Famous Pittsburgh sandwich shop faces boycott over its treatment of JD Vance
A well-known sandwich shop in Pittsburgh is now facing calls for a boycott after vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance shut down.
On Saturday afternoon, Senator Vance attempted to make a campaign stop at Primanti Bros in North Versailles but was turned away by staff who said they had not been given advance notice.
Store bosses even did this when several paying customers in the store asked if Vance could come in so they could talk to him.
A restaurant employee told the press that cameras were not allowed inside and that they did not want a “campaign event.”
After being denied entry, Vance reportedly spoke to people in the parking lot outside.
On Saturday afternoon, Senator Vance attempted to make a campaign stop at the beloved North Versailles sandwich shop but was turned away by staff who said they were not given advance notice
Primanti Bros, a historic Pittsburgh restaurant, is now facing calls for a boycott after it rejected vice presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance from its doors
But the Vance supporters who filled Primanti Bros were outraged by the restaurant’s treatment of the vice presidential candidate.
Footage taken at the 90-year-old company showed many of Vance’s supporters apparently calling for a boycott.
In one video, a woman said a manager told the senator and his team that they would “call the police if [Vance] comes out [of his car].’
“We’re running out of kitchen staff because everyone is canceling their orders,” she said.
The video showed frustrated supporters standing with their arms crossed.
“We just pay for what we drink and then everyone leaves,” the woman said.
“Unfortunately, Vance can’t get out of his car, he can’t shake our hands because Primanti Brothers don’t want him here.”
Vance supporters can then be seen lining the doors of the restaurant, eager to leave.
Another Vance supporter filmed herself leaving the deli over the way the vice presidential candidate was treated
Another Vance supporter filmed herself leaving the deli because of the way the vice presidential candidate was treated.
“So we’re here at Primanti Brothers…to see that JD Vance and Promantis hate money,” she shouted.
Vance’s irate supporter then said the restaurant “lost about $2,000 because they said if Vance gets out of the car he’s in…they’re going to call the police.”
In a statement on social media, Primanti Bros said the situation was later resolved.
“Without any prior notice, today’s campaign freeze caused some temporary confusion among our staff,” they wrote.
“However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed to our restaurant shortly thereafter and spoke to our guests inside and on the grounds.”
Before Vance left, he addressed his supporters in the parking lot and made it clear he harbored no ill will toward the sandwich shop.
In a statement on social media, Primanti Bros said the situation was later resolved
“The manager just kind of panicked because there were a lot of people there, and she didn’t want to make her restaurant part of a campaign stop,” Vance said.
‘We went in there. We paid for everyone’s food. We gave them a nice tip,” he said, before adding, “And when I gave them a nice tip, of course I said, ‘no taxes on top.’
Vance then tried to calm his outraged supporters.
‘It’s okay. Don’t hold it against her. She just got a little nervous.
“But it’s a great local business. Keep supporting it. And most importantly, vote on November 5. Let’s go win this thing.’