The most famous pie at this bakery skips the cheese entirely, and nobody seems to mind. It’s a thick, bread-like square topped with crushed tomatoes and served at room temperature.
The recipe came from a great-grandmother in the founding family. The pies started out round, then turned rectangular because customers asked for it. I love that the shoppers got a vote.
This little Pennsylvania shop still bakes in old-school brick ovens. Five generations of one family have kept the dough moving. I can’t imagine a better reason to plan a South Philly snack stop.
The pie is only the start, though. Seeded loaves, fresh-filled cannoli, and pepperoni bread are all waiting nearby. Some recipes are worth passing down, and this family has clearly given Philadelphia plenty of reasons to keep coming back for another slice.
1. The Cheeseless Pie That Wins Arguments
Sarcone’s Bakery has turned a pizza without cheese into a Philadelphia legend.
Tomato pie is a true local specialty, and this version is one of the city’s best-known takes.
The base is thick, chewy, and bread-like, with a crispy outside.
Some folks compare it to focaccia, which feels fair once you see that fluffy square.
On top sits a layer of crushed tomatoes with mild seasonings.
The flavor leans tangy with a slight sweetness, not heavy or saucy like marinara.
Some pies get a light dusting of sea salt or Parmesan.
A sprinkle of fresh basil can finish things off with a little green.
Here’s a tip for first-timers.
Tomato pie is traditionally eaten at room temperature, so don’t expect it steaming hot from the oven.
That surprises plenty of newcomers, but it’s how Philly has enjoyed it for generations.
The cool temperature lets the tomato flavor shine without competing with melted cheese.
It also makes the pie easy to share.
Grab a few squares, split them with the family, and let everyone decide how many more they need.
2. Great-Grandma’s Recipe Still Runs The Show
Recipes don’t usually outlast a century, but this one did.
The tomato pie at Sarcone’s Bakery still follows the formula created by Louis Sarcone Jr.’s great-grandmother.
That’s a lot of trust in one family notebook.
It also means today’s slice tastes connected to the very first ones sold here.
The pie did change in one big way.
It began as a round pie, then switched to a rectangular shape because customers wanted it that way.
Honestly, that might be the most Philly detail of all.
The people spoke, and the bakery listened without messing with the flavor.
Rectangles make practical sense, too.
They stack neatly in boxes and cut into easy squares for kids, grandparents, and everyone between.
Families who share food traditions will appreciate this part.
A recipe handed down through generations carries stories along with the ingredients.
When you bite into a square, you’re tasting a link to the early 1900s.
It’s a small, delicious history lesson that doesn’t need a textbook.
So the next time someone calls tomato pie simple, smile and nod.
Simple things that last this long usually have something special going on.
3. Five Generations Have Kept The Ovens Warm
Back in 1918, Italian immigrant Luigi Sarcone opened a bakery in the basement of a Philadelphia rowhouse.
The business later moved upstairs, and it never left the address.
Fast-forward more than a hundred years, and his family is still running things.
Sarcone’s Bakery is now a five-generation, family-owned and operated shop.
Louis Sarcone Jr. represents the fourth generation.
He even worked alongside his great-grandparents, the bakery’s founders, which is a rare bridge across time.
His son, Louis III, carries the fifth generation forward.
The business has passed from father to son again and again.
Louis Jr.’s sister, Linda, also played a big role.
She handled the books for three generations, which sounds like a serious feat of patience.
Family businesses like this are getting harder to find.
Many old bakeries close when nobody wants to wake up before sunrise.
That’s what makes this story so appealing for kids to hear.
They can see that hard work and family pride can keep a dream going.
Plus, it’s fun to tell them the shop is older than their great-grandparents.
That fact usually earns a wide-eyed look.
4. Brick Ovens Do The Heavy Lifting
Modern gadgets haven’t taken over this kitchen.
Sarcone’s Bakery still uses old-school brick ovens to bake its breads and pies.
That choice matters more than it might seem.
Brick ovens are a classic tool for building crusty outsides on bread, the kind that crackles when you squeeze it.
The bakery’s seeded Italian bread is a big part of its reputation.
It’s crusty, generously seeded, and a favorite across Philadelphia.
Tomato pie benefits from the same ovens.
That crispy edge and chewy middle come from a bakery that has practiced the craft for over a century.
For curious kids, this is a fun science chat.
Ask them why bakers would keep using heavy brick ovens instead of switching to newer machines.
The answer usually comes down to tradition and results.
When something works this well, there’s little reason to change it.
Families who love baking at home might pick up some inspiration, too.
A crusty loaf from here makes a great model for weekend bread experiments.
Just don’t be shocked if the homemade version looks a little humbler.
Century-old ovens have a big head start on your kitchen.
5. Your Hoagie Deserves This Roll
Ask a Philly sandwich lover about rolls, and this name tends to pop up fast.
Sarcone’s hoagie rolls are often called the gold standard for sandwiches.
The bakery offers large, dense hoagie rolls that can handle serious fillings.
That’s important when a sandwich gets stacked high with meats, cheese, and veggies.
Bread choices go way past hoagies, though.
You’ll find plain and seeded Italian loaves, dinner rolls, steak rolls, and plain or seeded spullets.
There’s also Italian flatbread and pub bread in plain, seeded, and onion styles.
Garlic bread comes with or without cheese, and breadsticks round out the lineup.
Rings or twists are on the menu, too.
Home bakers can even buy dough by the pound, which is handy for a family pizza night.
Planning a party?
Grab a bag of rolls and build a make-your-own sandwich station at home.
Kids love choosing their own fillings, and adults love not cooking a full meal.
Everybody wins, especially the person who usually does the dishes.
Just plan ahead if you have a specific bread in mind.
Popular loaves can sell out, so earlier visits make good sense.
6. Save Room For The Sweet Side
Cannoli might be the sneakiest reason families keep coming back.
Sarcone’s Bakery fills them with ricotta cheese, chocolate chip, or chocolate filling.
Freshly filled cannoli are a treat worth asking about.
A crisp shell stays at its best when the cream goes in close to snack time.
The cookie lineup is just as tempting.
Assorted Italian cookies, biscotti, pizzelles, and sesame cookies all share the case.
Biscotti are perfect for dunking in milk or hot cocoa.
Pizzelles, those thin waffle-patterned cookies, look almost too pretty to eat.
Sesame cookies offer a nutty, gently sweet bite.
They’re a nice pick for folks who prefer something less sugary.
Sicilian pie also appears on the menu.
It gives pizza fans another square-cut option alongside the famous tomato version.
Here’s a smart family move.
Let each kid choose one sweet, then cut everything in pieces so everyone gets a taste.
That turns a quick bakery stop into a mini tasting party.
You’ll learn everyone’s favorite, and you’ll have an excuse for a return trip.
A box of cookies also makes a great gift for neighbors or relatives.
7. Pepperoni Bread Makes A Strong Case
Tomato pie gets top billing, but the savory sidekicks deserve their own spotlight.
Pepperoni bread is one of the bakery’s best-known extras.
Sausage bread and broccoli and cheese bread also show up on the menu.
Each one wraps a filling inside baked dough, which makes them easy to carry and share.
These are great choices for picky eaters.
Some kids want meat, others want veggies, and this trio covers a lot of ground.
Pizza shells are available, too.
They let families top and bake their own pies at home with a head start from a pro bakery.
That’s a fun weekend project.
Set out sauce, cheese, and toppings, and let everyone design a personal creation.
Savory breads also travel well for picnics or road trips.
A loaf of pepperoni bread can feed a hungry carload without much fuss.
Pair one with a few squares of tomato pie for a South Philly sampler.
You’ll get a range of flavors from the same historic ovens.
Just remember that favorites can disappear quickly.
If something catches your eye, buying it on the spot is the safest plan.
8. Find It Right By The Italian Market
Location makes this bakery an easy stop on a bigger adventure.
Sarcone’s Bakery sits on the edge of Philadelphia’s historic Italian Market.
You’ll find it at 758 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
That’s the same address where Luigi Sarcone started baking in 1918.
Think about that for a second.
The shop has stayed put for over a century while the city grew around it.
The Italian Market area is a fun place for families to explore.
It’s packed with food shops, which makes it a natural spot for a tasting walk.
Food tours often include a stop here for tomato pie and cannoli.
That tells you how central the bakery is to the neighborhood’s food story.
Here’s a useful heads-up.
The shop isn’t a sit-down spot, so plan to eat your treats elsewhere.
Nearby parks can make a nice place to enjoy a square of pie.
Bring napkins, because tomato topping and little hands can get messy.
Pennsylvania has plenty of great food towns.
Still, few blocks pack this much flavor and history into one short walk.
9. A Little Planning Goes A Long Way
Bakers keep early hours here, so your visit should, too.
Sarcone’s Bakery opens at 7:30 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday.
Closing times are early afternoon, and Sunday wraps up even sooner.
Mondays are closed, so don’t plan a Monday pie mission.
Bring cash before you go.
The bakery has been described as cash-only, and nobody wants to stand there doing math with an empty wallet.
Earlier visits give you the best shot at popular items.
Breads and pies can sell out, especially on busy days.
Neighbors in certain areas get a bonus perk.
Home delivery for plain and seeded loaves runs Sunday through Friday after noon.
It’s limited to the 19147, 19148, and 19145 zip codes.
That’s a sweet deal if you live close and love fresh bread at your door.
For visitors from elsewhere in Pennsylvania, a morning trip works best.
Pair it with an Italian Market stroll for a full family outing.
Leave with tomato pie, a seeded loaf, and maybe a few cookies.
That box will make the ride home feel very long and very tempting.
Share this story
