Steel City Eats Meets Flagship City Streets

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

A Restaurant Review

Call it serendipity.

While returning some Christmas gifts at the Millcreek Mall Complex (Yes, I still shop in stores!) AND realizing that I was hungry AND that the GURU expected a review from me, when I drove past Pittsburgh-based Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar, it all merged: my needs and wants fulfilled.

Upon entering, it seemed like I was briefly back in the ‘Burgh.

The place has a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s an homage to the Steel City. Pittsburgh signs and ephemera hang from its walls and a large mural on the far wall features images of iconic hometown athletes (Terry Bradshaw, Roberto Clemente, Franco Harris, etc.) from the Pirates, Penguins and, of course, the Stillers.

It made me somewhat homesick for the City of Bridges. And what™s a good cure for that? Good eats!

We started our meal with Batter-Dipped Pub Pickles. The still-hot deep-fried dill pickles were encompassed within a spicy mixture with parsley flakes that gave the tangy pickles a run for
their money on a hungry palate, though cooled off with a side of Ranch dressing.

My lunch mate chose the Loaded Reuben Fries (see above) as her appetizer. Almost a meal unto itself, the french fries were buried underneath an inviting combination of salted meats (pastrami and corned beef) along with coleslaw, Parmesan cheese, melted Swiss cheese and horseradish mayonnaise as its condiment. To conquer this, you definitely needed a fork, no eating by hand with this yummy, but potentially, sloppy offering.

We decided to split one of Primanti’s Tall Boy Sandwiches, the Joe, Dick and Stanley. Served on two pieces of thick, Italian bread it contained sweet-and-sour coleslaw, french fries, tomatoes, melted Provolone cheese and generous slices of turkey, roast beef and capicola. The sandwich was so rich in
flavor that it didn™t need any condiments; the ingredient™s juices provided all.

No wonder they call it a Tall Boy, though! It was such a large sandwich I almost wished for a second I were one of those snakes that can unlock its jaws! However, hunger and persistence prevailed and I made it work.

We finished our meal with the Cheesecake Burrito. Strawberry puree, chocolate sauce and whipped cream topped the crusty burrito that encased the melt-in-my-mouth cheesecake. Two small burritos, multiple ingredients and a sizeable taste.

Bountiful portions, so bring your appetite. Short of a day trek down to Pittsburgh, it™s the next best thing!

Eat your veggies!

***The Lunch Lady

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar is located at the Millcreek Mall complex at 5800 Peach St., Erie. For more information call 814-528-5434 or visit primantibros.com for menu information.