490321 Sat Feb 16 13:13:04 -0800 2008 6 15 Pennsylvania 0 3404532 So I had my first trip to Pittsburgh last week (aside from the airport) and made a pilgrimage to the Primanti Bros. in the Strip section. I was taken aback that there was no real ORIGINAL sandwich to speak of, but anything between two slices of bread with coleslaw and fries was fair game. I opted for Roast Beef, but could have had salami, fried fish, NY Strip or SARDINES for that matter. I'm not knocking them, as it was a good sandwich, but somehow it lacked the authenticity of a Philly Cheese Steak or Italian Roast Pork. It was better than the Kielbasi, pierogi and cheddar sandwich I had at Fathead's the next night. Any suggestions for a non-sandwich meal next time I go ?? Sat Feb 16 13:13:04 -0800 2008 19279 phillyjazz 1 3405542 Really not that much different from a cheesesteak in that rather than choosing your cheese and toppings, you choose your meat instead. What kind of meal are you looking for next time? Quick and easy, ethnic, upscale, casual, cheap, expensive? Sat Feb 16 21:24:17 -0800 2008 3404532 15507 Rick 2 3407670 I guess, but you can't choose a cheesesteak made with fish or salami .... Even a CHICKEN cheesesteak is considered less-than-authentic in Philly. I just got a new job, and all of a sudden Pittsburgh is in my territory so I'll probably be there once a month or so. We get a $100 / day meal allowance, and since I usually have coffee and aspirin for breakfast, and eat a cheap lunch, I guess I've got a pretty wide range. I'm a pretty adventuresome eater .. even had Haggis this last Robert Burns' birthday, so anything is fair game. I'll probably be traveling with partners (I'm a Systems Engineer) so I could get dragged down by the sales folks until I've bonded enough to tell them I'd rather eat on my own if they are not up to interesting cuisine. We typically stay at Station Square (which has a real cool shuttle that will take you pretty much anywhere.) Sun Feb 17 17:34:45 -0800 2008 3405542 19279 phillyjazz 3 3407731 As interested as I am in a good sandwich, I'm more interested in the name of the company that hands out $100 per diems! Sun Feb 17 17:54:08 -0800 2008 3407670 164572 galroot 4 3408590 Actually, they stress that it is NOT a "per diem" but a budget.... Mon Feb 18 05:56:52 -0800 2008 3407731 19279 phillyjazz 3 3407814 Try Alla Famiglia for excellent Italian, plan to spent most of your daily allowance here. It'll be an 8 minute shuttle ride to dinner. His fish dishes are my personal favorite and though I've tried his steak and veal and it's also wonderful. You could take your sales people with you too. Be sure to make a reservation. http://www.allafamiglia.biz/ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/fooddrink/cookingclass/s_466709.html http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05188/533853.stm Sun Feb 17 18:25:17 -0800 2008 3407670 15507 Rick 1 3405560 I always felt that the capicola is as close to the original Primanti's as you can get. I don't think I've tried it with any of those others. Sat Feb 16 21:40:04 -0800 2008 3404532 10903 Silverjay