News Articles

The New York Times
Mari Uyehara

“You need three basic ingredients,” said Vincent Iannelli, who operates the third-generation Iannelli’s Brick Oven Bakery, which opened in Philadelphia in 1910. “You need a good gravy, a good dough and an amazing oven.”

6ABC
Amanda Brady

At Iannelli's Bakery, there are only 15 days a year you can get owner, Vincent Iannelli's Famous Tomato Pie. The South Philadelphia bakery got its start in 1910 by Iannelli's grandparents. The pie was originally his grandmother's recipe from Italy. "It's a depression pizza from my grandmother's era. They couldn't afford the cheese so that's just how they made it." Vincent began working in the bakery with his grandparents when he was only nine years old. He began to sell the bakery's famous pies only 15 days a year, seven years ago when he wanted to explore new hobbies and business ventures but did not want to close his family's business. "I enjoy being here, it's fun, I make it fun, and when the customers do come in it's like 'oh! Here's a glass of wine. What are you doing? I haven't seen you in a minute." To make it easier for customers who want a slice of this Philly favorite pie, Vincent decided to start shipping his pies nationally. "It's basically to create more supply for the demand. With the whole shipping aspect, now you don't have to come. Well, ship it to your door." He's only making 150-200 pies a month and it's first come, first serve. The pies will come vacuumed sealed and customers can freeze them to eat later. To find out when you pick up a pie or get one shipped to you, keep an eye on their social media accounts for posts on when they're available.

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Michael Klein

For the last seven years or so, Iannelli's Bakery in South Philadelphia opens only about 15 days a year — a veritable Brigadoon, selling Italian specialties such as tomato pie, stromboli, and crab gravy from a cramped Passyunk Avenue shop with an enormous brick oven.

Folks complain, so Vincent Iannelli, the third-generation owner, started shipping his tomato pies, along with his gravy (aka sauce).

Why not just keep a regular schedule? He has his reasons.

95.7BenFM
Nicole Barlage

Iannelli’s Brick Oven Bakery, South Philly’s famous tomato pie and gravy shop which opened in 1910 at 1155 E. Passyunk Ave, has begun shipping its products nationwide, as third generation owner Vincent Iannelli, whose great uncle founded the business, is looking to expand the century-plus old business beyond Philadelphia

My City Paper
Adam Erace

It's right about this time of year that summer, humidity and all, starts to look really, really good. Alas, shore-birds, we're still a few months...

The Triangle
by Ethan Herman

The truest hidden gem in this week’s article is Iannelli’s Bakery in Passyunk. This gets the award quite simply because there is no schedule to Iannelli’s’ pizza...

Wikipedia

Tomato pie has been sold by Iannelli's Bakery in Philadelphia...