Fresh mozzarella is one of those foods that tells you a lot about a deli. When a shop makes it well, the rest of the counter usually follows, from the cold cuts to the bread to the hoagies.
Pennsylvania has a long Italian food tradition, and some of the best mozzarella in the state comes from small shops on busy city streets and suburban roads. From the Italian Market in South Philly to the Strip District in Pittsburgh and the Lehigh Valley in between, these seven delis give you a very good reason to bring a cooler on your next trip.
Some are famous, some are neighborhood fixtures, and all of them take their cheese seriously. Pick one, grab a ball of mozzarella, and plan the rest of your meal around it.
1. Claudio’s Specialty Foods, Philadelphia, PA
South 9th Street has plenty of storefronts, but Claudio’s is the one that still looks and acts like old-school South Philly. It sits at 924 S 9th St in the heart of the Italian Market.
The shop is built around pasta, olives, and cheese, with imported goods lining the shelves. The fresh mozzarella is the headliner, and the prosciutto makes a very strong case for second place.
A smart plan here is simple. Get some sliced meat, some sliced cheese, a loaf of bread that is brought in fresh daily, and maybe a little pasta and a tub of olives.
That is dinner, handled.
Don’t skip the shop’s own brand of canned tomatoes, a favorite for homemade pizza. Hours run 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 8:30 AM to 2 PM on Sunday.
There is no restroom, so treat it as a quick stop.
2. L. Mancuso & Son, Philadelphia, PA
Housemade mozzarella and ricotta are the reason people cross the river from South Jersey for this corner shop. L.
Mancuso & Son sits at 1902 Passyunk Ave, and it plays three roles at once: deli, importer, and cheese maker.
The mozzarella shows up everywhere, including on the Italian hoagie, which is an easy first order. The sandwich board covers the South Philly classics too, like roast pork and a chicken cutlet with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe.
Cutlets, meatballs, and rigatoni round out the prepared side. In warmer months, the water ice is a nice bonus.
The shop is known for being spotless, and the staff are happy to offer samples at the cheese case. That is a dangerous habit if you only planned to buy one thing.
Hours are 9 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 3 PM Sunday.
3. Talluto’s – Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Mozzarella knots might be the best walking snack in the whole Italian Market. Talluto’s, just down the block at 944 S 9th St, makes them along with fresh stretched mozzarella that is made in-house.
Pasta is the other big draw. The shop carries fresh and frozen varieties, and the cheese ravioli has a loyal following.
You will also find sauces, meats, prepared foods, sandwiches, and rolls in a small space. Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, which is friendly for a shop at this level.
I would plan a weekday visit if you can. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch, while Monday afternoon tends to be the quietest.
Free street parking is available nearby, and the shop is open 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and until 3 PM Sunday.
4. Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh’s Strip District is a food lover’s playground, and Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. is one of its longest-running stops. Locals call it Penn Mac, and it sits at 2010 Penn Ave.
The selection here is huge. Fresh mozzarella shares space with prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, capicola, provolone, fontina, homemade sauces, and just about every pasta shape you could name.
The cheese section is staffed by people who really know their stuff. They can help match a cheese with fresh-cut prosciutto, which makes building a board much easier.
Look beyond the deli too. There is olive oil and balsamic vinegar you can fill in jars they provide, plus pepperoni rolls, baked goods, fresh Italian bread, spices, bulk foods, and desserts.
Saturday morning through afternoon is the rush. Weekdays are calmer, and hours run 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 2 PM Sunday.
5. Assante Italian Market, Allentown, PA
Lunch in Allentown gets a serious upgrade at 4210 Tilghman St. Assante Italian Market stocks high quality imported Italian products, but the sandwich counter is what keeps people coming back.
The Caprese is the mozzarella lover’s pick. It pairs fresh mozzarella with olive oil soaked tomatoes and arugula on a fresh ciabatta roll.
If you want meat, the Italiano stacks sliced to order meats with that same mozzarella. There are usually two or three sandwich specials made fresh each day too.
Grab some cheese for home while you are there. Along with fresh mozzarella, the counter carries grating cheeses like Parmesan and Romano.
Check the hours before heading out, since the market is closed Monday. It is open 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM Friday and Saturday, and 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday.
6. Grazia’s Italian Market, Bethlehem, PA
A fresh mozzarella braid is not something you see at every deli counter. Grazia’s Italian Market in Bethlehem makes it one of its signature pickups.
The shop is family-run and doubles as a bakery, with Italian cakes and breads baked in-house. Prosciutto bread, pepperoni cheese bread, and a spinach and feta pastry are all made fresh.
The deli case is loaded with home-cooked items. Think meatballs, chicken cutlets, eggplant stacks, zucchini fritters, and cold antipasto salads.
Tomato pie and a pepperoni bomb add some fun to the lineup. The shelves carry frozen ravioli, jarred sauces, olives, spreads, and cookies for the pantry.
You will find it at 2112 Schoenersville Rd. It is closed Monday, open 8 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 8 AM to 2 PM on weekends.
7. Antonio’s Italian Specialties, Philadelphia, PA
Some of the best finds in South Philly are on residential blocks, far from the tourist crowds. Antonio’s Italian Specialties at 1138 W Ritner St is one of them.
The shop focuses on top quality Italian prepared and packaged foods, and the neighborhood has welcomed it warmly. Bread and mozzarella are the building blocks of its sandwiches, and both earn plenty of attention.
The Caprese is the easy choice for cheese fans. Chicken cutlets, eggplant cutlets, meatballs, and olives fill out the case for anyone planning dinner.
Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person, and free street parking makes the stop simple. Plan ahead, since it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Hours run 10 AM to 4:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10 AM to 3:30 PM Saturday.
Whether you start in Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley, or South Philly, these seven shops prove that great mozzarella is still made by hand across Pennsylvania.
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