I was traveling
south on I-75 en route to interview an elections official
and I saw a billboard saying "World-Famous Tony Packo's."
I had never heard of the restaurant before. After finishing
my interview, I was told that I had to check out this restaurant.
Upon arriving,
the place looked like a bar. However, I noticed there was
t-shirts, cups, and other memorabilia in the display case.
I figured it had to be a well-known place. Tony Packo's was
established in 1932.
The restaurant
features Hungarian food, hot dogs, chili dogs, sandwiches,
roast beef, stuffed cabbage and other items. Side dishes include
paprika dumplings, baked beans, mashed potatoes and gravy,
macaroni and cheese, a hot german potato salad, kraut and
Tony Packo's own pickles and pappers. It serves Coke products,
Nestle Toll House cookies, apple or cherry strudel and apple
dumplings with cinnamon sauce.
I ordered a hot
dog with a side of chili and macaroni and cheese. It was the
best hot dog I've had in some time -- I can see why celebrities
come here. The macaroni and cheese was amazing. It was no
Kraft mac and cheese -- it was way better.
After dining, be
sure to walk around the restaurant. There are autographed
hot dog buns everywhere. No not real ones, they are plastic.
Some of the celebrities that have been there include Wayne
Newton, Burt Reynolds, Walter Mondale, Ron Howard, Mickey
Rooney, Charlie Daniels, Collin Raye and every president back
to Harry S. Truman, including president-elect Barack Obama.
There is also a
souvenir shop at the back of the restaurant. It features t-shirts,
hats, cups, magnets, stickers, etc. Customers can also purchase
some famous Tony Packo's hot dogs and cans of chili inside.
Plastic hot dogs are also available so you can autograph it
and feel like a "celebrity".
The restaurant
also has locations in Maumee, Sylvania, Talmadge and at Fifth
Third Field.
Next time you're
in Toledo, you have to stop at Tony Packo's. You won't be
disappointed.
