The Original Hot Dog Shop

The Original Hot Dog Shop is a Pittsburgh institution. Affectionately known as the “O” or “Dirty O” by some, the Original Hot Dog Shop is an establishment that every Pitt student must try at least once during their time at the university. Countless generations of students, Pittsburgh natives, and tourists have flocked to this Oakland dive for the greasy, stick to your ribs fast food that has made the restaurant a landmark for almost six decades.

The Original Hot Dog Shop was opened by brothers Sydney (Sid) and Moe Simon in 1960. The sons of a Lithuanian immigrant mother and blue-collar father, the brothers grew up in the Hill District and East Liberty. Sid worked at a deli in Highland Park for fifteen years before opening the “O” with Moe. The O began as a small counter on the corner of Forbes Avenue and Bouquet Street, where it still stands today, just yards away from Forbes Field, the then home of the Pittsburgh Pirates (and today the site of Posvar Hall). Its first name was “Original Franks and Burgers,” and change was kept in an old cigar box. Eventually Sid became the full owner. Additional seating was added, and the menu was expanded to include fries, sandwiches, pizza, and beer. In 2000, “Essie’s” was added to the name in honor of Sid’s late wife Esther. Sid passed away in November 2008, though the “O” remains a family-owned business today. The “O” has been featured on numerous TV shows, adding to its already well-known celebrity status in the Pittsburgh food world.

A visit to the “O” is not just a visit to any old fast food restaurant: it is an experience. Whether it is for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack when nearly nothing else is open, the “O” is certainly unique among Oakland eateries. Even though hot dog is in the name, the menu item that generates the most publicity and fame is their (dare I say world famous) fries. Double-fried, these fries are not just delicious. They are legendary.

During my latest visit I decided to order a quarter pound hamburger (next time, hot dog enthusiasts) and small order of fries. The “O” has a few different counters, and the burgers, fries, and subs are all served at the rear one, straight ahead from the main entrance. Admittedly there are some “rules” that are a bit odd, the most obvious being that each order of fries is allotted a certain number of ketchup packages (the small comes with one), and no condiments are left out. I got lettuce, onion, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard on my burger, and decided to add an order of hot cheese whiz to dip the fries into.

The burger was juicy and produce fresh. The Breadworks bun was soft, spongey, and the perfect holder for the greasy griddle-top burger. My fries were of course out of this world. The double-frying technique gives every fry the perfect crunchy outside, yet they remain firm and not overdone on the inside. The “dip n’eat” cheese whiz was the perfect accompaniment. Hot and creamy, it provided the perfect contrast to the room-temperature and always delicious Heinz ketchup. The small order is easily enough for two people, and as I finished my meal I had the bloated feeling that always comes with a trip to the French fry mecca on the corner of Forbes and Bouquet.

The “O” is by no means the most affordable meal for college students. The quarter pound hamburger was $3.99. A small order of fries, though big enough for two, is $4.60, and the cheese sauce an extra $1.84. With tax, my meal came out to be $11.60, which is very steep for students on a budget. However, an occasional trip to the “O” is well worth the price. The place is steeped in history and tradition and hits the spot when all you want is salty, greasy, piping hot junk food.