Primanti Bros. and Pamela’s.  Multiple Pittsburgh locations.  Loads of good, uncomplicated food. 

Hot, hungry and thirsty, my childhood friends Nickie, Marilee, Jen, Ann and I wound up seated at the counter of the original Primanti Bros.  Located on 18th Street in the Strip District, Primanti’s has been serving its famous french fry and coleslaw-stuffed sandwiches here for 75 years.  This locale operates 24-7, perfect for the bar crowd or for anyone craving a kolbassi and cheese or sardine and cheese sandwich at 3 in the morning.

On a late Saturday afternoon our needs were a bit more mainstream.  Along with chilled bottles of Iron City Beer, the drink of derision for much of my 20s but not for my nostalgia-fueled 30s, we chowed down such “and cheese” sandwiches as jumbo fish, spicy capicola ham and ragin’ cajun chicken breast.  Not one of us could finish these huge sandwiches.  The beer, however, was a different tale.

Along with the good friends and food, the best part of eating at Primanti Bros. was the free show.  By sitting at the counter, we could watch the cook grill mounds of cheese-topped bologna, roast beef, ham, chicken, and fish and assemble our meals.  Meat, chicken or fish placed on a hunk of Italian bread followed by fries, coleslaw, tomatoes and another piece of bread.  Slice it in half and serve it on a sheet of waxed paper.  Perfection!

At Pamela’s on Walnut Street in Shadyside breakfast was on our menus.  Since the restaurant is famed for its pancakes, Ann and I both ordered short stacks.  Often I gripe about restaurant pancakes, complaining that what lands on my plate is too thick, floury, flaccid and/or flavorless.   Pamela’s, however, were light and airy and tasted delicious.     

In keeping with the duplicate orders trend, Nickie and Marilee got vegetarian omelets with savory home fries and toast.  Jen courageously ordered breakfast her way — two eggs with the requisite home fries and toast.  A wholesome and delectable beginning to our Saturday.