Primanti Brothers: Pittsburgh’s Iconic Sandwich
Primanti Bros., also known as Primanti’s, is a distinguished chain of sandwich shops that have marked their territory across the eastern United States. With its roots deeply embedded in Pittsburgh since 1933, Primanti’s has evolved into a cultural symbol of the region. The restaurant, renowned for its unique sandwiches, consists of grilled meat, melted cheese, an oil & vinegar-based coleslaw, tomato slices, and French fries, all packed between two substantial slices of Italian bread.
The Birth of an Icon
The inception of the first Primanti Brothers restaurant took place at 46 Eighteenth Street in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, a bustling neighborhood in the city along the Allegheny River. This area was a significant industrial center brimming with factories, warehouses, and shipyards. Joe Primanti, the brain behind the celebrated sandwich, hailed from suburban Wilmerding, Pennsylvania. The Great Depression witnessed the invention of this sandwich that eventually became the cornerstone of the restaurant. Later, his brothers, Dick and Stanley, joined him in this venture.
The iconic sandwich was an innovative solution to reduce spillage for the hard-working, depression-era truck drivers in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. It allowed them to eat one-handed on the job instead of sitting down at a deli counter. The concept was to combine the usual sandwich ingredients with its sides, french fries and coleslaw, resulting in a single, cohesive unit.
The Legacy Continues
With the passing of Stanley Primanti in the early 1970s and John in 1974, Dick decided to sell the business to Jim Patrinos in 1975. Today, the brand has expanded to 16 locations in Pittsburgh alone, including the Pittsburgh International Airport and the city’s major sports venues PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, and PPG Paints Arena. Furthermore, the brand has extended its reach to various locations across the eastern United States.
The Sandwich Shop of Choice for Celebrities
The original Primanti Bros. location in the Strip District has seen visits from notable figures in recent years. For instance, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft Picks have made it a tradition to visit the restaurant upon their arrival to the city. Famous picks include T. J. Watt, and JuJu Smith-Schuster from the 2017 NFL Draft and Devin Bush Jr. from the 2019 NFL Draft.
The year 2022 saw a visit from President Joe Biden and Senator John Fetterman, further cementing the restaurant’s status in the region.
Embracing Sports and Creating Specials
Primanti Bros. has demonstrated support for the Pittsburgh Penguins during their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in their 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. The restaurant released two limited-time sandwiches in their honor. The 2016 sandwich honored the Penguins’ third line, and was named the “HBK Sandwich”. In 2017, the restaurant introduced the “Canadian Pitts-Burger”, honoring goaltender Marc-André Fleury during his final season with the Penguins. This Canadian bacon sandwich was made available at all Primanti Bros. locations for a limited time.
Locations and Expansion
Primanti Bros. outlets are found throughout Pennsylvania, especially in and around Pittsburgh. Besides other Pennsylvania locations, restaurants have been established in Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and Indiana.
Reception and Recognition
Primanti Bros. and its signature sandwich have been featured in several national publications and television shows, including National Geographic magazine, Man v. Food, and Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America. The restaurant has made the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s list of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada”.
The restaurant was mentioned on an episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in an interview with Senator Barack Obama. Stewart suggested that Obama visit the restaurant for its “great sandwiches”, which Stewart had enjoyed as a comedian on the club circuit.
Primanti Bros. has carved its own niche in the food industry with its unique sandwich. It has become a part of Pittsburgh’s cultural identity, and its fame continues to grow. Whether you are a fan or not, its contribution to Pittsburgh’s food scene and its role as a cultural symbol cannot be ignored.
