Di Bruno Bros
| Type | Specialty food store |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 South 9th Street (original) |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Italian Market (original) |
| Phone | (215) 922-2876 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1939 |
| Founder | Danny and Joe Di Bruno |
| Owner | Di Bruno Bros. Inc. |
| Hours | Varies by location |
| Products | Cheese, specialty foods, charcuterie |
| Status | Active |
Di Bruno Bros. stands as a legendary Philadelphia specialty food retailer founded in 1939 by brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno at the Italian Market. What started as a small cheese stand has become one of America's premier gourmet food destinations, with multiple Philadelphia locations and a national reputation that's well-deserved. The shop's truly famous for its extraordinary cheese selection—over 300 varieties from around the world—and it's remained a pillar of the Italian Market and Philadelphia's food culture.[1]
History
Origins (1939)
Danny Di Bruno and Joe Di Bruno opened their shop in 1939. They were sons of Italian immigrants, and they started at the Italian Market on 9th Street selling Italian cheeses. The brothers served their immigrant community with products people actually wanted: the cheeses they remembered from home.
They understood their customers. That mattered.
Early Years
Throughout the 1940s and 1960s, Di Bruno Bros. built its reputation the hard way. Quality Italian cheeses. Personal service. Real expertise. They absorbed knowledge from customers and suppliers alike, becoming the heart of what the Italian Market offered. Nothing flashy. Just consistently excellent products and people who knew what they were selling.
Expansion of Selection
As decades passed, the cheese selection kept growing. It didn't stop at Italian varieties. French cheeses arrived. Spanish ones followed. English cheddar and Stilton found their place on the shelves. Then came American artisan producers. Eventually, the shop stocked over 300 varieties. People started traveling to Philadelphia specifically to shop there.
Second and Third Generations
The Di Bruno family kept control of the business through succession. Younger family members learned the trade from those who came before them. Quality standards stayed high. Business knowledge passed down naturally through daily work. No shortcuts taken.
Modern Expansion
Di Bruno Bros. eventually moved beyond the Italian Market's original boundaries. They opened at Rittenhouse Square for Center City access. The Comcast Center location served corporate workers. Other suburban locations followed. Then came online ordering and national shipping. But the Italian Market location? It remained the soul of everything.
The Cheese
The Selection
Over 300 cheeses sit in Di Bruno Bros.' cases. Italian varieties include Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino, Gorgonzola, and fresh mozzarella. French options span Brie, Comté, Roquefort, and chèvre. Spanish cheeses like Manchego, Cabrales, and Mahón occupy prime space. English Stilton and cheddar are there. American artisan producers from local and national sources fill more shelves. Rare and unusual specialty items round out what might be the most diverse cheese selection on the East Coast.
The Expertise
What sets Di Bruno's apart isn't just inventory. It's the people. They guide you through selections. They recommend pairings. You can taste before committing to a purchase. They'll cut whatever you want to exact specifications. This knowledge doesn't happen by accident.
Famous Cheeses
Parmigiano-Reggiano aged just right. Fresh mozzarella made in-house. Sharp provolone aged Italian style. Ask the staff about specialty selections. They'll know what's worth your money.
Cheese Care
Di Bruno's staff actually educate customers about proper cheese handling. They discuss storage. Serving temperatures matter. They explain when cheeses reach optimal freshness. Pairing suggestions come naturally once they understand what you're making.
Beyond Cheese
Charcuterie
The cured meats section rivals the cheeses for quality. Prosciutto from Italy and Spain. Salami in multiple varieties. Speck for that smoked prosciutto flavor. Specialty items like nduja and guanciale sit waiting for people who know what they're doing.
Prepared Foods
Not everyone has time to cook. Di Bruno's offers sandwiches built by people who care about ingredients. Salads. Prepared entrées. Catering options for events. The quality matches everything else in the shop.
Specialty Grocery
Beyond cheese and meat, shelves hold imported products. Premium olive oils. Artisan pasta. Italian canned goods. Chocolates and sweets. Vinegars and condiments. You can actually build a complete Italian meal here.
Gift Items
They curate gift baskets. Staff assemble cheese boards. Corporate gifts get handled seriously. Holiday specials run seasonally. It's not just retail. They understand that food is personal.
Locations
Italian Market (Original)
The original shop sits at 930 South 9th Street. Historic doesn't begin to describe it. Open-air market atmosphere surrounds you. It's authentic Italian Market down to the street vendors nearby. This is where it all started. Still essential after all these years.
Rittenhouse Square
They opened at 1730 Chestnut Street to reach Center City customers. Larger selection here. More emphasis on prepared foods. Wine and beer section exists. Convenient parking and accessibility. Different vibe than the Market location, but same quality standards.
Other Locations
Additional Philadelphia area locations serve suburban customers, corporate workers, and people seeking convenience. They're not afterthoughts. Same commitment to quality.
The Italian Market Connection
Heart of the Market
Di Bruno Bros. is absolutely central to the Italian Market. It's an anchor tenant that draws visitors from across the region. Other shops aspire to match their quality standards. Since 1939, they've provided continuity. Real Italian Market heritage flows through that place.
Market Neighbors
Walk the market and you'll find Sarcone's Bakery nearby. Esposito's Meats operates close by. Fante's Kitchen Wares serves cooks. Claudio Specialty Foods rounds out the area. Di Bruno's anchors the specialty food section, but these neighbors matter too.
The Experience
Shopping There
Here's what happens when you visit. Take a number at the counter. Browse the shop while you wait. Ask for samples. Get expert guidance from people who actually know cheese. It's a real process, not a transaction.
The Staff
The people here are trained cheese experts. They're passionate about their products. They'll educate anyone willing to listen. Need help finding something? They'll help. Ask a complicated question? They won't give you a blank stare.
Sampling
Sampling is encouraged. Try before you buy. Especially with cheese. Ask about anything on the counter. No one's going to rush you through this.
Cultural Impact
Philadelphia Institution
Di Bruno Bros. represents something important to the city. Italian-American heritage. Food quality standards. Family business tradition. It's woven into Philadelphia's identity.
National Recognition
Food magazines feature the shop regularly. Television appearances happen. National cheese awards get won. Culinary tourists add it to their lists. This isn't local acclaim anymore.
Influence
The shop raised quality expectations throughout Philadelphia. It educated consumers about what good cheese actually tastes like. Small artisan producers found support here. The Italian Market's entire reputation benefits from Di Bruno Bros.' continued excellence.
Online and Shipping
National Reach
Di Bruno's ships the full cheese selection nationwide. Gift boxes arrive carefully packaged. Specialty items travel well. The company takes shipping seriously because damaged cheese is wasted cheese.
Check dibruno.com for details.
Subscriptions
A cheese club runs monthly with selections curated by experts. Shipping included. Works as gifts too. It's subscription done right, not some gimmick.
Tips for Visitors
Best practices:
Visit the Italian Market location for authenticity. Take a number and browse while waiting. Ask for samples before buying anything. Get recommendations from staff. Buy fresh mozzarella if it's fresh.
Shopping suggestions:
Parmigiano-Reggiano deserves asking about age preferences. Fresh mozzarella works best eaten same-day. Sharp provolone is aged properly. Whatever the staff is excited about is worth trying.
Planning your trip:
The Italian Market location operates best Tuesday through Saturday. Rittenhouse runs more regular hours. Street parking and nearby lots exist. Come hungry because prepared foods are available. It's not just cheese.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Di Bruno Bros.". Di Bruno Bros.. Retrieved December 31, 2025