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Passion for Primanti’s in Boardman
BOARDMAN
When the newest Primanti Bros. location opens its doors to the public Friday, some hard-core fans of the Pittsburgh-based restaurant will have been camped out at the eatery at 6731 South Ave. for nearly 24 hours.
Primanti Bros. employees say they are expecting a large crowd for the “100 Club” event that begins with a tailgate-style party at 8 tonight. The first 100 customers who come through the doors Friday will join that club, which will get them free sandwiches for one year at the new restaurant.
Friday also will mark a milestone for the company: its first location outside of Pennsylvania.
“We’ve finally crossed the border and are excited about our first restaurant in Ohio,” said Primanti Bros. CEO David Head in a statement.
That Boardman was chosen for that move is no coincidence, the Primanti Bros. leadership told a crowd at a VIP opening event Wednesday night.
“The big thing is, this is a working-man’s town, and working people love eating at Primanti’s,” said Mike Gallo, manager of the Boardman branch of the 27-store chain that opened its first location in Pittsburgh’s Strip District in 1933.
It helps that Boardman is fairly close to Pittsburgh, Gallo said, but Primanti directors say this move is part of a push to expand nationally. They have plans to open stores in Niles and Dayton in the near future.
Gallo said he expects Primanti Bros. to be successful at all of its future locations because he believes it offers hearty meals at reasonable prices.
Every location has menu variations, but signature Primanti Bros. sandwiches feature a meat of choice, provolone cheese, tomatoes, french fries and coleslaw piled on top of thick-sliced bread. Sandwich options at the Boardman restaurant include the “Pitts-Burger,” hot sausage and cheese, capicola and cheese, black angus sirloin steak and more. Prices range from $5.99 for the double egg and cheese sandwich and the cheese combo to $8.79 for the “colossal” fish and cheese sandwich.
Another feature at Primanti Bros. restaurants that is tailored to each community is its artwork. Each store has a mural depicting local people who have become famous; the Boardman mural depicts the likes of Bernie Kosar, Bo Pelini and Jim Tressel.
The new restaurant’s decor also plays on Youngstown’s mixed loyalties: an emblem depicting logos for both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers hangs from the ceiling, emblazoned with the words, “A House Divided.”
Other features of the new location include an indoor fire pit surrounded by a countertop and bar stools, 24 beer taps, 20-plus televisions, speciality drinks such as the “Drunk Duck,” and front grill at the bar where customers can watch as their food is made.