>> THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF WQED'S PITTSBURGH HISTORY SERIES.

>> WOW.

IT'S PROGRAM NUMBER FOUR.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE PREMIERE BROADCAST, THE DATE IS NOVEMBER 24th, 2010.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING ONLINE OR SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, BE ASSURED OUR TURKEYS ARE RIGHT NOW DEFROSTING IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

THERE'S ONE GREAT MEAL AHEAD, TO BE FOLLOWED BY SOME REALLY WONDERFUL LEFTOVERS.

SO I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT CALL THIS PROGRAM "LEFTOVERS."

WE'RE GONNA START WITH A STORY ABOUT THE MOOSE AND A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY.

THEN, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GONNA BE ASKING A LOT OF COOKING QUESTIONS OVER THE NEXT DAY OR SO, WE'RE GONNA SHARE A LOST QUESTION FROM OUR NATIONAL PBS SPECIAL CALLED "SANDWICHES THAT YOU WILL LIKE."

WE'LL FOLLOW THAT WITH A VISIT TO A LOCAL SANDWICH SPOT.

AND THEN WE'LL END UP RIGHT HERE TO GIVE THANKS FOR A BELOVED BUSINESS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

IT'S ALL IN THIS PROGRAM WE CALL "IT'S PITTSBURGH & A LOT OF OTHER STUFF."

MY NAME IS RICK SEBAK.

I'M YOUR HOST, AND IN MY FAMILY, I'M USUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STUFFING.

>> "IT'S PITTSBURGH & A LOT OF OTHER STUFF" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BUHL FOUNDATION, SERVING SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SINCE 1927.

AND BY HUNTINGTON BANK, HELPING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES WITH THEIR MONEY SINCE 1866.

>>> WELCOME.

>> SO, WHEN YOU WORK IN TV, YOU GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF NOTORIETY OR CELEBRITY, AND IT CAN HAVE ODD CONSEQUENCES.

ANYWAY, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, A GUY SENDS ME A NOTE ON FACEBOOK AND ASKS IF I'D COME TO A PARTY, AND I THINK, "UNEXPECTED INVITATION!

WHY NOT?"

I DIDN'T KNOW THEN HOW CRAZY BUSY I'D BE NOW OR THAT THIS EVENING I'D HAVE A CAMERAMAN WITH ME.

SO, I WANT TO STATE EMPHATICALLY RIGHT NOW, I WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN.

DON'T ASK.

BUT IT WAS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 2010, AND CAMERAMAN BOB LUBOMSKI AND I DRIVE UP ROUTE 8 THROUGH ETNA INTO SHALER, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE BOB'S OLD STOMPING GROUNDS.

THE SHALER MOOSE LODGE 46 IS ON SAXONBURG BOULEVARD, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY SOMETHING A LITTLE WEIRD HERE.

A GUY, A FACEBOOK FRIEND WHOM I'VE NEVER MET, BRUNO CONICELLO -- >> BRUNO CONICELLA.

>> -- CALLED AND ASKED IF I WOULD COME TO HIS WIFE'S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY.

>> ON THE WAY TO THE HOCKEY GAME, OUR FRIEND FRANK HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN TRYING TO GET MY HUSBAND BRUNO TO JOIN THE MOOSE.

>> SO, WE DON'T KNOW ANYBODY HERE.

>> NEVER BEEN HERE.

NEVER BEEN HERE.

[ LAUGHS ] >> WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO COME.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A NEIL DIAMOND IMPERSONATOR GONNA BE HERE SOMETIME SOON.

>> AND HE NEEDED ONE MORE MEMBER FOR HIS END OF THE MONTH QUOTA, AND SO HE SAID, "BRUNO, COME ON, WE'RE SO CLOSE.

LET'S JUST RUN IN REAL QUICKLY SO THAT YOU CAN SIGN UP, SIGN THE SIGN UP SHEET, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE GAME."

>> BUT WE'RE HERE TONIGHT AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT LOIS THE COOK IS ALL EXCITED BECAUSE WE'RE COMING.

>> BRUNO WAS ACTING KIND OF STRANGE ALL DAY TODAY.

>> I'M A DENTIST.

>> AND I SAID, "ARE YOU PLANNING SOMETHING FOR TODAY?"

AND HE SAID "NO."

>> THERE SHOULD BE SOME GOOD FOOD.

>> SHE DOESN'T WANT ANY SURPRISES, SO OF COURSE THAT MEANS I'VE GOT TO MAKE A SURPRISE PARTY FOR HER.

>> AND A GREAT SURPRISE -- >> AND SHE KNOWS I WOULD NEVER MISS A HOCKEY GAME.

>> AND I SAID, "I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WOULD NEVER MISS THE HOCKEY GAME."

>> -- FOR BRUNO'S WIFE, WHOSE NAME I DON'T EVEN KNOW.

>> MARY LEE CONICELLA.

>> THERE'S A NICE MOOSE UP ON TOP THERE.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S DECORATED WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

>> I PLANTED THE SEED OF ME JOINING THE MOOSE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

>> I'M GONNA HOLD THE DOOR FOR BOB.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN SEE.

>> EVEN THOUGH I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF SOMETHING COULD POSSIBLY BE HAPPENING, I COMPLETELY BOUGHT THE MOOSE MEMBERSHIP.

>> HELLO.

>> I'M RICK SEBAK FROM CHANNEL 13.

WE'RE HERE FOR THE SURPRISE PARTY.

>> OKAY, COME ON IN THE BACK.

>> OH, THAT RICK SEBAK.

HE'S THE MAN.

>> OH, IT'S ONE OF THOSE GREAT CLUBBY BARS WHERE PEOPLE HANG OUT AND DRINKS ARE PROBABLY CHEAP AND STRONG.

>> LOVE ALL YOUR MOVIES!

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T GET TO HANG OUT HERE, WE'RE ESCORTED DOWN THE HALL TO THE BACK.

>> THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU, RICK.

[ LAUGHS ] >> YOU KNOW, I OFTEN SAY I HAVE A VERY COMFORTABLE LEVEL OF CELEBRITY.

AND OH, THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE HAVING LESS FUN BACK HERE.

NOW WATCH OUT FOR THE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS.

SO THIS IS THE PRE-SURPRISE PARTY.

I KNOW NOTHING.

I WONDER WHO'S IN CHARGE?

WE DIDN'T MISS THE SURPRISE?

>> OH, NO.

SHE'S NOT HERE YET.

THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL BE SITTING.

>> COOL.

YOU'RE NOT LOIS, ARE YOU?

>> YES, I AM.

>> EXCELLENT.

IT'S A WHOLE OTHER STORY ABOUT WHY I KNOW LOIS IS THE COOK HERE, AND WE'LL EVENTUALLY GET TO TASTE SOME OF HER FOOD WHEN THE PARTY GETS INTO FULL DINNER SWING, BUT THAT'S NOT FOR A WHILE YET.

>> AND THEY'LL BE HERE AROUND 6:15, SO PRETTY SOON.

YOU MADE IT JUST IN TIME.

>> COOL.

SO HOW ARE THEY GONNA MAKE THE SURPRISE WORK?

>> UM, GONNA LEAVE IT UP TO DOMINICK, THE DEEJAY.

>> DOMINICK THE DEEJAY IS GONNA TELL US.

>> I'M ONE OF HIS STAR PUPILS.

>> SO THE DEEJAY IS ALWAYS THE MAN TO KNOW, AND DOMINICK'S GOT A PLAN OF SORTS THAT WILL KICK INTO GEAR WHEN BRUNO SENDS A TEXT MESSAGE TO HIS SON, ALBERT, A PRE-MED STUDENT WHO FLEW IN FROM BOSTON THIS MORNING, WHO'S APPARENTLY ALREADY HERE.

>> WE'VE NEVER BEEN HERE.

I ACTUALLY JUST HAD TO FIND IT TODAY.

>> DOMINICK EXPLAINS THAT EVERYBODY WILL GET BACK IN THE CORNER TO BE READY TO SCREAM SURPRISE WHEN THE GUEST OF HONOR ARRIVES.

>> I GOT HERE FIRST, WITH MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY GIRLFRIEND.

>> HE KNEW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.

HE HAD TO GET HIS GIRLFRIEND AND GET HERE.

>> AND WE WERE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, SITTING HERE WAITING TO WELCOME EVERYBODY AS THEY CAME IN.

>> BOB GRABS A COUPLE OF SHOTS, THERE'S A TABLE OF PRESENTS, THEN, SINCE WE'RE GONNA WAIT FOR THE SURPRISE, BOB TURNS THE CAMERA OFF FOR A SECOND.

OF COURSE, THAT'S JUST WHEN BRUNO AND HIS WIFE -- WITHOUT WARNING OR TEXT MESSAGE -- WALK IN AND NO ONE SCREAMS SURPRISE OR ANYTHING.

SOMETHING WENT WRONG.

>> MY SISTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMING FROM OAKLAND.

SHE GOES TO PITT.

>> I WISH I KNEW THE PLAN TONIGHT.

MY DAD KNEW THE PLAN TONIGHT, BUT MY DAD DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY THE PLAN TONIGHT.

>> AND GETTING MY OTHER GRANDMOTHER AND BRINGING THEM HERE.

SO SHE'S RUNNING WAY BEHIND.

>> FOR ME, THE PLAN WAS GET GRANDMA, GET HER DRESSED, GET HER IN A CAR AND GET HER HERE.

>> AND THAT WAS THE DELAY FACTOR.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO TEXT SOMEONE HERE TO SAY WE'RE COMING!

SO EVERYONE COULD YELL "SURPRISE!"

MY DAUGHTER WAS A LITTLE LATE.

>> SHE SAID SHE LEFT ABOUT 5:30.

SHE DEFINITELY LEFT CLOSER TO LIKE 5:40.

>> THERE WAS A TIME THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, BUT I DIDN'T MAKE THAT TIME EXACTLY.

>> AND GETTING MY MOTHER-IN-LAW DOWN HERE -- >> I'M TEXTING MY DAD, "STALL, STALL!"

DON'T COME, LIKE, NANCY AND YOU KNOW -- EVERYONE'S HERE EXCEPT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER AND YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW.

>> BUT I MEAN, GETTING GRANDMA, GETTING HER DRESSED AND GETTING HER IN THE CAR, I THOUGHT WAS ENOUGH FOR ME.

[ LAUGHS ] >> ACCORDING TO HER, SHE HAD TO PULL OVER FOR MULTIPLE AMBULANCES AND FIRE TRUCKS, THAT WHOLE DEAL.

RIGHT.

>> SO I KEPT GETTING TEXTS FROM MY SON SAYING "DELAY, DELAY, DELAY!"

>> SO WE GOT HERE BEFORE MY MOM.

>> AND I COULDN'T DELAY ANY MORE BECAUSE THE HOCKEY GAME'S GONNA START IN A HALF HOUR.

>> JUST MOMENTS BEFORE -- [ LAUGHS ] >> SO, AS I'M DRIVING HERE, I GET HERE AND I'M LIKE, "I FORGOT TO CALL!"

>> WELL, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO TEXT SOMEBODY BUT HE DIDN'T TEXT ME, SO -- I CAN'T TAKE THE BLAME, RIGHT?

>> NO TEXT MESSAGE, NO WARNING, SO WE KIND OF BLEW THE SURPRISE.

>> WELL, IT'S TOO LATE NOW, SO WE'RE JUST WALKING IN.

>> I SAW -- I SAW DEB KIMMEL.

AND SHE LIVES IN ETNA.

SO IT DIDN'T SEEM THAT UNUSUAL.

I SAW HER FIRST.

SHE WAS THE FIRST PERSON I SAW AND IT DIDN'T SEEM THAT UNUSUAL THAT SHE WAS, I THOUGHT, "OH, MY GOSH, DEB KIMMEL IS AT THE MOOSE."

>> BUT SHE STILL WALKED IN AND SHE HAD -- SHE SAW PEOPLE, AND SHE LIKE, "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?"

>> AND THEN I GOT SORT OF THE LIKE THE MORE PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE ROOM.

>> TOTAL SURPRISE.

TOTAL.

>> AND I SAW MY DAUGHTER COMING OVER AND THEN I WAS LIKE, "OH, MY GOSH."

>> SHE REALIZED, LIKE, "OH, MY GOD, HE GOT ME."

>> EVERYONE IN HERE I KNOW.

>> SHE -- YEAH, SHE THOUGHT MY DAD WOULD NEVER PASS UP A PENGUINS GAME, SO -- [ LAUGHS ] >> IT WAS ALL RIGHT.

I THINK SHE'S STILL PRETTY HAPPY.

>> SHE WAS SURPRISED.

>> YOU SAW HER EYES WERE STARTING TO TEAR UP.

SHE'S LIKE, "OH, MY GOD!"

[ LAUGHS ] SHE JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE ALL THESE PEOPLE, SO -- >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S OKAY.

WE'RE ALL HERE NOW, AND MOM WAS SURPRISED.

[ LAUGHS ] >> IT SEEMS ABOUT EVERY TEN YEARS OR SO, HE DOES A SURPRISE PARTY.

>> YOU SHOW UP TO A, YOU KNOW, A BANQUET HALL WITH A TON OF PEOPLE YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING TO SEE.

I THINK IT'S STILL A SURPRISE.

>> YEAH, IT ALL WORKED OUT FINE.

LOIS THE COOK PUT OUT A BIG SPREAD.

PEOPLE WERE JUST STARTING TO THINK ABOUT DANCING, AND WE GOT OUT OF THERE.

A NICE LITTLE SURPRISE WITH THE CONICELLA FAMILY AT THE SHALER MOOSE ON SAXONBURG BOULEVARD.

JUST REMEMBER -- I DON'T DO BIRTHDAYS.

[ LAUGHS ] THAT WAS A ONE-TIME ONLY.

NO REPEATS.

>>> BUT WITH THANKSGIVING TOMORROW, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WHEN WE HAVE COLD TURKEY SANDWICHES.

I LOVE THEM ON PUMPERNICKEL WITH MAYO AND ONION.

AND YOU KNOW, BACK IN 2002, WHEN WE DID A SHOW FOR PBS CALLED "SANDWICHES THAT YOU WILL LIKE," WE SHOT SOME FOOTAGE ABOUT ONE OF THE GREAT QUESTIONS IN SANDWICH-DOM, BUT WE DIDN'T INCLUDE IT IN THE SHOW.

WE PUT IT ON THE DVD.

SO I THOUGHT WE'D SHARE IT WITH YOU NOW.

I DON'T THINK THIS HAS EVER BEEN SEEN ON TV BEFORE.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE CAN'T GET ALL THE GOOD ANSWERS INTO THE SHOW, AND THIS TIME, EVERYWHERE WE WENT, WE ASKED ALMOST EVERYONE WE TALKED TO -- WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IN A SANDWICH, THE BREAD OR THE FILLING?

>> THE FILLING.

>> I LIKE THE MEAT.

>> THE BREAD IS JUST SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO.

>> I LIKE THE BREAD.

>> I WOULD SAY THE FILLING, 'CAUSE THE BREAD IS PRETTY MUCH ALL THE SAME.

>> I'M AN ATKINS MAN.

I DON'T EAT BREAD.

>> IF THE BREAD ISN'T FRESH, IT CAN RUIN THE ENTIRE SANDWICH.

>> I LIKE THE BREAD WITH A LITTLE BIT OF MEAT.

>> THE WHOLE PACKAGE MAKES IT COMPLETE.

>> I THINK IT'S EQUAL.

>> I DON'T THINK I COULD GIVE ONE MORE IMPORTANCE THAN THE OTHER.

>> I LIKE THE FILLING.

[ LAUGHS ] >> I LIKE BOTH.

I LIKE BOTH.

I LIKE THE FRENCH BREAD.

>> I'D SAY THE FILLING.

>> I THINK THE FILLING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE BREAD.

>> VERY BOTH.

VERY BOTH.

BUT -- [ LAUGHS ] WHICH MAKES NO SENSE.

>> THAT ONE.

THAT ONE'S GONNA MAKE THE CUT.

>> THAT ONE.

>> I LIKE "VERY BOTH."

>> VERY BOTH.

>> DEFINITELY THE FILLING.

GREAT BUN HERE, THOUGH.

>> PLENTY PEOPLE SAY IT'S THE BREAD.

'CAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THIS BREAD ANYWHERE ELSE BUT NEW ORLEANS.

>> I LIKE THE WAY THEY ROAST THEIR BUNS.

>> THE FILLING.

>> THE FILLING.

THE MEAT, BROTHER.

AIN'T NOBODY WANT TO GET FAT.

>> THE BREAD HAS MORE CARBS.

[ LAUGHS ] >> TASTE THAT MEAT.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE HERE FOR.

>> THE FILLING.

THE FILLING.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD BREAD, YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE A GOOD SANDWICH.

>> I WANT SUBSTANCE IN THERE.

I WANT MEAT.

I WANT IT THICK.

I WANT IT JUICY.

>> 'CAUSE IF THE BREAD'S NO GOOD, THE REST OF THE SANDWICH'S NO GOOD AT ALL.

>> I WANT IT WHERE IT FALLS DOWN OFF YOUR FACE, AND IT'S -- IT'S -- OH, THERE'S MORE!

I GOTTA FINISH IT UP.

[ LAUGHS ] >> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SEPARATE THE FILLING FROM THE BREAD FROM THE CONDIMENTS.

>> I THINK I MAY TEND TOWARDS THE BREAD AT THIS POINT.

>> PROBABLY THE FILLING, BUT THE BREAD HELPS.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THE FILLING.

>> NICE FRESH BREAD IS ALWAYS -- YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT A STALE BUN.

>> I'M NOT MUCH OF A BREAD PERSON MYSELF.

>> WELL, THEY'RE BOTH IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE FILLING IS MORE IMPORTANT.

>> BOTH.

BOTH.

>> PHILADELPHIA PEOPLE ARE GONNA TELL YOU IT'S THE BREAD.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

IT DOES MATTER.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PRETTY GOOD BREAD TO MAKE A PRETTY GOOD SANDWICH.

>> A CHEESESTEAK IS THE SUM OF ITS PARTS.

IF YOU HAVE BAD BREAD, IT'S A BAD CHEESESTEAK.

>> GO TO PITTSBURGH, THEY DON'T MAKE BREAD LIKE THIS IN PITTSBURGH.

>> IF YOU HAVE BAD STEAK, IT'S A BAD CHEESESTEAK.

>> I THINK IT'S WHAT YOU PUT INSIDE, BUT THIS ROLL IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

>> THE FILLING.

>> INSIDE MOSTLY.

DEPENDS ON THE BREAD, TOO.

>> TO ME, THE SANDWICH IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE WRAPPING, EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE'S GOOD.

>> BUT IT'S NOT A SANDWICH WITHOUT THE BREAD.

[ LAUGHS ] >> IF YOU HAVE GOOD OF ONE OR THE OTHER, IT'LL CARRY IT A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT'S JUST THE BREAD.

>> BUT IF YOU HAVE BAD OF EITHER, NEITHER ARE GOOD.

>> IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

YOU GOTTA HAVE BOTH TO MAKE IT COME OUT RIGHT.

>> SO YOU'VE GOT TO GO BOTH WAYS ON THAT ONE.

>> IT'S KIND OF A LITTLE MIXTURE OF BOTH, I THINK.

>> NO, I THINK YOU COULD PUT OUR FILLING ON ANY BREAD, AND THEY'LL STILL SELL.

>> THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN VELVEETA AND GUMMY WHITE WONDER BREAD.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IF I'D EAT IT ON A PIECE OF REGULAR BREAD THAT I BAKED, IT JUST WOULDN'T BE RIGHT.

>> I THINK THE FILLING'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

>> THE FILLING, I WOULD BELIEVE.

[ LAUGHS ] >> BREAD IS BREAD.

>> THERE'S A SYNERGY THAT TAKES PLACE WITH A PERFECT SANDWICH.

>> EVERYTHING.

BREAD IS IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THE RIGHT BREAD AND THE RIGHT INSIDE, AND YOU'VE GOT A GREAT SANDWICH.

>> IT HAS TO BE DONE RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TO LIKE THE TASTE.

>> GOOD SANDWICH, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE GOOD BREAD.

>> THE FILLING.

>> FOR ME, IT'S THE FILLING.

THE FILLING.

THE MIDDLE.

>> THE FILLING.

>> AW, AW, IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG THERE.

UH -- >> FILLING.

THAT'S WITHOUT QUESTION.

THE FILLING.

[ LAUGHS ] >> A GOOD CRUNCHY BREAD WITH SOME REAL GRAIN IN IT WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR TEETH INTO IT.

>> I'D ARGUE THE FILLING, ALTHOUGH YOU COULD REALLY GO BOTH WAYS.

>> AND THE FILLING HAS TO BE GREAT, TOO.

>> OH, THE FILLING FOR SURE.

>> THE FILLING.

>> IT'S LIKE A PICTURE.

YOU KNOW, YOU GOT THE PICTURE AND THEN A FRAME.

THE BREAD'S THE FRAME.

>> OH, THE FILLING.

BREAD'S IMPORTANT.

THE FILLING.

>> A GOOD HOMEMADE BREAD, A CRUSTY BREAD -- >> 'CAUSE YOU CAN GIVE ME GREAT BREAD, BUT IF YOU DON'T FILL IT WITH SOMETHING I LIKE, YOU CAN KEEP IT, YOU KNOW?

>> I'M NOT GONNA CALL IT A GREAT SANDWICH IF IT'S ON SUPERMARKET WHITE BREAD.

>> IT'S A GOOD 50%.

I WOULDN'T SAY MORE THAN, BUT A GOOD 50%.

>> OH, THE FILLING.

OF COURSE.

YOU CAN GET ANY KIND OF BREAD IF YOU HAVE GOOD STUFF BETWEEN IT, IT'S GONNA BE GOOD.

>> THE FILLING, ABSOLUTELY.

>> GOOD BREAD IS WONDERFUL.

>> THE BREAD IS JUST A SIDEBAR, YOU KNOW.

>> PROBABLY THE BREAD.

>> THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP THE SANDWICH TOGETHER.

IT'S THE STUFF INSIDE THAT REALLY COUNTS.

>> I THINK EVERYTHING.

BREAD IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THEY HAVE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF BREADS NOW, AND -- >> PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DEFINITELY TASTES DIFFERENT ON THE CHEAP SUPERMARKET BREAD.

>> I JUST REALLY LIKE SANDWICHES.

>> DEFINITELY.

GOOD SANDWICH ALWAYS HAS GOOD BREAD.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GOOD BASE, IF THAT BREAD ISN'T GOOD, THE WHOLE THING'LL FALL APART.

AND IF THE FILLING ISN'T GOOD -- SHOULD WE DO THAT OVER?

>> THAT WAS OKAY.

>> THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

>> AND IF THE FILLING ISN'T GREAT, THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING GOOD BREAD?

>> YOU HAVE THE WORST, YOU KNOW, MEAT, YOU'D HAVE LIKE GOAT MEAT OR DOG MEAT, BUT YOU KNOW -- [ LAUGHS ] YOU NEED THE BREAD TO HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER, YOU KNOW.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DISCOUNT THE BREAD, BUT THE FILLING'S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> THE BALANCE OF SOFT AND, YOU KNOW, FIRM AND CRISPY.

SO YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY THE BREAD.

>> THEY SORT OF GO TOGETHER.

>> IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SAY WHICH IS BETTER.

THEY JUST GO TOGETHER.

>> I'D SAY PROBABLY THE FILLING.

YOU COULD SNEAK BY WITH SOME MEDIOCRE BREAD IF YOU'VE GOT A GOOD SOLID FILLING INSIDE.

>> THAT'S LIKE A MARRIAGE.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT -- THE HUSBAND OR THE WIFE?

>> I THINK THE BREAD.

>> I MEAN, THEY'RE BOTH EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO THE PARTNERSHIP.

>> ACTUALLY, I THINK THE BREAD.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE A GOOD SANDWICH IF ONE PART OF THAT PARTNERSHIP IS FALLING DOWN.

>> THE FILLING'S JUST TO GIVE IT THE TASTE AND THE FLAVOR, BUT I THINK IT'S MORE THE BREAD.

>> SO CONSEQUENTLY, THEY'RE BOTH IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE BREAD, THE SPREAD AND THE FILLING.

>> I THINK THE BREAD FOR SURE.

>> THE FILLING.

>> I THINK IT'S A TOSS-UP REALLY, BUT I THINK REALLY THE FILLING'S GOT TO BE THE ONE.

THE BREAD'S GOOD.

BUT YOU KNOW, THE MORE I THINK OF IT, I THINK THE BREAD.

I THINK THE BREAD.

REALLY.

[ LAUGHS ] >> IT PROBABLY REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT.

>>> BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN I START TO THINK ABOUT GREAT PITTSBURGH SANDWICHES, I THINK BACK TO A STORY WE DID IN THE YEAR 2000 WHEN WE MADE A PROGRAM CALLED "SOMETHING ABOUT OAKLAND."

WE STOPPED IN THAT GREAT LITTLE ITALIAN PLACE ON BATES STREET THAT'S NOW RUN BY JULIE AND FILOMENA, TWO OF THE MERANTE SISTERS.

WE CALLED IT GROCERIA MERANTE.

YOU CAN SAY GROCERIA.

THEY MAKE SOME SANDWICHES.

>> WE COOK WHILE WE'RE HERE.

AND WE SHARE WHAT WE COOK.

TO EAT.

>> EVERY DAY, THERE'S PEPPERS COOKING.

>> THAT'S THE FUNNY THING.

WHEN PEOPLE, “WHAT ARE YOU MAKING IN THERE?” AND IT'S JUST FRIED PEPPERS.

>> BUT IT SMELLS THE WHOLE STREET UP.

MEAN, AS YOU WALK DOWN, IT KIND OF DRAWS YOU IN.

>> I LIKE THE HOTTER ONES BETTER THAN THE SWEET, BUT WE EAT BOTH.

>> I USUALLY ORDER UP SOME LUNCHMEAT RIGHT AWAY, TAKE IT WITH ME, OR MAKE THEM MAKE A SANDWICH FOR ME.

>> AND THE SANDWICHES ARE CATCHING ON.

[ LAUGHS ] >> THEY GOTTA MORTADEL.

THEY GOTTA SALAMI.

THEY GOTTA CAPICOL.

PROSCUITT.

AND THE HOME-FRIED PEPPERS.

>> AND THE PEPPERS.

THE PEPPERS ON THE SANDWICH MAKE IT.

>> THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN PAYING ME CASH.

THEY PAY ME WITH A LITTLE SANDWICH.

>> YEAH, A LITTLE SANDWICH.

AND I BOUGHT FAVA BEANS.

>> I GUESS IT'S AN ITALIAN THING TO REALLY KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS.

>> WE BE OVER HERE EVERY DAY PICKING UP THE BEST STUFF IN THE WORLD.

>> GOT THE OLIO.

GOT THE LUNCHMEAT.

>> EVERYTHING.

>> GOT EVERYTHING OVER THERE.

>> AND THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS PLACE IS THAT IT'S BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES, BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO HAVE THAT REAL NEIGHBORHOOD FLAVOR AND CHARACTER.

>> I KNOW THESE TWO PEOPLE, 1957.

'57.

2000.

SEE HOW MANY YEARS?

>> IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING, YOU CAN RUN DOWN IN FIVE MINUTES AND GO RIGHT BACK HOME WITHOUT TURNING YOUR POT OFF.

[ LAUGHS ] >> NICE LITTLE PLACE.

GOOD PRODUCE.

CHEAP.

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE.

>> THEY KNOW WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE AND SHOULD USE.

>> THE FIRST THING IS THE PEOPLE, AND THEN WE GET THIS, STOP AT THE VERY BIG ONE.

[ LAUGHS ] >> THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME AND LEFT OAKLAND, WE GET THEM ALL THE TIME.

>> IT USED TO BE SOLID ITALIAN.

BUT NOT ANY LONG YOU KNOW WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND THE HOSPITAL.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT OF CHANGE.

>> “DO YOU REMEMBER ME?

I WAS HERE --” YOU KNOW, OR, “REMEMBER, I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE SEVERAL YEARS AGO?” AND THE FUNNY PART IS WE DO REMEMBER THEM.

>> MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID, "YOU KNOW, THERE WAS NEVER ANYTHING ON THIS CORNER.

WE MADE THIS CORNER HAPPEN."

>> WE NEED THAT.

>> YOU NEED THIS.

THIS STORE, I LIKE.

YES.

>> I LOVE THIS CORNER.

AND I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE IN OAKLAND.

>> I'LL SEE YOU GUYS.

>> SEE YA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BYE, JU.

>> IT'S A REALLY GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD SPOT.

YOU KNOW, I STOPPED IN THERE LAST WEEK, AND THEY WERE FRYING THOSE PEPPERS, AND I FELL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN.

THEN FILOMENA GAVE ME SOME BREAD FOR MY STUFFING.

BUT I ALSO WANTED TO SHOW YOU THAT CLIP, BECAUSE OF THAT ELDERLY ITALIAN COUPLE THAT WE SEE SEVERAL TIMES.

THOSE ARE THE PARENTS OF BRUNO CONICELLA, WHO INVITED ME TO HIS WIFE'S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY.

HIS MOM WAS AT THE PARTY.

IT'S PITTSBURGH.

WE'RE ALL CONNECTED.

AND YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, WE'VE BEEN HELD TOGETHER BY HARDWARE FROM T&T HARDWARE ON CARSON ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

THAT'S HERE.

THAT'S WHERE I'VE BEEN STANDING THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM.

T&T HARDWARE.

IT'S CLOSING.

IN FACT, YESTERDAY, THEY STARTED A 50% OFF SALE.

AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING THIS ANYTIME AROUND THANKSGIVING 2010, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOP BY AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY BARGAINS LEFT.

MARK McNALLY IS STILL HERE.

HE'S BEEN MANAGING THIS PLACE FOR OVER A DECADE.

AND NOW, IT'S TIME.

>> OH, IT'S DEFINITELY TIME.

YEAH.

THE DAY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HARDWARE IS GONE, RICK.

IT'S JUST GONE.

YEAH.

>> BUT WHY NOW?

>> OH, A LOT OF THINGS.

YOU KNOW, THE BIG BOX STORES ARE COMING IN.

THEY'RE HITTING THE AREA PRETTY HARD.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS CHANGED.

A LOT OF RENTAL PROPERTY.

RENTERS DON'T NECESSARILY SUPPORT A HARDWARE THE WAY HOMEOWNERS DID.

A LOT OF THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IS GONE OUT OF THE SOUTH SIDE THAT WERE BIG ACCOUNTS OF OURS.

THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS.

>> SO PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN FOR THE HALF-OFF, ARE THEY SAD?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

I'VE GOTTEN SOME REALLY INTERESTING RESPONSES FROM SOME PEOPLE HERE THAT THEY'RE REALLY GONNA MISS US.

'CAUSE YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN HERE 15 YEARS.

I'VE MADE SOME GOOD FRIENDS DOWN HERE.

AND THE STORE OVER 74 YEARS.

I MEAN, THEY'VE MADE GENERATIONS OF FRIENDS.

>> ARE YOU SAD?

>> YES, I AM.

YEAH.

YEAH.

A LITTLE SAD IT CLOSED ON MY WATCH.

BUT WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?

>> I COULD BE SAD, TOO, BUT YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BETTER IF WE REMEMBER THIS PLACE IN ITS GLORY DAYS, SO I THOUGHT WE'D WATCH THE PIECE WE MADE HERE BACK IN 1998, WHEN WE DID A SHOW CALLED "SOUTH SIDE."

MIKE TUMAS WAS A YOUNG MAN BACK THEN.

TIME FLIES.

LET'S WATCH.

AND ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT SHOPPING ON EAST CARSON STREET IS THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME BUSINESSES THAT HAVE SURVIVED FROM AN EARLIER ERA ON THE SOUTH SIDE, PLACES LIKE T&T HARDWARE.

IT'S A CLASSIC WOOD FLOOR HARDWARE STORE.

THE TUMAS FAMILY HAS BEEN ONE OF THE "Ts" SINCE IT OPENED IN 1937.

>> WHAT ELSE, SIR?

>> MIKE TUMAS NOW OWNS AND OPERATES THE PLACE.

>> IT'S REAL, TRUE HARDWARE -- A LOT OF NUTS AND BOLTS AND SCREWS, A LOT OF THE ODDBALL NUTS AND BOLTS AND SCREWS -- THE METRICS, THE GRADE 8s, THE SAEs, STUFF LIKE THAT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T CARRY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO CARRY.

>> YEAH, I DON'T LIKE TO ADMIT THIS BECAUSE I'M THE HARDWARE GUY, BUT YOU KNOW, QUITE OFTEN I'LL FIND SOMETHING, I'LL HAVE TO ASK SOMEONE ELSE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THIS?

[ LAUGHS ] >> YOU COME IN WITH A BAG OF PARTS OR WHATEVER, DUMP ‘EM ON THE COUNTER, WE'RE GONNA LAY ‘EM OUT, GET OUR HANDS GREASY AND DIRTY, WE'RE GONNA FIX IT.

IT'S SERVICE.

>> AND IT'S A LOT OF LITTLE DRAWERS, BINS AND SHELVES FULL OF WHO KNOWS WHAT.

AND WHO KNOWS HOW THESE GUYS REMEMBER WHERE EVERYTHING IS.

>> MARK IS THE NEWEST FELLOW HERE, AND HE'S STILL LEARNING.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M STILL ASKING MIKE, YOU KNOW, I KNOW I'VE SEEN ‘EM, WHERE DID I SEE IT?

YOU KNOW, AND 99 OUT OF 100 TIMES, HE TELLS ME YOU KNOW, IT'S TO THE LEFT OF WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, RIGHT BELOW SOMETHING ELSE.

>> SPEAKING OF TO THE LEFT OF, WOULD YOU GRAB ME A 40-WATT BULB RIGHT THERE, PLEASE?

>> SURE.

>> IT JUST TAKES TIME.

YOU'VE GOT TO PUT IT AWAY TO KNOW WHERE IT IS.

>> THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT ABOUT 60% OF THEIR BUSINESS COMES FROM THE TRADES -- CARPENTERS AND PLUMBERS AND CONSTRUCTION GUYS.

BUT THEY GET A LOT OF WALK-IN TRAFFIC, TOO, AND THEY HAVE REGULARS.

>> WE HAVE GUYS WHO COME IN HERE, YOU KNOW, EVERY MORNING, EVERY MORNING, WHETHER THEY NEED ANYTHING OR NOT, JUST TO SAY HI AND STOP IN.

OH, SURE, I MEAN, THIS IS STILL AN OLD-TIME NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS.

>> WAITING TO GET WAITED ON.

>> HERE YOU GO.

>> FELL ASLEEP.

[ LAUGHS ] >> THAT'S OUR OFFICIAL YOUNGEST T&T CUSTOMER.

>> PEOPLE LOVE TO COME IN HERE AND JUST LOOK AROUND.

THEY COME IN HERE AND THEY LOOK AT THESE GALVANIZED TUBS UP HERE, AND INVARIABLY SOME -- ONE OF THE OLDER PEOPLE'LL SAY, “I USED TO TAKE A BATH ON ONE OF THOSE THINGS!” WELL, NOW WE SELL ‘EM, THEY PUT KEGS OF BEER IN ‘EM AND RUN ICE AROUND.

SOMEBODY COMES IN, THEY WANT A POUND OF NAILS.

THEY'RE NOT IN BOXES.

WE DUMP ‘EM IN OUR SCALE, AND WE WEIGH OUT A POUND OF NAILS.

>> WHILE THE FRONT OF T&T IS FASCINATING, WHAT'S AMAZING IS ALL THE INVENTORY THEY KEEP IN THE BACK ROOM AND IN THE BASEMENT.

>> THE SELLING AREA'S ONLY ABOUT 2,000 SQUARE FEET, BUT THAT'S ONLY ABOUT 20% TO 25% OF WHAT'S HERE.

>> IT WASN'T HARD TO PERSUADE MIKE TO TAKE US ON A TOUR BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> WE'RE GOING DOWNSTAIRS.

WE‘RE GOING DOWNSTAIRS.

OKAY.

WE'RE GONNA BRING YOU DOWN INTO THE DUNGEONS AND THE CATACOMBS OF T&T HARDWARE NOW.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST SECTION OF THE STORE.

WE HAVE A GLASS SECTION HERE THAT WE SELL PEOPLE GLASS OR FIX THEIR WINDOWS FOR THEM.

A LOT OF GALVANIZED PIPE.

THEN WE GET INTO HERE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY UNDERNEATH THE SIDEWALK.

THIS IS WHERE THE CATACOMBS AND EVERYTHING BEGIN.

PEOPLE LOOK AT OUR SIDEWALK SOMETIMES THERE IN THE WINTER, AND THERE'S NO SNOW ON IT, AND THEY WONDER WHY, AND IT'S BECAUSE OUR BUILDING GOES ALL THE WAY TO CARSON STREET.

THIS AREA HERE, WE HAVE A PIPE MACHINE HERE THAT'S PROBABLY OLDER THAN ME ALSO.

PEOPLE COME IN, THEY TELL US WHAT SIZE THEY WANT, WE CUT IT AND THREAD IT FOR THEM, AND THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY, AND EVERYBODY'S HAPPY.

A PLUMBING SECTION, AND AN ELECTRICAL SECTION ON THE OTHER SIDE.

AND WE ALSO HAVE A SMALL MACHINE SHOP HERE.

PEOPLE COME IN AND NEED LITTLE THINGS MADE, LITTLE THINGS DONE.

THEY'RE STUCK, THEY CAN'T FIND PARTS AND PIECES, SOMETIMES WE CAN MAKE THEM AND/OR FIX THEM.

A LOT OF THIS STUFF MEANS -- A LOT OF THIS STUFF MY DAD HAD HIS HANDS ON.

MY DAD WAS IN HERE FOR 50 YEARS, AND HE BUILT LIKE THIS SHELVING.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS WHAT I LIVED FOR.

THIS IS WHAT I GREW UP WITH.

I GREW UP WITH, WITH HARDWARE.

>> MIKE'S LOVE FOR THIS BUSINESS SEEMS TO BE SHARED BY ALL THE GUYS WHO WORK HERE.

>> WE'VE GOT YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

BETWEEN ALL OF US UP HERE, THERE'S OVER 50 TO 75 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, STANDING AROUND, WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN.

>> DO YOU HAVE TWO-BY-FOUR LENS FOR BIG FLUORESCENT LIGHTS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> YOU DO?

>> YES, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I'LL HAVE ONE.

>> HOW MANY?

ONE?

>> ONE.

>> 12 IN A BOX.

>> PARDON ME?

>> THERE'S 12 IN A BOX.

>> OKAY.

I DON'T NEED 12.

>> YOU WANT ONE BOX.

>> NO!

ONE.

>> OH, JUST ONE.

BUT THERE'S 12 IN A BOX.

>> WELL, CAN'T YOU BREAK THE BOX?

>> OKAY.

WE'LL GET YOU ONE.

>> I LIVE IN SHADYSIDE, BUT THIS IS WHERE I DO MY SHOPPING.

>> YEAH, WHY?

>> FOR A HARDWARE STORE.

>> WHY DO YOU COME HERE?

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE SO HELPFUL AND THEY HAVE EVERYTHING.

THAT'S FREE NOW BECAUSE I JUST GAVE YOU A GOOD COMMERCIAL.

>> YOU'RE PAYING FOR IT.

>> OKAY.

[ LAUGHS ] >> YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THIS KIND OF HARDWARE STORE WAS EXTINCT, BUT T&T SURVIVES.

>> OH, WE ARE DINOSAURS.

WE'RE THE LAST OF THE OLD ONES.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> PROBABLY ONE OF THE LAST OF THE OLD ONES IN THE CITY.

WE'RE ONE OF THE LAST OF THE OLD HARDWARE STORES IN THE CITY.

>> THAT THEY WERE.

AND ONE OF THE BEST.

BUT NOW, IT'S T&T'S TURN TO CLOSE.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE A CITY THAT LOVES DINOSAURS.

BUT I THINK WE MAY GRIEVE A LITTLE WHILE ABOUT THIS ONE GOING EXTINCT.

WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS PROGRAM BEFORE WE GO EXTINCT?

LEFTOVERS CAN BE TASTY.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCREAM "SURPRISE" FOR A SURPRISE PARTY TO WORK.

AND WE REALLY OUGHT TO PATRONIZE OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR SANDWICHES, FOR HARDWARE, FOR WHATEVER, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, THERE WON'T BE ANY DISTINCTIVE PLACES AND THINGS LEFT NEXT YEAR TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

STICK AROUND FOR THE CREDITS.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SEE OTHER PRODUCTIONS FROM RICK SEBAK AND HIS COHORTS AT WQED, CHECK OUT THE MANY DVDs OFFERED AT SHOPWQED.ORG, OR CALL 1-800-274-1307.

>> OF COURSE, YOU BEING HERE WAS ALSO AN EXTREMELY GREAT SURPRISE, ‘CAUSE -- >> I'M A DENTIST.

BY LICENSURE -- >> -- SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO MEET YOU, AND YOU KNOW, HAVE DINNER WITH YOU, SO VOILA!

THERE YOU GO.

>> -- BUT FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS, I'VE WORKED FOR AETNA, THE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO I'M A CORPORATE DENTIST.

>> MY MOM?

DOESN'T LOOK A DAY OVER 40.

-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com