Sandwiches at Primanti Brothers: Pittsburgh Between Two Slices
Even the shortest visit to the Steel City will teach you that Pittsburgh pride runs deep—starting with the Steelers, and ending with the sandwich. The Primanti Bros. sandwich, that is.
I had hardly touched down at the Pittsburgh International Airport before being whisked from baggage claim straight to Primanti’s for my first taste of the ‘Burgh. Their flagship location in the Strip District, where a colorful mural of notable Pittsburghers hangs along one wall, is something of a city landmark. Originally a wooden lunch stand serving huge, hearty sandwiches to Depression-era truckers pulling up to the loading docks across the street, Joe Primanti’s operation has spawned fourteen satellites throughout the city—though the first (and best) is the only one that boasts 24-hour artery-clogging capacity.
This is not a lunch for the faint of heart (or meek of stomach). Sandwiches were always intended to be meals-in-hand. So Primanti’s takes this ambition to the logical extreme—they toss the fries and slaw right inside. This is no lazy, horizontal hoagie. It’s all stacked up high, in a towering marvel of sandwich construction that reached, in my case, almost six inches.
The Sandwich Anatomy
Every Primanti’s sandwich begins with an inch-plus foundation of soft Italian bread. Moving from the ground up, it’s piled with your meat and cheese (or eggs, or sardines) of choice, layered with hot fries, slapped with slaw, topped with tomato, and crowned with the second slice that somehow balances on top. It’s all wrapped in waxed paper (even if you’re eating in), and voila, lunch is served.
The Orders
I ordered the pastrami and cheese, while my boyfriend (the Pittsburgh native) opted for the cheesesteak, dubbed their “No. 2 Seller.” (When I asked why they didn’t list the number one seller, I was educated that the cheesesteak remains, in fact, the most popular sandwich. Local humor can be elusive.)
Visually, the sandwiches are almost indistinguishable—your only option is the meat. My pastrami, however, was clearly the superior lunch. (Call it beginner’s luck—or a sixth sense for sandwiches.) Pink and juicy, lovingly warmed, with melted Provolone oozing out the sides and gluing the meat to the fries, it made the sandwich. The fries soaked up the juices, the slaw added a bit of tang, and the fresh bread held it all together.
Our other sandwich wasn’t half-bad, though it resembled a burger more than a cheesesteak, and the slab of admittedly tasty beef couldn’t compare to the deli-perfect pastrami.
The Verdict
Primanti’s is a can’t-miss, if only to prove your mettle by fighting your way through the two-hands-needed monster. Bypass the "No. 2 Seller" title and get the pastrami. (It even alliterates: Primanti, pastrami. A match made in heaven.) The only two things you need on the table: your trusty bottle of Heinz 57 (another Pittsburgh product) and a cold Iron City lager.
Bon appetit—and go Steelers.
Primanti's
(Original location)
46 18th Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 (map)
412-263-2142
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37 Comments:
The number 1 seller is beer.
BigAl72 at 8:25PM on 08/24/08
I've been to all Primanti's in the PA area and have to say that the one in the Strip is my favorite. I love the cap n cheese and roast beef sammiches. I have one a couple minutes from my house which is great drunk food and morning after drinking.
Whatever you do, don't say "hold the slaw" or "no fries". You'll get them in your face.
spuhn at 8:41PM on 08/24/08
It is important to note for the uninitiated that the slaw at Primanti's is not mayo-based. It's a vinegar and oil slaw, and its crunch and tang helps make the sandwich.
I also agree that the pastrami and the corned beef are the best choices for first-timers. If you are already drunk, add a fried egg.
I miss Pittsburgh!
Penelope at 8:46PM on 08/24/08
MIssing Pittsburgh, too :(. Hitting Primanti's for dinner and a few beers before walking over to the Pirates' game is a favorite memory (and I'm really not a baseball fan, either).
Primanti's has branched out to casual restaurants with menus and waitresses out in the suburbs (as opposed to the walk-up style originals) - perhaps worth a stop for the faint-of-heart, but to really get a good feel for Primanti's, you must really go 'dahntahn' to the original. Second best? Maybe the Forbes Primanti's (near Pitt campus) on a Friday night during the school year.
squawky at 8:54PM on 08/24/08
You mean, Go Stillers!
Ali at 9:01PM on 08/24/08
aww, a Pittsburgher here and it's nice to see the love! Indeed, one cannot visit the 'burgh without getting a Primantis..and please, go to one of the originals, not the satellites out in the burbs. It's just not the same!
saffron4859 at 9:10PM on 08/24/08
Okay, I lived in the 'Burgh for a while, and I thought there were plenty of great, local food options. Primanti Bros is not one of them. The sandwiches are horrible. The deli meat is good, but they ruin it with lousy, watery cole slaw and undercooked french fries. That's the whole gimmick, and it isn't well executed. Skip it, and head to Pamela's for pancakes instead.
Phlipper at 9:54PM on 08/24/08
I'm a Pittsburgh native as well and I definitely miss my Primanti's! My favorite is the pastrami, so good choice!
And of course, GO STILLERS!
chelley325 at 11:03PM on 08/24/08
grew up and went to college in pittsburgh - we went to the primanti's in the strip and the one in oakland MANY times. I alway got the capicolla and cheese, although once in a while if we went early i would get and egg and cheese. the sandwiches are the ultimate drinking/drunk food.
freddy at 11:08PM on 08/24/08
Good god, I love the Burgh. Peirogies on pizza and fries in the sandwiches. You can't go wrong.
modysoul at 1:35AM on 08/25/08
I was finally able to give Primanti Bros. a try late last year. Fries were soggy and undercooked in oil that needed to be swapped out. Maybe it was just a bad day but they overpowered the sandwich way too much. After picking most of them out, the sandwich was awesome!
Asado at 8:07AM on 08/25/08
The first comment is correct. Number 1 selling item is Iron City beer. The Primanti's branch in Oakland (the university district, also home to the Carnegie Museums of art and natural history, for you visitors) is also worth a visit. Though if you're in Oakland you might prefer to visit another institution, The O, AKA Origninal Hot Dog Shop.
darly gross at 8:19AM on 08/25/08
Darly Gross you beat me to it! Was gonna let them know that Iron City beer was the Number 1 seller! LOL As for The O, the one in Plum closed and we are SO bummed since we live in Murrysville (not sure why my log in name has an S on the end of it!). We just introduced my daughter to Primantis since she is moving here next month and we went to the one in Greensburg (although she saw the one in The Strip on Saturday). I told her (in front of the waitress) to not ask for it without the fries or slaw and the waitress said they aren't TOO bad on them there in Greensburg when they do it, but she said "don't ask that down in The Strip"!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Bonnie from Murrysvilles at 9:53AM on 08/25/08
Oh...now I am totally craving one of those sandwiches. But I will have to wait until Christmas time to get back to the Burgh to get one. They have a Primanti's in my parents town now (Greensburg) so we don't even have to venture downtown for one now. I could just cry I want one so bad now! :)
SweetsBySarah at 10:42AM on 08/25/08
In my college days, I was a kielbasa and cheese kind o' guy. But upon returning after many years away and fine tuning my palate a bit, I'm a pastrami and cheese guy all of the way.
In my experience, I've never had undercooked fries, but one offs happen. The slaw, as was noted earlier, is dominated by vinegar and lots of pepper, and is not creamy in the least. I had a sandwich at one of the locations in the 'burbs and the slaw was almost sweet, which was unfortunate and I'm going to guess intentional.
Next time in Pittsburgh, make it a full morning in the Strip, starting with an espresso or cappuccino at La Primo Espresso (brush up on your Italian before you arrive), perhaps a biscotti at Enrico's Biscotti Company around the corner, a bloody Mary at Roland's (if not a fan, then they have a great beer selection); a starter sandwich, a banh mi that rivals, if not surpasses Primanti's, from Lucy's sidewalk cart; perhaps a fish taco from Penn Avenue Fish Company to cleanse your palate, followed by some more walking and browsing of cheese and bread and pasta at Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, capped off by a sandwich at Primanti's, chased by a PENN PILSNER, Pittsburgh's best beer by far (Iron City, while a sentimental favorite, is swill and undrinkable).
Fillippelli the Cook at 10:42AM on 08/25/08
The Cap and egg is not to be overlooked. Adding a fried egg to a hot cappicola sandwich already crushed by slaw and fries is pure Pittsburgh excess. This sandwich is the perfect pre-cure to a late-night post-service session of drinking with the line cooks.
I am also a big fan of Lucy's banh mi. Two perfect sandwich bookends on the Strip.
Bill Fuller at 11:24AM on 08/25/08
Yes to Lucy's bahn mi, a refreshing, exotic, mildly spicy, grilled porky treat (and quite the bargain). Yes, Penn Pilsner if the finest real beer in the region (along with their gold, dark and wheat beers), but a glass of Iron City (the only beer you chew before you swallow) does help a Primanti's down. A great cup of coffee brewed to order is available at the 21st street coffee shop on 21st and Smallman. The pastry shop next to La Prima offers wonderful canoli and sfoglietelle (sp?). Get the chocolate eruption too at Enrico's.
darly gross at 11:42AM on 08/25/08
Primanti's! Another reason I'm so proud to be a Pittsburgher! Corned beef & cheese is my favorite by far. Well, that and watching people get yelled at for ordering incorrectly. ;)
Phlipper-I'm disheartened that you didn't have a good experience there, but I couldn't agree with you more about Pamela's...between thoughts of panckes and Primanti's talk I'm salivating!
My suggestion is to hit up Mon Aimee Chocolat shop at 2101 Penn Avenue while you're in the Strip. They have INCREDIBLE products there-(including Pralus-for you fellow chocolate freaks)!
What a happy thread! :) Go Stillers!
gastronomeg at 12:34PM on 08/25/08
Mario Batali, with no known prodding from Primanti's, raves about the sandwiches every chance he gets. (recently in Esquire, although I can't find it in the archives.)
I always go for fried bologna and yellow mustard. For breakfast.
El Reyno was selling chorizo and scrambled egg breakfast tacos last weekend. Ole!
Keight at 4:11PM on 08/25/08
Only chance I had to try Primanti's was during a double-header at PNC against the Cubs. I can't remember what I ordered but the meat was either a hot dog or sausage patty. I had no idea what to expect when I ordered it, but I remember it being tasty.
lexophile at 4:17PM on 08/25/08
Obviously I met hamburger not hot dog. Yeesh.
lexophile at 4:17PM on 08/25/08
meant! today is not a good spelling day for me. haha.
lexophile at 4:17PM on 08/25/08
@Phlipper: Never, ever had watery coleslaw on any of my sandwiches (double egg & cheese, lots of hot sauce).
Agreed that the fries are undercooked to stand-alone standards, but I love them soft inside the sandwich. They're still toothsome and always hot. Anyway, who wastes the time and expense on Belgian frites quality when your gonna' smoosh the fries to hell in a sandwich?
Susquehanna at 2:39PM on 08/26/08
Phlipper: Pamela's "pancakes" : worst ever. no fluff, no buttermilk, no pancake. Umm....they're called crepes everywhere else when you can't get them to rise. I'd just as soon eat breakfast at DeLuca's or Jo Jo's; they're both in the Strip, they both have that great diner feel, and they're half the price of Pamela's.
AlleghenyCity at 5:13PM on 08/26/08
I will be back in Pittsburgh this weekend. Pirates game and Primanti Brothers are on the agenda. I can't wait!
jam114 at 5:49PM on 08/26/08
If you enjoy Pittsburgh food try Shenanigan's in the North Hills on Babcock Blvd. They have Primanti's style sandwiches that I personally find to be better. They have awesome wings and appetizers. It's a younger crowd at night but they have awesome everyday drink specials. The bartenders are great. The place is usually PACKED to the max on Fridays and Saturdays and they just added on a patio which gave them tons of extra seating. Give it a look at www.shenanigansbarandgrille.com
arika826 at 9:56AM on 08/27/08
if someone says shenanigan's one more time...
ChiefHDB at 1:45PM on 08/27/08
mm thank you for this! i'm daydreaming about a capicola and an IC light right now....
hungrygrl7 at 8:31PM on 08/27/08
I am a bacon girl, all the way...egg optional...but the Red Devil hot sauce is mandatory! My stomach is growling and it's 10 a.m.!
Chellygirl at 9:58AM on 08/28/08
I somehow managed to miss a lot of my favorite restaurants on my last quite short visit to the 'burgh since I moved last year, and sadly Primanti's is on that list. How I miss it.
@Phlipper: Pamela's is among the worst, overhyped places in the city. As someone else said, go to DeLuca's in the Strip - everything is good, but the eggs benedict is a must-have.
joyyy at 7:50PM on 08/29/08
If you can, go to the Strip District Primanti's about 2:30 am after the bars close. This is the "real" primanti's - jovial and hungry drunks and a line out the door. A real party atmosphere. When I was in college, I recall a nocturnal visit where all six of us ordered different things. The knife-wielding waiter said "ok, 6 cheesesteaks". When they're busy, expect anything. This same samurai was known to leap onto a table, knife in hand, and order everyone in the back, "out" and the folks on the sidewalk "in". He was the "greeter". Once seated at a clutter ridden table, the "busboy" would come by to clean the table (wheel a garbage can to the end of the table, reach down to the end with both arms, and slide the debris into the can). Voila, clean(?) table. I miss those days. They were great college memories (circa 1979).
Ironically, when we went there sober, the food didn't taste as good :-P Proud to be a Pittsburger!
Josdean at 12:52PM on 09/02/08
Primanti's is the best. My friends and I used to cut school and explore Pittsburgh back in the day, and Primanti's was always on the list (we were from the sticks). Also, they served me a beer once when I was *ahem* not quite of age :-P. I really miss Pittsburgh, and even though there is better food to be had in the world, nothing really compares to something you enjoyed during your formative years.
fitzgerh at 11:50PM on 12/05/08
i waited a long time to go there. i went to the one in rosslyn farms. i was so dissapointed. asked for fried onions and fried green peppers..what a joke... they were heated in the microwave. shame on you! gonna try the one on the strip. the only good thing there was the soda pop!
charlie dude at 2:04AM on 01/18/09
o by the way pittsburgh native..... its spelled STEELERS!! shame on u!
charlie dude at 2:06AM on 01/18/09
Daaa charlie dude! anyone that's from pgh. knows the joke of spelling it "stillers"!!!! You obviously do not!
GO STILLERS!!!
kimgb at 2:12PM on 01/28/09
I tried Primanti's at a friend's recommendation when I went to Pittsburgh and thought the whole sandwich was gross. Soggy fries, drippy cole slaw that made the bread all icky. Plus I'm allergic to tomatoes and they insisted on putting them on anyway. Way overrated.
soapgirl at 3:36PM on 02/01/09
I have lived in Pittsburgh all my life and I cannot understand why people love Primanti's. The sandwich is very dry from the french fries.
c4wins at 10:03PM on 08/19/09