Matchbook
Object number2021.55.13
Manufacturer
Universal Match Corporation
Date1960-2020
OriginSt. Louis, MO
MediumPaperboard; Ink; Metal
Credit LineGift of Simon Family
DescriptionWhite paperboard matchbook. Front, back, and interior has blue and red restaurant logo and information. Twenty matches intact with white heads; matches are attached to cover with one metal staple. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 2 x 1.5 x 0.375 in. (5.1 x 3.8 x 1 cm)InscriptionsFront has red and blue printed text "Original / HOT DOG / SHOP / BE SAFE - CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING / 3901 FORBES AVE. / PGH. (OAKLAND) PA. 15213".
Back has red, white, and blue printed text "Original / THE BIG / O / SERVING YOU / SINCE 1960 / (412) 621-7388".
Top edge has blue printed text "OVER 100 MILLION HOT DOGS SOLD".
Inside has red printed text "HOT DOGS / FRIES / SUBS / HAMBURGERS / #1 - IN IMPORT BEER / SELECTIONS / Featuring... / 6 VARIETIES OF / DRAFT BEER / ANOTHER 1ST / AT THE "O"...WHIPPED / DRINKS / TOP OF THE "O" / FEATURES / EXTRA SEATING / ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLY / LARGE 6 FOOT SCREEN".
MarksBottom edge has printed blue text "UNIVERSAL MATCH CORP., ST. LOUIS..."
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
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