Primanti Brothers
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4402
Phone: (412) 263-2142
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Penn Avenue
- Best of Citysearch:
- Cheap Eats 2007, Cheap Eats 2005, American Food 2004
- Hours:
- Daily 24 hours
Editorial Review for Primanti Brothers – by Ernessa Carter
The Scene
It's where all the clubgoers go before they hit the party scene, and where all the night owls are after venues close their doors. The service is efficient and friendly, reflective of the town the Primanti Brothers represent.
The Food
The Primanti way of making a sandwich may not be famous worldwide, but it's certainly known citywide. Meat, french fries, tomatoes and coleslaw are stuffed between two slices of Italian bread and served on wax paper. The beauty lies in the simplicity. It's a sandwich, but it goes down like a meal. The cheesesteak--which is actually a burger, not shaved steak--is listed as the No. 2 favorite. (According to the staff, the No. 1 favorite is beer.) Other great craving killers include the hot sausage, bratwurst and egg sandwich or the Genoa salami and cheese.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe fries are some of the best in the city. But know before ordering them on the side--it's a huge serving.
User Reviews for Primanti Brothers
10/06/2008 Posted by trujoe3
I went to this place with a completely open mind and was expect a pretty solid (if not decent) sandwich. I can say this because I live in DC and did a 4hr drive on a whim to have one of these 'infamous' sandwiches that I had heard soo much about. I went to the original location and was really expecting a down home setting - simple but good food without all the frills. And that's pretty much what I got. But it most assuredly was not a sandwich that was worth all of the hype and reputation that it has received over the years. I had 3 sandwiches (cheese steak, roast beef, and double egg) and none of them left me feeling all that impressed. I drove 4hrs, was basically starving myself to fully appreciate this place, and still ended up walking out thinking 'what in the hell is the big deal?'. I honestly would rather have had a bite from my local deli down the road to repeat the 'quality' of the food. Its not to say it was bad, but it was just very mediocre. That's it. If you have some time and want to say you went there, I recommend it. But if you're looking to have an mind blowing experience that Pittsburgh folk seem to describe from this place, you're not gonna get it. Its a signature sandwich of the city alright...messy, simple, and not all that good.
Pros: Very simple and straight forward - what you see is what you get
Cons: Underwhelming with a lot of hype, Parking is huge pain, seating is an issue if its busy
08/25/2008 Posted by TonyPHX
Being from out of town, I asked - what is the local flavor of Pittsburgh. I figured these hearty steelworkers know good food the same as Kansas City locals know BBQ. Well let me tell you brother, this is not it. Sure it was cheap, $8 for my sandwich and a beverage. But wow was it hard to swallow....the sandwich was fresh enough, but the meat had no flavor, the cole-slaw was boring, and the whoel fries thing is just goofy. Believe me, I went in with an appetite, and an open mind to something new that I would love, but this just did not cut it. Gimmick for sure! Filling, absolutely. Tasty, NEVER. Memorable, yes, but not in a good way. Pass. You will not regret passing on this one.
Pros: Cheap food, quick service.
Cons: The worst con possible, the food.
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