French fries and coleslaw on a sandwich, with a pickle on the side. What could go wrong? 80 years after its birth…nothing. Nothing has gone wrong.
The history of Primanti Brother’s sandwiches isn’t as debatable as this high-end magazine wants you to think. https://www.saveur.com/pittsburgh-sandwich-history/. I have an intense, immeasurable affection for my hometown of Pittsburgh, and this post is a bit of a love letter to its history with pickles.
This iconic sandwich started in the 1930’s in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, the industrial longitude that spread from the East Side to the downtown area with bays upon bays for warehouses, so the truckers could deposit their wares. The drivers needed a hand-held meal to take them to their next destination. So grill some high quality sliced meat with provolone, stuff it between 2 slices of pillowy Mancini’s Italian bread (which sports quite a sturdy crust dusted with cornmeal), and add the best handcut fries, fresh sliced tomatoes and vinegar-based coleslaw. A legendary masterpiece is now being franchised throughout the country. Truly the authentic experience comes from 4 places: the original in the Strip District, Market Square, South Side-Carson Street (all in Pittsburgh) and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. South FL ships their ingredients in daily.
Often known as the last stop after the bar, Primanti’s has grown into a popular lunch and tourist spot. Put the hot sauce on your “sammie,” as we ‘Burghers call them, and order the whole pickle on the side. It’s everything an Eastern European pickle should be — crisp, just enough salt to get your attention, and simple. The perfect acidic balance to a meaty, cheesy, bready sammie. I envision the markets in Poland and the Czech Republic serving up cukes preserved in this very brine.
Primanti’s doesn’t cure the pickles themselves, but their meat purveyor does (another Strip District legend.) To back up a bit, Pittsburgh has a fabulous history with pickles.
When you think of Heinz, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Ketchup, right? Well, the Heinz family also was known for its pickles! But when HJ Heinz started peddling his delicacies in the late 1800’s, his first product was horseradish (stash this tidbit for trivia night.) He sold it door-to-door from a barrel. Pittsburgh was built by Eastern European immigrants, and they are experts at pickling and fermenting. Sauerkraut was a staple in our dinners growing up, as were pickles. Huge jars of pickled eggs dot the homey bars with aluminum screen doors where the purveyors live upstairs. Steel workers loved these places. Sometimes they were pickled with beets and bright purple, my personal favorite.
A common tradition in many Pittsburgh homes is the glass pickle Christmas tree ornament. It is often used as a reward for the first child who finds it. I’ll let you read up on it here: https://www.today.com/food/what-christmas-pickle-tradition-where-does-it-come-t144159
On my week-long pilgrimage back home, my son and I also took in a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. While whooping the Phillies 5-1, I downed a capicola (Itlalian spicy ham) and cheese with a glorious pickle to offset the spice from the hot sauce. Raise The Jolly Roger!
PNC Park is often voted the best ballpark in the US. I couldn’t agree more. Its elliptical design affords every seat an impeccable view. The Pittsburgh skyline is one of the most recognizable and beautiful in the country.
We had amazing seats. 27 rows back from home plate. Look at that view! I PROMISE you this is a cell phone shot. It looks like a professional water color. Zoom into the center and you’ll catch the Pirate Parrot! How s/he pulled this off during a 100-degree heat wave gets kudos!
The steel industry collapsed in the late 1970’s, but a progressive government sought to build on the other existing strengths: education, technology and medicine. Those industries have made “the ‘Burgh” a tourist attraction and food destination. Old school food like pierogies now have themed restaurants. Cultural attractions like the Warhol Museum (Carnegie Mellon alum) many top-rated theaters, museums, botanical gardens, kayaking the three rivers, restaurants that have been thriving since the 1930’s, the History Center, all combine to make my hometown a memorable experience. And you can find pickles – edible and ornamental — everywhere! Be sure to pick up a Heinz pickle pin. They’re everywhere.
One final note: PPG Plaza is around the corner from the Market Square Primanti’s restaurant. Pittsburgh is known for making headquarters out of the products it makes. ALCOA’s is built out of aluminum and looks like airplane windows. The USS Steel building is built from yes, steel, and is the shape of a triangle, just like the city is. And PPG (Pittsburgh Paint & Glass) is in fact a 6-building glass complex of glass straight out of a Tolkein book. If you remember the film Inspector Gadget, you’ll recognize it.
Pickle Picker 