03-04-2025
Where did the West Virginia pepperoni roll originate?
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — Most West Virginians know that the pepperoni roll was created by Italian Appalachians in north central West Virginia, but the recent creation of the Pepperoni Roll Trail is bringing up some friendly debate about the specifics.
The Clarksburg Visitors Bureau announced what it is calling 'the official pepperoni roll smackdown,' a debate on the origins of the pepperoni roll.
'The Marion County CVB and the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau are throwing down their rolls to settle the epic debate: Where did the pepperoni roll originate?'
According to the West Virginia Department of Tourism, the first commercial pepperoni roll was created by Giuseppe Argiro, an emigrant from Calabria, Italy who had worked at a 'Clarksburg-area' coal mine, but the bakery where he sold the pepperoni rolls, what is now Country Club Bakery, is located in Fairmont.
New program lets you earn prizes for trying different pepperoni rolls in West Virginia
Country Club claims that it is still 'selling the original and best pepperoni rolls in the state of West Virginia. However, it's not the only place that claims to be the first. Chico's Bakery in Morgantown claims that the recipe was originally invented by its founder Julia Chico in 1925.
It widely is believed that the wives of coal miners in the area were making versions of pepperoni rolls long before Country Club started selling them, so there is no definite answer on exactly who came up with the idea.
Even with some question on where they actually started, Marion County claims ownership, with a sign outside of Country Club Bakery erected by the West Virginia Humanities Council and William C. Pomeroy Foundation reading:
Pepperoni RollWest Virginia delicacy created by Italian families in Fairmont to feed local coal miners, Variants now popular statewide.
Now, near 100 years later, pepperoni rolls are sold at bakeries across the state, but still most prevalent in the north central region.
Your favorite pepperoni roll could be illegal under new food dye ban
The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Trail has 15 stops, including Country Club Bakery, where people who download an online passport can check in to win prizes. Stops are mostly in Harrison and Marion counties, but the Donut Spot in Buckhannon is also on the list.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
