Primanti Brothers

Primanti Brothers is the one famous restaurant that you HAVE to go to when visiting Pittsburgh. If you don't, you haven't experienced Pittsburgh. The sandwiches are amazing, with the fries and coleslaw thrown on there, which originated back in the days of the steel workers when they didn't have a lot of time for lunch. If you're an ""on the side"" kind of person, this place isn't for you. It's also a great late-night spot after a long night at the bar. Don't expect anything nice or upscale or amazing service-- expect paper plates, plastic utensils if you get any, very low prices (cheap beer too), and genuine people-- truly representing Pittsburgh. Pros: amazing sandwiches, good prices, pittsburgh's finest, late night dining more

I spent the afternoon being disappointed by Mineo's and Aiello's. After a workout at the hotel, I burned off the bad taste of Pittsburg-zza and thought long and hard about hitting Primanti's. The hype surrounding the famous sandwich was sure to fall flat, I mean the pizza was a complete bust. With the Steeler game on TV, I decided that I would go see how the vaunted Steel City Fan celebrated their game day/night, and went to Primanti's. HELLO!!!!! If Primanti's has been in decline like so many reviewers say, then I'm a monkey's uncle. This friggin sandwich is AMAZING. I had the #2, and wish I had ordered a second one. I cannot be eloquent about this darn sandwich. I cannot pretend to be a wordsmith, I can only say I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow, going for a run, working up an appetite and going back to Primanti's for more. I will NEVER tell people to try the pizza in Pittsburgh, but I will tell them to goto Primanti's early and often. Primanti's saved the gastronomical day, hooray!!! Pros: Fries, Slaw, Meat, Bread, what more can I say??? more

I love their sausage sandwiches.The bacon,egg & cheese is also really good.I've been to PB several times & each time was very enjoyable. I would recommend this place to everyone. I especially love the fries and slaw on these great sandwiches. The fries are just perfect ,crunchy on the outside,tender on the inside. Keep up the great work ,PB!!!!!!!!! Pros: food, drinks,atmosphere more

Seems the more restaurants they open, the worse the food and quality gets. I talked about these sandwiches to an out of towner for months. She finally visited Pittsburgh and I took her to the original location and it was so dirty she didn't want to sit down. There wasn't a table with scraps and glasses piled on it, and the place was almost empty. She looked over the menu and asked the tattooed person at the grill a question and he told her he was too busy to answer questions. (there were two tables with 5 people total at them, not including us). We decided to leave and give our money to another establishment when I girl came in saying there had been an accident out front and could she use the phone. Again, the tattooed guy told her no, he was too busy and no one but staff used the phone. \r \r Nice. \r \r There are plenty of other places in Pittsburgh to get a Primanti type sandwich to put put up with rude employees and dirty tables. I'll pass and just order one somewhere else from now on. \r \r My friend refers to Primanti's as ""that place where the street with the used rubber on it was cleaner than the restaurant"". more

When I first moved to Pittsburgh just a few months ago it seemed that virtually every local I spoke with recommended me to eat at Primanti Brothers. Apparently, Primantis is something of a legend around here, but I'm sorry, I just don't get it!\r \r Naturally, I took the advice I'd been given and visited South Side's favorite eatery on two occasions to check it out, but left feeling underwhelmed. So, why go twice? Well, the first time I ate there it was okay... kinda... nothing special, but it was okay. The bread was good and fresh (not that I would expect anything less) and it filled a gap. \r \r Second time, I ordered the three cheese sandwich (at least, I think that's what they called it). Again, the bread was fine, but the fries were undercooked and hard in the middle, even though it wasn't particularly busy that day, and the sandwich was topped off with a huge helping of an unpleasantly over-sweet cole slaw. Added to that, I had to really search to find what little cheese was in there, and it was all served up without so much as a ""please"", a ""thank you"" or even a welcoming smile.\r \r Hmmmm! A case of the ""Emperor's New Clothes"", perhaps? Sorry Pittsburgh, I've eaten at some great places since coming here, but as far as I'm concerned, Primanti Brothers isn't one of them. \r \r Needless to say, I won't be going a third time. Pros: Bread was ok. Cons: Parking , Service , Food. more

i'll probably get slain for this...but since i'm not actually from pittsburgh, i guess it's less... more

i'll probably get slain for this...but since i'm not actually from pittsburgh, i guess it's less blasphemous for me to say that this place is serio... more

We ate at a suburban branch (north versailles). Service was poor. Sandwich had dry bread and a small pathetic amount of meat. No hunks of meat whatsoever. It was the cappicola and cheese. (which IS lunchmeat, but I remember more meat in the past). Pros: Good pizza and a nice crowd of people Cons: Skimpy meat and dry bread more

Been eating here 20 years & can say I've had everythng on the menu & its all been GREAT! If you want true Primantis go to the Strip (Market Square is OK) forget the others; ESPECIALLY THE NEWER SUBURBAN LOCATIONS; which have catered to the yuppie suburban crowd; adding items @ suburban locations that no true Pittsburgher would want or expect from the Primanti tradition. Always wonderful bread; tomatoes always fresh, cole slaw superb & vinegar based (southern style), french fries are definitely to die for meat & cheese are always perfect. TRUELY THE PERFECT SANDWHICH! For the best quick meal around get the Capacolla w/ cheese; a bowl of their heavenly chili & an IC Light. Dont ruin the sandwhich with ketcup, etc. Just use the hot sauce that is on every table; that is all you need. A MUST DO WHILE IN THE BURGH; drunk or sober!! Pros: sandshiches/chilli, Price, True PGH Cons: suburban locations, "yuppie menu in burbs, No other Cons more

I found ""P"" when I was in hs. Now that I live 1083 miles away, it is a sojourn when I get back to PGH. I've tried the others-nothing like the Strip at 0200 hrs! The wife didn't care for it, kids loved it! We make our own ""Primammi's"" at home for a taste of PGH. Now if I could only find Iron City out here! Pros: leave hungry?NOT, the Strip Cons: crowded more

when i first went to WVU, my friends frmo pittsburgh insisted i try primantis. i think i got the hot sausage, but when i looked at my sandwich, i thought they got the order wrong. all i saw was undercooked, dry fries and thick, tough, dry cole slaw. finally, after scraping off most of the slaw and fries, i found my blandly cooked sausage, which of course was not spicy in the least. does it even matter what you order there? its all gonna taste the same with the overload of cole slaw and fries. on top of it all, the bread was sort of sour tasting. i could have made a better sandwich myself with ingredients bought from Aldi. Pros: my friend paid Cons: bland, bad ingredients, no meat more

My husband grew up in Pittsburgh and brought me here for lunch while visiting family. What a great sandwich! Do not eat breakfast or anything before going to Primanti Brothers as their sandwhiches are HUGE. You also must have your sandwich with an Iron City Beer for the full experience. Enjoy! more

I have to admitt, I do miss the days of goint to clubs in the strip, and then hitting Permantis @ 2:30am till 3:30am. These Guys have the best sqandwich any where. I have been living in NYC for 6 years and there is no deli here that can compare to permantis. the famous Katz Deil cant even compare their sammich is $12.50 and there is no Slaw or fries on it. carnegie Deli forget about it. We need a Permanti brothers in NYC Would need to Import some Burgh Boys to work there. Pros: Inexpensive, great pick up spot, good talent workers more

If you're looking for a fun place to grab a filling meal quick, and cheap, this is a staple! The atmosphere is one that suits you...it's relaxing, fun, personable. The food, a unique classic (hard to find these days), fit the atmosphere. Nothing fancy, just good and the way you'd want to eat ...not with a fork and knife, but relaxed. An all-in-one sandwich that has stood the test of time and eras, it's worth the trip. Would you go into a fun place to order quiche? I think not. Pros: fun, delicious more

I really did....I just couldn't. And I have to say that I am from down south and I am used to my foods swimming in grease and enjoy the occasional deep fried delight. I just though that the sandwiches were very bland and soggy. I have tried about 4 different varieties and find that the bread is bad, the fries are soggy, and there really is no taste at all. I was very disappointed. And the main review says they don't serve beer??? What??? Pros: It's Cheap more

Pirmanti Bros is the best value in Pittsburgh, plus it has become a tradition of the city. Get a whole meal in between two pieces of bread. You'll love it. Big food at a big value Pros: Value-For-Money, Tasty, Convienent Cons: Parking (but I walk) more

I remember visiting the South Side of Pittsburgh as a young, fresh-faced 21-year-old woman. Oh yes... I remember the day just as if it were yesterday.... I started as a sober ride to Pittsburgh and ended in drunken mass chaos. After spending practiclly all of my money at numerous bars, I was insanely hungry but had limited funds. That's when I discovered the magical wonderment that is the Primanti Bros. Ragin' Cajun Chicken sandwich. That thing saved my life that night. Ok, well, maybe not, but it certainly filled me up and made the ungodly painful hangover I had the next day a bit more tolerable. EAT THE CHICKEN SANDWICH. YOU'LL SEE THE FACE OF GOD. Pros: Cheap, Lots of sandwich, Fast service more

They'll put a fried egg on their usual sandwich! The suburban locations have a very different feel and menu and are not as much fun. Pros: the staff Cons: they allow smoking more

After moving to AZ, there is nothing I crave more than a Primanti Brother's Sandwich. Some may say it's perfect for after a night at the bars...but I love 'em any time of day! If you wnat to experience a true taste of da 'burgh, Primanti's is where it's at! I make sure every trip back to PA has a Primanti sandwich on the schedule! Pros: Fun Atmosphere, Inexpensive, Gameday favorite Cons: Artery clogger more

Primanti's has the best sandwiches anywhere. you can't beat it. huge sandwich, stuffed with meat, french fries and cole slaw. Wash it down with a few beers and you are set. this is a PGH tradition Pros: french fries, on the sandwich, IC light more