Iannelli's Bakery

For residents of Pennsylvania, especially those with a deep appreciation for culinary history and authentic Italian tradition, Iannelli's Bakery is not merely a place to buy baked goods—it is a cherished piece of South Philadelphia history. Serving the community since 1910, this third-generation, family-run institution has perfected a core specialty that has become an iconic staple of Philadelphia cuisine: the Brick Oven Tomato Pie. Founded by the grandparents of the current owner, Vincent Iannelli, the original East Passyunk Avenue location and the famous tomato pie recipe remain unchanged since the bakery first opened its doors.

Iannelli's Bakery is deeply rooted in the Italian Market area, yet its reputation extends far beyond the immediate neighborhood, recognized across Pennsylvania and even nationwide for its exceptional products. The bakery’s specialties revolve around its brick oven, which produces a light, airy, and crisp crust topped with a generous, thick layer of homemade tomato sauce, which old-timers affectionately call "gravy." This famous, cheese-less pie originated as a "depression pizza" from the owner's grandmother's era and continues the tradition today.

While the bakery itself maintains an intentionally limited annual storefront schedule—often only opening to the public about 15 days a year—to allow the owner to focus on quality and other endeavors, its legacy and flavors are kept alive through modern, accessible ordering options. Iannelli's has expanded its offerings to include homemade cannoli kits, Italian sauces (gravies), and other baked and prepared Italian food items, ensuring that this true taste of Philly history remains accessible to its dedicated local customer base and beyond. A visit here, when possible, is often described as feeling like a "warm hug," filled with the wonderful aromas of tomato, garlic, and basil.

Iannelli's Bakery is conveniently located in a historic and well-known part of South Philadelphia, making it a key destination for local Pennsylvania users. The bakery's landmark address is 1155 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA. This location is central to the vibrant Passyunk Avenue corridor, famous for its deep Italian American roots and excellent local dining scene.

In terms of accessibility for local patrons, the bakery offers key conveniences:

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: This is a crucial feature in a dense urban area like South Philly, ensuring ease of access for customers requiring mobility assistance.
• Quick Visit Planning: The bakery is set up to accommodate a Quick visit, ideal for customers picking up their legendary tomato pie or a bag full of treats without extensive waiting times.
• Takeout Service: The primary method of receiving products, allowing customers to easily grab their prepared goods and continue their day.

It is essential for Pennsylvania customers planning a visit to note the bakery's highly selective operating schedule, which often limits in-person visits to approximately 15 days a year. Patrons are strongly advised to check the bakery's public announcements for in-store opening dates to ensure they can secure the freshest brick oven goods right from the source.

While Iannelli's physical storefront operation is limited, the bakery provides multiple avenues for its loyal Pennsylvania customer base to access its highly sought-after specialties.

• Takeout Service (Limited Days): On the few days the bakery is open at its physical location, customers can line up to purchase the famed Brick Oven Tomato Pies and other fresh baked items directly for takeout.
• National Shipping and Delivery: To meet demand beyond the limited storefront hours, Iannelli's ships its iconic products, particularly the Tomato Pie and Cannoli Kits, nationally through partners like Goldbelly and their own website. This ensures that fans across Pennsylvania—and even those who have moved away—can enjoy a taste of home.
• Fresh Cannoli Kits: The bakery offers popular Fresh Cannoli Kits for sale, which include the crispy shells, high-quality vanilla ricotta cheese filling with dark chocolate morsels, and sugar, allowing customers to fill them at home for maximum freshness.
• Specialty Italian "Gravy" Sales: Iannelli's also sells its highly praised, homemade Italian Gravy (tomato sauce) in various forms, including Grandma's Gravy, Crab Gravy (made with blue claws), Diablo Gravy, and Vodka Style Sauce, allowing customers to bring authentic South Philly flavor into their own kitchens.
• Other Prepared Italian Foods and Pasta: The bakery's expanded product line includes items like prepared dishes such as Eggplant Parmesiano, Homemade Lasagna, and Ricotta Cookies, alongside dry goods like Bucatini Pasta.

Iannelli's Bakery is celebrated across the Philadelphia region of Pennsylvania for its deep history and singular commitment to quality and tradition.

• Historic South Philly Institution Since 1910: As a third-generation family business, Iannelli's offers a genuine taste of Philadelphia history. The location and the core Tomato Pie recipe have remained unchanged for over 110 years.
• The Iconic Brick Oven Tomato Pie: This is the bakery's signature item. It features a light, airy, and crisp crust, a famous homemade red sauce (often referred to as 'gravy'), and is traditionally served without mozzarella cheese—a nod to its origin as a "depression pizza." It is regarded as one of the finest examples of this Philly specialty.
• Authentic Homemade Italian Gravy: The bakery takes pride in its various kinds of "gravy" (tomato sauce), including the unique and highly praised Crab Gravy, which is an older family specialty.
• High-Quality Cannoli Kits: Customers appreciate the option to purchase Fresh Cannoli Kits, ensuring the shells remain crispy until they are filled immediately before serving, delivering an optimal dessert experience.
• Exclusive In-Store Access: The limited opening schedule (around 15 days a year) creates a high-demand, highly anticipated event for local customers, ensuring that all products sold in-store are exceptionally fresh and highly valued.
• Accommodating Accessibility: The provision of a Wheelchair accessible parking lot demonstrates a commitment to making this historic location available to all members of the Pennsylvania community.

For residents of Pennsylvania wishing to contact the bakery, inquire about their limited operating days, or place shipping orders, the contact details are:

• Address: 1155 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
• Phone (Main): (215) 468-0720
• Phone (Mobile/International): +1 215-468-0720

For the discerning food lover in Pennsylvania, choosing Iannelli's Bakery is choosing a direct connection to Philadelphia's Italian culinary soul. What makes this establishment genuinely worth the effort—even with its limited in-person operating days—is the unparalleled historical authenticity and the exceptional, singular quality of its signature items.

The core reason to choose Iannelli's is the Brick Oven Tomato Pie. This is not merely pizza; it's a century-old, time-honored tradition that has been recognized as "Best of Philly" for its simplicity and perfection. The combination of the unique, light crust baked in a historical brick oven and the famous, rich "gravy" is an experience that cannot be replicated by modern chain bakeries. Choosing Iannelli's means tasting the exact recipe that sustained generations of South Philadelphians.

Furthermore, the value of Iannelli's extends to its full line of high-quality, homemade Italian products. From the convenience of the Fresh Cannoli Kits that bring a fun, delicious dessert experience home, to the specialized Italian Gravies (like the renowned Crab Gravy) that elevate any home-cooked meal, the bakery offers specialty items that cater to a true Italian American palate. While the local visits may require patience and planning due to the limited schedule, the reward is an encounter with a piece of living history and a taste of the finest, most authentic Italian baking legacy that the Pennsylvania region has to offer. The commitment to quality over quantity, as expressed by the owner himself, makes every purchase from Iannelli's a worthwhile investment in authentic, local flavor.

Iannelli's Bakery

1155 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA