Pennsylvania Macaroni Co

I stopped over here with my family since my son wanted to get some cheese. This place sells cheese from all over the world and lists them by country. Depending what type you want can range anywhere from reasonable to very expensive however, the cheese smells so good!
They also sell packaged cheeses, In the back there is an Italian deli which a lovely display of meats you can buy. There is so much here you can literally go crazy! in another room they had various packaged pastas along with different hot sauces. Those sauces had some of most X-​rated names for them but we enjoyed a good laugh looking at them.
There was a third room where you can buy fresh produce and if you are into making your own pasta they sell all the equipment you need to do so. They also carry coffee grinders, rolling blades, and other things if you want to be creative.
Willing to shove out some extra money for fresh pasta? They have that too! Fresh pasta only lasts a couple of days but they will cut enough for your needs. The list goes on but the only way to really enjoy this place is to drop in and experience yourself.
Everything is fresh and made to order. It is centrally located in the strip district near other stores and eateries.

Olives, cheese, meat, oil, nuts, pasta…
All Italian hearts should not pass by this place. Every Christmas, Easter, birthday, anniversary, etc., we are obligated to stop and buy cured meats for my in-​laws.
I’ve seen this placed so packed, that people are literally standing shoulder to shoulder with tickets. Even when this happens, the cashier lines still seem to go fast. They have enough employees to make this pace run smoothly and the olive selection is absolutely exceptional. I feel like I would need to go in and have a tutorial about everything they offer, because in a way, it’s a little overwhelming. However, I never leave disappointed and there seems to be something for everyone here.
I especially like the olive oil section, where you can bring in your own bottles to fill. One of these days, I actually would like to try something from the lunch meat/​cheese section, but truthfully, I’m too lazy to wait in the line. There is also pasta for days and a fresh selection of nuts and herbs, which I have found to be pretty convenient when needing cooking ingredients.

The deli section here is just amazing and I love the weird layout. Sometimes you can’t find the checkout but it made me discover some interesting products that I might not have found!

Hands down the best cheese selection! Amazing prices for the quality. They are very knowledgeable about the product, which is also helpful when choosing!
Huge selection of Italian goods both local and imported. Tons of olive oils and balsamic to choose from. Many different types of pasta, both dry and fresh. Bacalao and other specific specialities that would be hard to find other places.
They have complimentary parking in back. Love this place!

This place has everything that this Sicilian girl is looking for. Love the fresh meats, cheeses and olives. The staff is so friendly and helpful. Definitely a place to visit when in the Pittsburgh area!

This is Suncha fun place to visit when you’re at the strip district in Pittsburgh. Definitely go into the area where you can order meats and cheeses at the counter. Look up to see all the many many many many many types of cheeses on the chalkboard sign. You find a lot of unique things here, some important things, dried salted fish, fresh made pasta, fresh made breads, you can fill up a bottle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar. They also have a variety of pasta flour and bread flour and pizza flour and a produce section. When you first walk in there are a lot of things you can buy in bulk like nuts and spices.
Always stop here when in the area!

Considering I left a job in the Strip District a few months ago, it is quite unfortunate that I just tried Penn Mac out recently. This place is usually pretty crowded, but it’s only because the food quality is so high.
Prior to actually going myself, I had sampled a few cheese from here. All of them were delicious. I also came here occasionally to buy things for work, which led to some exceptionally interesting purchases, none of which were edible. But I finally decided to pick up some frozen pasta for quick meals after class. After sifting through a bunch of raviolis, including lobster and crab, I finally settled on the cheese manicotti ($ 7.99). The package contained 8 tubes, which seemed like a steal. The manicotti are delicious and only take 20 minutes in the oven! Super convenient for after work or school.
The people that work here are nice, and they take credit cards! A win in my book.

I stop by here every time I’m in the Strip to grab some cheese and olives. I’ve gotten so many cheeses from here that the workers have recommended (they somehow knew EXACTLY what I want from the vaguest description of me not exactly knowing what I wanted). So many cheeses to choose from. I just bought some pepperoni cheese over the weekend that I’m struggling to not devour in one sitting.
There are plenty of bins of different kinds of olives to choose from. I basically have to take orders from my family and boyfriend before coming because they HAVE to have some of their olives! Ha!
Plus side, plenty of spices, legumes, pastas, oils, vinegars, fresh breads and produce to choose from also! And of course everything is at a great price :)

This was my first visit to Penn Mac and I was blown away by the selection. They have everything from cheese to fresh pasta to produce to kitchen equipment. Noteworthy items include the mozzerella di bufala and the fire-​roasted tomatoes.

Penn Mac is located on the strip in Pittsburgh. Street parking can be tight and difficult to find a spot. This store is a series of rooms… fresh pasta/​produce, fresh bread, dry pasta from $ 1.39 to $ 10 per pack, seasonings, olive oils, fresh cheese and olives. This area vaguely reminds me of the North End in Boston with lots of markets and restaurants, with a heavy Italian feeling. Then again, I am just a California girl traveling. Wish I could have taken some olive oil and fresh pasta back with me!

Love — Love — Love this place! Great selection of cheeses, pasta’s, oils, etc…
Old style Italian market with awesome prices!!!
Was visiting my son for three weeks and went there at least 6 times. Wish they were in south Florida.

Authentic Italian grocery store. It’s a no nonsense place. Come in knowing what you’re looking for or with an open mind and a basic knowledge of traditional Italian ingredients and you’ll have a great experience. The cheese is incredibly fresh. The pasta is plentiful and diverse. I wish they had a larger selection of dried beans. They have lots of nuts and dried fruit. Their produce is really nothing to write home about. Usually nothing organic; instead a lot of picked over conventional veggies and fruits. Every once in a while they have fresh figs which are hard to find elsewhere. They also have an extensive selection of condiments and other pantry items. My family has enjoyed the biscotti they sell. They have lots of other traditional Italian pastries, but I have yet to try any. They carry Bread Works bread which is some of the best if you’re looking for basic table bread.
It’s a cool place with nearly anything you might need to make a traditional Italian dish with quality and authentic ingredients.
Parking is hard in the strip so take some deep breaths, a few laps and then just fork over 5 bucks to park on Smallman.

Hearing the words «Dear Heart» still brings a tear to my eye…
This is THE BEST place in the Strip District, and possibly all of Pittsburgh, to pick up all things Italian-​from cheese to olives to meat to sauces. While somewhat disorganized, the cheese counter is my favorite place to start. You do have to buy a minimum weight of any type of cheese, however, I believe it’s ¼ of a pound, which is the perfect amount to keep around for snacking I have found. The customer service, even without «Dear Heart» is still stellar, and they have always let me sample anything I wanted to try before buying. What else goes perfectly with cheese? No, not crackers (IMO) but olives! They have buckets and buckets of bulk olives you can choose from-​stuffed olives and plain. They have a bread section with Breadworks items and several vats of olive oil so you can buy a large amount. There is a small section stocked with fresh produce in the back near the registers. They have a whole section, as well, dedicated to all types of spices-​the smells are intoxicating! This is my personal favorite stop when I go to the Strip District and I highly recommend anyone who likes food (and who doesn’t?!) to pop in and enjoy!

They painted the restroom and it looks cleaner since my last visit, it seems like the previous review was read by management. Keep improving the cleanness of the place because the groceries you sell are good otherwise.

I always love coming to Penn Mac. This is probably my favorite stop in the Strip District.
They have everything you want when it comes to cheeses, cold cuts, olive oil, vinegar, spices, sauces, bread and olives. I mean the amounts they have are mind boggling. I just sit back and admire the selection available to me.
My favorite part about coming here is definitely the cheese counter. My goal is to get cheeses that I love but also to try something different and new. The whole staff behind the cheese counter are friendly, but one woman in particular is spectacular. Her name slips my mind, but she always calls me «Dear Heart». She is always willing to offer up a cheese that will go best with whatever meal or occasion you are looking for. I told her today the type of wine I was having for dinner and she immediately picked out a cheese for me. I immediately came home and tried the combination and she was spot on. That kind of service, no matter how crowded the place is, is something that I find rare. It is a huge reason why I love this place.
Though the place can get quite crowded, the lines move extremely quickly, so don’t let the crowds turn you off. Go inside and enjoy!

Yikes, in all of my reviews for my Labor Day trip to the P’burgh, somehow I completely missed this one. My bad!
So, this place reminds me of my favorite Italian deli in Baltimore — Trinacria Macaroni Works. This place is MUCH larger, though, and has a way better selection of everything from pasta to sauces to fish and seafood. I was VERY impressed by the offerings here — if I lived here on a regular basis, I’d sure be taking advantage of everything that this store has to offer.
It was HELLA crowded in here, though. I had to dodge people constantly in the aisles — it got to be an obstacle course after a while and I left with a huge headache. But the whole experience was completely worth it.
My husband and I partook of the baked goods that were for sale outside — a diabetic’s nightmare, no doubt, but ohmyGAWD those cannolis. I loved, loved, loved them.
Next time we’re here, we’ll definitely have to stop at the cheese counter. There was a mob there when we went, and it’s no wonder — I see why!
Definitely coming back on our next visit.

One of my coworkers is from Pittsburgh, and when he found out that we were planning a trip there he did everything but get on his knees in the office and beg me to stop by the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, or Penn Mac as the locals call it, and get him some stuff. «I do mail order sometimes but it gets expensive,» he said.
«Dude, we were going there anyway,» I told him. «Give me your list.»
We had driven up to the Burgh from Richmond and were staying in the Strip District, so I made sure to bring two coolers to do a food run before we left. Having grown up in New Jersey and being a frequent NYC visitor, I know a good Italian market when I’m in one. Penn Mac? Is a GREAT Italian market, and when I walked in and smelled the delectable funk from the cheese counter I knew I was going to be dropping a lot of money and packing those coolers full.
If you’re a cheese lover you need to come here, for it has literally hundreds of different types. Deli meats? Got you covered. Olive oil? Lots in barrels ready to decant. If you love pasta you just might lose your mind. Tomato products? Everything you want and a few of which you’ve never heard. Breads, desserts, olives … pardon me for a moment. (discreetly wipes away drool) Add in a super friendly and helpful staff and surprisingly reasonable prices and you have one of the better shopping experiences. Yes, it’s very crowded on weekends, but it’s still easy to negotiate so don’t let that put you off.
When we got home I called my coworker to come get his stuff. When I handed him a package of mortadella he immediately opened it and popped a slice into his mouth – and almost wept with joy. As for us, we rationed everything because everything was just so delicious, and it was a sad evening when we finished the last of the braised beef ravioli.
If you visit Pittsburgh, there are two things you absolutely must do: go to a sporting event and visit the Strip District. If you’re smart, you’ll drive in and bring coolers so you can go to Penn Mac for the mother of all Italian food shopping sprees. Mangia!

Oh yeeeeeeah! Ok so, three things.
One, head straight and hang a left when you walk in. The aromatic stench of incredible cheeses will caress your nostrils or hit you in the face, depending on how you feel about cheese smells.
LOL one time I went in there and I was walking behind a dad and his young son (like 3 or 4) and the kid was shaking his head and yelled in exasperation, «it STINKS IN HEYAH!!!» Omg it was hilarious. The point of point one: they have GREAT cheese. Amazing staff skilled in customer service will take you through the hundreds, yes hundreds, of cheeses they have.
Notice the large refrigerated cases of huge pickles and different olives swimming in lovely brine.
Two, imported goods. Great prices on certain olive oils. Bulk spices, nuts, and grains. Italian cookies, freshly baked bread, limited produce, quick checkout.
Three, RIGHT OUT FRONT after you check out there are a bunch of tables laden with incredible delectables, Italian cookies, tarts, chocolates, etc. I recommend the turtles. They were fantastic.
Love,
Allie

I visited Penn Mac this weekend to show it to someone who’d never been to the Strip before, and ended up finishing my grocery shopping for the week here. If you’ve never been to the Strip before, Penn Mac is one of those places that’s a must-​see. (Other merchants I’d place in this category are Wholey’s, Enrico Biscotti, and Mon Aimee Chocolat, all of which we also visited.) They have the widest array of Italian foods in PGH, as well as several other staples that you can use to round out your shopping (milk, fruit/​veggies, etc.), and the prices aren’t bad at all!
On my trip, I ended up picking up some goat cheese, as well as some miniature star pasta for homemade soup, some regular Barilla pasta, some milk, and some oranges. (I’d already picked up most of my produce from Stan’s and Market Outlet, but all of their oranges looked sketchy.) Although I didn’t pick up any cheese other than the goat cheese, since I’m on a healthy eating kick at present, I was impressed by the array of cheeses, as well as the olive bar (even though I don’t really care for olives). As others have mentioned, they have about a gazillion types of pastas (dried and fresh) and sauces, as well as a nice array of bread featuring Breadworks loaves. Although the desserts look tempting on the way out, I’d recommend giving them a pass and visiting Enrico Biscotti or Colangelo’s nearby to satiate your sweet tooth instead.
Because I live in N. Oakland, Groceria Italiana and Donatelli’s are my go-​tos when it comes to picking up authentic Italian ingredients. However, I visit the Strip occasionally on weekends to have lunch, so the next time one of those days and plans to make an Italian dinner coincide, I’ll be sure to pick up ingredients here. Also, I look forward to trying some of the awesome specialty cheeses when I’m feeling indulgent!

Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. (or Penn Mac to the locals), is a favorite shop of mine in the Strip. With delicious but affordable food, it’s a great stop for necessities or simply browsing.
Penn Mac has a full array of groceries, and it’s easy to get legit shopping done here. The bulk foods (dried fruits, nuts) are a steal by the pound, and I get help but grab one each time I visit.
Beyond the bulk section is the amazing meat and cheese counter. This is straight up a cheese lover’s dream. The variety is wonderful, but the staff makes the experience even better. There are a lot of characters behind that counter, and they are so helpful.
Penn Mac has an insane variety of pastas available (natch, for an Italian grocery), and the best imported treats. Browsing through the aisles takes me back to the vacation I took to Italy, where I consumed entire pizzas by myself.
In the back, Penn Mac has a lovely selection of fresh Bread Works bread and other local vendors. The produce section is adequate, which does the trick – because who is going to Penn Mac to buy lettuce? Shame on you, eat some prosciutto instead.
When I get to check out, I’m always stunned by how much I didn’t spend! Since it’s wholesale, you get quite a bang for your buck, so don’t hesitate to grab a few extra treats.