Controversy Swirls After JD Vance Initially Denied Entry by PA Restaurant Chain That Held Kamala Event

There was controversy brewing near Pittsburgh on Saturday, as JD Vance tried to stop into a Primanti Brothers location to eat with supporters.

People posted videos saying that the chain restaurant in North Versailles, PA, wouldn't let him in:

.@primantibros refused to let @JDVance in to their restaurant full of customers waiting to greet him. They all paid for their drinks, cancelled their food orders and left after hearing that VP candidate was not welcome. Here was his response #Trump2024Vance #RepublicanParty #GOP pic.twitter.com/JsggvQiuhu
— Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024

That apparently caused supporters who were inside waiting for him to cancel their orders and leave.

Vance was very gracious. He said he left a good tip and told them "no tax on tips" (the Trump policy proposal). He also urged people there not to hold it against the restaurant, that it was a "great local business" and to "keep on supporting it." He had a good time talking with folks in the parking lot:

.@JDVance picks up the tab for everyone!

NO TAXES ON TIPS! pic.twitter.com/giJAO46FrB
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024

This Steelers fan is so excited to meet @JDVance! pic.twitter.com/kvoc5YJSZg
— Taylor Van Kirk (@taylorvankirk) September 28, 2024

According to NBC, the restaurant said that they don't want "campaign events":

JD Vance intended to make a stop at a Primanti Bros near Pittsburgh… but when they got there, the campaign was told no cams & restaurant didn’t want to be part of a “campaign event”
Vance ended up shaking hands outside in parking lot.
He has event in Monroeville, PA this aftn
— Doug Adams (@DougNBC) September 28, 2024

Except that the company had politicians/candidates in their restaurants in the past and seemed not to have objected.

Here's Biden in their Moon Township location:

The Moon Township location was also where we reported they had Kamala Harris in August, when regular customers complained they were booted out and other people -- who turned out to be campaign volunteers -- were brought in. Then media was also allowed in to see Harris interacting with the "diners." The media coverage I saw did not identify that these people, seemingly happy with Harris, weren't regular customers.

This incident with Vance was at a different location of the chain. But it left people ticked off and talking about Bud Light after they saw the videos. So, it was not a great look, particularly in light of the prior incident with Kamala Harris.

Primanti Brothers claimed that the issue was resolved and released a statement:

A spokesperson from Primanti Brothers said:
“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. 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.”

But if it showed anything, it showed how gracious Vance was: