At 28, Christina Cappa of Oakmont staffs the bar at Primanti Brothers' newest location in Monroeville. After working there for six years, she raves about the upbeat environment and says that she never wants to leave even though she has two degrees. The restaurant last year won a James Beard Foundation "American Classics" Award, one of the most coveted honors for chefs. Primanti's is celebrating its 75th anniversary today with a street festival in the Strip District featuring The Clarks, and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will rename 18th Street Primanti Way.

Q: What was your reaction to the restaurant winning the James Beard Foundation award?

A: It's amazing to win the award. You go to other states, and people have heard of it.

Q: How has Primanti Brothers lasted for 75 years?

A: It is 75 years of coleslaw and burger-eating people. People love it. The owners and management are involved, and that makes things really different. It's not a franchise. And you never get sick of a Primanti sandwich.

Q: Do you think Primanti Brothers has changed since it started?

A: To be honest, I don't think much has changed. It used to be mill workers and truckers, but now you get more of a family feel. It's a fun place to hang out for all ages. Older people who have been eating here for 75 years come. Teenagers come in after school to hang out, businessmen lunch here, young crowds roll in for happy hours and families come on weekends.

Q: Why do you enjoy working for Primanti Brothers?

A: It's more than a job. People come here because they want to be here. We know everyone's name, and we want to know how many kids they have and what they do for a living. If you're miserable on the job, the restaurant won't be a fun place. But we're always having fun.

Q: Do you have any regulars that you get to know well?

A: We have a construction crew that just keeps coming in even though they're done working at that job. We know exactly what they order. They have a plaque in their corner because they always sit at the same table.

-- Alexa Chu