I recently had the chance to try out the famed Primanti Brothers reuben sandwich and can now better understand why pilots at Boeing flew over 2,000 miles from Seattle to Pittsburgh…for lunch.
Boeing Test Pilots Fly 747-8 From Seattle To Pittsburgh For A Reuben Sandwich
The pilot component of this story dates back to 2011. During the test days of the Boeing 747-8, the latest and final variant of the Queen of the Skies, Boeing pilots would take the aircraft on day trips around the country in order to test it.
Rather humorously, the destination of the test flight was determined based upon what the pilots felt like for lunch. There were trips to Maine for lobster rolls and to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan for pasties (pasties were the “original fast food” of copper miners and lumberjacks. Originating in Cornwall, England, pasties are puff pastries filled with leftover beef, potato, onion and rutabaga, fold in half, and sealed in the oven).
Then there were the trip from Boeing Field in Seattle to Pittsburgh International Airport just for reuben sandwiches at Primanti Bros. Fly there, eat, and fly back.
I had to try a Primanti Brothers reuben sandwich while in Pittsburgh. The eatery now has chain of restaurants throughout the eastern USA, including several in Pittsburgh and even one in the airport,
I tried the location in Monroeville, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Primanti’s reuben includes:
1/2 lb of corned beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese, Parmesan horseradish mayo and grilled slaw; served on Marble Rye
The sandwich was MASSIVE…and delicious.
I love sandwiches like this (French Fries and pickle were great too). While not healthy, this is the sort of splurge I quite enjoy.
CONCLUSION
It was 12 years ago that Boeing test pilots made headlines around the world for flying to Pittsburgh or a sandwich. But now I better understand why. If you’re in Pittsburgh, Primanti’s is worth the stop. You know what I recommend.
That sandwich is so overrated……..now the sandwich at Manny s at Pittsburgh pirates stadium is the best I’ve had in Pittsburgh….it’s a pulled pork with boneless spare ribs on top of the pulled pork …
Plus the best stadium to watch a baseball game at ….as you look into the city of Pittsburgh
I think it is delicious, but will have to try Manny’s.
They now have locations in Florida (Fort Lauderdale) if you get hooked.
We have a Primanti brothers in my town with delivery. ( I have never partaken )… It’s a lot of food!
Seems like if you were going to make a trip to Pittsburgh for lunch, the correct answer would be to go for a pierogi.
(Not that this crazy dude who drove from Dallas to Tulsa for a cheeseburger and root beer finds anything remotely wrong with the concept.)
Weber’s?
Yes indeed. Weber’s it was. Worth the drive IMO.
A true Primanti Brothers Sandwich has the fries in the sandwich not on the side.
Fact.
100% You have to go back and try it the right way.
I get why one orders it without the coleslaw, but fries? Is it even primanti’s?
Matt will have to make another visit.
I’ll oversee the return visit.
I went to the Primantis in Market Square a long time ago. Frankly I was underwhelmed by the sandwich I ordered – tiny amount of meat, some fries on top and a TON of vinegary cabbage masquerading as coleslaw. This reuben looks MUCH better. I might give it another shot next time I’m in town.
The “vinegary cabbage” is a common version of coleslaw in the area. It typically consists of shredded cabbage, onion, salt, pepper, oil and vinegar. Sometimes a little sugar is added.
Appreciate all of the Pittsburgh related articles this week!! Primanti’s is great!! My favorite is the Capicola and cheese. Their pizza is good, too!
Thanks to Kyle for turning us on to Pusadee’s Garden. One of the best Thai restaurants in the country. Took my work crew there, and my wife and I alone. All raved about it.
My pleasure, it’s such a high quality experience.
I will advertise here: Swartz’s smoked meat sandwich in Montreal, (Quebec) Canada; my home town. It is very filling, fatty, and pretty good quality meat. This must be similar (hold the fries).
Pittsburgh tends to incorporate fries on everything. Order a salad with fries on the side. I once had fries atop a soup. And btw, I like most restaurants in Pittsburgh, I just don’t understand the obsession with the fries.