I recently discovered this shop in the strip and am absolutely in love with it. I used to buy deli meats/cheeses at chain grocery stores but ever since stepping foot in here I will only buy my meats and cheeses here. They have a huge selection to choose from, and the staff who work there are all super friendly and helpful. They also have a wide selection of olives to choose from as well. The store also has a various different types of pastas and other Italian foods, in addition to fresh produce. I love stopping by the strip and picking up some fresh cut deli meat, definitely a must visit place in Pittsburgh! read more

My favorite deli/bulk shop in the burgh. The pros: insane selection of cheeses ranging from local Amish to International Dutch, old wooden floors that permeate wisdom and class and a cool set up where the checkout is isolated and organized to move the flow in and out. The cons: closes super early which in essence is a strip district standard. Shop here or browse here and you won't be disappointed. read more

I mean what can I say, being in an Italian family with several members coming over from Italy, this place is absolutely fantastic. After landing in PIT, we knew we had to stop. As soon as I walk in, the smells that are being carried throughout the store reminds me of walking into my grandmothers kitchen. From fresh imported meats and cheeses at the deli to the several different varieties of fresh, homemade breads and pastas that fill the back wall.....Mama Mia is it fantastic! They offer many different types of imported olive oils, nuts and dates. There's a rack that holds several different types of Italian candies, one of my favorites being Jordan almonds which we called "Coombits" growing up and still do to this day. They offer pre-order options for party/appetizer trays and sandwich rings just to name a few. Whether your Italian or not, this store is definitely worth a visit. Actually, it's worth several visits and is a must stop and shop on every trip we take to Pittsburgh. Don't walk past when you see this place, walk in. You will thank me later. read more

Love love love this place. The employees are amazing , it's busy, it's crowded and it's crazy but they are so pleasant and helpful. They really are pros and keep things moving with grace and friendliness. read more

I ordered the Yinz Burg gift box and was very disappointed to discover that the items were damaged. I did not expect that I would spend $150 for shipping just to receive damaged goods. The lemon blitz spilled over all of the box and the jar of pasta was busted. I just spent that last 20 minutes cleaning the items and salvaging what is left. This box was an intended gift that I was going to surprise my mom with to remind her of her Pittsburgh childhood, but sadly that isn't possible now. read more

If it's pasta related or Italian deli and cheese related then Pennsylvania Macaroni Co is where you want to be. This place is hugh taking up what looks to be 3 store fronts. Italian deli on one side (I was disappointed they didn't appear to make sandwiches or offer hot lunch entrees,), spices and other stuff in the middle and pastas, oils, fresh vegetables, breads and sauces on the right. Very cool place. Don't miss it. read more

Cheese lovers: Welcome to Paradise! As an avid cheeseaholic, I stop in to Penn Mac at least one a week for my fix. As you enter the building, you'll notice you're in a big room with rustic wooden floors with bins and barrels of spices, nuts, flours, and grains to be spooned into bags and bought by weight. This room opens into two other rooms, one on each side. To the right are sauces, pasta, bread, coffee, and produce... And much more! To the left, a most magical room awaits. First you'll see the Cheese Wall, which lists all of their regularly-stocked cheeses. It lists them by country, and there are over 20 countries represented on that wall. Some countries, like Italy and France, list several columns worth of cheese varieties. They also typically have a smaller board of specials; this may be locally made cheeses or limited, small batch cheeses. I love trying new cheeses, but when in doubt, I gravitate back to the Drunken Goat or D'affinois Brie. Also worth noting: their handmade ravioli is MARVELOUS, and it comes in unique flavors like Pumpkin Marscapone or Maryland Crab. And don't miss their Foccaccia Bread! If you go for quality when you're buying groceries, or like authentic Italian food, Pennsylvania Macaroni Company can not be passed up! read more

It took me back to Italy with the endless choices of cheeses and meats. Everyone was so helpful and I loved the choices that I don't have around where I live. read more

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! read more

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. read more

Although I wish I was 100% Italian, sadly I am not. I am only 50%. I blame the other 50% for my shortcomings in the kitchen. Therefor, the beauty and magic of Penn Mac is 50% lost on me. BUT I still think it's 100% awesome. That was my math lesson for the day! You could really spend days in here looking over all the different cheeses, pasta sauces, etc. The "prepared" food section is the best part for me. There's probably hundreds of different kinds of ravioli, tortellini and spaghetti noodles. It seriously amazing! There's no need to think about it, just grab the one with ingredients you like, on a recent trip this was mushroom stuffed tortellini, then grab a sauce. You don't have to walk far to wander into the sauce section, which again, houses so many sauces you could swim over to Italy in all of them! I chose the pesto and garlic sauce to pair with my tortellini. The service was friendly, especially for a lost looking soul like me. I didn't know which pasta to pick and they helped me. I dropped half my purchases on the floor, a staff member helped me scoop them up. Good enough for me! The dinner I made from Penn Mac = 100% awesome! read more

Oh my god YES. Please do yourself a favor and go here. Don't hold back and buy everything you want. You deserve it! This place is huge and has so many amazing options. I would give this place 5 stars based solely on the cheese selection. Everything else is just an added bonus! I don't think I exaggerate when I say they have every type of cheese I could ever think of. Not sure what you want? Just ask for a suggestion! I was looking for cheese for fondue and to pair with cured meats/crackers and got perfect recommendations. He even let me try a bite of a few before making a decision. The selection is amazing and I already want to go back. In that same room, they also have a deli counter and an olive bar that is probably the biggest I've ever seen. In the next room, you will find dry/canned goods such as coffee, beans, pasta, olive oil, etc. It feels like a maze of everything you could ever want to cook with. Keep going and you will see a counter of fresh pasta, bulk olive oil and more. In the next room, you'll find fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs before you reach the check-out counter. I would encourage you to go during the week if possible, because it does get quite crowded on the weekends, but it is absolutely worth the wait! read more

I purchased some deli meats and cheeses on a Saturday stroll through the Strip District and am now instantly a fan! This place has an incredible selection of deli options all at pretty, darn competitive prices. Not to mention, if you're into Italian cuisine, you're pretty much going to find anything you need or want to cook in this shop. From pastas to spices to sauces to condiments - you name it, they got it! Plus, they have a variety of fresh breads, too. I'll be coming here at least once a month to "stock up" on Italian fare, though with the friendly service and sheer quantities of cheese they offer, it will most likely be more than that. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this spot...great vibe, great people, great ingredients! This place is a must that I look forward to enjoying for a long, long time...check it out! read more

Great extensive selection of domestic and imported cheeses. They have a website you can place orders on for local deliveries. You also can get samples to try. What's not to love! read more

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This is such a cool place that I always visit whenever I'm at The Strip. Lots of cool and authentic Italian foods with great prices. Some stuff you can find elsewhere for cheaper probably, but I love supporting a local business and some prices you just can't beat! Less a fan of the deli section as I've gotten cheese which I realized when I got home was already moldy so, pay better attention than I did to that! Otherwise, I love picking out various spices, pastas and getting freshly ground Nicholas coffee! A must place to stop if you're at the strip! read more

Penn Mac is a fun shopping experience. I used to do a lot of my weekly shopping here, but now that I live in the North Hills I've got that can't-cross-the-river syndrome and I only get there every other week or so. It's miles above a Market District, though, in terms of entertainment value and pricing. The cheese counter is pretty good. It's not the most amazing selection ever, but it's great for Pittsburgh. For example, they don't carry a variety of aged cheddars or Stiltons, opting instead to offer one or two basic and many flavored versions (with apples, with onions, etc.) They do let you sample, which I recommend; like another reviewer, I've gotten over-old blue cheese here once or twice. They've always enforced the half-pound minimum for me. The fresh mozzarella is great, and I can't resist it when tomatoes are in season. I hate to even mention it, but one time I got home and found... well, a hair in my mozzarella. It put me off for a few weeks but seems to have been a one-time incident (and no, I never brought it up to them). The deli has fantastic prices and does proper thin slices, nicely laid out on paper sheets so it doesn't stick together. Daniele prosciutto is amazing, and the domestic is pretty good at a great price. Iberico and Serrano jamon? Yes please. Service at both the cheese and deli counters can take a pretty long time if you go on a weekend. However, I've been able to walk right up on weekday afternoons, and the weekend logjam is kind of fun once in a while. In the same room they have the amazing olive bar. I pretty much only buy olives in the Strip. I know the Iggle has an olive bar, but everything I've ever bought from one tastes off in a way I can't put my finger on. Castleventrano olives (a bright, clear light green) are amazing: buttery and briny and fruity with a firm texture. Cerignola are good, and the various stuffed olives on offer are nice if you don't feel like dealing with pits. I haven't really bought many of their bulk goods aside from Jordan almonds, to which I am shamelessly addicted. They have a variety of pretty colors, as well as the "seconds" which aren't as shiny but taste great anyway. I love the selection of anchovies, tuna and tomato products in the dry goods area. They also have a good variety of hot sauces, though I can't say I've ever seen Pickapeppa there. Full range (I think) of Dave's Insanity, and lots of other brands as well. Important: They do sell Blennd concentrate, which you can also pick up at the Iggle. I have fond childhood memories of drinking Blennd at the KMart cafeteria growing up. I introduced my Michigan-born husband to it and he never visits Pittsburgh without getting Blennd at least once. (You can also get it premixed and cold at Wholey's, FYI.) In the next room you'll find baccala (yum), pour-your-own olive oils at a reasonable price (not a huge selection, but the Spanish is fruity and a good everyday sort of thing at $4.99/12oz). I pretty much never buy bread here, opting to hit up the double rustic baguettes at Mancini's instead. The anise love knot cookies are great. The last room has produce, normally at a good price but not the best selection. They do have fresh figs in season, thank God. I have to admit I've never tried the fresh pasta, since that's one of those things I just make at home. I should probably remedy that so I can offer an opinion on it. They sometimes have refrigerated and ready-to-go San Pelligrino Chinotto, a bitter soda that comes in a pretty bottle you can use as a small vase afterwards. Checkout is straightforward and efficient, but you will be in line for a while if you go on a weekend. It's nuts, just like everywhere else in the Strip. If you can, visit all the shops both on a weekday and on a weekend to enjoy two totally different experiences. They do have a small parking area behind the store on Liberty, with which I wish you good luck on a Saturday. Otherwise it's street parking, but there's a ton of that, and walking past and through the other shops in the Strip is so much fun it shouldn't matter anyway. read more

Did it again... but this time with cheese and meat! Ordered a pound of Edam, Bergumer Swiss, Aged Gouda, Parrano and 2 pounds of Parmigaiano Regiano DOC for store pickup Saturday morning. (Tip: do not order online for store pickup on the weekend. Since there is no shipping on the weekends, the Penn Mac crew doesn't check those orders because they are primarily for shipping, not store pickup.) I called. They took care of everything. Six deli meats at the staff's choice and we were set with our own delicious presentation for our daughter and son-in-law's return from the Carribean late Sunday evening. (Actually there is a little less for all of us on Sunday because I had some samples, of course.) Make your own platters with goodies from Penn Mac. Condiments? You had to ask? They have a zillion choices. Beer and wine we have. Everything else comes from Penn Mac. Visit. Make your own presentation. (And save money by dining at home!) By the way, it was the weekend before Easter. The store and sidewalks were jammed with people. Fully staffed, Penn Mac employees were polite, quick and exhibited a great sense of humor. Lines moved fast and everyone on both sides of the counters seemed to be having a good time. Penn Mac is all about the experience. read more

2 years of living in Pittsburgh and I finally made is to this PennMac I'd heard so much about. OH MY, WHAT A FIND! The food and spices I bought would have easily cost me $30 but I left spending only $6! I don't care what kind of diet you follow - you owe it to yourself to check this place out. From now on I'll be doing my shopping here before heading over the Giant Eagle. On a side note, this place has the layout of an IKEA. If you don't like anything around you just keep walking to the next section and there will be a WHOLE new world of stuff to pick from. You won't hit the cashiers until you go thru the whole store. read more

So I've been going to Penn Mac for years and never wrote a review. This is a must when shopping in the Strip District. They have the best deli, hands down. A vast assortment of meats, cheeses, and olives. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Be prepared to take a number and wait at the deli on a Saturday. This is seriously the place to be. The sauces sold here are delicious and there's a nice selection of produce. They also carry a nice variety of nuts, beans, and spices you can purchase by weight. Yeah, definitely stop in when you're in the Strip. read more

The smells of spices when you first walk in...uhhh made my mouth water, then you smell all the fresh cheeses, omg...so love it. I bought local honey and maple syrup read more

I walked into Penn Macaroni Co knowing I knew absolutely nothing about cured meats and cheeses. I've always been intimidated by specialty shops b/c there are always giant lines with people who look impatient and want to just grab what they need and head out. I decided to swallow up my fear and head inside with the intention of walking out knowing more than when I walked in. I headed to the cured meats section in the deli room and kinda just stood back staring at all the beautiful meats. When one of the deli guys was free and asked me if I needed help, I flat out told him "I know nothing about anything in this room. But I want to learn." And he was like "I got just what you need" and brought out some samples for me. He went on to explain them to me and what kind of cheeses to pair with stuff. After I picked out my meat, I was heading over to the cheese counter when he kinda called me out and was like "I'm not done with you yet!" and handed me butcher paper with even more cured meats and cheeses to try out. He also told me I have to feed my friend more b/c she looked too skinny, =P. I love going into a store where I get individualized attention by someone who actually cares about what he or she is doing and is passionate about his or her job. It just makes you walk out with a smile on your face. I plan on heading back every other week to get a new pairing of meats and cheeses and hopefully one day my palate will be super sophisticated, haha read more

So let me start off and say this is the best deli I've ever been to. There is a cheese counter and a meat counter. They have great prices, freshest products, biggest variety. You name the cold cut and they have it here. Name your cheese, they have it here. They also have an olive bar, a huge pasta selection including freshly made pasta up by the registers. They have fresh pizza doe, homemade pasta sauce, oil oils, balsamic vinegars, variety of nuts, crackers, cookies, veggies, fruits, breads. Oh those pepperoni rolls are better than Mancini's pizza rolls. Get them early in the am though or poof - gone! Rivals any NYC deli and possibly beats due to better pricing..... It's 5 star worthy!!!! read more

Have been a regular here for several years. They have a great selection of cheeses, sauces and pastas. They also have a small bread area and produce section. Most of the reviews online have been positive so I will share my negative. 1. Be careful of the pasta selections. You can pay a high price for a bowl of noodles that tear apart as soon as they hit the water. Know what you are buying or leave it alone. I have always felt that the people behind the cheese counter were very knowledgeable. Anytime I was cooking a particular type of food or looking for a cheese that would go good with........I had only to ask. This past time I saw one of the regular employees and informed him that we were making mexican food for friends and I was looking for a cheese that would make a good queso.....but I was unable to finish. As soon as I said the work "mexican" he glared at me and told me that although I may think he looks mexican - he wasn't. He then left me standing at the counter while he went to get a drink of water. Maybe he was having a bad day - but he didn't improve mine any. I bought my cheese down the street. Not sure I will go back, or at least I will try to get someone else to wait on me. read more

Great Italian food/ cooking items. Good prices and since we are not from the area every time we are in town it is a must stop. Have never found better pasta sauce anywhere. read more

I have been to Penn Mac a couple of times, and that has been over a period of a few years. The first thing I found is that they seem to have a great selection of foods, but when I inquire about the price of various items, I find that I can get the exact same items at a better price at my local grocery store. The second thing I found, on each of my visits, is that the staff are incredibly rude. Maybe it's arrogance, maybe it's unfriendliness, maybe a combination. But it's an extreme turnoff for me. I was completely ignored by more than one person when I wanted to ask about an item and I overheard cashiers and other employees being offensively rude to other customers. I can say with confidence I will not return. Not only do I not need to hear the employees speak rudely to their customers, but I can get the same items at a better price with a 5 minute jaunt up the road with free parking. I would encourage more people who shop their to do some comparison shopping at their local grocery and support the place that treats their customers with respect. read more

I read my previous review. It was short & sweet, but perhaps too short. I want to emphasize how much I really, really, really love this place. Every time I get stuck going to Giant Ripoff Market District, I realize how much those rat bastards overcharge for everything. Penn Mac is so damned cheap for cheese, I can see why people come from all over the place to get it here. FYI...my favorite new cheese is Fleur Vert...it's seasonal, but a game changer of a goat cheese. I paid $14.49/lb for it. Giant Ripoff wanted $22.99. Jerks. Also, make sure to buy ricotta here...it's freshly made! Be forewarned...you have to buy your cheeses in 1/2 lb increments. They like me, so when I ask for a small 1/2lb, I can sometimes get lucky. Seriously, go here for cheese, fancy meats (they have frickin' Iberian jamon...good luck finding that elsewhere) and random Italian things. I wouldn't say the prices on everything else is as cheap as the cheese counter, but I heart it here and am sad that they're not open during normal working people hours(i.e. after 5pm on weekdays.) read more

Like to support local small business? Interested in experiencing a "Food-Gasm"? In love with Italian food? This is the place for you... Walking in to this store brought an instant feeling of warmth. Had I just found the location where all Italians dream of coming? Was this the American Mecca for Italian immigrants? I saw barrels full of beans, refrigerators full of the freshest meats and cheeses, olives and artichokes that made my mouth water... this place has it all and THEN some. You want truffle oil, salt or butter? They have it... You want rare homemade pasta? They've got it... Oils, vinegar's and fresh produce? Heaven on Earth for any Italian... I've found it, it's in Pittsburgh. read more

The best. The cheese counter is heaven on earth. The workers are awesome - who doesn't want to be called "dear heart" while tasting delicious cheeses? They're super helpful with my weird requests to find the perfect cheeses for every occasion. I always walk out with new varieties and grab tons of nuts and sauces and oils on my way to the register. We also had our engagement pictures taken here (does that show my level of obsession?). We called in advance and the managers were all very kind - they told us to stop by their office and say, "Hello" even. It was so much fun! My mom also carted several cheeses down to North Carolina to be served as appetizers for my wedding as well. Seriously obsessed. I love Penn Mac. read more

This is an amazing shop that everyone needs to visit! I was very impressed with Penn Mac. On one side there is the deli. The selection of meats, cheeses and olives is incredible. I was drooling over the buckets of fresh mozzarella. There is also a case of prepared salads/dips. Even though it was packed, there was a traditional deli number system and the line moved quickly. The other side of the shop is the grocery portion. Every kind of pasta, sauce bad things that go with them. They even had accessories like a pasta timer that goes into your water and changes color when your pasta is ready. I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the prices were on most items. Something I found interesting and unexpected was a shelf of various, mostly local hot sauces. It was fun browsing the selection. There is a wonderful selection of fresh breads. If you visit towards closing time, they often offer discounts. I was able to get delicious bags of rolls for but one get one free. I think my favorite portion of the store may be the fresh pasta. It's in a cooler near the cash register and there is a nice variety of flavored. And to prove that pumpkin spice is everywhere, they even advertise that pumpkin linguini is coming soon. I loved my visit to Penn Mac and look forward to a repeat visit. read more

Take a big whiff as you walk into Penn Mac and you know immediately that you've arrived in Italian Heaven! It's truly a happy place to be. If you have the misfortune to only be able to go on a Saturday, settle in for a long wait at the cheese, the meats and the bread counters. Weekdays clearly are the preferred choice, if you can arrange it. We were fortunate enough to have the cheese man all to ourselves for some serious sampling and decision making the other day. How often does that happen? We should have played the lottery because it was our lucky day! Decided on some nibble blocks of Casera, Vlaskaas, and Prima Donna. Killer with wine time at our house! These are not grocery store cheeses, they are amazing gourmet cheeses with a depth of flavor you have to sample to appreciate. Their Mortadella, sopressata, capicola and even pepperoni are top notch and the breads counter makes me just drool. So fresh and wonderful. And there's fresh pasta of every sort imaginable, even gluten free. Their antipasto trays are always the hit of any party you take them to. Penn Mac is definitely a spot we can all be proud of in Pittsburgh and we're so lucky to have it! read more

One star off for the veggie section. Stopped here during a recent trip to Pittsburgh: wound up buying a reusable tote to bring goodies home to Boston. The cheese shop? To. Die. For. We need one of these in Boston. So much yumminess in such a little space!!! Great range of olive oil, nuts (bulk), did i mention the plethora of cheese available? They ship...I'm thrilled. This place saved me a trip to italy. read more

Nothing I can say here will compete with what has been said. This place is a Pittsburgh Unique, One-Up, Landmark, Go-To place. A MUST-See. Excellent prices, often far more competitive that Whole Foods, and always better that Giant Eagle (which has very little in the way of real cheese), and the Market District. Massively interesting inventory. Cheese -- you just have to deal with 20' of a specialty cheese area and the ability to sample as long as you want. Olive Oils -- perhaps a couple of hundred varieties... just sayin. Customer service has been excellent when ever I go. Check out the same. Pasta ... I cannot review this as I never knew all these varieties existed. Penn Mac is a "foodie" place and it is a go-to tourist place. If you are in the Strip District, this should be a first stop. Hint: On-street parking or the $10 full day parking... just do the $10 full-day and not think about the car again. Relax into the experience. Tomorrow is the Superbowl at Roland's.... another place you all just need to go. Roy read more

I'll definitely drop by this place every time I'm in the strip while it's still open. Though I don't do much Italian cooking, but it's always fun to be there. They have so many kinds of cheese, cured meat, olives, beans and condiments. I've tried two or three types of olives. Even if I don't like olives in general, I did like the black ones I got there. Ah, I love their prosciuttos! Tasty, tasty, and tasty. They have fresh bread. Before closing, there is buy one get one free promotion. read more

Pittsburgh Bound! Part VIII I moved to Atlanta in December of last year from Pittsburgh and had yet to be back. Virtually every Labor Day weekend of my entire life was spent in Pittsburgh with my parents, as my birthday falls within the window. I promised my folks that I would make a long weekend out of it, and head on home. The following reviews are a step-by-step account of the long weekend. Enjoy! (For Part VII, go to: http://www.yelp.com/review_share/hsRjct8UiUHU54B983GmcA/review/5q1GTAV1pUIq_BgCnNNY-A?fsid=oxxZiKVdfoPZvy9nBFr2AQ) Penn Mac, as it's locally known boasts the best Italian grocery store outside of Italy. Established in the 1940's, Penn Mac is famous for their cheese selection with hundreds of choices. I always leave with a small tub of their fresh mozzarella which is made daily and goes perfect with a little basil and cherry tomatoes. The employees working the cheese counter have all been there for years and are very knowledgeable. If you're lucky, you'll hear Carol affectionately refer to each customer as "Dearheart" as she offers up suggestions and samples to ensure that the customer gets exactly what they're looking for. The balsamic and olive oil selections are just as impressive as are the fresh pastas, local breads, olives, and Italian cured meats. I can't remember a time I've gone to Penn Mac without buying something that I had no intention of going home with. On this trip, I picked up a few pastas that I can't find at home as well as an aged balsamic that I hope makes its way back to Atlanta without exploding in my luggage. If you need any off-the-wall Italian ingredient that you can't find anywhere, I guarantee that Penn Mac not only regularly carries it, but probably has 12 different varieties to choose from. (For Part IX, go to: http://www.yelp.com/review_share/EnJS6OeeknzOjVUX6RYwlQ/review/8hA8rRHss2PRlroWujzT_Q?fsid=D3ZAe8-bG1Zz-raxtTTr8Q) read more

Hooray for the Vikings. Sure they might have looted and pillaged their way across Europe and spawned plenty of bad death metal bands, but in the grand scheme of things that's pretty minor. Why? Because without a little genetic mutation spawned in Scandinavia that allows adults to continue consuming dairy all their lives, I'd have to avoid the amazing cheese section that Penn Mac has and would be stuck eating some funky soy based cheese or *gasp* having to do without and that would be a sad day indeed. With enough cheeses to make Wallace & Gromit happy, you are bound to find what you are looking at Penn Mac. And if you don't know what you are looking for the cheesemongers are great in helping you find your whey. If that was all Penn Mac had it would still be a required shopping destination, but they have so much more. Their deli is just as amazing with the best Prosciutto di Parma you can buy. And If you can't find the olive oil or other Italian ingredients you need here then the only place you are going to find them is back in Italy. read more

"Hey, darling, you talkin' to your boyfriend?" the deli counter man recently teased me as I waited in line talking on my cell phone. Oh the deli men - they're hilarious. I'd even say, their worth the trip out to the store, but you might want to know more about the food, glorious food. I shop at the Macaroni Company weekly. They're great. From the deli men who hand you samples of meats and cheeses while you wait, to the great selection of bulk foods, to fine selection of meats to the Italian cheeses, to the fill-a-bottle- olive oil station to the fresh pasta to the bulk spices section to the moon and the sun and the earth and Jupiter, this place is lovely. (Or loverly if your Eliza Dolittle). The place tends to be packed like a tin of touch-a-philic sardines on the weekends, and I think many people are tourists, but that doesn't stop it from being great. And, that was a long sentence, but not as long as those of some really antiquated authors I've read. In any case, the Macaroni Company is a little slice of Italy mixed with Pittsburgherness and fun. read more

Let me count the ways I love this place. 1. The cheese room. A huge bustling room where everyone is scrambling to get different cheese from all over the world. Need I explain more? 2. The pasta made on-site. Pick up half a pound of wild mushroom linguine and your dinner guests will be impressed. 3. Serve yourself olive oil. I can be a snob when it comes to certain food things, but olive oil? I didn't even know you could be an olive oil snob! There are kegs of different olive oils that you bottle yourself. They're so good. 4. Spices by the pound. It's more economical, saves on packaging, and it's just a whole lot more fun to dump a quarter pound of red pepper flakes of paprika into a bag! 5. Their pasta sauces. So many different goodies made on-site! This is one of the places I take people when they visit me. Some people look at me like I'm crazy for taking them to a grocery stores, but then there's the others that understand the magic of this place! read more

I was exiting DeLuca's after breakfast when I saw the sign for this place so I had to check it out if only for a few minutes. I love this sort of place. Tons of great food and ingredients to make great dishes yourself. There are lots of cheeses, salami, pastas, sauces, olives in the deli section. I grabbed some sopresetta made by a company in NY which doesn't distribute as far as Chicago where I live. Truely Italian quality. The mid-section has coffees, canned goods like tomatos and spices. The final section has produce. This is a little gem of a place. If I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd go all the time. read more

This is a Pittsburgh institution, and if you're coming in from out of town, you probably should check it out. It's got an excellent selection at the cheese counter (though the cheese counter is crowded, so if you want a lot of personalized assistance, you should go during a less-busy time, like a weekday afternoon), and a pretty wide selection of dried pastas. The bulk olive oil is decent quality and an excellent value. And the fresh pasta does look nice. However, Penn Mac is just too crowded to do regular grocery shopping there. I do most of my weekly shopping in the Strip, and I can get in and out of the other Italian or Greek wholesalers in the time it takes me just to get past the front room of Penn Mac. Unless I need a specific cheese that I know I'll have a hard time finding elsewhere, I generally skip Penn Mac and go to Sunseri's or Stamoolis Bros, which are much less crowded and offer a similar range of foods. read more

I love this place! They have everything and bc I currently am working in the Strip Dist I love being able to walk in there and pick up stuff for dinner on my way home. I would never, ever come here on the weekend bc I love myself far too much for that. This place is always packed. I like the cheese area but I never know what to get and so I've never bought cheese here. But they have fresh pasta you can buy in the front of the house, and they've got great specialty items. read more