It feels like every time I mention the fact that I go to school in Pittsburgh I am met with the same response: “You’ve been to Primanti Brothers, right? Have you seen that Man vs. Food??”
Every time I would answer the same: “No, and no.”
There’s just something totally unsettling about the concept to me. You’re telling me I have to get French fries on a sandwich? Maybe next to a sandwich. But certainly not on one (but hey, I think fries are completely unacceptable on salads as well, turns out that’s standard in the burg also). French fries seem to be their own food group in Pittsburgh, and I may as well begin to accept it.
With my days in the steel city rapidly dwindling I figured now is as good of a time as in to suck it up, order a sandwich and take a few weeks off of my life during one meal. After all, the sandwich shop has apparently existed in Pittsburgh since the 1930’s so clearly people like it.
I walked into the Oakland shop and ordered what I thought would be the most innocuous and healthy (ish) option on the menu: A turkey sandwich. But the sandwich arrived smothered in cheese, topped with coleslaw, tomatoes and the iconic French fries.
I hardly made a dent in the sandwich. I attacked it with a fork and knife and completely avoided the Italian bread all together. During my meal, I watched other patrons happily chomp down on their lunch—bacon, double egg, ham, steak, it seemed every variety sandwich flowed out of the kitchen.
While it might not have been the favorite thing I’ve ever eaten. I’m happy I gave it a shot. Cross that off the bucket list! But next time I want a sandwich in downtown Oakland, I’ll head straight for the Panera!