A Pittsburgh-area restaurant chain that caused controversy last month by suddenly kicking out customers in order to host Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is back in the news — this time to prevent JD Vance from entering one of its stores to greet Trump supporters. (UPDATE at the end of the article.)
Primanti Bros. made headlines in August for cleaning out a Moon Township restaurant so the Harris campaign could set up a group of supporters to meet the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates, Fox News reported last month (excerpt):
Patrons at the Pittsburgh culinary landmark were outraged Monday after they claimed they were forced to leave the grounds before Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrived for a weekend campaign stop.
Several people who had been enjoying food, drinks and a Pittsburgh Pirates game on TV at Primanti Bros. in Moon, Pennsylvania on Sunday said they were all forced out of the restaurant by 4 p.m.
… “About 3:30, the bartender, he said, ‘It’s last call’ – what do you mean last call?” Dodson said, adding that the employee informed him there was a private event at the top of the hour.
The Trump campaign posted a video of supporters mocking the fake campaign by Harris:
The Harris/Waltz campaign kicked out the customer @primantibros at 4:00 PM to bring a “customer” for Kamala’s visit tonight. Trump supporters gathered next door to welcome the fake campaign to Allegheny County! @TrumpWarRoom pic.twitter.com/ohWj6kMJ8h
— Joshua Herman (@Joshuakherman) August 18, 2024
Trump running mate Ohio Senator JD Vance went to Primanti Bros. restaurant outside of Pittsburgh in North Versailles Sunday afternoon to greet Trump supporters. One patron posted a video saying the restaurant threatened to call the police on Vance (the poster later added that the restaurant denied making the threat to call the police when another customer said:
It happened now: Primanti brothers in North Versailles PA just threatened to call the police on JD Vance if he got out of his car to spend time with about 50 people who came out to see him. The video is from my friend who was there.
He not only spends time in… pic.twitter.com/1HkK9Co6r2
— Karen Taylor (@NOTURTYPCLKAREN) September 28, 2024
Trump supporter Anissa Zappala posted from the restaurant that customers paid for their drinks and canceled their orders:
This is a video about hospitality @primantibros available to all who are waiting @JDVance pic.twitter.com/fdyzxQWtOn
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024
Zappala posted a video of Vance outside talking about how he handled the situation (like a man):
“We pay for everyone’s food. We give a good tip. And of course, when I give a ‘good tip,’ I say, ‘There is no tax on tips.’ It’s okay. He’s just a little nervous. Let’s support him. On or before November 5th, let’s win this…”
.@primantibros refused to let go @JDVance to a restaurant full of customers waiting to greet them. They all paid for their drinks, canceled their food orders and left after hearing that the VP candidate was not accepted. Here is the answer #Trump2024Vance #Republican Party #GOP pic.twitter.com/JsggvQiuhu
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024
C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman posted video from outside the restaurant of Vance doing a meet-and-greet line with supporters. The Trump campaign is taking supporters’ names and phone numbers to invite them to makeup events:
NBC News reporter Doug Adams said the restaurant did not want to be part of a campaign event, “JD Vance was going to stop at Primanti Bros. near Pittsburgh…t wanted to be part of a “campaign event” Vance ended up shaking hands outside in the parking lot. He had an event in Monroeville, PA.
JD Vance was going to stop by Primanti Bros near Pittsburgh… but when he got there, the campaign was told no cameras & the restaurant didn’t want to be part of the “campaign event”
Vance finally shook hands outside the parking lot.
They have an event in Monroeville, PA this aftn— Doug Adams (@DougNBC) September 28, 2024
Vance’s national campaign press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, posted a video of Vance greeting supporters.
They all lined up to meet @JDVance! pic.twitter.com/wGSlurxYpO
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024
This Steelers fan was so excited to meet him @JDVance! pic.twitter.com/kvoc5YJSZg
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024
.@JDVance pick up the tab for everyone!
There is no tax on TIPS! pic.twitter.com/giJAO46FrB
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024
UPDATE: Video posted by Washington County Republican Chairman Sean Logue of the incident. Several customers said they were told to leave and the manager threatened to call the police on Vance:
#PrimantiSedulur Vance video 1 pic.twitter.com/VuKH37VMpM
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
Now I will post all Primanti Brothers videos starting today. They actually banned JD Vance from the restaurant. #PrimantiBros pic.twitter.com/SfPFzIcUdA
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
#PrimantiBros video 2 pic.twitter.com/eSd2JrDRWX
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
#PrimantiBros video 3 pic.twitter.com/rrnmlcDkmH
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
#PrimantiBros Vance video 4 pic.twitter.com/BjDGuxHuZy
— Sean Logue (@SeanLogue18) September 28, 2024
UPDATE 2: WPXI-TV reports a statement by Primanti Bros.:
“Primanti is proud to be a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has served presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for more than 90 years. Our doors are open to all customers who want to dine with us. Without prior notice, today’s campaign stops causing some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team welcomed us to our restaurant shortly and engaged our guests inside and on the property.
Watch the videos of customers and JD Vance to decide the credibility of Primanti’s statement.
