Pile high the pastrami at Primanti Bros.
Photo by Rachael Joyner
The first time I went into a Primanti Bros., I squeezed into a small chair at their very snug Fort Lauderdale location. I took a friend – a Pittsburgh native who said a taste of Primanti’s was like a taste of home. So I took him for his birthday.
“I’ll have the pastrami sandwich,” I started. “But hold the slaw.”
My friend looked at me in disbelief.
“What are you DOING?!” he barked. “Get the slaw.”
“But I don’t like cole slaw,” I said.
“Trust me.”
Following the dirty look I gave him and my server, I ordered my first Primanti’s pastrami sandwich: with cole slaw, french fries, tomatoes and provolone cheese. To this day, I ponder why I even considered making such a horrible decision against it.
It’s like the sandwich you make as a kid in the cafeteria at school: you pile everything on your tray in between two pieces of bread and there you have it: a pure genius creation that regardless of what you put on it, it tastes delicious.
Primanti Bros. – the Pittsburgh sandwich shop that migrated to South Florida nearly 15 years ago – has capitalized on putting everything on their sandwiches. Really, who needs it on the side? Find out how they got to doing it that way… Wilton Manors Manager Matt Zalewski says this pastrami concoction is one of his favorites, and one of the most ordered sandwiches, falling behind only to the infamous Pitts-burger: a burger holding the place of the pastrami with the works as well. Nothing against the burger, but I’m prone to the pastrami.
Trust me – and the Pittsburgh native who told me to trust him – and don’t hold anything. Get it, as is, and enjoy it. There’s no going back… nor would you ever want to.
If you get time, take a stroll over to their new Sunrise location, set with a full bar. Visit Matt at the Wilton Manors store or stroll to their Fort Lauderdale beach location, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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I *love* Primanti Bros!
I saw them on Man vs Food once but didn’t know there was a location down here. I am really going to have to take a trip there sometime now.
NICE! Makes me want to drive to Pittsburgh. That is a freaking 5 hour drive one way from here.
In a few days the Carnagie Deli opens a new location in Bethlehem, PA at the new Sands Casino.
Not sure I will have a “Harry met Sally” moment. But from the looks of their sandwhiches, I may.
How did this Primanti treat you? Did you lose conciousness, or make lots of loud noises? I know I would cause a trip hazzard, from drool over the sandwhich.
I almost left out the slaw, too, but said “fuck it” and tried it. It was pretty awesome. From what I saw on TV, I thought their bread would be toasted, but instead it’s very soft and compromises the structural integrity of the sandwich after a few bites. We should have a #primantup.