A sandwich shop made a meal out of an unannounced visit by JD Vance, turning the vice-presidential candidate away during a campaign pitstop.
The senator attempted to gain entry into Primanti Bros in North Versailles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but was denied by staff, alarmed at the sudden arrival of his entourage.
The 90-year-old business subsequently reversed course to serve Mr Vance and his team, avoiding threats of a boycott from customers inside the store who had wanted to meet Donald Trump’s running mate.
Mr Vance told supporters outside in the parking lot afterwards that the outlet and its staff were blameless, calming down any tensions. Pennsylvania is a key swing state in the November election and the last thing Mr Vance — or the restaurant for that matter — will have wanted is a riot over a sandwich in a state where every vote will count.
He said: “The manager just freaked out a little bit because there were a lot of people, and she didn’t want to make her restaurant part of a campaign stop.
“We went in there. We paid for everybody’s food. We gave them a nice tip. And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said ‘no taxes on top’.”
Pacifying his supporters, he added: “It’s alright. Don’t hold it against her. She just got a little nervous. It’s a great local business. Keep on supporting it.”
In a statement Primanti Bros said the restaurant prided itself on being “a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us”.
The statement added: “Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.
“Senator Vance’s supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the Secret Service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, and we are glad that it was resolved quickly.”
The “momentary” refusal to serve Mr Vance and his team had threatened to cause turmoil.
Before the situation was resolved, one customer posted a video online, suggesting that Primanti’s would be facing a boycott.
In the video the woman said: “The kitchen crew’s running out because everyone’s cancelling their orders… We’re just paying for what we drink and then everyone’s leaving.
“Unfortunately, Vance cannot come out of his car, cannot shake our hands because Primanti Brothers does not want him in here.”
It’s really remarkable how unlikable this person is.
newnewtonium on
Nobody with half a brain would let that incel in their business.
markroth69 on
The List of Things JD Vance Cannot Do:
1. Order Donuts
2. Schedule a Campaign Stop
3. Stay chaste with a chaise lounge
Full-Ad6405 on
That’s a shme, he missed out!
No_Fail4267 on
Cool. Don’t ever click or upvote the Torygraph though…
Angry-Dragon-1331 on
Is this their new strategy? Bully places into letting them host campaign events without notice?
V-r1taS on
Amazing how convenient it is that the word ‘temporarily’ is omitted from this headline to suggest a series of events that are entirely different than the actual outcome. Another fantastic display of journalistic integrity.
It’s a bit like this behavior from one of the Trump supporters at the event:
“Before the situation was resolved, one customer posted a video online, suggesting that Primanti’s would be facing a boycott.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think people were trying to traffic in selling false narratives in search of undeserved sympathy to disguise their propensity for abuse under a guise of victimhood…
Blue_Lake_3386 on
Every time he enters a restaurant he starts a controversy. Last time it was a donut shop that got weirded out. This time he walked in there unannounced like a mafia boss with his obnoxious entourage, being loud and flashy, so of course it made customers uncomfortable and the management responded accordingly.
New-Tour-2786 on
That’s a bummer, hope he finds a good alternative!
A_HELPFUL_POTATO on
Donut shop employees don’t want to be on film with the guy, sandwich shop managers freak out when he tries to come through the door…is middle America trying to tell us something?
ChanceryTheRapper on
They asked him what kind of cheese goes on a Philly cheese steak, and he answered, “Whatever makes sense.”
skitarii_riot on
‘Whatever makes sense’
‘Cool, get the hell out of my shop then’
Independent_Tie_4984 on
Glad it all worked out.
Doesn’t he have at least one person that can give businesses a heads up?
It’s just so damn clueless and arrogant, so, typical.
Vance is actually a worse potential VP than Palin was, and if you’re not old enough to remember, Palin was/is wacked – the OG MTG.
Like, this absolute tool could actually be POTUS???
Even if Trump was a sane capable person, I’d still vote against him to keep Vance one big mac away ftom the Presidency.
Tuesday’s debate without muted mics is going to be a shit show.
No_nukes_at_all on
>“Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.”
right wing media trying to paint a picture of hostility towards Vance&Trump when the real reason was their own lack of organisation…
bestestopinion on
Aren’t these the same people who want businesses to be able to refuse service to LGBT people?
declinedinaction on
This store is going to need defense and support.
MAGA are behaving like brown shirts —thugs of intimidation for anything less than cringing subservience. Because without that fear, they’ve got NOTHING.
TopEagle4012 on
This is fake news. I left there when I saw a furniture store across the street and they had couches in the windrow which caused me to get VERY excited down there. So I told everyone we have to leave NOW and we can come back later after I finish my uhm business.
EdFitz1975 on
The real story here is that his dumbass team didn’t call ahead to give notice or put in an order with this business in advance. Gives the impression of a bunch of entitled elites who have never worked in the service industry before and have no idea how it works.
LurksAroundHere on
If they called ahead you know all the employees would have let out a collective groan at hearing about the possible visit, knowing they were in for a day of dull questioning.
capiiiche on
This man is literally a walking meme.
alternatenagol2 on
There are comments on Facebook threatening the owners and employees of that place. People against cancel culture sure like to cancel things when it impacts them.
Catspaw129 on
If I understand correctly, his advance team did not arrange for the visit/campaign event and having cameras in the venue.
With such good planning, I wonder how he’ll do as VPOTUS (or even POTUS)
Oh, and hey! Isn’t he a Senator from OH? Yet he’s fomenting violence in OH: Haitians running amok, eating pets. Yet does he propose any legislation about LEGAL immigrants eating pets?
downinthevalleypa on
So glad that this is getting to be a habit.
Catspaw129 on
He’s, maybe, doing it wrong.
His advance team (AT) should be calling around to venues…
Scenario 1:
AT: Hi!, do you mind if JD has a campaign event at your place?
Vendor: we’d welcome JD
AT: how much are gonna pay us for the privledge?
Scenario 2
AT: Hi!, do you mind if JD has a campaign event at your place?
Vendor: Why yes, I do mind. Stay away.
AT: How much are you gonna pay us to stay away and not ruin you in the media?
I’m clever. I’ve got a little spare time and I’m available for campaign consulting. But you’ve got to pay in advance.
randomnighmare on
I won’t be surprised if the hostess told them that their wait time would be long and Vance just went out in the parking lot and made something up (in an earlier interview he mentioned that it was totally cool to make up shit to, “spread a message” or whatever) :
You’d honestly imagine these guys could manage something as simple as this, but it’s really wild.
bradd_pit on
This happened last week, can we stop posting it
skullcutter on
He must have the worst advance team in history. And he wants to run the country…
MoreRamenPls on
Was it a sandwich eating dogs n cats? s/
FriendOfDirutti on
Them: Sir what kind of sandwich would you like?
Vance: Whatever makes sense
Them: Get out!
twoveesup on
They should not have let him in, unless they support a liar connected to a felon, then who cares what they think.
Benny_Deebs on
So this Primantis is down the road from me now I got to worry about all the threats they are getting to the point the may lose business all because this cult can’t look into any information showing the reason why he was initially turned away.
walrusdoom on
Why do we care about silly stuff like this?
MaoTseTrump on
Primanti Bros. can do no wrong.
Gariona-Atrinon on
Fuck those people that said they’d boycott, fuck them!
NotTobyFromHR on
> “We went in there. We paid for everybody’s food. We gave them a nice tip. And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said ‘no taxes on top’.”
I’m confused about the no taxes on tips thing. Tips are meant to be part of income. Which is why if tips aren’t enough to meet minimum wage, the employer is supposed to supplement.
So now we’re talking excluding tips from income taxes? What defines a tip? Given by a customer rather than an employer?
Rather than addressing the absurdity of the tipping concept, this seems like a BS headline grab without a realistic implementation.
Machiavvelli3060 on
Haven’t the Republicans fought for businesses to have the right to refuse service on political or religious grounds?
39 Comments
***The Telegraph reports***:
A sandwich shop made a meal out of an unannounced visit by JD Vance, turning the vice-presidential candidate away during a campaign pitstop.
The senator attempted to gain entry into Primanti Bros in North Versailles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but was denied by staff, alarmed at the sudden arrival of his entourage.
The 90-year-old business subsequently reversed course to serve Mr Vance and his team, avoiding threats of a boycott from customers inside the store who had wanted to meet Donald Trump’s running mate.
Mr Vance told supporters outside in the parking lot afterwards that the outlet and its staff were blameless, calming down any tensions. Pennsylvania is a key swing state in the November election and the last thing Mr Vance — or the restaurant for that matter — will have wanted is a riot over a sandwich in a state where every vote will count.
He said: “The manager just freaked out a little bit because there were a lot of people, and she didn’t want to make her restaurant part of a campaign stop.
“We went in there. We paid for everybody’s food. We gave them a nice tip. And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said ‘no taxes on top’.”
Pacifying his supporters, he added: “It’s alright. Don’t hold it against her. She just got a little nervous. It’s a great local business. Keep on supporting it.”
In a statement Primanti Bros said the restaurant prided itself on being “a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us”.
The statement added: “Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.
“Senator Vance’s supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the Secret Service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, and we are glad that it was resolved quickly.”
The “momentary” refusal to serve Mr Vance and his team had threatened to cause turmoil.
Before the situation was resolved, one customer posted a video online, suggesting that Primanti’s would be facing a boycott.
In the video the woman said: “The kitchen crew’s running out because everyone’s cancelling their orders… We’re just paying for what we drink and then everyone’s leaving.
“Unfortunately, Vance cannot come out of his car, cannot shake our hands because Primanti Brothers does not want him in here.”
**Full story:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/29/jd-vance-turned-away-from-pittsburgh-sandwich-shop/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/29/jd-vance-turned-away-from-pittsburgh-sandwich-shop/)
It’s really remarkable how unlikable this person is.
Nobody with half a brain would let that incel in their business.
The List of Things JD Vance Cannot Do:
1. Order Donuts
2. Schedule a Campaign Stop
3. Stay chaste with a chaise lounge
That’s a shme, he missed out!
Cool. Don’t ever click or upvote the Torygraph though…
Is this their new strategy? Bully places into letting them host campaign events without notice?
Amazing how convenient it is that the word ‘temporarily’ is omitted from this headline to suggest a series of events that are entirely different than the actual outcome. Another fantastic display of journalistic integrity.
It’s a bit like this behavior from one of the Trump supporters at the event:
“Before the situation was resolved, one customer posted a video online, suggesting that Primanti’s would be facing a boycott.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think people were trying to traffic in selling false narratives in search of undeserved sympathy to disguise their propensity for abuse under a guise of victimhood…
Every time he enters a restaurant he starts a controversy. Last time it was a donut shop that got weirded out. This time he walked in there unannounced like a mafia boss with his obnoxious entourage, being loud and flashy, so of course it made customers uncomfortable and the management responded accordingly.
That’s a bummer, hope he finds a good alternative!
Donut shop employees don’t want to be on film with the guy, sandwich shop managers freak out when he tries to come through the door…is middle America trying to tell us something?
They asked him what kind of cheese goes on a Philly cheese steak, and he answered, “Whatever makes sense.”
‘Whatever makes sense’
‘Cool, get the hell out of my shop then’
Glad it all worked out.
Doesn’t he have at least one person that can give businesses a heads up?
It’s just so damn clueless and arrogant, so, typical.
Vance is actually a worse potential VP than Palin was, and if you’re not old enough to remember, Palin was/is wacked – the OG MTG.
Like, this absolute tool could actually be POTUS???
Even if Trump was a sane capable person, I’d still vote against him to keep Vance one big mac away ftom the Presidency.
Tuesday’s debate without muted mics is going to be a shit show.
>“Without any advance notice, today’s campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.”
right wing media trying to paint a picture of hostility towards Vance&Trump when the real reason was their own lack of organisation…
Aren’t these the same people who want businesses to be able to refuse service to LGBT people?
This store is going to need defense and support.
MAGA are behaving like brown shirts —thugs of intimidation for anything less than cringing subservience. Because without that fear, they’ve got NOTHING.
This is fake news. I left there when I saw a furniture store across the street and they had couches in the windrow which caused me to get VERY excited down there. So I told everyone we have to leave NOW and we can come back later after I finish my uhm business.
The real story here is that his dumbass team didn’t call ahead to give notice or put in an order with this business in advance. Gives the impression of a bunch of entitled elites who have never worked in the service industry before and have no idea how it works.
If they called ahead you know all the employees would have let out a collective groan at hearing about the possible visit, knowing they were in for a day of dull questioning.
This man is literally a walking meme.
There are comments on Facebook threatening the owners and employees of that place. People against cancel culture sure like to cancel things when it impacts them.
If I understand correctly, his advance team did not arrange for the visit/campaign event and having cameras in the venue.
With such good planning, I wonder how he’ll do as VPOTUS (or even POTUS)
Oh, and hey! Isn’t he a Senator from OH? Yet he’s fomenting violence in OH: Haitians running amok, eating pets. Yet does he propose any legislation about LEGAL immigrants eating pets?
So glad that this is getting to be a habit.
He’s, maybe, doing it wrong.
His advance team (AT) should be calling around to venues…
Scenario 1:
AT: Hi!, do you mind if JD has a campaign event at your place?
Vendor: we’d welcome JD
AT: how much are gonna pay us for the privledge?
Scenario 2
AT: Hi!, do you mind if JD has a campaign event at your place?
Vendor: Why yes, I do mind. Stay away.
AT: How much are you gonna pay us to stay away and not ruin you in the media?
I’m clever. I’ve got a little spare time and I’m available for campaign consulting. But you’ve got to pay in advance.
I won’t be surprised if the hostess told them that their wait time would be long and Vance just went out in the parking lot and made something up (in an earlier interview he mentioned that it was totally cool to make up shit to, “spread a message” or whatever) :
Source on Vance lying for his own gain:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/jd-vance-springfield-pets.html
Okay…good.
You’d honestly imagine these guys could manage something as simple as this, but it’s really wild.
This happened last week, can we stop posting it
He must have the worst advance team in history. And he wants to run the country…
Was it a sandwich eating dogs n cats? s/
Them: Sir what kind of sandwich would you like?
Vance: Whatever makes sense
Them: Get out!
They should not have let him in, unless they support a liar connected to a felon, then who cares what they think.
So this Primantis is down the road from me now I got to worry about all the threats they are getting to the point the may lose business all because this cult can’t look into any information showing the reason why he was initially turned away.
Why do we care about silly stuff like this?
Primanti Bros. can do no wrong.
Fuck those people that said they’d boycott, fuck them!
> “We went in there. We paid for everybody’s food. We gave them a nice tip. And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said ‘no taxes on top’.”
I’m confused about the no taxes on tips thing. Tips are meant to be part of income. Which is why if tips aren’t enough to meet minimum wage, the employer is supposed to supplement.
So now we’re talking excluding tips from income taxes? What defines a tip? Given by a customer rather than an employer?
Rather than addressing the absurdity of the tipping concept, this seems like a BS headline grab without a realistic implementation.
Haven’t the Republicans fought for businesses to have the right to refuse service on political or religious grounds?