Guillermo Rodriguez of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' stops at Pittsburgh's Primanti Bros.
There was a special guest behind the bar on Wednesday at Primanti Bros. in the Strip District.
Wearing a red Primanti Bros. T-shirt with the words “Bite Me” on the back, comedian Guillermo Rodriguez stopped by to film a segment for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
He posed for photos with fans, was serenaded with the Pittsburgh Fight Song and talked to Kimmel who was doing the show from Hollywood, Calif.
In his first visit to Pittsburgh, he learned how to make the “almost famous” sandwich of meat, cheese, tomato, fries and slaw from Toni Haggerty, restaurant manager, who has worked for Primanti Bros. for 45 years. Kimmel talked with Haggerty and asked Rodriguez to bring a sandwich. Rodriguez said he would bring two.
After, he enjoyed a sandwich and a few drinks at the bar with the locals.
“We chose Pittsburgh because there is place here that has a famous sandwich, and I am planning to gain 10 pounds,” said Rodriguez.
Find someone who holds you the way Guillermo holds a sandwich. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0iUC1T8sUk
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) October 16, 2019
The Steel City is the third of five stops on this bus tour. Primanti Bros. was chosen because it’s a local, familiar spot. Rodriguez began in Dallas, then traveled to Chicago and Pittsburgh before moving on to Philadelphia. The final stop is Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hamzah Hassan of Youngstown, Ohio dressed as Rodriguez and took a photo with him.
“I thought we would be twinning,” said Hassan, who was dressed in a white shirt, red tie, sport coat and slacks. He has a similar mustache and slicked back hair as Rodriquez.
Kim Mazel of Penn Township sat at the bar for the taping. She said she loves the late-night talk show, and if she doesn’t watch the program live, she DVR’s it.
“I love how Guillermo goes out and interviews people,” Mazel said. “He is so much fun to watch. He makes me laugh.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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