Clarksburg and West Virginia’s Pepperoni Roll Trail
A Long and Delicious History
The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Trail is a delicious journey through the heart of the Mountain State, celebrating its official state food — the pepperoni roll. Born in the coal mines of Marion and Harrison counties, this savory snack is a symbol of Appalachian ingenuity and flavor. The trail guides visitors to classic bakeries and creative new takes, offering a mobile passport to earn points and prizes along the way. Whether you're in it for the history, the taste, or the friendly rivalry over where it all began, one thing is certain — the Pepperoni Roll Trail is West Virginia at its most flavorful. Read more about the trail and sign up here!
The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Trail is a partnership between the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau, Greater Bridgeport CVB, Upshur County CVB, and Marion County CVB.
Tomaro’s Bakery
History of a Regional Favorite
Tomaro’s Bakery, nestled in the Glen Elk district of Clarksburg, West Virginia, is at the heart of the long-standing debate over the birthplace of the pepperoni roll. Established as the oldest Italian bakery in the state, Tomaro’s claims a rich heritage dating back four generations. Founded by Antonio Carmen Tomaro, the bakery has been lovingly passed down through the Tomaro-Brunett family, with each generation preserving its traditional recipes while adapting to the times. Known for its signature pepperoni rolls made with Italian dough and spicy stick pepperoni, Tomaro’s has garnered national attention, including a spotlight in Southern Living as one of “The South’s Best Cheap Eats Under $10.” While tradition remains at the core, innovation has followed — from mini rolls for younger eaters to expanded production under Sam Brunett — all helping cement Tomaro’s legacy as a beloved West Virginia institution.
D’Annunzio’s Bakery
Hidden Bakery Gem in Northview - The Health Bread Company
Located in Clarksburg’s North View neighborhood, D’Annunzio’s Italian Bread—once known as The Health Bread Company—has been a beloved family-run bakery for generations. Founded in a time when Italian families faced discrimination, the bakery became a source of pride and resilience for the local Italian community. Brothers Chris and Rick D’Annunzio now carry on the legacy, with Chris as the specialty baker and Rick as the mechanic. Chris learned the trade young, shaping pepperoni rolls before he could even reach the machines, and today still crafts each roll with care—usually with three sticks of pepperoni, never skimping on flavor. Known for its consistent quality and deep community roots, D’Annunzio’s stands as one of Clarksburg’s two legendary pepperoni roll makers, alongside Tomaro’s. While locals passionately debate which bakery is best, D’Annunzio’s remains a cornerstone of tradition, hard work, and Italian-American heritage. With every loaf and pepperoni roll, the D’Annunzio family honors their past—and feeds a loyal following that stretches well beyond the North View neighborhood.
Rogers and Mazza’s Italian Bakery (formerly Marty’s Bakery)
Rogers and Mazza’s Italian Bakery in Clarksburg, WV, blends deep-rooted tradition with modern innovation. Originally known as Marty’s Bakery, the shop was a local staple distributing fresh baked goods across the region until a devastating fire in 1994. Rather than letting the legacy fade, Dennis Rogers and Marty Mazza revived the bakery, preserving Marty’s original pepperoni roll recipe, made with Italian bread and stick pepperoni. What began as a small batch of sixty dozen rolls a day grew into a full-fledged operation, eventually launching a new Rogers and Mazza’s product line that introduced sliced pepperoni rolls—challenging the belief that only stick cuts were authentic.
Despite innovation, they continue to honor Marty’s by selling the original rolls alongside their new creations. When Rogers first ventured to sell pepperoni rolls in Charleston in the late 1990s, few people outside North Central West Virginia even knew what they were. But persistence paid off—Charleston is now one of their best markets. Rogers and Mazza’s stands as a testament to resilience, heritage, and adaptability, proudly delivering old-school flavor while embracing new possibilities, ensuring that West Virginia’s pepperoni roll legacy continues to rise.
Home Industry Bakery
Home Industry Bakery in Clarksburg, WV, has grown from a humble storefront in Historic Downtown Clarksburg to one of the region’s most beloved names in pepperoni rolls. Owned by Mike and Pam Harris since 1984, the bakery's roots stretch even deeper—Mike began working there as a child, sweeping floors and washing dishes after school. By age sixteen, he was running deliveries. When the opportunity came to buy the bakery, the Harrises made it happen with the help of a Small Business Administration loan and support from their families.
Back then, pepperoni rolls played second fiddle to pastries and cakes. Today, they’re the star. Known for their soft, flavorful dough and gooey cheese, Home Industry rolls are easy to spot in stores: red bags for traditional, purple for provolone, and green for hot cheese. They also offer mini “party peps,” made with stick pepperoni.
Now distributing to over 100 stores across West Virginia—including GoMart, BFS, Speedway and they are the exclusive supplier of pepperoni rolls to Sheetz stores throughout West Virginia. Home Industry Bakery has expanded well without losing its roots. From flash-freezing rolls to ship to troops overseas, to filling local shelves daily, the bakery remains committed to quality and tradition. “It’s our heritage,” Pam says, “and I’d sell them all day long if I could.”
