Pennsylvania’s famous Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar became the site of a political controversy on Saturday when Sen. JD Vance, who is currently running for vice president on the Trump-Vance campaign ticket, was barred entry from meeting his supporters there – a move which stands in sharp contrast to the entity’s handling of a Democratic campaign event just a month prior.
According to information provided to Fox News by a campaign insider, Vance’s visit to the North Versailles eatery did not go as planned, as he and his team were abruptly ejected by establishment employees.
The management had been previously informed of the campaign’s intent to visit, yet upon their arrival, they were confronted with resistance by the staff.
Celebrate Trump's Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!
An employee made it clear, stating that “JD’s not allowed in,” further threatening to call law enforcement if the group failed to vacate the premises.
This clash led to an audible expression of disapproval from Trump-Vance supporters, who booed the staff as they were directed out of the restaurant.
I will now post all Primanti Brothers videos from today. They absolutely banned JD Vance from their restaurant. #PrimantiBros pic.twitter.com/SfPFzIcUdA
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
Looking back to a similar visit by the Harris-Walz campaign, the treatment discrepancy becomes evident.
On August 18, the Democratic campaign visited another Primanti Bros. branch in Moon Township, where local regulars found themselves ousted to accommodate the event.
Mark Dodson, who planned to enjoy an afternoon meal and watch sports, told Fox News of his surprise when last call was announced at 3:30 p.m. in anticipation of the campaign’s arrival.
During the Harris campaign stop, videos depicted a warm reception within with socializing patrons, while outside, displaced diners and Trump supporters voiced their protest.
Some of the demonstrators accused the Democratic campaign of hiring “actors,” a claim underscored by footage from ABC News showcasing a bustling restaurant.
Primanti Brothers is owned by Authentic Restaurant Brands.
Last month Primanti Brothers kicked out all their patrons and brought in paid actors when Kamala Harris was visiting their restaurant.
Today, Primanti Brothers stopped JD Vance from entering their establishment after… pic.twitter.com/Gn5gl3WAGh
— The Liberal Lampoon (@Liberal_Lampoon) September 28, 2024
Despite the episode inside the Primanti Bros. in North Versailles, Vance did not let it dampen the spirits of his campaign, quickly relocating the meet-and-greet to the exterior of the restaurant.
Photographs documented the senator cheerfully engaging with the crowd.
The senator further endeared himself to the crowd, explaining that in appreciation of the patrons, their meals had been covered, and the staff was gratified with a considerate tip, in line with Trump’s policy proposal. “We paid for everybody’s food, we gave them a nice tip and, of course, when I gave a nice tip, I said ‘no taxes on tips’,” Vance mentioned to his supporters, promoting the campaign’s fiscal objectives.
NEW: JD Vance barred from entering Primanti Bros in North Versailles, PA as supporters waited for him inside, decided to pay for everyone’s tabs anyway & signed with “No Taxes on Tips”
When Vance arrived, he was reportedly told he wasn’t allowed to leave his car because the… pic.twitter.com/GCuAqDYCs1
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 28, 2024
Fox News obtained exclusive footage of Vance conversing with the Primanti Bros. employees following the encounter. “I don’t think they paid for their food, so we’ll cover it,” Vance assured an employee, to which the worker responded with gratitude and Vance added, “And keep the change… no taxes on tips.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Primanti Bros. issued a statement clarifying that Vance’s visit was unanticipated and the venue had not received prior notice, which resulted in a brief state of disarray among the staff.
The campaign did have approval. You kicked JD out anyway https://t.co/seAbLyY4EH
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) September 29, 2024
They emphasized their history as a Pittsburgh fixture, welcoming customers including politicians, regardless of their political leanings.
“Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us,” the restaurant asserted, further commenting on the day’s events as a temporary misunderstanding, subsequently resolved, as the senator and his entourage were eventually welcomed into the restaurant to interact with guests.
This Steelers fan is so excited to meet @JDVance! pic.twitter.com/kvoc5YJSZg
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024
The statement concluded by expressing contentment that the situation was settled expeditiously, crediting Vance for recognizing the brief uncertainty exhibited by the manager, amidst the presence of the Secret Service and onlookers.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
Wanna buy some Primanti Bros. Restaurant stock? Got some for sale!! Rock Bottom price!!
What? No takers?
Soon to be……
Primanti Bros is a private company. Its CEO Adam Golomb says “The question is, how do you take this 90-year-old brand and make sure it’s here for 90 more years?” Any company that limits its customer base will not be around for ninety or even nine years. I wonder what it will take for its owner to get a new CEO.
About 2 years ago the Primanti’s in Wierton W.V was going to have a drag queen Sunday brunch. They received threats and when a motorcycle gang volunteered to provide security they decided to cancel it.
Being a new Yorker I’ve always eschewed italian CHAIN restaurants. Aren’t there any individual Italian restaurants out there that would certainly be 1000% better. The corporate recipes cooked up in a chain restaurant attempting to sell something that passes for Italian cuisine is as phony as a politician’s promise.
Though the name is Italian, this is NOT where you’d go for “Italian Cuisine.” This is a bar and grill basically. Their famous sandwich is a patty on bread from a local Italian bakery (Mancini’s), loaded with fries and coleslaw. You wash it down with a beer typically, Not a cabernet or merlot.
Adding to my “NO BUY” list.
The videos and witness of the patrons say Pannani Bro is dishonest in their account of the incident. Go woke and go broke. There is no such thing as a unplanned event. Security demands that it be prepared for the VIP’s arrival.
Sounds like the Primanti restaurant should be boycotted by all Trump supporters. At all of the restaurants they own. It’s time the tens of millions of Trump supporters stop aiding and abetting those that despise them and especially those that support the ‘migrant invasion.’
That’ll never happen, otherwise the NFL would be something the kids read about in history books and But Lite wouldn’t exist anymore. The problem with us conservatives is, we won’t stick together.
Well, there’s some truth to what you’re saying.
Libmanti Bros. should be the name
i used to think lemmings were the stupidest things for running off of cliffs…then i met white people supporting their own ethnic cleansing and small businesses like primanti others….
You nailed it! White guilt all while being raysists at the same time.
Stupid manager, hope this restaurant loses business.
Primanti Bros have made it clear that their clientele is limited to Democrats. Non-democrats are not welcome at their eateries. There are lots of great places to eat in PA that don’t qualify their patrons by political ideology.
Only problem is, we working conservatives are going to pay the demonicrat’s tab.
A deli sandwich that is smashed with cole slaw and fries that is served by an intolerant and short tempered server isn’t original or hard to find – or just make it yourself. Why drive into the twilight zone of the strip district of PGH for that kind of experience? Once there, not worth going back.
Only communiststs are stupid enough to alienated 1/2 your customer
base. They deserve to go broke. Lot’s places to spend your hard earned
money other than supporting America-hating leftists.
I don’t think Primanti Brother’s management is worried about any loss of non-Democrat business as they are located in Pittsburgh which is nearly 2/3 Democrat.
Perhaps Prima Dona Hog Wallow doesn’t keep up with current affairs or past affairs or they would be aware of the fate of the Red Hen that kicked Sarah Huckabee out. Hey Kumallya, cackle like Red Hen for us, please?
They’ll be OB soon because everyone in the restaurant business knows democrats are horrible customers who work servers to death, complain the most, then either wahoo the check don’t tip the server.
Let Conservatives AND liberals who recognize terrible behavior from a vote this behavior, with their dollars.
The health department should shut them down, restaurants full of (D) roaches and (D) rats are filthy and unsanitary.
Now we know WHO Primanti Bros really are – they conspire with the communist leftists of Harris and Biden for the CCP and NOT America.
Please keep that in mind if you are faced with the choice to eat there.
Hey Primanti’s – SHOVE your strip district start in PGH up your pickle and cole slaw asses.
The restaurant manager is a neophyte or simply incompetent if he cannot handle a rush. The corporate excuse is weak.