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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.

72

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.

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_BKom_ t1_ja3x8c2 wrote

Yeah I stopped there once in the same situation and thought it was pretty bad as well.

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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...)

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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.

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tupperwhat t1_ja5hefa wrote

Yeah I went once and that was enough for me

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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.

1

lefthandb1ack t1_ja34xtl wrote

Aaand Iron Born in 3… 2…

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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.

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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.

17

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.

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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.

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cooleymahn t1_ja3d06c wrote

Sad day for East Liberty. The loss of Franco in December and now this. RIP to Franco’s Italian Army.

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blondiebell t1_ja4n8oo wrote

That sandwich is so nostalgic to my family and I will be truly sad to see it gone :(

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.

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Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_ja3btls wrote

More likely a Dunkin or a Chick- fil- a.

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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.

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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.

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VeloEvoque OP t1_ja3kahs wrote

I think you're right. They'd just level the existing structure and rebuild.

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44problems t1_ja3vy1l wrote

Dollar stores will go in anywhere. But yeah, most chains are purpose built.

1

jmcburney3589 t1_ja67och wrote

Or just another Starbucks, just what the neighborhood needs. Smh

1

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.

12

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.

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69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_ja7xz6q wrote

Did the pizza get worse, or did your tastes change? Makes you think!

4

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.

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larrybudmel t1_ja4mbes wrote

anyone ever try the breakfast?

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sweaty_bobandy t1_ja7cc9y wrote

Fuck I literally just discovered this place 2 weeks ago

3

CK514422 t1_ja6y2fy wrote

Only 34 responses. Lived here my whole life, never heard of ventos sooooooo I'm not sad.

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