania. Live lobsters sit in tanks nearby.
A model train runs overhead, because apparently fish alone was not enough excitement.
I like how the whole place feels playful without trying too hard. You can grab lunch, then shop for dinner from hundreds of kinds of seafood.
I believe that combo is rare, even in a city full of food stops.
There is also a bronze pig, a whiting sandwich called the Whaler, and a family story stretching back more than a century. So how did one market end up holding all of that?
A Pound Of Cod On One Bun Is A Bold Lunch Plan
One pound of fried fish on a single bun sounds like a dare. At Robert Wholey & Co.
Inc., it’s simply called the Holy Moley.
The sandwich stars a full pound of battered cod. The fish portion is famous for dwarfing the bun, so plan on some strategy before the first bite.
Buns often come from Mancini’s Bakery, a nearby Pittsburgh name with its own loyal following. That local pairing makes the sandwich feel very rooted in the neighborhood.
Toppings stay simple, which lets the fish do the talking. A self-serve sauce station lets you add tartar or hot sauce your own way.
My advice is to grab extra napkins right away. Splitting the sandwich with a friend is also a smart move if you want room for sides.
Fish sandwiches are a serious tradition across western Pennsylvania, especially during Lent. Still, this one has earned a spot as the market’s signature hot food item.
Arrive with patience and a healthy appetite. Leave with a story about the day a fish outsized your bread.
The Whaler Gives Whiting Fans Their Own Giant Moment
Cod gets plenty of attention, but whiting has a champion here too. The Whaler piles a full pound of fried whiting onto its bun.
Whiting is a mild white fish with a long history in fish fry culture. It’s a great pick if you want something familiar but a little different from cod.
Deciding between the Holy Moley and the Whaler is a classic friendly debate. The easy fix is ordering one of each and trading halves.
The Whaler also has a wild piece of history attached. In September 2023, the market celebrated its 111th anniversary with a 111-pound Whaler Wonder sandwich.
That giant creation sat on a custom Mancini’s bun. Somebody had to figure out how to bake that, and I respect them deeply.
You won’t find a 111-pound version on the regular menu, thankfully. The everyday Whaler is already plenty for most lunches.
Try it with a splash of hot sauce from the sauce station. A little heat brings out the gentle flavor of the fish without covering it up.
Your Order Might Grow Once You See The Hot Food Menu
Fish sandwiches open the door, but the hot food kitchen keeps going. Fried oyster po’ boys, crispy calamari, and jumbo butterfly shrimp all share the menu.
Soup lovers have options too. Lobster crab bisque and Boston clam chowder are both made for chilly Pittsburgh afternoons.
Lobster mac and cheese brings comfort food into the seafood mix. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants something creamy instead of fried.
Can’t decide? The Wholey’s Sampler lets you try fried fish, shrimp, and a crab cake in one order.
I like that the sampler solves the biggest problem here, which is choosing. It’s perfect for first-timers who want a little bit of everything.
The kitchen runs in a fast-food style, so meals are made to order and move quickly. That keeps lunch casual and easy.
Hot food is served during store hours, which end at 5 p.m. daily. Plan a lunch or early afternoon visit so the fryers are still waiting for you.
Over 500 Kinds Of Seafood Make Shopping Feel Like An Adventure
Five hundred types of seafood is not a typo. Robert Wholey & Co.
Inc. stocks more than 500 kinds for you to take home and cook.
That’s a huge selection for a city far from any ocean. Pennsylvania cooks get a real shot at variety without leaving town.
Keeping all that fish cold takes serious effort. The market makes 40,000 pounds of ice every single day.
Try picturing that much ice in your freezer at home. Actually, please don’t, because your kitchen would need its own zip code.
Live tanks hold bass, lobsters, trout, and tilapia. A marine biologist on staff cares for the live aquatic animals.
That detail tells you how seriously the market takes freshness. It also makes the tanks fun to check out between errands.
Bring a cooler if you’re driving a long way home. Seafood stays happiest when it stays cold, and you’ll want to protect your haul.
Ask the counter staff questions if a fish is new to you. Learning something new is half the fun of shopping here.
Somebody Thought A Train Overhead Was A Great Idea
Look up while you shop. A suspended model train runs above the market floor.
It’s one of those details that makes grown adults point like kids. Honestly, that’s a big part of the charm.
Vintage decor fills the space and gives it a classic feel. Several animatronics add even more personality to the room.
Then there’s Rachael, a life-size bronze pig. She works as a piggy bank, which is a very literal job for a pig.
Donations dropped into Rachael are matched by Wholey’s. The money goes to the Children’s Institute, so your spare change does real good.
I can’t imagine a better way to get kids excited about a grocery run. Train, animatronics, fish tanks, and a pig with a mission cover a lot of ground.
Wholey family members are often on the store floor too. That family presence helps the market feel personal instead of corporate.
Give yourself a few extra minutes to wander. The fun details are easy to miss if you rush straight to the fryer.
Dinner Plans Get Easier With Steaks, Wings, And Pizza Nearby
Not everyone in your house loves fish, and that’s okay. The market sells far more than seafood.
Hand-cut steaks fill the meat side of the store. Poultry, chicken wings, and other meats round out the options.
Fresh vegetables are on hand too. That means you can build a whole meal without making three extra stops.
Handmade pizzas are another surprise in a place famous for fish. They’re a handy backup for picky eaters or busy weeknights.
Specialty groceries fill in the gaps with sauces, rubs, and other goodies. Browsing the shelves can spark a new recipe idea fast.
My tip is to make a short list before you go. With this much variety, a cart can fill up quicker than expected.
The market also offers pickup and delivery. That’s helpful when you want the selection but can’t squeeze in a trip.
A surf and turf night suddenly sounds very doable. Grab some steaks, pick out shrimp, and let your grill handle the rest.
More Than A Century Of Family Hustle Lives In These Walls
Back in 1912, Robert L. Wholey opened a shop in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.
He sold meat and live poultry, not fish.
Hard to believe, right? The seafood empire started with chickens.
In 1959, his son Robert C. Wholey moved the business to the Strip District.
The new spot sat on Penn Avenue, right in the city’s market hub.
Just one year later, in 1960, fresh fish and seafood joined the lineup. That choice shaped everything the business became.
Fast forward to 2023, and the company hit 111 years. They celebrated in true style with that enormous 111-pound sandwich.
I believe that kind of staying power says a lot. Plenty of shops come and go, but this family kept adapting.
Family members still show up on the floor today. That link between past and present gives the market a warm, hometown feel.
Next time you bite into a fish sandwich here, remember the chickens. Every big story starts somewhere, and this one started with poultry in McKees Rocks.
The Strip District Address Puts You In Pittsburgh’s Food Playground
Location matters, and this market nailed it. You’ll find it at 1711 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
That puts it right in the Strip District. The neighborhood is known for markets, produce stands, and food sellers from many cultures.
Plenty of people call the area a foodie heaven. With so many shops packed together, it’s easy to see why.
The district has grown to include restaurants and tech companies too. Even so, it keeps its historic market character.
Robert Wholey & Co. Inc. fits right into that scene.
It has called Penn Avenue home since 1959.
A visit here pairs nicely with a stroll through the neighborhood. Mancini’s Bakery, the bun maker, is also close by.
Wear comfy shoes and bring reusable bags. You’ll likely pick up more than you planned along the way.
Visiting Pennsylvania from out of town? The Strip District makes a great half-day food outing, and this market is a fun anchor stop.
Timing Your Visit Right Keeps The Fryers On Your Side
Early birds get the first shot at a fresh fish sandwich. The market opens at 8 a.m.
Monday through Saturday.
Sunday starts a bit later, at 9 a.m. Every day wraps up at 5 p.m., so evening cravings need a backup plan.
Lunch is the natural time to come for hot food. You’ll have plenty of time to eat and then shop afterward.
Here’s a tip for planning ahead. Shop for your seafood last so it spends less time out of the cold.
Pickup and delivery are available if you can’t stop by. They’re handy for stocking up on market goods during a hectic week.
Robert Wholey & Co. Inc. works for lots of moods.
Quick lunch, big grocery haul, or a fun family outing all fit.
Western Pennsylvania takes its fish sandwiches seriously. This market has made its case for decades on Penn Avenue.
So set an alarm, clear some space in the fridge, and bring napkins. That pound of cod isn’t going to eat itself.
