Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known as a lot of things: the City of Bridges, thanks to its more than 400 bridges; the City of Champions, thanks to its championship-winning sports teams; and the Steel City, thanks to its deep roots in America’s steel industry. However, when I tell people I think Pittsburgh is one of the greatest food cities in the world, they tend to think I’m joking.
I’ve lived in New York City, London, the Midwest, and the South, and visited hundreds more cities and countries around the world, but growing up in Pittsburgh ruined me for a lot of food. I’ll stand by the fact that Pittsburgh, specifically from Fiori’s restaurant, has the best pizza of any city—and I’m in good company, since actor Joe Manganiello agrees. Pittsburgh is the birthplace of Heinz ketchup, it’s the hometown of Mrs. T’s pierogies, and it’s where Klondike bars originated. Plus, we put french fries on everything, dedicate entire tables to cookies at weddings, and have our own brand of Sarris’ chocolate-covered pretzels that even former NFL star JJ Watt can’t resist—you can’t tell me that all doesn’t sound amazing.
While historical figures like Andrew Carnegie, Andy Warhol, and Fred Rogers (yep, Mister Rogers was a Pittsburgher) might have put the ‘Burgh on the map economically and culturally, one “Almost Famous” restaurant has solidified its culinary reputation: Primanti Bros. Even if you can’t remember the restaurant’s name, you’ve likely heard it described as the chain that puts fries and coleslaw directly onto the sandwich.
What Is a Pittsburgh Sandwich?
The Pittsburgh sandwich was created during the Great Depression by Joe Primanti in the city’s Strip District. Legend has it, one winter night someone dropped off a truckload of potatoes, so Primanti fried them up and, after customers started asking for fries, he plopped them right on the sandwich—along with two slices of tomato, tangy slaw, provolone cheese, and grilled meat on Italian bread. That way, the truck drivers passing through could eat the hearty sandwich with one hand, while driving with the other…