West Virginia Italian
Early in the 20th century, settlers from Italy came to the north central part of West Virginia to work coal mines, railroads, and farms. Their legacy is a bounty of Italian-accented good eating as well as one dish unique to the state: the pepperoni roll. Invented by baker Guiseppi Agiro in 1926 at the Country Club Bakery, the pepperoni roll is a tubular, self-enclosed sandwich wieldy enough for miners to carry with them and have as lunch. Agiro’s invention has since become a Mountain State signature dish, sold either as a neat hand-snack (think bread-wrapped Slim Jim) or a knife and fork supper covered with red sauce and cheese. The heart of good Italian eating in the state is Clarksburg. Here Roadfood travelers find Tomaro’s bakery, where the motto is “Always Eat Tomaro’s Bread Today,” the vintage grocery and sausage-making store Oliverio’s Cash and Carry, and the fine-dining eatery Julio’s, which offers four different versions of pasta e fagiole.
Oliverio’s Cash and Carry
There’s no place to sit and eat at Oliverio's in Clarksburg, but we like the neighborhood market for unique groceries, especially olive salad. *CLOSED*
Country Club Bakery
Country Club Bakery is the premier local source for West Virginia's beloved pepperoni rolls -- handy little sandwiches that are like mini pizza bites.
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