Sometimes the best meals aren’t fancy.
They’re the ones that survive a 12-hour pinball tournament, a road trip, or a busy day without turning into a soggy disaster.
This week’s Foodie Friday features one of my favorite go-to meals:
a simple ham wrap inspired by a stop I made last summer at Tony Packo’s in Toledo, Ohio.
If you’re a fan of MASH*, you’ll remember Corporal Maxwell Klinger constantly talking about his hometown of Toledo and Tony Packo’s famous Hungarian hot dogs.
Last summer I made the pilgrimage myself during a solo road trip that took me from Chicago, around Lake Michigan, through Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.
Tony Packos – Toledo, Ohio:
The hot dogs were good. The pierogies were good. The cherry strudel was amazing.
But the surprise winner?
Tony Packo’s Sweet Hot Pickles.
I’ve been ordering jars ever since.
The Wrap
My tournament wrap formula is simple:
Flour tortilla
Ham
Mixed greens
Pepper jack cheese
Tony Packo’s Sweet Hot Pickles
No mayo. No ranch. No mystery goo.
Just enough pickle slices to add moisture, a little sweetness, and a little kick.
There Is An Art To It
The secret isn’t the ingredients.
The secret is the assembly.
1 The ham goes down first to create a moisture barrier.
2 Then the greens go on top so they stay put instead of launching themselves across the kitchen.
3 The cheese and pickle slices get added next.
4 Then comes the strategic rolling process that prevents the infamous “ham tongue” sticking out one end of the wrap.
Years of tournament food engineering have gone into this.
Why It Works
Competitive pinball tournaments can start around 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning and run until 10:00 at night—or later.
You need food that:
Travels well
Doesn’t require reheating
Won’t leak
Won’t get soggy
Provides protein
Can be eaten quickly between rounds
✔️ These wraps check every box.
I usually pair them with:
Grapes
Blueberries
Cottage cheese
Apples
Carrots
Nuts
Dried fruit
Hard-boiled eggs
Plenty of water
And yes, a little caffeine.
I’m realistic.
The Verdict
Would Corporal Klinger approve?
Considering the sweet-hot pickle situation, I think he’d at least salute the effort.
Tony Packo’s Sweet Hot Pickles.
I’ve been ordering jars ever since. In fact, I’ve gone through about six jars in the last year.
If you’re curious, you can find them here: Tony Packo’s Sweet Hot Pickles
And if you’re looking for a simple lunch that travels well, keeps you full, and doesn’t require drowning your food in condiments, this wrap might be worth a try.
Still counts.
Read more Foodie Friday posts.