2 Original Hot Dog Shop Replacement Restaurants Open

PITTSBURGH, PA — One of the most well-known intersections in Oakland that was home to the legendary Original Hot Dog Shop for six decades is now the site of two new restaurants - Capriotti's Sandwich Shop and Viva Los Tacos.

Capriotti's, which opened Monday, is a 45-year-old, Delaware-based national franchised restaurant chain specializing in hand crafted cheesesteaks, turkey subs. Viva Los Tacos, is a Mexican restaurant operated by Mero Restaurant Group, which runs the Stack'd Burger and Beer and CHiKN chains. Viva Los Tacos will open later this month.

The eateries are located at the corner of Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street, where the 'O' opened across the street from Forbes Field during the Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 World Series Championship season. Over the years, the two-story eatery was featured on various TV programs such as The Food Network's "Unwrapped," the PBS special "A Hot Dog Program" and
others.

The restaurant closed abruptly in April 2020.

Capriotti's sandiwches include The Bobbie, made with fresh oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo; the Capastrami, made with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian
dressing and homemade coleslaw; and the cheesesteak, made with premium steak, chicken or Impossible plant-based meat and melted cheese plus hot or sweet peppers.

"We are honored to be able to open up an award-winning sandwich shop in a historic location that has seen 60 years of happy visitors," Capriotti's co-owner Jeremy Tuckfelt said in a news release. "We are excited to introduce Capriotti's to the Pittsburgh community and hope to live up to the long history that came before us."

Viva Los Tacos will offer customers handmade tortillas, filled with all natural cooked-to-order beef, chicken and fish, with fresh ingredients and spices and topped with a selection of several house made salsas and chile sauces.