Tony Packo's Toledo Ohio iconic restaurant famous from MASH

Tony Packo’s in Toledo Is Famous for More Than Just MASH

If you watched TV in the 1970s and 80s, chances are you were watching MASH. The sitcom set during the Korean War followed the cast of Army misfits including Maxwell Klinger who was from Toledo.

Played by actor Jamie Farr, a Toledo native, Klinger longed for all things Toledo which meant he frequently discussed their baseball team the Mudhens and his favorite restaurant, Tony Packo’s Toledo.

The initial fame of Tony Packo’s predates television fame, having been a Toledo institution since 1932. Our visits have been to the original location, at 1902 Front Street in Toledo. The restaurant has added four other locations surrounding Toledo as well as a robust online business to help fill the desire of hot dogs with chili peppers in Northwest Ohio.

Tony Packo’s Toledo: Hot Dogs and Beyond

There is nothing pretentious about a visit to Tony Packo’s in Toledo. You walk into the original location and you’re greeted at the bar, and taken to a table to place your order. Hot dogs, pierogies and sandwiches are the main course offerings on their menu. The hot dogs, served plain or dressed up with their chili sauce is the main draw.

The famous Tony Packo hot dog. Made to your specifications, this one features one plain and one with their special chili sauce. The hot dog platter comes with a cup of chili, fries and some spicy pickles.
The famous Tony Packo hot dog. Made to your specifications, this one features one plain and one with their special chili sauce. The hot dog platter comes with a cup of chili, fries and some spicy pickles.

Like a lot of chili dog restaurants that are scattered throughout the midwest, Tony’s chili dog is a fan favorite. What sets Tony Packo’s apart from others is the casing on the hot dog and the chili sauce itself. They use a natural casing, which is firmer than a typical hot dog. This is a plus or minus, depending on your personal taste. The chili sauce consists of unique Hungarian spices, ground beef, and other seasonings, giving it a spicy and unique flavor. 

If hot dogs are not your thing, there are still some house specialties of which you can partake. Their signature dish is the chicken paprikas. A boneless chicken breast with mild spices and covered with a special Hungarian ‘Old World sauce’ and served over delicious Hungarian dumplings. Though not mentioned on the menu, we’re pretty sure this is essential Hungarian comfort food, and it is served as a generous portion.

Hungarian comfort food, the chicken paprikas is the signature dish at Tony Packo's in Toledo. A seasoned chicken breast served over Hungarian dumplings, this will satisfy even a large appetite.
Hungarian comfort food, the chicken paprikas is the signature dish at Tony Packo’s in Toledo. A seasoned chicken breast served over Hungarian dumplings, this will satisfy even a large appetite.

If stuffed cabbage is your thing, Tony Packo’s has you covered. Their version is a beef and pork combination with rice and seasonings, hand-rolled in cabbage and then simmered in sour cream and tomato sauce. A little less adventurous, but very good is their roast beef sandwich. It is a beef Manhattan really, with tender beef with gravy, bread and mash potatoes. 

Tony Packo's roast beef sandwich, which is really a beef Manhattan is served over their hand prepared mashed potatoes along with their spicy pickles.
Tony Packo’s roast beef sandwich, which is really a beef Manhattan is served over their hand prepared mashed potatoes along with their spicy pickles.

Tony Packo’s MASH Connection 

First mentioned in a 1976 episode of MASH where Klinger commented, “Incidentally, if you’re ever in Toledo, Ohio, on the Hungarian side of town, Tony Packo’s, greatest Hungarian hot dogs, with chili peppers, 35 cents, and a cold beer!” Today, the hot dogs with chili peppers and a cold beer are still on the menu, but you’ll need more than 35 cents to cover the tab.

Over the course of the series, the Tony Packo’s MASH connection was specifically mentioned on six different episodes. The connection to the series extended beyond on screen mentions, as the restaurant reached out and helped cater to the stars of the show.

Tony Packo’s is forever linked to the TV show MASH. While the love of Tony’s started with actor and Toledo native Jamie Farr, it extended to the entire cast. The restaurant pays tribute to the show with mentions and memorabilia throughout the restaurant.

One of the main draws for non-locals to visit Tony Packo’s is MASH. The restaurant understands this, as your waitress is likely to greet you with the story of Tony’s connection. And if that didn’t happen,  you’d still figure it out with all the nostalgia and photo opportunities throughout the restaurant.

You probably cannot get your photo with actor Jamie Farr but you can with a cut out of Klinger. Klinger was the cross-dressing Toledo native that longed for Tony Packo's hot dogs while serving in Korea during the war.
You probably cannot get your photo with actor Jamie Farr but you can with a cut out of Klinger. Klinger was the cross-dressing Toledo native that longed for Tony Packo’s hot dogs while serving in Korea during the war.

Autographed hot dog buns

Before you’re even inside the restaurant, you will start to see hot dog buns on display with autographs. Actually, Tony Packo’s holds the World Record for the largest collection of autographed hot dog buns which number in the thousands. Who could possibly be in second place in this category?

The tradition of signed hot dog buns even predates their MASH fame. It was started in 1972 when Burt Reynolds was in town and stopped in for dinner. When they asked him for an autograph, he grabbed a bun and signed which started a new tradition.

The list of political dignitaries, sports stars, Hollywood giants and musical artists that have made their way through Tony’s is an impressive. Signed buns within the collection includes five former US Presidents.

Signed hot dog buns line the wall throughout the restaurant at Tony Packo's in Toledo. They hold the World's Record for the largest collection of signed buns, which includes a who's who of celebrities including MASH star Gary Burghoff.
Signed hot dog buns line the wall throughout the restaurant at Tony Packo’s in Toledo. They hold the World’s Record for the largest collection of signed buns, which includes a who’s who of celebrities including MASH star Gary Burghoff.

Is Tony Packo’s worth a stop?

If you’re a big MASH fan, it is a must stop if you’re in the area. As a food destination, it is a good spot and worth checking out if you find yourself in Toledo for other reasons. The restaurant leans on the nostalgia from their fame from TV. The food is good, not great.

Their gift shop has some unique items to check out. Shirts, hats and other items with the MASH and Tony Packo’s connection are great gifts for fans of the TV show. If you fell in love with their chili sauce or their spicy pickles, you can grab some to go. 

The famous hot dogs in Toledo Ohio can be obtained Monday through Saturday at 10:30AM, and Sunday starting at 11:30AM at the original location. Reservations are not needed, and they do a good job of moving you in and out of the restaurant. 

Free parking is available around the back of the building and across the street. It is worth noting that it is not the greatest neighborhood. We never felt unsafe, but as you drive to the original location you will see the rougher side of Toledo. 

Hot dog fan? Check out our thoughts on other hot dog stands and restaurant reviews.

Similar Posts