When I told everyone we were going for a quick roadtrip to Pittsburgh, pretty much I received one of two responses from everyone, or a combination of the two: “WHY?!” or, equally as often, “Are you going to Primanti’s?” (BTW, it’s Prih-MAN-tees… not Prih-MON-tees, as I was saying it, and was corrected by all of the locals.)
It’s true that when we picked Pittsburgh as our destination, the first thing that crossed my mind was, “Ooh, we can go to Primanti’s for those crazy sandwiches I keep seeing on TV and read about on Serious Eats!!!” So of course, our first stop that night, after checking in, was Primanti’s – the original in the Strip District.
I’d warned the BF ahead of time, who likes his sandwiches, his burgers, pretty much everything very plain, that this was not the place you’d get that. In fact, I’d read in a few places that to ask for the fries on the side would get you the fries… thrown in your face, so I sternly warned him to take what was given him and be done with it.
We had a quick debate over what to get; I knew already, from the Serious Eats post, that I wanted pastrami. BF considered the No. 2 seller, and asked me what the number 1 seller was. I explained that it was the Iron City beer, and he said, “Where does it say that?!” I finally told him it was because Pittsburgh was probably the 2nd largest city in the state and cheesesteak is a Philly thing, blah blah, middle child syndrome, blah blah, which actually satisfied him more than the first answer. Maybe he just wanted me to stop talking. 😉
Anyway, he chose the roast beef. This is his sandwich in monster glory.
This is him, trying to pick it up and eat it. He did eat a fair number of fries from the sandwich, though he did gamely try it altogether. BF was most impressed with the cole slaw; he’s not a mayo fan, so the lack of mayo was a plus for him, the vinegary kick pleasing him. The fries, he noted, were mushy and mealy, “not fully cooked” as he said, which I shrugged and said, well, it’s true. This is a known issue with these sandwiches.
One thing that I thought odd was the fact that no matter what sandwich you order, they throw the meat on the grill first. With a roast beef sandwich, I find that to be a real concern, as roast beef is best at its pink, rare, juicy finest, but throwing it on the grill further cooks the meat, rendering it tough and chewy. BF totally thought the meat was an afterthought in the sandwich, finding it unpleasant to eat too much of, and enjoying the cole slaw with just a little beef and the fries much better. Ah well.
I’m not a huge pastrami fan, to be totally honest – I much prefer corned beef, finding pastrami overwhelming in flavor often in a sandwich. Because I knew there would be so many other players in the sandwich, though, I kept with the pastrami choice.
I took one last pic and then dug in, my hands were too greasy after this to take any more pics, sorry!
I needn’t have worried about this pastrami overwhelming the sandwich, since it had barely any flavor on its own. My sandwich was soggy, but I don’t know where the oil was coming from – and surprisingly, it didn’t do much to add to the sandwich’s flavor. I felt like I was eating a big sandwich that was part mushy (fries, bread, meat) and part crunchy (cole slaw). The overall effect was like eating a very soggy sandwich that had some crunchy bits. I wound up adding a lot of hot sauce to the second half, which improved it marginally, but overall, it still fell flat. Watching me struggle with eating the sandwich as neatly as possible, BF suggested that the bread should be slightly sturdier, to hold up a bit better against the monstrous innards, with which I agreed.
I washed it all down with an Iron City lager. I ordered it so timidly, the guy behind the counter eyed me. I know he wanted to card me (which always tickles me now that I’m in my, ugh, late 20s), but he didn’t… I was timid because I’d heard about “Iron City beer” but I hadn’t seen it on any menus so I wasn’t sure that was the real name – I’ve never seen this anywhere else (duh) and didn’t want to appear completely foolish. Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while knows that I don’t drink beer – in fact, the last time was probably over a year ago. (Although actually I had a beer this past Sunday… who knew?) But this was a pretty easy drink, washing down nicely alongside all the grease I consumed, and a pleasant enough taste – for beer, anyway. The price of $3.50 was also extremely wallet friendly… I actually wanted another one at the game the next day, but couldn’t bring myself to pay $7 for it. Oh wells.
Yvo says: If it’s your first time in Pittsburgh, of course go here. Why wouldn’t you? It’s like, a signature style of Pittsburgh. I can’t say it was awesome/amazing/you have to go back, though – I’d much rather eat a similar sandwich crafted at home with quality innards! But it’s definitely an experience, and inexpensive – I believe our entire meal (plus two root beers and the beer) came to $30 with a generous tip. I had a good time. Oh, and if you’re a silly NYC girl like I am, it might amuse you to overhear the guy calculating your bill and saying “two pops” … I’m not entirely sure what the regional slang in my city is, it seems to vary between ‘soda’ or ‘Coke’ (yes, even though that’s a brand name). But it was cute.
recommended
PS We sat in front of the MegaTouch machine and played PhotoHunt, but they didn’t have “erotic” Photo Hunt, boo… and after we started eating, I realized how gross it was that we were just touching a machine that everyone & their momma had touched before eating sandwiches with our hands… d’oh!
PPS The official reason we went to Pittsburgh is because BF wanted to see Middle America. Are you done laughing now? I added on some other reasons, but that was the overarching one that sent us west instead of south like we normally go. You’ll find out what the other reasons are soon enough 🙂
Andi says
I have often wondered if the actual experience would live up to the hype on all the food travel shows, thanks for the review. I now know I would pass, as I am not a big fan of soggy sandwiches – the beer sounds decent tho!
SkippyMom says
I happy that BF was a trooper and ordered his sandwich the way you said 🙂 They both look delicious, but I have to agree on the roast beef on the grill. I have been eagerly awaiting your review because [I too] have seen the TV shows and always wondered.
I guess that particular type of sandwich is an acquired taste after eating them a while or their quality has tanked for quanity?
Thanks for the review 🙂
Cindy Khor says
that’s one big sandwich with loads of different ingredients… and i guess eating it layer by layer is the only way to finish it.
MPRBC says
WOW look at that sandwich!!
Hungry, yet thin, Bitch says
Careful, or you’ll turn your BoyFriend into a fatty ;-p
ML says
I’m drooling in my cubicle.
The BF lived in Pittsburgh for a few months, within walking distance of two Primanti’s. I would go there for lunch and eat for $8. Couldn’t beat it. Second best place for that kind of fare besides the Rugger’s Pub (www.pghrugby.com)
Rochelle says
Honestly, I think that’s as good a reason as any to go on a trip .. :o)
Susan says
Like everyone else, when we found ourselves in Pittsburgh, we thought that a trip to Primanti’s would be fun trip, so of course, we also had to go the “original” one on the Strip. As a big fan of Man -vs- Food and seafood, I thought that a fish sandwich with fries and coleslaw would blend together. BIG MISTAKE! The best thing that I can say about the sandwich is that the bread was wonderfully fresh. The first bite let me know immediately that this restaurant experience was not going to be a good one. Funny fish flavor (and I like ALL types of fish), on top of no flavor from the fries or cole slaw – just old grease. With some salt, pepper and ketchup it was ok – I was able to finish half of it – left the rest.
If you are visiting Pittsburgh, especially if staying in a hotel, review the Pittsburgh directories that are in every room, and ask the locals the best places to eat. Never rely on a TV series!
Squizzfizzle says
Why on earth you would think Primanti was pronounced primonte, pretty much sealed the deal as totally disregarding anything critical you had to say. If you cant enunciate basic english how can you possibly critique food?
Feisty Foodie says
Hi Squizzfizzle! Glad you asked! I’m pretty sure this is actually PROnunciation, not ENUnciation, and I’m not sure at all how tastebuds and speaking English properly are related. In addition to which, you misspelled your (fake) email address, so I’m not sure what kind of cred you get for misusing “your” when you clearly meant “you’re” – hope that helps! Cheers,
Yvo
Christine says
You really should drop the NYC arrogance and get to understand places that you visit. Pittsburgh is not “middle America,” it’s the Mid-Atlantic. Yes, there’s a regional dialect, as there is in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, etc. It sounds like you missed the charm, diversity, and basic goodness of the people of Pittsburgh.
Your blog is linked to Urban Spoon and I can’t believe bloggers think that their life is so interesting that anyone wants to read about it! A simple review on US would have served the purpose.
Feisty Foodie says
No, it’s not Middle America – I probably should have clarified why I added that PS and laughed at the reasoning myself.
I don’t think I did miss the charm, diversity and basic goodness of the people in Pittsburgh – I actually quite enjoyed my visit, which is evident throughout the many other posts I wrote about Pittsburgh. Sorry you didn’t have a chance to get that impression from my posts, since I do mention that a few times.
As for not believing that bloggers think their life is so interesting… etc. – well, I don’t know why other people write their blogs. Personally, I don’t think “my life is so interesting other people want to read about it” – I write these posts as much to remember these places myself, as to entertain anyone who might stumble upon my site and decide to read what I’ve got to say. Not everyone will agree with my opinion, and that’s the beauty of the internet.
I’m not sure what you mean by a simple review on US – do you mean the people of Pittsburgh? That’s … not really my department. Of course you wouldn’t want to read my opinion anyway 🙂 but I think that’s more anthropological…
Cheers,
Yvo
Feisty Foodie says
I tried emailing you this response at the email address you provided, but it bounced back. Ah well!
Julia S says
It can also be called “per-MAN-tees” depending on where in the city you live.
I hadn’t realized people outside of Pittsburgh had heard of it. Unfortunately I think what they may forget to mention on TV is that Primanti’s is considered a sacred institution in Pittsburgh, and it can make the normally friendly folks in the Burgh a little bit hostile (see above posts) when out-of-towners are critical of it. The bread they use, at least at the original site, is from Mancini’s Bakery another revered Pittsburgh institution – though they cut it much thicker when I was a kid so the sandwiches held up better. To criticize Primanti’s to Pittsburghers is about as crazy as wearing a Mets shirt to a game in Philly. 😉
It is time that we, the people of Pittsburgh, acknowledge that for some it is an acquired taste. For serious foodies acquiring the taste may well be too painful a process.
Unfortunately you were misinformed because the best sandwich is the kohlbassi with cheese. The kohlbassi isn’t tossed on the grill first, it’s tossed in to the deep fryer. It is still too greasy, the fries are still grainy, sometimes the slaw is seasoned and sometimes it isn’t, the bread will fall apart and you still won’t really be able to distinguish one flavor from the other (except the garlic).
Pure heaven.
However, there are rules. One must never eat the sandwich layer by layer, just open wide and take a bite. Kids in there at two and three years of age can do it. Also, ketchup is only appropriate for those fries that fall from the sandwich in the eating process. When you finish, you roll up the paper and put it in your pop cup. It’s part of the ritual.
For those of us raised on Primanti’s it is perfection. It’s comfort food. For others, well, even if it isn’t a foodie’s delight, it is uniquely Pittsburgh.
Feisty Foodie says
Hi Julia – thanks for the helpful tips! I actually intend to revisit Pittsburgh for another baseball game and wouldn’t mind giving Primanti’s another shot. I don’t think my review makes it clear that I enjoyed my experience, though my sandwich wasn’t quite what I expected. It happens – there are lots of foods that I eat and love that other people won’t love, just because they didn’t grow up eating it, or just isn’t to their tastes. The kohlbassi sounds like the way to go though – I will definitely keep that one in my list!
I’ll try to remember the ritual though, and tryyyy to look like a local 😉 but I don’t know if it’ll work. Should be fun to try 🙂
And I firmly believe that if something tastes good, you eat it. While that is totally subjective, I believe that means never turning your nose up at something someone else likes; eat it or don’t, but it isn’t ew, because someone out there likes it.
Cheers!
PS I assume you saw my Philly post about wearing a Mets jersey to a Phillies game! Hahaha. I am crazy 😉 Do you have any other PGH eats recommendations? Thank you again!!!
Primantis worker says
It was very interesting to read about all your experiences to primantis. I actually am currently working at a primantis bros in the pittsburgh area but not in the city. Its in Cranberry Apprx. 25 mins away from downtown. As much as i hear it all the time when i tell people were i work , they always say i love that sandwich. Well i can never break it to them but they are not as delicious as you think. As calories go , mcdonalds is better then primantis. In a primanti sandwich is 1600 calories. Its crazy. The biggest shocker people hear is the most famous sandwich we have. Sorry to break your hearts but the sandwich known as the “pittsburgher” or “cheesesteak” is one of the grossest patties of meat ive ever seen. They might taste good to you but my first day on the job i saw how they were cooked and how they were stored and i said i will never eat one of those in my life. All the employees i work with say they would never eat one either. What so bad about them? Well the ingrediants have 1% meat. The rest are additives and other stuff that dosnt create a cheesesteak. They also sit out in a pan full of water that sits on the grill wich keeps them nuke warm all day. It takes less then 30 secs to make a full cheessteak sandwich. Also our coleslaw is very good , but the ingrediants you would be suprised. We fill up 5 gallon buckets with the slaw and store them that way. Well in a 5 gallon bucket has 1 pound of suger. Thats why its so sweet. There is alot more that goes on behind the scenes but one day you will hear it on the news because im going to spread the word because the management of primantis is awful and absolutley disgusting.
Feisty Foodie says
That should be a good news story…