See Why Tony Packo’s Has Become a Toledo Legend

During the Great Depression, Tony Packo created the Hungarian hot dog, a kolbasz sausage sliced in half and served with chili sauce on a bun. He sold it for an affordable 5 cents, and the sandwich — a creation that didn’t exist in the old country — was a hit in Toledo. 

Since 1932, people have been packing into Tony Packo’s original Front Street restaurant. (Three other Toledo-area locations have opened since.) The restaurant serves Hungarian fare from recipes that have been passed down for generations. Along with the hot dogs, favorites include chicken paprikash, hand-rolled stuffed cabbage and fried pickles. 

“We’ve had employees who have worked there close to 40 years,” says Lindsey Bond, executive director of  Tony Packo’s. “We build connections with our guests because we don’t have high staff turnover.”

Then there are the autographed hot dog buns. In 1972, actor Burt Reynolds started the tradition by signing a real hot dog bun, which the restaurant displayed. The switch was later made to foam hot dog buns for the sake of longevity. Today, the walls of Tony Packo’s Front Street location are filled with buns autographed by celebrities and politicians who have visited over the years. 

Another name associated with Tony Packo’s is actor and Toledo native Jamie Farr. In his role as Corporal Max Klinger, Farr got Tony Packo’s Hungarian hot dogs worked into a 1976 episode of the hit television show “M*A*S*H.” The restaurant was then mentioned in several other episodes, including the series finale. 1902 Front St., Toledo 43605, 419/691-6054, tonypackos.com

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