Sign, Advertising
Object number2021.55.4
Made by
Bob Russel
Date1960-2022
MediumPlastic; Paint; Graphite
Credit LineGift of Simon Family
DescriptionFlat, rectangular yellow plastic sign. Front has blue and red painted text advertising food order option. Front has pencil lines bordering and extending from the text. Reverse is undecorated.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 17 x 19 x 0.125 in. (43.2 x 48.3 x 0.3 cm)InscriptionsFront has blue and red text: "BUY / ANY SIZE / FRENCH FRIES / AND PURCHASE / ONE CHEESE WHIZ .75¢".
Historical NotesPart of a collection from The Original Hot Dog Shop chain. The original restaurant opened in 1960 and was located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It closed in April 2020. At one point there were locations in Plum, Monroeville, Penn Hills, the South SIde, Carnegie Mellon University (1996-2006,) and Falls Church, Virginia. This sign is from the Oakland location. Donor Terry Campasano owned the restaurant along with her brother Bruce Simon. “The O” was an Oakland institution best known for their fries cooked in peanut oil. Several food documentaries and lists featured the O for their famous hot dogs and fries. They closed the doors to the original shop in April of 2020 after 60 years. Sitting at the corner of Forbes and South Bouquet Streets, "The O" opened in 1960 by brothers Sydney and Morris Simon. Sydney eventually took over as sole owner until his passing in 2009. His children Terry and Bruce then took over.
Related institution
The Original Hot Dog Shop
(1960 - 2020)
Related institution
Carnegie Mellon University
Previous owner
Terry Campasano
Previous owner
Bruce Simon
Related person
Sydney Simon
(died 2009)
Related person
Morris Simon
On View
Not on view
c. 1900
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