THE HISTORY OF PEPE ’ S FAMOUS PIES The original Wooster Street store was founded by its namesake in 1925 . Frank Pepe , or “ Old Reliable ” was an immigrant from Italy ’ s Amalfi Coast , one of the most beautiful regions in the world . Pepe started off by only selling two types of pies — a plain and one with anchovies . They were so delicious and popular that he was able to buy the store from his boss !