Original Hot Dog Shops Inc

Heather C.

Joined 5 days ago

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. The place is extremely filthy inside; looks as if it hasn't had a good, thorough cleaning in many years. We only stopped and (almost) ate there b/c some locals said the place was somewhat "famous" and that we should eat there once just to say we did it. We ordered our food and paid at 3 different registers b/c for some moronic reason 1 register is for hot dogs, 1 is for drinks, and 1 is for other sandwiches. We sat down and immediately my wife spots a black hair on her sandwich. We looked closer and found three on the top piece of turkey. My wife, who is very soft spoken and polite, went and told her server about the issue. He mumbled a few times and walked off - I guess he thought if he walked away she would just forget about the hair??? Next she alerted the manager about the issue only to be treated like a idiot. First, the manager said that since we removed the hair infested piece of turkey from the sandwich she would not give a refund or even exchange the turkey sub for a new one. After some arguing the manager handed over a piece of white paper and insisted that we remove the hair from the piece of meat and place it on the paper for her inspection. My wife did as requested, only for the manager to tell her that the hairs were to short/small for her to be able to tell if they were from her server. At this point my wife and I were both arguing with the manager and commenting about the poor service only to be told we wouldn't receive a refund.

FYI, I did have several bites of my hot dog while my wife started her complaint about the hair. The hot dog wasn't much better than the hairy turkey sub. In fact my hot dog wasn't half as good as a Sonic footlong chili cheese dog, but the 6"-7" hot dog from The Original Hot Dog Shop will set you back close to $5 and that price doesn't include the chili!

Lauren L.

Joined 10 months ago

Don't listen to any of the bad reviews, this place is a classic. I went to Pitt and lived in the area for years and frequented the "O" often. You don't go there for their clean bathrooms and friendly staff cause you won't find either. Their fries are incredible. Also, it is smack in the middle of Pitt campus, it's NOT an unsafe area and anyone who thinks so has lived a sheltered life.

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George L.

Joined 1 year ago

BEST FRENCH FRIES #1. I was in Oakland last Friday and was wanting lunch. I ended up at The "O" ordering a small fries w/ cheese.

Too my delight, I bumped into my old friend Bruce ,(the owner of the O). I told him I ordered the fries and he asked how are they? Let me tell you Bruce.......and the rest of Pittsburgh that YOUR FRENCH FRIES ROCK!!! ....STILL #1, the BEST FRENCH FRIES EVER!!

Doesn't Recommend

Scott J.

Joined 1 year ago

Not Reliable. I am a real fan of The "O." However, if you wish to be there when they open (supposedly at 10:00 AM), expect to be disappointed. A friend and I waited outside their door until 10:45 and they were still closed.

Very disappointed.

Scott

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Joshua V.

Joined 1 year ago

One of a Kinda. I'm not really used to being in the city despite living only about 2 hours away. I was talked into going to "The O" by my dad and his girlfriend so I went in not expecting too much. It had the crappiest people working but somehow it added to the charm of the place. Make sure they know exactly what you want cause they don't hold themselves responsible for mess ups. The hot dogs were delicious to say the least. A nice salty flavor with a crunchy casing. The fries were beyond large. The small fed 3 of us. I recommend you bring your own bottle of ketchup unless you want to pay for more. All in all its a place worth visiting once. If you can go when school isn't in so you can avoid the business of the PITT students.

Doesn't Recommend

BDownes

Joined 2 years ago

What a Shame. I was so embarrassed to take my wife and daughters and thier husbands to the Dirty O. I graduated from Pitt in 1971 and frequented the Original many many times. I had always enjoyed the dogs and fries after a few beers. Today I bragged about the place to my sons' in law. I was totally embarassed about the quality of the hot dogs and fries. They were the worst I have ever tasted and even out did 5 guys for lousy quality. The fries were hard and dry. When I took them back the big fat fry guy yelled at me and told me that If I wanted them soft I should I have told him when I ordered. Then I said can I have some more ketchup once I got the new soft batch and he said "you already got ketchup and another cup will be 45 cents." I just hope he wasn't a Pitt grad. Any how, I will never be back to take such abuse regarding customer service and food quality. This place sucks!!!

Go Pitt!!!!

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thedogster

Joined 2 years ago

The "O" is the BEST. Oh come on, if you come here to use the bathrooms you are really missing the point. And stop worrying about the neighborhood - scared? then go there during the day.

I'm from Cleveland and I think the best dogs are at the "O" even though it's in Pittsburgh. And by the way, I've eaten dogs in Ohio, West Virginia, Pensylvannia, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Washington DC, and Illinois. I've had Chicago Dogs, NY Dirty Water dogs and Nathan's Famous and the famous deep fried dogs in NJ - none can compare to the "O".

I'll be back there in September again - see you there if you have a clue about dogs!

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j savio

Joined 2 years ago

Not sure it really is THE original. now live in florida, but grew up in east liberty. We used to go to get an 'original' hot dog on larimer ave. It was a big treat to get the dog with the dark mustard, onions and a birch beer. This was in the late 50's. I am sure of it. does anyone else remember this? when they renovated sliberty they moved the shop to that big circle road they put in around east liberty. I also used to go to the one in Oakland after school at Cathedral catholic school.

Go Steelers!

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kevlang kevlang

Joined 3 years ago

hot spot. the best place to eat and drink love it and it still crak down there wow

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vickk

Joined 3 years ago

Good Food...... Dirty Bathrooms. I have eaten hot dogs all around the world...The O are some of the best that I have ever had. The fries are to die for......The bathrooms will make you die....Bring hand sanitizers with you.....