OT, but relevant. The Original Hot Dog shop in Oakland (Pittsburgh) has closed.Update

[Cozumeleno]

It is incredibly sad news. I went to Pitt in the late 1990s and spent many late nights at the O when it was maybe the only place open at 3 a.m. Right in the heart of campus near the dorms. People would funnel in there after parties and whatnot. I once saw Virgil the pro wrestler, who lives nearby, step out of a car in an nWo shirt going inside at like 2 a.m. That will have context for very few people but, well, it was that kind of joint. Even famous locals went there and you never knew who you might see there.

The pizza was cheap and edible when it was fresh. Forget about trying to eat it the next day, though. It was called the Original Hot Dog Shop but I never actually ate a hot dog there. Cheap. Not the cleanest joint. But when you're a starving college kid on a budget, it was tough to beat.

Amazing and ridiculously large quantities of fries that were incredible. They have made some Best Fries lists, such as this one.

The news was really out of the blue, which is why so many are shocked by it. Despite living only about 25 minutes away, I can't tell you the last time I went there. Trying to find parking in Oakland is a hassle. Now, I am wishing I had gotten there at least once more.