This is perhaps THE Pittsburgh classic, featuring Primanti's renowned "almost-famous" sandwiches and copious amounts of local-favorite beer. The chain has been expanding lately, and now has locations in or near most of the major nightlife areas (Market Square, the South Side, Oakland, the Strip, etc.) and shopping districts (Route 51, Robinson, Cranberry, etc.). Heinz Field and PNC Park also have outlets with limited menus. The main locations are all friendly, well-appointed sports bar-esque pubs with ample selections of decent cheap beer. Details can be found at www.primantibros.com.Long story short: If you only eat one meal in Pittsburgh, this should be it, as the Primanti's Sandwich (choice of meat, with Provelone, Polish vinegar slaw, and French fries on top, all between two slices of airy Italian white bread) is the Burgh's signature taste. Chances are this is the first place your hosts will think to take you for grub. You have to taste it to believe it—any Pittsburgher can tell you how suddenly and unexpectedly the Primantis craving can attack. We lucky yinzers can eat them any time we want, though—you'll have to get your fill while you're still here!
BONUS: For reasons none of us can quite comprehend, Primanti's—otherwise a Pittsburgh-exclusive chain—has also opened two Ft. Lauderdale, FL, locations. What is up with that?