Submitted by VeloEvoque t3_11ci3xp in pittsburgh
Comments
lefthandb1ack t1_ja34xtl wrote
Aaand Iron Born in 3… 2…
BlazeDemBeatz t1_ja3ao4e wrote
I enjoyed eating at Ventos on lunch breaks. It was a bit hood, but the food is good and cheap. Ashame because it’s been there forever.
They’ll just move in some hipster uppity food joint to take its place.
I_Drive_a_shitbox t1_ja3bp8k wrote
This is sad. That business has been in the Vento family for a long time. My grandfather was cousins with AL. I went to high school with his grandson A.J., I believe.
Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_ja3btls wrote
More likely a Dunkin or a Chick- fil- a.
cooleymahn t1_ja3d06c wrote
Sad day for East Liberty. The loss of Franco in December and now this. RIP to Franco’s Italian Army.
[deleted] t1_ja3g3dl wrote
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JustHereForTheSaul t1_ja3gzi5 wrote
My impression is that chains like that want to build their own building these days and won't re-use. Trying to think of counter-examples, but I can't.
VeloEvoque OP t1_ja3kahs wrote
I think you're right. They'd just level the existing structure and rebuild.
Intelligent_Ship_431 t1_ja3mtjf wrote
A buddy of mine works here and said they were told that now that Big Al is gone, none of Little Al’s kids want to take on the job.
A tough thing with a lot of these family owned businesses.
YetiBeachRainbow t1_ja3nugc wrote
I wouldn’t mind that or Driftwood Oven
hereforthebeers t1_ja3r4wz wrote
Wait, did people like this place? I only went once while desperately hungry on a home Depot run and thought it was the worst, figured it only survived on contractors getting lunch. I had no idea it was a local staple.
AHirsutePhilosopher t1_ja3r5sd wrote
So they’re still open until March 4th?
PhotoCropDuster t1_ja3seps wrote
They were firmly mediocre, it’ll be ok
44problems t1_ja3vy1l wrote
Dollar stores will go in anywhere. But yeah, most chains are purpose built.
_BKom_ t1_ja3x8c2 wrote
Yeah I stopped there once in the same situation and thought it was pretty bad as well.
Hi_Im_A t1_ja41pyz wrote
Isn't the Dunkin on Forbes in a former Boston Market? The layout seems exactly how I remember the Boston Market being.
KentuckYSnow t1_ja42iqx wrote
It survived on nostalgia.
I only went once or twice and there was always some shady customer trying to return a 90% eaten meal claiming something was wrong with it (of course, after eating nearly all of it...)
KentuckYSnow t1_ja42ng8 wrote
It's got another business in the other half.
KentuckYSnow t1_ja42tez wrote
I wish all these hipster places would go.
Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_ja4d8yc wrote
I tried them once and I didn't like the pizza but to each their own.
Chris19862 t1_ja4fhs6 wrote
Driftwood is awesome but their pizzas like 30 bucks
larrybudmel t1_ja4mbes wrote
anyone ever try the breakfast?
blondiebell t1_ja4n8oo wrote
That sandwich is so nostalgic to my family and I will be truly sad to see it gone :(
blondiebell t1_ja4o3xp wrote
All said, the place wasn't great for the food and it is honestly surprising its lasted this long, but losing it is still very sad. Many Pittsburghers have fond memories of stopping there for an army and hanging with Al.
That was my family's favorite nostalgia spot when everyone was in town together and Al always gave the kids quarters for the toy and gumball machines.
I'll be going to get a Franco Italian Army before it closes and will truly be sad to never have the chance to go back.
put_the_ux_in_sux t1_ja4tz1h wrote
It’s also one of those weird cash only places with a shady as shit lottery ticket counter slapped in the corner.
I_Drive_a_shitbox t1_ja4ud6t wrote
That's cool.
constanto t1_ja55kzp wrote
The pizza was probably the worst thing about the place honestly, I always enjoyed it as a cheap sandwich shop with a solid $3 burger though.
[deleted] t1_ja5awyw wrote
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2naomi t1_ja5g1e5 wrote
Wayyyy back in the day, their pizza was amazingly good. This was back in the 70s-early 80s though. My dad would get us the big, square Sicilian ones with extra cheese and pepperoni. I don't think I've ever had pizza as good as Vento's was when I was young.
tupperwhat t1_ja5hefa wrote
Yeah I went once and that was enough for me
I_Drive_a_shitbox t1_ja5ifpf wrote
Same thing is happening with Vento Landscaping and Construction. Just my dad and uncle running it. I'm the only one ever spending time at the shop, still on the fence about joining.
Old Italians just work work work work.
[deleted] t1_ja66b9s wrote
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jmcburney3589 t1_ja67och wrote
Or just another Starbucks, just what the neighborhood needs. Smh
CK514422 t1_ja6y2fy wrote
Only 34 responses. Lived here my whole life, never heard of ventos sooooooo I'm not sad.
sweaty_bobandy t1_ja7cc9y wrote
Fuck I literally just discovered this place 2 weeks ago
peaceaiwa t1_ja7f2rs wrote
I went to high school with AJ, too!
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_ja7s611 wrote
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_ja7xz6q wrote
Did the pizza get worse, or did your tastes change? Makes you think!
Sunfish-Studio t1_ja8btzu wrote
I always feel a bit bad for kids of family owned businesses like that. It must be a bit uncomfortable to have pressure to carry on a legacy you didn't make and might not want anything to do with. Even if they're not forced to do it, I imagine it can create some tension between family members.
Sunfish-Studio t1_ja8cdm9 wrote
I've never been in but the sheer amount of stuff on their menu would give me pause even if they had any menu options for my diet. Maybe it's just the Kitchen Nightmares episodes giving me a bit of unfounded paranoia but that building is not that big for the huge number of options and ingredients they offer.
2naomi t1_ja8uqty wrote
Pizza got worse. I don't know exactly when, but by the time I went to college it wasn't the same at all.
VeloEvoque OP t1_ja3430w wrote
This is a loss to East Liberty in particular. I'll miss their sandwiches. Plotted most of my house's renovations in this joint.