These 11 Historic Photos Show Philadelphia's Bakeries Like Never Before
By Kim Magaraci|Published December 17, 2017
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Philly is known for its fantastic bakeries, and all year long lines can be seen coming out the door of the most iconic Philadelphia bakeries. During the holiday season, many families make a tradition out of visiting their favorite bakery and picking up cookies, yule logs, and other treats for their table. These Philly bakeries have long been a part of our city’s landscape, and these photos will take you back in time and show off some of the city’s bakery history.
Tastykake - shown here during a snowstorm in 1953
- might be the most famous Philly bakery. For decades, Philadelphians have enjoyed picking up cupcakes or krimpets at their local corner store, and when we leave Philadelphia, we really miss these treats. This photo shows the Allegheny West bakery.
J.S. Ivin's bakery was known for making delicious cookies, crackers, and vanilla wafers. Their large warehouse was on Broad Street, though it is long gone now.
Termini Bros Bakery has been the South Philadelphia Cannoli King since 1921. To this day, they whip up order after order of perfect cannoli, along with cakes, cookies, and more.
Freihofer's first location was opened in Philadelphia in 1884, and for generations they served fresh cookies right out of their storefront, or delivered on their horse and carriage.
The Sarcone family has perfected their bread recipe over the last five generations, and they're known for making the best rolls in Philadelphia. There's nothing like a hoagie on a fresh Sarcone roll! Here you can see people lining up outside for bread right out of the oven.
Weinrich's Bakery was a smaller spot in South Philadelphia known for baking fresh bread and delicious cookies. Mr. Weinrich himself was a community figure, and this store was one of the finest corner bakeries in the city for years.
Hanscom's cakes were famous all throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and even into New Jersey. People would flock here for miles to pick up a Swiss cake for the holidays, or just to treat themselves when they were nearby.
Isgro's Pastries is still an iconic Italian Market spot, and standing in line for holiday treats is a tradition that many Philadelphians continue to uphold.
Of course, you can't talk about Philadelphia bakeries without mentioning Federal Pretzel. They were the bakery that really kicked off the Philadelphia soft pretzel tradition, and to this day, nobody's made a better pretzel than a Federal Pretzel.
Altman's Bakery Shop was opened in 1932 by a couple that was dedicated to making their cakes, cookies, and breads correctly. Rose and Charles Altman were quickly thrown into the spotlight, and their bakery became a local legend.
A hoagie on an Amoroso roll is just about the most "Philly" thing you can eat. The iconic Philly breadmaker has been supplying our city with fresh baked goods for well over 100 years, and they show no sign of slowing down.
Which iconic Philadelphia bakery is your favorite? I can’t wait to head over to Termini Brothers to pick up a tray of holiday cookies closer to Christmas. The history of their bakery is woven into the fabric of the city, and they make the Best Cannoli in Philadelphia – hands down.
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