Hungary Toledo

On the East side of Toledo, Ohio, there has been a thriving Hungarian population since the early 1900’s. As all immigrants do, the new US citizens brought with them the traditions of their home country; they brought classic food and designed many of their houses and churches to look like those back in Hungary. Continuing these traditions and sharing these tastes–to pass onto the next generation and share with the community–is an important way to keep the heritage alive. Brian’s parents live just outside the city and decided to take us to Tony Packo’s, a nationally known Hungarian restaurant that still is a part of the east-side community.

Tony and Rose Packo started Tony Packo’s Restaurant as a little shop back in 1932, where they served traditional Hungarian food that the community remembered from the old country. The Packos also  added some new menu items as well, like the first Hungarian hot dog!  Now their food is enjoyed by many people beyond Toledo.

In 1976, Tony Packo’s gained national recognition on M*A*S*H when Max Klinger, played by Toledoan, Jamie Farr, proclaimed that if anyone ever found themselves in east Toledo they needed to try “the greatest Hungarian hot dog” at Packo’s. The restaurant was mentioned in four more episodes of the popular TV show.

Each Hungarian hot dog is sliced and cooked on a grill. The thick casings around the meat gave a satisfying snap, which I love in a hot dog. Gentle seasoning really allowed the pure flavors of pork and beef to come through. The Packo’s hot dog was topped with their signature beef chili, a spicy, and sour sauce with a strong beef flavor. Brian and I both got an order.

We had a simple side of baked bean in a tomato barbeque sauce and mac’ and cheese, soft plump noodles tossed with chucks of melted yellow and white cheddar cheese.

Brian’s dad, Dave, ordered one of the “old country” classics: Cabbage rolls. A big cabbage leaf was rolled up with ground beef, rice, and veggies and braised until it was barely holding together. It was finished off with a smear of vinegary and sour tomato sauce, and topped with a spoonful of sour cream.

Besides their chili, Packo’s also dishes out other warm-you-to-the bone soup, either vegetable or chicken. Brian’s mom, Joan, had the chicken soup with dumplings for lunch; it was a thick broth packed full of vegetables and shredded chicken. Doughy soup dumplings were generously mixed in to create this classic dish. As steam came out of the bowl, we all could understand the appeal of this hearty dish.

A simple Apple Dumpling served as our dessert; a perfect treat to go along with this meal. A sweet, thick, and chewy pastry dough wrapped loosely around a whole peeled and cored apple acted as the main attraction. The apple was so tender, yet still had texture and was covered in sweet syrup. The warm dessert was topped with a mountain of sweet whipped cream slowly melting and mixing with the apple syrup to create a perfect sauce.

Dave decided, after our sampling of Hungarian fare for lunch, that he would keep the ball rolling into dinner by making his famous chicken paprika. A creamy, sweet, and hot paprika sauce covered still-on-the-bone chicken slowly cooked to give the sauce a strong chicken flavor. It was so good served on egg noodles with broccoli.

I can’t wait to return to the area and experience more local culture and see what it may inspire in others, and how it may benefit my stomach.

I am Hungary for more!!!!