Primanti Bros. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Primanti Bros. |
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The storefront of the original Primanti Bros. in the Strip District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1933 |
| Current owner(s) | L Catterton |
| Food type | North American cuisine sandwich shop |
| Dress code | Casual |
| City | Pittsburgh |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°27′2.55″N 79°59′8.12″W / 40.4507083°N 79.9855889°W (original Strip District location) |
| Other locations | 41 |
| Website | www.primantibros.com |
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| Type | Sandwich |
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| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Pennsylvania (mainly western) |
| Created by | Primanti Bros. |
| Main ingredients | grilled meat, melted cheese, an oil & vinegar-based coleslaw, tomato slices, and French fries (on the sandwich) between two thick slices of Italian bread |
Primanti Bros. (also called Primanti's) is a famous chain of sandwich shops. It started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933. Today, you can find Primanti's restaurants in many places across the eastern United States.
Primanti's is super well-known for its special sandwiches. These sandwiches have grilled meat, melted cheese, coleslaw, tomato slices, and even French fries! All these yummy ingredients are piled high between two thick slices of Italian bread.
In 2007, Primanti's was honored as one of "America's Classic" restaurants. This award celebrates places that have been around a long time and are loved by their communities.
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The Story of Primanti's
In 1933, the very first Primanti's opened in Pittsburgh's Strip District. This area was a busy place with lots of factories and warehouses. Joe Primanti, who was born nearby, created the restaurant's unique sandwich during the Great Depression. His brothers, Dick and Stanley, later joined him.
The Primanti brothers opened their shop at the corner of Smallman and Eighteenth Street. This spot is still open today! They mostly served workers who were busy unloading produce late at night and early in the morning.
Why Fries on the Sandwich?
The idea for the famous sandwich was to put everything together in one easy-to-eat package. Workers usually ate their sandwich, French fries, and coleslaw separately. But busy truck drivers in the Strip District needed to eat quickly.
So, the Primantis put the fries and coleslaw right on the sandwich! This made it a single, easy-to-hold meal. Workers could eat with one hand while still doing their jobs.
New Owners and More Locations
After Joe's brothers passed away, Dick Primanti sold the business to Jim Patrinos in 1975. Since then, Primanti's has grown a lot!
Today, there are 16 locations just in Pittsburgh. You can find them at Pittsburgh International Airport and major sports venues like PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, and PPG Paints Arena. There are also many other Primanti's restaurants in different states across the eastern U.S.
Famous Visitors
It's become a fun tradition for new Pittsburgh Steelers NFL players to visit the original Primanti Bros. when they first arrive in Pittsburgh. Famous players like T. J. Watt, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Devin Bush Jr. have all stopped by.
In 2022, even important people like President Joe Biden and Senator John Fetterman visited Primanti Bros.
Sports-Themed Sandwiches
Primanti Bros. loves to support Pittsburgh sports teams! They've made special sandwiches to celebrate big wins.
Hockey Heroes Sandwiches
When the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017, Primanti's made special sandwiches for them.
- In 2016, they created the "HBK Sandwich." This honored three Penguins players: Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel.
- In 2017, they introduced the "Canadian Pitts-Burger." This sandwich honored goalie Marc-André Fleury during his last season with the Penguins. It was a Canadian bacon sandwich available for a short time.
Where to Find Primanti's
Most Primanti Bros. restaurants are in Pennsylvania, especially around Pittsburgh. But you can also find them in other states, including Florida, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and Indiana.
