Our Story | Primanti Bros.
Header image. Our story.
Image of old Primanti locations in black and white with the words Our Story

Our Roots.

Hey - thanks Uncle Joe

It all started during the Great Depression - with Joe Primanti operating a small sandwich cart in Pittsburgh's now-historic Strip District, an area that even in 1933 was a bustling hub of activity. Strong sales allowed Joe to open a storefront that year - feeding hungry truck drivers and shift workers at all hours of the day.

Image of a drawing of the classic Primanti sandwich with the words Our Sandwich

Our Sandwich.

Inspiration Meets Opportunity

The story might be half hazy memory, half lore - but it's all true. According to Joe's nephew John DiPriter: "One winter someone drove up with a load of potatoes. He brought them over to the restaurant to see if they were frozen. I fried the potatoes on our grill and they looked pretty good. A few customers asked for them - so I tossed them on the sandwich." The sandwich was an instant hit - allowing all of the drivers working near the restaurant to eat with one hand - and drive their truck with the other.

Image of an architectural rendering of a Primanti Bros. interior with the words Our Future.

Our Future.

To Another 100 Years

And for our next act? We're bringing Primanti Bros. closer to you than ever before. Pittsburgh's Strip District will always be our original neighborhood - but we're working every day to bring a new Primanti Bros. to yours.

We'll always be who we've always been - fresh, house-made ingredients, big sandwiches and awesome deals on the coldest drinks. So pull up a barstool, order a drink or a sandwich and settle in.

Looking for a Taste of the Original?

Better with video than words? Us, too. We've always been more "watch the movie" than "read the book" kind of people. So - here it is. The story of Primanti Bros.