Pittsburgh's defining sandwich stacks grilled meat, melted provolone, an oil-and-vinegar coleslaw and a handful of fries inside two thick slices of Italian bread.

Around 1933, Joe Primanti set up a cart and then a counter at 46 18th Street in the Strip District to feed produce truckers and overnight workers. Putting the fries and slaw inside the bread let drivers eat one-handed without sitting down at a deli. The Almost Famous sandwich became the city's signature street food, and the original counter still stands. Versions now run from capicola and cheese to pastrami and the classic Pitts-burger.

Where to eat The Primanti sandwich in Pittsburgh

1 editor pick for The Primanti sandwich in Pittsburgh, ranked by editorial score. All Pittsburgh signature dishes · The Primanti sandwich across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 240 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 4 thick slices Italian bread
  • 2 portions thin-sliced grilled meat (capicola, pastrami or steak)
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • 2 cups shoestring fries
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 60ml white vinegar
  • 30ml vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp sugar, salt and pepper
  • Sliced tomato

Method

  1. Toss the cabbage with vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper to make a sharp, undressed-style slaw. Set aside.
  2. Fry or bake the shoestring fries until crisp and hot.
  3. Grill the meat on a flat top or pan until browned; lay the provolone on top to melt.
  4. Toast or warm the Italian bread slices.
  5. Build each sandwich: bread, meat and melted cheese, then a layer of fries, then tomato, then a pile of the vinegar slaw.
  6. Top with the second slice of bread, press gently and cut in half.
  7. Eat immediately, one-handed, the way the truckers did.

Editor tip. The slaw must be vinegar-based, not creamy mayo; that sharpness is what cuts the fries and cheese.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy.