About Rao’s Bakery

Rao’s Bakery original store was established in 1941. Mr. Johnny Rao built his bakery around pride & quality. Today, 50 years later, Rao’s is still recognized for its dedication to quality.

One of Tortorice’s secrets of success is that he insists Rao’s use local ingredients, with no additives, no mixes, and no frozen products. Instead, just like it has for decades, Rao’s bakers make everything fresh, every day. They also offer some unique items like kolaches, a Czech bread-wrapped sausage, using locally made Zummo sausage. During Mardi Gras, they bake King Cakes, a wreath-shaped cinnamon-roll dough filled with cream cheese, jelly, or cinnamon and butter that’s glazed and painted with vibrant greens and purples.

He’s also brought in some interesting new items that honor his second generation Sicilian heritage. Using recipes passed down from his grandmother, Tortorice has introduced sandwiches (on their freshly-made bread), such as egg olive, pimento cheddar, and Sicilian tuna; Sicilian-inspired sweets like cannoli, pannacotta, and prontoparffait; and a large selection of gelato handmade with ingredients imported from Torino, Italy.

Perhaps most importantly, Tortorice is focused on his customers. “It’s all about the people,” he says. “The best thing forme is serving all these people every day. They’re all individual personalities.”

From realfoodtraveler.com.