Tony Packo's Cafe in Toledo, Ohio gained world-wide fame when M*A*S*H character Max Klinger, played by Toledo native Jamie Farr, made mention of the restaurant in several episodes. The restaurant displays several M*A*S*H mementos on the premises.
When actor Burt Reynolds visited Toledo in 1972, he made a stop at the restaurant and was the first celebrity to start the tradition of "bun signing" when he penned his signature on a Packo hot dog bun. Ever since then, celebrities who visit the restaurant sign a "bun"—now a plastic, air-brushed look-alike—and have it placed on the walls of Packo's.
On a visit to Packo's in April 2012, our grandchildren, Max and Annaliese Georgi, (ages 10 and 14) started to ask why grandpa's signature wasn't on a bun. We searched out the restaurant manager and told him he had a two-time Olympic Gold medal winner enjoying lunch.
He quizzed Annaliese about what sport, what years and she had the right answers. Overhearing this was a customer about to leave Packo's .....
The manager was very nice, brought out the bun and just like that, Gary's signature is preserved forever on a hot dog bun. I sent the manager a picture of GLA shooting in 1966.
Max and Annaliese were so excited that we pulled this off. And that customer, about to leave? He came back in, just to shake Gary's hand.
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| Gary and the manager of Tony Packo's Front Street |
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| The hot dog bun, signed. |
Max and Annaliese Georgi with grandpa's bun
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| Gary Anderson - Olympic Gold Medal 1964-1968 |
