We celebrated 90 Years in 2022!

Tony Packo's has been a Toledo tradition since 1932 serving up authentic Hungarian cuisine

~ 1932 ~

Tony and his wife, Rose, received a $100 loan to open a sandwich and ice cream shop. This was during the hardest of hard times, the first years of the Great Depression.

Tony’s signature sandwich – sausage with sauce on rye – was created when he added a spicy chili sauce to enhance its flavor. He used a Hungarian sausage called Kolbasz but because it was so large, decided to cut it in half.  Not only did it resemble the size of an American hot dog, but he could also sell it for 5¢, a deal during those tough times. Tony’s creation was called the Hungarian hot dog. Those who knew the Old Country’s food said there was no such thing as a Hungarian hot dog until Tony invented it. 

Packo’s food was an instant hit in the neighborhood and word quickly spread around town about the delicious new hot dog at Tony Packo’s.

~ 1935 ~

Due to the success of the sandwich and ice cream shop, Tony and Rose were able to buy a building of their own. They purchased a wedge-shaped establishment at Front and Consaul Streets, which, over the years grew in size and fame as it became home to what is today’s Original Tony Packo’s Restaurant. 

~ 1968 ~

The Cakewalkin’ Jass Band opened at Tony Packo’s for the first time on Wednesday, July 3, 1968. This Dixieland group packed the house every Friday and Saturday night as the regular band at the Hungarian-style restaurant for the next three decades.

~ 1972 ~

Burt Reynolds was in Toledo starring in a production of “The Rainmaker.” He stopped by Packo’s and was asked for his autograph. Reynolds picked up a hot dog bun and signed it beginning the tradition of “bun signing.”

Packo’s Buns, now a foam replica, have been signed by presidents, actors, musicians, astronauts, and so many more. You can see many of them on the walls in all restaurant locations.

~ 1980 ~

Tony Packo’s gained worldwide fame when M*A*S*H character Corporal Maxwell Klinger, played by Jamie Farr, also a Toledo native, made mention of the Packo’s restaurant in six episodes of the show.

~ 1999 ~

Tony Packo’s launches its e-commerce business shipping original and sweet hot pickles & peppers and hot dog chili sauce to homes nationwide.

~ 2018 ~

Toledo’s oldest New Orleans-style jazz band, Cakewalkin’ Jass Band, commemorates 50 years of playing great music and creating generational memories for families inside the walls of Tony Packo’s. 

~ 2022 ~

Tony Packo’s celebrates 90 years of serving authentic Hungarian food to the Toledo area.