TONY PACKO'S

Blogger's note: In the introduction to this blog at the left, I warned readers I'd stray from the local region from time to time. This is one of those times -- and if you're ever anywhere near Toledo, Ohio, I hope you won't miss this place.

“I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven” probably isn’t the best way to describe an outstanding culinary experience. But if you ever get the chance to eat at Tony Packo’s, I think you'll understand.

If the name sounds a bit familiar, it should. Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Max Klinger on the popular show “M*A*S*H,” is a native of Toledo, Ohio. In one of the episodes, Klinger told a newspaper reporter that Tony Packo’s had the “greatest Hungarian hot dogs” – and the reference subsequently was written into five more shows plus the final episode in 1983.

About four years ago, my husband Jack and I had reason to visit Toledo, and since we were familiar with the “M*A*S*H” reference, the restaurant was at the top of our list of places to have a meal. Since then, we’ve been back several times -- twice accompanied by new-to-Packo's friends -- and we've placed a couple of orders for non-perishable goodies online to enjoy back at home as well.

In fact, Packo’s has been a staple in Toledo since Tony Packo, the son of Hungarian immigrants, opened a sandwich and ice cream shop in 1932 with his wife, Rose. In 1935, they needed more space and purchased a distinctive wedge-shaped building at the intersection of Front and Consaul streets. Today, there are five locations in the Toledo area, but if you're a first-timer, this is the only way to go.

Dining here is quite an experience; the restaurant retains an authentic ethnic flavor, complete with red-and-white checked oilcloth on the tables. You can’t miss what has become a Tony Packo’s tradition; when celebrities visit here, they “autograph” a hot dog bun, which is then hermetically sealed in plastic and hung on the wall (for the record, a server let us in on a secret -- the buns aren't real). Plenty of big names have been “hot doggers” here over the years, from Alice Cooper to Bill and Hillary Clinton to Jerry Seinfeld to The Donald (for the full story on how this came about, visit Packo's Web site).

Since what we eat here hasn't varied much over the years, I'll reference our most recent visit earlier this month, when we traveled to Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, Ohio (just outside Toledo) to attend the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Waterfront Festival. Since we couldn't check into our motel till mid-afternoon, once we'd made our initial tour of the festival grounds, we headed into town for a much-anticipated lunch at Packo's. And I must say, we certainly weren't disappointed -- not that for one second we expected to be. The menu isn't what I'd call expansive in terms of the number of choices, but there's more than enough here to satisfy any family member of any age. Hey, lives there a kid out there who refuses to eat hot dogs?

If you want, you can start with an appetizer; for something a bit different, try the fried pickles (Packo's original pickles and peppers breaded and deep fried and served with a choice of dipping sauces. Or, how about a "Chili Sundae?" No ice cream, but the restaurant's delicious chili layered with sour cream and shredded lettuce in a sundae glass with warm taco chips on the side.

The chili, in fact, is a huge part of my "to-die-for" reasoning; it's survived more than seven decades after its introduction, and it's absolutely delicious (with awards to prove it). Filled with finely chopped meat, chili beans and oodles of flavor, it packs a decent, but not off-putting, "heat" wallop.

The best way to get the full flavor of the Packo's experience, in my humble opinion, is to stick with one of the simple classics. On our most recent visit, for instance, we both ordered Tony Packo's Hot Dog Combo #1 (how's that for name originality)? No matter; what you get, for $8.49, is a famous hot dog with mustard, diced onions and "secret" sauce, a bowl or the chili (which now comes in regular, chicken or vegetarian) and your choice of one side dish. Not a chili lover, Jack substituted a bowl of chicken-and-dumpling soup, which was quite good. For sides, he picked the sauerkraut simmered in tomato sauce, while I insisted on the paprika dumplings with gravy -- for me, nothing else will do.

For the record, there are several varieties of hot dogs, including plain, so don't hesitate to ask for something different if you don't want the works. And if you love chili, you might try the Chili Mac, with the chili spread over dumplings and topped with shredded cheddar and onions. This delicacy comes with either cole slaw or creamy cucumber salad and bread and butter.

Another item of note: Those wonderful pickles. There are several varieties, all of which can be purchased in the gift shop or online. With each meal, though, you get my favorite -- the delectable Sweet Hot Pickles & Peppers. It's hard to describe the sensation of sweet pickle slices combined with hot, thick-sliced banana peppers on your tongue, but it's just wonderful.

It's rare that either of us has room for dessert after chowing down on all these goodies (plus a couple of beers), but if you do, there are a couple of don't miss items. Our favorite is the warm apple dumpling -- succulent apple slices in pastry flavored with cinnamon and other spices with the must-do option of adding ice cream (for $3.69), although the apple, cherry or "special fruit strudels are a quite acceptable alternative.

Once you're finished, be sure to stop in the gift shop. If you loved those pickles, I guarantee some of your friends will as well, and jars make great gifts. Plenty of other "stuff" awaits your perusal as well, from the requisite tourist T-shirts (I own two) to newer barbecue aprons. In the event you just can't bring yourself to waddle into the shop, though, be comforted by the fact that a few products, most notably the pickles, can be purchased back home in Giant Eagle supermarkets and Patton's IGA in Hubbard. Or, visit Packo's Web site and order online; just be aware that shipping costs are high for heavy, breakable items like pickles.

Finally, if you really want to be in the "with it" crowd, you can follow Tony Packo's (as I do) on Facebook and Twitter.

If you go:

Tony Packo’s
1902 Front St.
Toledo, OH 43605
(419) 691-1953
www.tonypackos.com
Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday Noon to 9 p.m.