Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) was temporarily barred from entering a popular Pennsylvania restaurant before being welcomed inside and paying for everyone’s meals.
According to Breitbart News, Vance was initially denied entry due to concerns the visit would turn into a campaign event, but the confusion was later resolved, allowing the senator to engage with restaurant guests.
The incident occurred at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Sports Bar in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. When Vance first arrived, staff members expressed concern that the presence of cameras would create a political event at the establishment. The restaurant had no prior warning of the visit, which led to the initial refusal.
A restaurant employee reportedly told members of the press that "cameras were not allowed" and that the business wanted to avoid hosting any sort of "campaign event." The restaurant's leadership, including Adam Golomb, CEO of Primanti Bros., later clarified that the situation stemmed from the lack of notice about the senator's arrival.
Golomb explained, "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."
Once the confusion was sorted out, Vance, along with his team, entered the restaurant, interacted with diners, and paid for everyone's meal. He left a generous tip and encouraged support for the restaurant despite the brief misunderstanding.
Speaking to a crowd gathered outside the restaurant, Vance took the opportunity to address the situation and urged people to support Primanti Bros. and vote in the upcoming election. Vance downplayed the incident, referring to it as a minor misunderstanding and praising the restaurant as a great local business.
"We paid for everybody’s food, we gave them a nice tip," Vance said. "And, of course when I gave them a nice tip, I said, 'No taxes on tips.' Don’t hold it against her, she just got a little nervous. But, it’s a great local business, let’s keep on supporting it, and most importantly, November 5th, or before, go vote. Let’s go win this thing."
This incident at Primanti Bros. echoed a previous event at another location in Moon, Pennsylvania, where customers were reportedly asked to leave before Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited the restaurant.
The chain’s role as a local staple has made it a notable destination for both political figures and everyday customers. However, these visits sometimes bring unforeseen complications for the staff, particularly when campaign events are involved.
Primanti Bros., with its presence in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland, remains a beloved establishment in the region, but the unexpected nature of political stops can occasionally catch employees off guard, as seen in this recent event with Sen. Vance.
Senator JD Vance was denied entry at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Sports Bar in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, due to a policy against campaign events and cameras. Despite the initial refusal, Vance praised the restaurant as a great local business and encouraged continued support for it. The restaurant later clarified that the confusion was due to a lack of advance notice, and Vance and his team were allowed to engage with guests inside shortly afterward.
As Vance continued his efforts to garner support, his remarks outside the restaurant focused on encouraging voters to head to the polls on or before November 5th. His lighthearted approach to the confusion seemed to resonate with the crowd, many of whom left with a free meal and a positive impression of the senator.
