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(TJV) Primanti Bros, the famed Pittsburgh-based eatery, has found itself at the center of a political controversy after allegedly turning away Ohio Senator JD Vance. The incident has now sparked a national outrage, with the Italian American Civil Rights League (IACRL) comparing the restaurant’s actions to the segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era and calling for a nationwide boycott.
The same restaurant chain that stirred up controversy last month by abruptly kicking patrons out in order to host Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is back in the news–this time for barring J.D. Vance from entering one of their shops to greet Trump supporters.
Do you think they regret kicking JD Vance out of their restaurant yet?
They are getting pummeled on Yelp with thousands of negative reviews…. pic.twitter.com/FQCP4ZKNy3
— TheStormHasArrived (@TheStormRedux) September 29, 2024
The heated encounter began when Sen. Vance arrived at the popular chain to meet with a group of Trump supporters. Witnesses say the atmosphere quickly turned tense as staff informed the senator’s campaign team that the establishment was “not a campaign stop,” bluntly adding that “JD’s not allowed in.” The situation escalated when the restaurant manager reportedly threatened to call the police if Vance and his team did not leave.
BREAKING: Primanti Bros has given Italian Americans across this nation a bad name.
Their refusal to serve JD Vance this weekend is reminiscent of Jim Crow.@TheIACRL is calling for a Primanti boycott and we would like to welcome Senator Vance to a true Italian Sunday Dinner! pic.twitter.com/kGTLHLaWww
— Mike Crispi (@MikeCrispi) September 29, 2024
Supporters of Vance expressed their outrage, booing the employees and protesting outside the establishment. As news of the incident spread, Primanti Bros was hit with a barrage of negative reviews on Yelp, intensifying the backlash.
Primanti Bros restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA wouldn’t let JD Vance in to greet his supporters. BOYCOTT @primantibros
The supporters paid for their drinks, cancelled their orders, and left. ALL PATRIOTS IN PITTSBURGH. STOP SUPPORTING THIS ESTABLISHMENT pic.twitter.com/9p0OilpTwI
— Kathy Green (@GreenKM117) September 28, 2024
In an attempt to quell the controversy, Primanti Bros released a statement claiming the situation was a misunderstanding, stating that Vance and his team were eventually allowed inside, attributing the initial resistance to staff nerves due to a heavy security presence. “Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside,” the statement read. However, Allegheny County GOP Chairman Sam DeMarco contradicted this account, asserting that Vance was only permitted to enter briefly to pay for others’ meals and was never allowed to fully interact with his supporters.
The IACRL swiftly condemned Primanti Bros’ actions. Mike Crispi, president of the organization, did not mince words, stating, “Primanti Bros has given Italian Americans across this nation a bad name. Their refusal to serve JD Vance this weekend is reminiscent of Jim Crow.” Comparing the incident to the historical struggles faced by African Americans, Crispi accused the restaurant of engaging in discriminatory behavior that “divides and punishes Americans for their political beliefs.”
Last month, Primanti Bros restaurant in Pennsylvania cleared out patrons to make room for a Kamala Harris campaign event, and yesterday they refused to allow JD Vance in to greet his supporters.
Looks like Primanti Bros needs to be Bud Lighted. pic.twitter.com/PxXqlkhByY
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) September 29, 2024
The controversy has brought renewed attention to similar incidents targeting conservative figures, such as the denial of service to Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the Red Hen restaurant in 2018. As the IACRL ramps up efforts for a nationwide boycott, the group has extended an olive branch, inviting Sen. Vance to experience a “true Italian Sunday Dinner,” emphasizing the spirit of hospitality that they believe Primanti Bros failed to uphold.
EXCLUSIVE:
🚨PRIMANTI BROS CEO’S WIFE IS A TRUMP-VANCE HATER WHO SUPPORTS CHILD GENDER TRANSITIONS AS A PITTSBURGH BASED CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST WHO WORKS FOR UNIVERISTY OF PITTSBURGH @PittTweet🚨
Primanti Bros @primantibros CEO Adam Golomb didn’t allow @JDVance into the Pittsburgh… https://t.co/A7VzNhy1Kg pic.twitter.com/poDaAgzjCE
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 30, 2024
The fallout from this incident is far from over, as the restaurant chain now finds itself navigating a political minefield that could threaten its reputation and customer base nationwide
