Philadelphia is a city known for its amazing food scene ranging from high-end eateries to blue-collar cheesesteaks. However, did you know the area is also the birthplace of stromboli? That’s right, Romano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, which is located just south of the city, is the birthplace of this iconic Italian food dish.

Romano’s began operating in 1944 in Essington serving pizza (a new food to this part of the city) and tomato pies (which founder Nazzerano Romano had been selling from a cart in South Philly for years). Nazzerano Romano had fled Italy in 1922 when Benito Mussilini was elected and, two decades later, opened his restaurant in Delaware County just south of Philadelphia International Airport.