The best thing about south Florida is that there are so many people that have come from different places: Caribbean, South America, Europe, New England and other states. People bring their culinary talents with them, so there is always a reason to go out and try a new restaurant.
In Fort Lauderdale there are two Pizzeria's known as Primanti Brothers. I've heard about the famous Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylavania (yes, that Primanti Brothers as seen on Food Network). Since 1933 Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh features giant
hoagies topped with French fries and cold slaw. Food for the workingman! No silverware needed! After visiting Primnati's on Oakland Park Blvd, I soon realized this is the same owner, and the same food.
My Buddy and I were hankering for some Italo-American style Pizza. Not the franchise pizza version, which dots Florida and most of the USA, but rather the good old fashion Pizzeria style pizza. To my surprise this is what Primanti Bros pizza is: the type of pizza I grew up with!
While Growing up in Somerville, MA, and living in Boston's Italian district of the North End, pizzeria pizza was always: available, reasonably priced, and fresh. Yes, I am a bit of a pizza snob, and don’t like most pizza places. So, I gave Primanti Bros a shot. I was pleasantly surprised! We got an 18 inch large pizza with 5 toppings ( $16.95). The crust was thin, the sauce was sweater than most pizzas with fresh tomatoes, and the ingredients were fresh: onions, mushrooms etc ( not canned!).
The Primanti Bros on Oakland Park Blvd is a sports bar-cum-pizzeria. A row of comfortable seating booths lines the front window; and there are also dining tables. There is a lively bar where you can have a beer and a slice, and watch pizza being made. Live sports or music videos are on numerous TV’s in the pizzeria. The walls are lined with Pittsburgh sports memorabilia. The staff was friendly, and helpful.
The beach location on A1A, is a "must visit" If you are visiting Ft Lauderdale. If you want to sit down and have a nice dinner with friends and family visit the Okaland Plark Blvd location. The beach location is a
bit different. Open 24 hours and it is rumored that there are no keys for the door. Late night party revelers, bikini clad patrons (both male and female), night owls and everything in between can be seen at the beach location. Sometimes after midnight there is a line out the door!
Primanti Brothers menu features many Italo-American style comfort staples: Spaghetti, penne, ravioli, and pizza. Sports bar food, like Buffalo wings, burgers, etc. And the famous sandwiches topped with fries and coleslaw (onions by request!), man-sized of course! These Pittsburgh transplants get it right!
The Details:
Primanti Brothers
516 Oakland Park Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 3334
954.565.7100
Food: Good
Style: Italo-American Pizzeria, with Pittsburgh style sandwiches, sports bar food
Price: Very reasonable. Specials during the middle of the week
Attitude: Friendly
There isn't a single hoagie sold by Primanti's. Only sandwiches.
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