- November 23, 2024
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Most of you know by now that I love to travel. And with traveling, comes eating lots of regional food. Last weekend I left sunny Florida for a short stay in the frozen state of Pennsylvania. I spent most of my time there being a nomad around the Pittsburgh area. And in Pittsburgh, there is one absolute must when it comes to food; a Primanti Bros. sandwich.
This “almost famous” sandwich has been around since 1933 when Joe Primanti opened a cart in the Strip District selling sandwiches to truckers on the go. He later expanded to a shop on 18th street, which is where I got to experience the ‘Burgh tradition.
This sandwich is not only a big it with the locals, it has been featured in National Geographic and on the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise” and “Man v. Food.”
So what makes this sandwich so special you ask? A healthy serving of meat, cheese, French fries, coleslaw and tomato piled high between two pieces of bread. So much more than the typical sandwich.
There was a lot of hype leading up to my Primanti’s experience. I was told you either love it, or you hate it. My friends Lydia and Jesse were both on the love it side, so they had high expectations for me to join their club.
After browsing the free market, we made our way to the famous sandwich shop and waited in line for a chance to be seated.
Once we made our way inside, I discovered that I was not the only traveler there. The traveling Oscar was also experiencing Primanti Bros. As I stood huddled in the corner waiting for my table, the shiny golden statue stood next to an enormous classically-made sandwich on the counter while road trip reporters photographed.
Fast-forward to when my larger-than-life pastrami was delivered to the table, there was no way I was eating the whole thing. But I never back down from a challenge. The meaty, crunchy, potato combo was for sure delish. And I almost finished my whole sandwich. While I appreciated the originality of the masterpiece that is a Primanti’s sandwich, I think I started my own club, one that my friends told me didn’t exist. I neither loved it nor hated it. I could take it or leave it.
On my next visit, I will have to get the classic meat, capicola.
