I was speaking on the telephone with someone from the Chicagoland area last evening and I made a reference to Tony Packo’s. This person, who in all other respects, is extremely enlightened, informed and erudite had no idea of that which I spoke. Imagine my shock. Imagine my dismay. Imagine my disillusionment! I’ve labored for years under the impression that everyone of my generation held a chapter and verse familiarity of Packo’s in Toledo through the innumerable references made by Klinger in the long-running series MASH*. So, am I totally mistaken here? Is general knowledge of Packo’s not as widespread as I’ve always believed? How many of you folks know nothing of this Toledo legend.
Sounds vaguely familiar, OncleBiere.
::hangs head in shame and slinks away::
Ha!
I told you you only remember the reference because you’re from Toledo.
Of course I knowof Tony Packo’s. That’s where Hawkeye got the sausage casing to build the makeshift kidney machine.
Wasn’t he the star centerfielder for the Mud Hens in 1954?
Hey Unc, how’s it going ?
I had a couple Packo dogs when I passed through in June. I can still taste them…
Packo’s needs a publicist to get them on the Food Channel more often.
Doc? Is that really you? Holy Hunky dogs. I ain’t seen you 'round this place in quite some time. Glad to see ya.
I will send you cold, hard cash if you send me cans of Packo’s chili sauce. I can’t get it here in CA.
Actually, forget it. I’m going to be in Toledo in two weeks, I’ll just pick some up then and pack it in my suitcase.
But in about three months the offer for cold, hard cash will be open again.
(Anybody remember the Schmegie Brothers’ polka “Cabbage Rolls & Coffee, Mmm-Mmm Good!”)
As for Tony’s hot dogs - I dunno if you’ll convince your Chicago friend that they’re better than Vienna Beef, any more than Portside is better than Navy Pier.
I watched MAS*H faithfully.
and I didn’t hear about/know about Tony Packo’s until Snookie drove us to Toledo to experience them on one of our first dates. And I even had a college friend who lived in -what the hell’s the name of that town - on the MI side, not Sylvania anyhow - you know it.
So, although Klinger made references to them etc. I don’t think it was widely realized that they referred to a real place.
However, Tony Packo’s products are available for sale through Meijer’ Inc. pretty regularly now.
You should be embarassed that you remember that. I know I am. 
Woah. Been a while since you’ve been in town, eh Slithy Tove? Portside went out back when I was still in pigtails and kneesocks—it’s a COSI now. And I don’t know what the Navy Pier is, but there’s no way they have anything cooler than Portside’s old Fudgery. Singing candymakers, life doesn’t get any sweeter.
bella–a Toledoan willing to be your Tony P’s connection, Sue
Sorry, Unc, it really is me…
Actually comparing a Chicago dog (had one 2 weeks ago) to a Packo dog is like comparing Blatz to, oh, shall we say, Anchor Steam. One is OK for day to day consuming but the other approaches religion.
Doc…out…