Sandwiched somewhere between Sen. JD Vance’s political stop at Primanti Brothers and the restaurant’s response by banning the Republican vice presidential nominee lies the truth.
The famous Pittsburgh-based sandwich restaurant reportedly did not greet Vance with open arms when he tried to make a campaign stop at its North Versailles location Saturday, CBS News reported.
Now, restaurant officials are saying there was “momentary confusion” among its staff and the restaurant was not notified ahead of time of the visit.
Washington County GOP chair Sean Logue has spoken out about what happened as he arrived ahead of Vance’s visit.
“The manager told patrons, other Republicans, that Vance is not allowed to make a campaign stop at Primanti Brothers,” Logue said. “And then when there was pushback to say, ‘Wait a second, Kamala Harris just did this a month ago,’ the response was, ‘Well, if he wants to sit down and order food, we can’t stop him.”
As Vance arrived, the manager ran out to inform him he was not allowed in the restaurant and he couldn’t have a campaign stop there.
If he stayed, he risked being faced with a trespassing charges.
“I think it’s absolutely insane,” Logue said.
Many of the Trump supporters left the restaurant and went to where Vance was taking pictures outside.
A Primanti’s spokesperson told KDKA-TV, a CBS affiliate, that Vance and his team were welcomed into the restaurant and were able to talk with guests.
“Primanti’s prides 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,” per the restaurant. “Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us.”
“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,” it added. “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, but we are glad that it was resolved quickly.”
Logue was quick to put out a different narrative.
“Number one, he was not welcomed,” Logue said. “JD Vance, on his own accord, risking a trespassing charge, walked into Primanti’s, paid the bill for all of us, and walked out two minutes later.”
Logue posted a video to X, formerly Twitter, about the events of the day.
Vance seemed to not be phased by the mishap.
“Look, I think what happened is she [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,” Vance said. “It’s alright, don’t hold it against her, she just got a little nervous, it’s a great local business, let’s keep supporting it.”
Logue said Vance’s comments are a representation of the man he is.
“Vance is a true gentleman, and he was being very nice and very gracious, and he was being magnanimous, and he didn’t want to cause any other problems,” Logue said. “I’m being honest with you. I’m telling you that the way Primanti Brothers treated me and the other Republicans is absolutely unacceptable, and nowhere in their statement is an apology, where’s my apology Primanti Brothers.”
Logue added Primanti’s has been trying to reach out to him but he won’t take their calls.
