Essentials: Tony Packo's Sweet Hot Pickles And Peppers, Toledo, Ohio
Iconic in their own right
Yes, Tony Packo’s was mentioned on M*A*S*H. Yes, the Hungarian-American hot dog joint has a collection of more than 1,500 (mostly artificial) buns signed by celebrities ranging from Big Bird to Joe Biden. But the pickles are iconic in their own right. The standout sweet-hots are a mix of thick, ridged cucumber chunks and banana pepper rings. They’re tangy and garlicky, with a gentle kick. They come with many of the dishes on the menu, but you can also buy them online and at select grocery stores. They taste just as good without the signed buns. —Amy Cavanaugh
Amy Cavanaugh is the dining editor at Chicago magazine. A native New Englander, she’s lived in Chicago for a decade and loves venturing around the Midwest to eat and drink. Follow along on Instagram @AmyCavanaugh.