Oteri’s Italian Bakery’s rich history begins in Sicily, Italy, birthplace of Gaetano Oteri, great-grandfather of Lisa, Oteri’s current proprietor. Educated in the culinary arts, Gaetano hones his craft and passes his knowledge to his children, including Anthony, Lisa’s grandfather, who also trained at the Italian Culinary Institute. Anthony’s diploma from his graduation from the Culinary Institute still graces the wall of Lisa’s office today.

In the late 1960s, Anthony opens a store on Torresdale Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, running both the Northeast and the South Philly stores for a time. Anthony’s son, Thomas, learned the arts and traditions of the business on the job from his father and grandfather. Eventually, Anthony passes the South Philly store to Thomas, while continuing to run the Torresdale store himself. When Anthony retires, the Torresdale Avenue store closes, leaving only the South Philly storefront, run by Thomas.

Today, Oteri’s tradition of fine quality, old world style baking is continued in state of the art facilities by Lisa Oteri, a fourth generation member of the Oteri family who took the reins upon the passing of her father, Thomas, in 2006. Lisa and the rest of the Oteri’s Italian Bakery family proudly offer products of the highest quality, produced in the best traditions and values embodied by the methods handed down for over 100 years by the Oteri family.