The Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World
As an idea that developed deep in the Marion County coal mines in the 1920s, pepperoni rolls have become one of the little-known treasures of West Virginia. Sticks of pepperoni and bread were staples for miners to take underground for their grueling workdays. The classic pepperoni roll that we all know and love is made of a soft white yeast bread roll with pepperoni baked in the middle. Giuseppe “Joseph ” Argiro, an Italian immigrant and coal miner, was the first person to commercialize pepperoni rolls by opening Country Club Bakery in Fairmont in 1927.
Each local chef has their own unique recipe, so set out on a tour across the county to find your favorite version with the help of the Marion County Pepperoni Roll Guide. Tour stops feature the home of the original pepperoni roll, award-winning variations, one-of-a-kind recipes and more! Rate each roll from appearance and aroma to texture and flavor. Then, take home your personal favorite as a souvenir!
Request a copy of our guide and see how we roll in Marion County!
