“I was stunned …”
At Philomena’s Salumeria, a delicatessen and bakery in Utica, New York, the wafting aroma of freshly baked goods is usually more than enough to lure in eager customers passing by. From warm bread to savoury slices, the smells alone are hard to resist. But recently, even those not within sniffing distance have been given an extra incentive to stop in.
And it’s all thanks to the eatery’s new, unofficial — and entirely accidental — fluffy-tailed spokesfigure.
He lives in a tree out front.
The other day, an employee at Philomena’s was heading into work when they noticed an unusual scene unfolding in the branches overhead. Perched high above the sidewalk, a local squirrel was happily munching away to his heart’s content — on nothing other than a slice of Philomena’s tomato pie.
“I was stunned,” owner Anthony Amodio told The Dodo, adding: “Even the squirrels say we have the best tomato pie around!”
It’s unclear exactly how the squirrel managed to get hold of the tasty slice — whether it was left unattended for a moment or claimed through sheer squirrel determination. But from the looks of it, he was clearly delighted with his find, nibbling away without a care in the world.
While seeing the squirrel enjoy his stolen pizza slice was amusing enough on its own, the moment soon turned into an unexpected boost for Amodio’s business. Photos and stories of the furry foodie quickly spread, and before long, curious customers began stopping by — some hoping to catch a glimpse of the now-famous squirrel, others eager to try the tomato pie themselves.
More people than ever suddenly wanted a taste.
“We are getting quite a bit of inquiries,” Amodio said. “We sold out of tomato pie today early.”
The tomato pie squirrel’s sneaky snack sparked a mini sensation, turning a light-hearted moment into a viral hit for the local shop.
There’s no telling what culinary creation the squirrel might drum up interest in next, but Amodio isn’t complaining.
“The only thing I could think of,” he joked, “is that he must be an Italian squirrel.”