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| - When I learned that I was going to Pittsburgh on business, before I booked my room or flight, I looked at the schedule and figured out when I could get to Primanti's in the Strip district.
After seeing this sandwich temple on DDD, Man Vs.Food, Bourdain, and too many other shows, I knew it was a "can't miss". I'm a sandwich junkie, you see.
The Hyatt hotel shuttle dropped me off and I was a little shocked at how tiny the room was. I learned later there was another larger room that was closed.
I found a good place at the bar, and the place was blissfully not so crowded. There were two guys behind said bar who moved like machines, taking care of the entire place, and One of them was the cook. They were not chummy-friendly-talkative, but pro and attentive. They were too busy to bullshit.
The gal at the front desk of the Hyatt advised to get the "Double Egg and Cheese" I asked the guy who was nominally the Primanti's Waiter what he recommended, and he said that it was all good, but his favorite was the Capicolla. I had taken a call from the gent I was in Pitts to see, and he also said "Capicolla", but with a fried egg. I'm not a big fried egg lover, but as I am a fan of the "Gabbagool" I ordered it..
The guy behind the grill worked like lightning, slicing bread and throwing meat and cheese on the grill. Assembling sandwiches at all speed, I soon got my Primantis special.
They serve on Waxed Paper-I watched the Waiter Guy carry 5 of the giant sandwiches at a time to a table. No dishes. Smart.
Everyone knows (or should know) the scoop on Primanti's is the Fries and Coleslaw are all piled on top of the meat and cheese, between the bread. As I am a longtime devotee of Henry's Hot Dogs in Cicero, Illinois, where they, too, pile the Fries right on top of the Dog, I had no disconnect with the usual starchy side dish's elevation to the main course. Any Chicagoan Gourmet worth his salt will also not blanch at the heaping of vegetables on top of a sandwich, as "dragging through the garden" is the hallmark of any great Chicago Dog. Bring it on, Mr. Primanti.
The first thing is flashed on was the bread. It looked like a normal Italian loaf, like the kind we get from Turano here in Chicago, cut on the bias to make a larger slice.
This bread had a different flavor-It was rich and I even detected a hint of sweetness. It wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't a Semolina component to the bread. The crust and crumb were tender. Fabulous fabulous bread.
The coleslaw was simple-vinegar, pepper and a little sweet-finely shredded and tasty as hell.
I've gotta say that I'm not the biggest lover of French Fries. I seldom order them, but as they are an integral part of the Primanti's joint, I embraced the spud. The Primanti's edition are fresh cut, fried fresh, and were actually very very tasty.
The Provolone Cheese and Gabbagool were fine but nothing special.
There is a gestalt thing going on here. The sum was greater than the parts. All together, the Primantis Sandwich was unlike anything I've ever had, and was totally enjoyable. The atmosphere was easy going-then again I was there on a Sunday evening. I'll bet it gets manic in there.
There are other Primantis in Pitts. and I was told the branches trump the Flagship, but I kinda dug the "Strip" District. And btw, the "strip" district has nothing to do with folks doffing their clothes. It's an entertainment/dining district. adjacent to Downtown Pitsburgh.
I almost ordered a second sandwich, having layed low on intake all day knowing the Primanti's trip was nigh, but a second number would have been uncomfortable. I was still a bit peckish, so I ordered a few things that would not provoke guilt if I didn't finish. An order of the fine bread and butter, and more of the divine coleslaw. It was just the right capper.
If I was going to carp about anything, it would be the small drink glasses-had to get a bunch of refills on my Diet Coke (which had a good throw, incidentally)
Is it the greatest Sarnie I ever had? No. But was it a fine experience and a good feed? Absolutely! Solid 4 stars. Go there!!
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