FROM OUR FAMILY’S BAKERY TO YOUR FAMILY’S TABLE

MANCINI’S^® BAKES MORE THAN 10,000 LOAVES A DAY WITH A TEAM OF 48 PITTSBURGHERS, USING MOST OF THE SAME OLD-WORLD TECHNIQUES THAT JAMES MANCINI PRACTICED IN 1926.

James Mancini, an Italian immigrant, apprenticed himself to a baker at the age of 14. Jim loved to experiment, and soon developed his own recipe. He eventually rented a space and began a tradition, baking 100 loaves a night and delivering the fresh bread to his customers the next morning. The “twist“ bread was his trademark, and remains a favorite today.

Jim’s father, Frank, soon noticed his son’s industry and built a small bakery in McKees Rocks for him. The Mancini family was familiar with small business ownership during the 1940s. Although they were busy running a bar, a bakery, a soda fountain, and a grocery store, the brothers all worked together to get the bakery up and running. It’s been a family project ever since.

After World War II, Jim’s brother Ernie joined him as a partner until Jim’s eventual retirement. Ernie’s son, Frankie, joined the company in 1971. Frankie inherited his uncle’s love of experimentation and developed the formula for Mancini’s Famous Raisin Bread. Sadly Frankie died in an accident in 1977, but in keeping with family tradition, the bakery is now owned and operated by his sister, Mary Mancini Hartner.

We still bake 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at our original bakery in McKees Rocks, but you can also visit us at our retail bakery in the Strip District.